Learning civil discourse from William F. Buckley and my dad

As I said in the accompanying post, watching Firing Line at my father’s knee from early childhood taught me the value and the efficacy of civil debate, no matter how contentious the issue. I disagreed with him some then, do so much more now, but I’ve always admired his approach. Here are a few examples of Buckley’s conversations through the decades:

A remarkable 1969 Firing Line debate between William F. Buckley and Noam Chomsky on the global military role of America, specifically the appropriateness of intervention
Part 1

Part 2

Allen Ginsberg and William F. Buckley on Firing Line in 1968
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj17WbJ1k7k

On Charlie Rose, talking about Ayn Rand in 2003

Arguing for drug legalization against Charlie Rangel in 1991

In 1996, William F. Buckley talks through drug legalization for a half hour as a guest on one of the few other shows with civil thoughtful discussion on public policy, Richard Heffner’s The Open Mind (which is still running.)
Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Hugh Hefner and William F. Buckley discuss the sexual revolution and the Playboy philosophy
Part 1

Part 2

Return to the accompanying post.