I present to you the late William F. Buckley, who frightened people cling to as an example of what it means to be an “American.”
Now see this:
So much for Buckley’s Americanism, for his belief in freedom of expression.
I came across that video looking for something else. I bring it up because someone on Twitter stated he liked someone’s book but was disgusted the person had political views divergent from his own. I told him that was his tough luck. He didn’t like hearing that.
Well grow the hell up!
If you’re going to judge art on your personal checklist of belief, I’ve got some ripe news for you: someone someday is going to pull that crap on you.
I’ve brought this up on Twitter before. I disagree with many, many things Orson Scott Card believes in and writes about his in various columns. Does that mean I’m going to stop reading his fiction?
Hell no.
His views are his views and he’s entitled to them.
When I plunk down money for his work, I’m paying for his work.
I don’t have a right to say what he should think because he’s earned money from me buying his work.
Within a few weeks, the airwaves will be filled with Dickens’ story of Scrooge. And people will again have their hearts warmed by his tale of change and redemption.
You hypocrites!
If Scrooge had been a writer and you knew what he was up to, you would’ve boycotted his books to starve him to death. He never would have had a chance to change because of your narrow-mindedness!
And where does your stupid, prissy, and insane Checklist of Self-Righteousness end? What if a writer eats meat? Or smokes? Or drinks? Or hates children? Or burns an American flag? Or picks his nose? Or advocates masturbation over marriage?
Who the hell do you think you are that you deserve something from a writer other than the work?
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.
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Mike Cane’s xBlog 
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Excellent post. Telling video, although I wonder how many of those people who “cling” to William F. Buckley, Jr. as an example actually heard (or understood) much of what he wrote or had to say. Perhaps uncharacteristically, in this video he was exceptionally easy to understand.
Talk radio here — specifically Rush Limbaugh — adored Buckley.