Stay Athwart

Millions of people first got a taste of National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr.’s legendary wit and erudition on his long-running TV show Firing Line. Interviewing Buckley shortly after the show’s 33-year run ended, Ted Koppel asked Buckley if he could sum up his years on the program in the ten seconds Koppel had left on his own show. “No,” Buckley replied.

I have only been at NR for about five and a half years. And I am no WFB. But in trying to sum up my time here as I depart, I, too, am inclined to brevity. To do otherwise might be to fall afoul of another thing Buckley was known to say: “expressio unius est exclusio alterius” -- roughly, to mention some is to exclude others. So I will limit myself to reiterating my affinity for and gratitude toward those who know they already have them.

The house that Buckley built is truly a special place. I have dreamed of working here since high school. Thus, the dream ends with some measure of wistfulness on my part. That wistfulness is curtailed by the fact that I know this will not be the last thing I write for NR. In fact, I have already committed to two more pieces. Beyond that, we shall see.

Since the future is uncertain, I will return to the past. The first piece I wrote for National Review was about a rather different TV show: the (excellent) cartoon Samurai Jack, in 2017. I stand by what I wrote, remain proud of it, and am grateful for an initial foothold in this place, whatever the subject. Those who want to see what I’ve been up to since then can survey my work here. As for what comes next, well . . . maybe the other Jack can provide some hints.

In the meantime, to my colleagues, to readers, and to all who believe in the principles espoused by National Review and its founder: stay athwart.