Latest G-FAN

Above, G-FAN #144. 

Ben Johnson and Scott Glenn in My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (1991):

Johnson: "You know the worst thing about gettin' old?" 

Glenn: "No Sir."

Johnson: "Gettin' old!"

Yup! That's about the way it is. If one is lucky to be in good health in their "advanced years", aging isn't so bad. It sure beats the alternative.

It has been a week today that G-FEST XXIX ended and I was waiting to catch my plane back to New Mexico (with a three-hour delay). I had a good time attending. 

But I did notice one thing, I didn't have the stamina like I did during past years. I had to pace myself more and sit down more often. My cardiologist wants me to do a lot of walking. There was certainly a lot of that, so much so that I had leg cramps the first night (Thursday) I was there. They were the first ones in years for me. 

Aside from the two coronary artery stents I have (since 2018), I feel pretty good. 

At G-FEST, J. D. Lees and I were talking about slowing down and taking things easier. He's a year younger than I (I'm 70) and has already handed the reins of G-FEST to his daughter Payton. From what I saw at G-FEST, she's doing a great job. The convention is in good hands.

The latest issue of G-FAN arrived in the mail Friday. In his "Dear G-Friends" column, he stated, "I intend to reluctantly end my editorship" with issue #150. Whether the magazine will end then or taken over by someone else is not known. A lot of work goes into publishing a magazine and it is remarkable that it has lasted over 30 years. He stated he doesn't want it to end and will be looking for ways to keep it going. As he said, he is entering "old age". I can certainly empathize with that. Even William F. Buckley Jr. took a similar path (stepping down from National Review and Firing Line) as he entered old age. J. D. also indicated that he might change his mind. 

Whatever happens, I, for one, am grateful for the years of work J. D. put into fandom and wish to take this opportunity to say "Thank You". He deserves some more relaxing quality time to enjoy his golden years and do some traveling. He earned it. He has an open invitation to come down here to "Indian Country".

The Buckley Documentary

Above, William F. Buckley Jr. in an undated photo from Wikipedia.

Last night was the first time in months that I stayed up to almost 11:00. This was to watch the PBS documentary, "The Incomparable Mr. Buckley".

I learned a lot about William F. Buckley Jr. from the program. It was interesting that many of the liberals who appeared on Firing Line were also personal friends. It was refreshing to see how friendships can be made despite political differences. 

It was interesting to see a photo of Buckley shaking hands with Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy would not appear on Firing Line. When asked why, Buckley quipped, "Why does the baloney avoid the slicer?"

Above, Buckley and Robert Kennedy.

Buckley passed away while working in his study. At the time, he was working on a book on Barry Goldwater. He was 82.

The only thing that marred the program for me was the Trump-bashing at the end. Otherwise, it was a worthwhile documentary.

UPDATE:

I just discovered that the full documentary has been posted at YouTube.

Here it is:

"The Incomparable Mr. Buckley" On PBS Friday

PBS American Masters will be airing "The Incomparable Mr. Buckley" on Friday (9:00 PM on New Mexico PBS 5.1) evening. (Check your local listings.)

It takes a look at William F. Buckley Jr., one of the fathers of the modern conservative movement in American politics. This is one program that I am looking forward to seeing.

I have some of Buckley's books such as In The Jeweler's Eye, Quotations From Chairman Bill and Up From Liberalism. I was a regular viewer of his Firing Line television show and read National Review.

I remember seeing Buckley at the 1976 Republican National Convention as he took a "stroll" on the convention floor. I was a California Reagan delegate at that convention in Kansas City, Missouri. He received a great welcome from the delegates.

Here's the official trailer: