Charles Krauthammer, R.I.P.

Leave it to a former liberal to have such piercing insight
into the rhetoric, the arguments, and the positioning on the
issues of the Left, and to be a formidable champion of the
Right, whose side of the political divide he once was
adverse to if not in fact scornful of. And he proffered his
arguments in a respectful, almost collegial manner, with
no malice toward his former political mates, showing good
will to all. Charles Krauthammer was such a person, and
he left a legacy of intellectual rigor, integrity, and
the aforementioned goodwill to everyone on both the
Left and the Right.

Having announced his impending death in his final missive
a few weeks ago, Charles Krauthammer left this world on
June 21, aged 68, after a long fight with cancer. A man of
many talents; a psychiatrist, journalist, political operative
on the Walter Mondale presidential campaign team in 1984,
an intellectual powerhouse who not only did not let a diving
accident which left him a paraplegic at 22 limit his life but
crammed even more living into his life afterward, Krauthammer
became almost as great a champion of conservatism and
guiding arbiter of how conservatism would establish its
arguments and proceed from there, living what he believed
and promulgated. When asked some years ago about whether
or not he would take treatment with stem cells from fetuses
in order to be able to walk again, he said that he would
rather bequeath to his son a world in which medical advances
would be made while adhering to a moral compass.

Moral clarity, fair and limited government, a muscular defense
policy for the protection of our country and her interests, and
good will for all make the legacy of Charles Krauthammer
which he leaves to us. Will we ever see the likes of him again?
Rest well, our dear Charles.


MEM