This is not directly related to the Republican National Convention. And yet, it is completely related. Conservative giant and founder of National Review passed away this morning at the age of 82.

From Fox News, (National Review Online has only posted their condolences, more will come from them, I am sure):

Editor, columnist, novelist, debater, TV talk show star of "Firing Line," harpsichordist, trans-oceanic sailor and even a good-natured loser in a New York mayor's race, Buckley worked at a daunting pace, taking as little as 20 minutes to write a column for his magazine, the National Review.

Yet on the platform he was all handsome, reptilian languor, flexing his imposing vocabulary ever so slowly, accenting each point with an arched brow or rolling tongue and savoring an opponent's discomfort with wide-eyed glee.

Regardless of whether or not he would have attended this year's convention, his spirit (for those of us who weren't able to meet him) in his columns will be missed. Thankfully, his beliefs live on in past works and National Review. I for one, am sad I never got to shake his hand and thank him for the influence he's had on me.