Last night in Hollywood Paula Abdul hosted a benefit for Sderot, the Israeli town that exists under a hail of Palestinian qassam rockets. Appearing were Sylvester Stallone, Jon Voigt, Mayor Villaraigosa, and many others, (with long distance support from the presidential front runners). A group of 10 high school students from Sderot were guests of honor.

At the start of the school year the Palestinian Islamic Jihad took responsibility for a campaign of Qassam launches aimed at the Sderot kindergarten.

He was friends with those he fought. He fought with friends. These are the highest civic ideals to which an American patriot can aspire.
Rick Perlstein

The National Post in Canada is reporting that William F. Buckley, Jr. died last night while working in his study. Mr. Buckley, one of the most influential American conservative thinkers and writers of the 20th century, founded The National Review.

We loved his ornate erudition, his entertaining persona and guillotine intellect showcased weekly on his informative and entertaining program Firing Line on public television. We'll always remember Mr. Buckley: long legs extended, almost sliding out of his chair. He was angular under a shock of hair, gripping his pen, cuffs shot, as he verbally eviscerated any number of interesting, thoughtful, but less able guests with sparkle-eyed glee. Great television. Great brain candy.

LA Times obituary. Extensive AP article here.

National Review Online: a brief tribute here.