On the Right

New York, April 22—A week ago, I was present while three returned prisoners of war interrogated Ramsey Clark, the former Attorney General who, you will recall—particularly if you were a POW—traveled last summer to Hanoi, and among other things subsequently gave it as his opinion that the prisoners of war were being humanely treated. After 15 minutes I had to leave, because the exchange was embarrassing.

The returned prisoners of war were without bitterness and, military habits dying hard, addressed Mr. Clark with great civility. “Sir, why did you go to North Vietnam?” “Sir, why did you think that the peace movement would help the POWs?” If they asked him on what evidence he based his conclusion that the prisoners were being humanely treated, it was after I left the room. Perhaps they refrained from asking that question having had enough, in their own experiences, of sadism.

About the Author

William F. Buckley Jr.

William F. Buckley Jr. founded National Review magazine in 1955.

New York, April 22—A week ago, I was present while three returned prisoners of war interrogated Ramsey Clark, the former Attorney General who, you will recall—particularly if you were a POW—traveled last summer to Hanoi, and among other things subsequently gave it as his opinion that the prisoners of war were being humanely treated. After 15 minutes I had to leave, because the exchange was embarrassing.

The returned prisoners of war were without bitterness and, military habits dying hard, addressed Mr. Clark with great civility. “Sir, why did you go to North Vietnam?” “Sir, why did you think that the peace movement would help the POWs?” If they asked him on what evidence he based his conclusion that the prisoners were being humanely treated, it was after I left the room. Perhaps they refrained from asking that question having had enough, in their own experiences, of sadism.