Notes & Asides

Many years ago (about 1956), the New York Times began to feature frequent articles by someone denominated as “McCandlish Phillips.” Well, NATIONAL REVIEW had earlier published a satire by John M. Phillips, but the new name at the Times caught on and JMP made illustrious headway in journalism.

And then one day he quit-still a young man-in order to serve his muse, who was also his Maker. He did not write again for decades, and so it was a welcome surprise to receive from him, for publication, a rueful essay on the Social Security issue. We publish it here, with warm welcome to the son departed for so long.

About the Author

William F. Buckley Jr.

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

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Many years ago (about 1956), the New York Times began to feature frequent articles by someone denominated as “McCandlish Phillips.” Well, NATIONAL REVIEW had earlier published a satire by John M. Phillips, but the new name at the Times caught on and JMP made illustrious headway in journalism.

And then one day he quit-still a young man-in order to serve his muse, who was also his Maker. He did not write again for decades, and so it was a welcome surprise to receive from him, for publication, a rueful essay on the Social Security issue. We publish it here, with warm welcome to the son departed for so long.