Liberty has lost an irreplaceable champion. There are many advocates for western civilization and its freedoms in our world, and each and every one of them makes a difference. Of them all, French Academie Francaise member and "immortal" Jean-Francois Revel may have been the greatest.

Liberty. Humanity. Clarity. And an intelligence that enlightened, revealed, and challenged you every step of the way. Others will step up, and join the love story that he was a part of, and aim at the same things. They will take their place in our civilization's long chain - but those who rise to Revel's level are never really replaced. Was de Tocqueville ever replaced? Baron Montesquieu? It is enough that we had them for a short while, borrowed treasures that left something of themselves behind.

He has fought the good fight, and laid down a pen mightier than a brigade of swords. If there is a Heaven, he goes now to its Elysian Fields.

Au revoir notre pere, notre ami (1924-2006). May we prove worthy of your legacy.

UPDATE: Jeremayakovka has a tribute, and some links.