Christopher Hitchens: 1949-2011
Unlike some on Ricochet, I cannot say that I ever knew Christopher Hitchens. My one encounter with him was at a book-signing in Williamsburg shortly after his debate with Lawrence Wilkerson, who teaches security policy at W&M. As I stood in line preparing to have my copy of Hitch signed, I realized that it would be a tremendous waste of an opportunity were I to be within a few feet of one of the greatest living writers and have absolutely nothing to say, even if whatever I said was brief and inconsequential. The only thing I could think of in that brief moment was something to the order of "don't you think your accent gives you an unfair advantage in debates because it makes you sound more authoritative?" The response that came flying back was classic Hitchens: "what are you talking about? I don't have an accent at all."
I will admit that my feelings regarding Hitchens's views have always been mixed; I've had trouble getting past his vocal atheism, but one can respect the man without agreeing with him all of the time. It is impossible to be anything but impressed when one reads his writing, and in hearing him speak, one could not honestly disagree with his arguments without at least being impressed by their incisiveness and eloquence. Aside from some of his foreign policy positions, I have very often found myself disagreeing with his viewpoints, but have never believed his positions to be the result of anything but his own intellect and honest thought.
One point on which I truly wish he was wrong is the age old question as to what happens to us after we die. If there is an afterlife, I hope he is there now, and if he is, there is no way that he and P.G. Wodehouse are not thoroughly enjoying themselves right now. His passing is most certainly a great loss.
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Apr '11
Re: Christopher Hitchens: 1949-2011
Christopher Hitchens approved or disapproved of everything according to its conformity with Socialism. His Leftism was purer, if you will, since more ideological, than the neurotic Leftism of Liberal Fascists. Thus he differed from Liberal Fascists in appreciating America--"capitalism" being a necessary precursor to Socialism--and execrating Islamofascism, the current danger among the monotheisms that he loathed.
Dec '10
Re: Christopher Hitchens: 1949-2011
Very nicely said, Eric. He will be missed.
Nov '10
Re: Christopher Hitchens: 1949-2011
"One point on which I truly wish he was wrong is the age old question as to what happens to us after we die. If there is an afterlife, I hope he is there now, and if he is, there is no way that he and P.G. Wodehouse are not thoroughly enjoying themselves right now."
The existence of a hereafter is certain. The enjoyment part is not certain. That would be only true if there were no consequence of the rejection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ said: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me."
It is pretty clear that Christopher Hitchens did not seek the way even very late into his illness. There are however, death bed conversions. An eternity without God is most terrible. We would not wish that on anyone.
May '10
Re: Christopher Hitchens: 1949-2011
Oh, how sad. I, too, hope and pray Hitchens found the Peace that passes all understanding. May God have mercy on his soul.
Apr '11
Re: Christopher Hitchens: 1949-2011
Hitchens wasn't just a lefty. He was an iconoclast, frequently going after idols of the left. Anyone read his Clinton book?
While I disagreed with him on many topics, he possessed at kind of intellectual aggressiveness and rigor that I truly appreciated.
Rest in Peace, Christopher.
Mar '11
Re: Christopher Hitchens: 1949-2011
Aw, Hitch. I'd say Rest in Peace, but I figure you're restless engaged in the great debate in the heavens; that's as it ought to be.
Jun '11
Re: Christopher Hitchens: 1949-2011
Who can deny that Hitch was the greatest polemicist of our time?
God rest his soul.. and I mean that sincerely.
Mar '11
Re: Christopher Hitchens: 1949-2011
He made me laugh and think and even tho I did not agree with every thing he said he was always interesting.
RIP
Dec '11
Re: Christopher Hitchens: 1949-2011
A sad passing. Hitchens was one of the very few intellectual lights of the left whose intellectual integrity I admired. His voice will be missed.