When Events Collide: An "Uncommon Knowledge" from July, 2002 with Hitchens and Gingrich
Blue Yeti ·
December 17, 2011 at 10:55pm
A few days ago as part of his remembrance of Christopher Hitchens, Rob posted an episode of Uncommon Knowledge from 1998 with Hitchens and William F. Buckley. Almost immediately, Peter prompted us to go find this Uncommon Knowledge featuring the prescient pairing of Hitchens and Newt Gingrich recorded in July, 2002. The interview is fascinating for any number of reasons (we can't get over that set -- a sort of proto poli-sci man cave), but most interestingly, it captures the two men reflecting and debating the then still fresh horror of 9/11 and what they predicted it meant for our future.
To see more of Christopher Hitchens on Uncommon Knowledge, visit the archives here.
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Sep '11
Re: When Events Collide: An "Uncommon Knowledge" from July, 2002 with Hitchens and Gingrich
The discussion is fascinating. Hitchens is wrong about the motive for 9/11. It wasn't the first step in an Islamist takeover of the USA. It was a move in the battle for control of the world's existing Muslims. By showing how powerful, resourceful & audacious they could be, al-Queda hoped both to impress Muslims and to goad the US into fighting back in a war which could be presented as an attack on all Muslims, and which they believed moreover they could win. Gingrich sees this, Hitchens doesn't seem to. Both see the absolute need for the US fight back, and win. Hitchens' apparent belief that 9/11 is the start of an attempt to impose sharia on Americans (they'd love to, of course, but it's for later) is not astute politically, but it feeds directly into his simplistic atheism - so puerile and divisive, and such a waste of his talent.
Jun '10
Re: When Events Collide: An "Uncommon Knowledge" from July, 2002 with Hitchens and Gingrich
Pseudodionysius
raycon
Mr. Robinson is the Johnny Carson of the public policy and political universe. He knows more than enough of the subject to make his guests knowledge shine, and has the good sense to stay out of their way while they are so shining.
It is a unique skill set that rarely operates in front of a camera. · Dec 18 at 8:17am
Very, very well put. · Dec 18 at 10:28am
I wholeheartedly agree, and had repeatedly sent (and bothered, I'm sure) Mr. Robinson glowing praises via email in the past. I first came across Uncommon Knowledge one day in about 2002 (thanks TiVo Suggestions!); it was about a subject I had very little interest in and yet I found the format and discussion completely engaging. I watched every single one until it was regrettably cancelled, then went back through the online archives (after they were posted) and watched all the ones I'd missed. It was the best public affairs television show I'd ever seen before or since, and Mr. Robinson is the best interviewer I've ever come across.
UC is why I followed him to his new enterprise here and became a member!