Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
When Events Collide: An “Uncommon Knowledge” from July, 2002 with Hitchens and Gingrich
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.
Published in General
What a great find. I’d love to see the unedited version, if possible, and also if Peter has any remembrances about how the Speaker and the speaker interacted off camera?
I’m really going to miss Hitch. I ordered a Johnny Walker Black (with soda, no ice) in tribute at my local bar last night and made a point of saying why. Nobody knew who I was talking about :-(.
This is an incredible conversation. So much more serious than any we have seen in this debate cycle.
A truly excellent interview, with both speakers at their best. Gingrich’s point about fumbling holds up very well.
Although at first each, was, as I recall, slightly wary of the other, by the time we all left the studio Newt and Hitch were entirely comfortable in one another’s presence.
One other memory–one that may prove of particular relevance now that Newt is everywhere being attacked for proving high-handed, vain, and so forth. In all the history of Uncommon Knowledge–and we’ve shot more than 400 episodes now–only two guests have ever taken the time to walk around the studio, introducing themselves to every member of the crew. One was Ron Reagan. Whatever you think of his politics (and I think they’re mostly mistaken), you can’t deny that Ron is as irresistibly charming as was his father.
The other? Newt Gingrich.
Hitchens was as good and interesting as ever. I confess though that it was Speaker Gingrich who most impressed me — not necessarily compared to Hitchens, but when I think of his current media caricature. This was a thoughtful Newt, and not even one who needed to talk and talk and talk (perhaps it was simply impossible to attempt that when Christopher Hitchens is the other guest).
Peter, is there video of the Ron Reagan episode?
You, Mr. Robinson, are one heck of an interviewer. Every edition of Uncommon Knowledge is simply a joy to experience…and is so because of your uncommon knowledge of the subject matter. You make your guests even more effervescent than they already were.
Ah, you want to send us right back into the archives? After taking a whole day-and-a-half to find this video? I’ll give it a try. Ron was on with John Podhoretz. At issue: whether George W. Bush represented a worthy successor to Ronald Reagan. Sparks flew.
You made my day. Muchisimas gracias!
Oh Jeez. That makes the archives at the hoover institution sound like a scary place (like the final scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark). Don’t do it just for me though, I’ll be fine with the transcript. But if you do go, then the Hitchen/Garton Ash episode would be nice to watch too. Sorry, I feel bad asking.
The video of that interview is not online, but the transcript is here.
It’s a pity that there isn’t a mainstream broadcast or cable venue for Uncommon Knowledge, as there was for William F. Buckley’s Firing Line.
Speaking plainly, Fox News could easily dispense with a half-hour of its empty, screaming-heads programming and do a great public service by providing content of this quality.
There is greater clarity and understanding of the war against aggressive “religious fascism” in this 26:55 presentation than has been communicated in the total period following 9/11 to date.
In fact, political correctness and genuine cowardice has muddied the waters to the point that there will never be a way of knowing if we have won, since we no longer have the slightest idea who we are fighting against.
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.
It is a unique skill set that rarely operates in front of a camera. ·Dec 18 at 8:17am
Very, very well put.
I’m quite surprised by my own reaction to this interview. My opinion of Gingrich went up, of course, though its hard to tell how that should affect my opinion of him now given the lapse in time. But, yes, I was impressed by his thoughtfulness here.
A question for Peter: I rarely agreed with Hitchens, but I always sensed that he was honest, and spoke plainly about where his convictions led him. Rob Long called Hitchens “bracing,” and that’s a perfect word. As a student of philosophy, I respected his Socratic quality … in other words, he could be a real pain in the <behind> if you were looking for a cushy assumption.
Now that he’s gone …
Anyone else (you’re willing to name) that serves that same role?
Welcome HotAir readers!
http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2011/12/18/video-hitchens-and-gingrich-2002/
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.
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
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!