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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Habbaku on December 16, 2011, 12:43:04 AM

Title: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Habbaku on December 16, 2011, 12:43:04 AM
RIP.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/christopher-hitchens-controversial-author-television-personality-dies/story?id=13214700
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Sheilbh on December 16, 2011, 12:44:34 AM
:(

I liked this:
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/12/on-the-possibility-of-christopher-hitchens-finding-jesus/249950/
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: jimmy olsen on December 16, 2011, 12:49:28 AM
RIP

:(
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 12:55:51 AM
R.I.P.  :(
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Habbaku on December 16, 2011, 01:00:25 AM
This has been the first "celebrity" death I have actually been affected by in a long time.  I didn't agree with Hitchens a lot of the time, but reading his rants was always entertaining and he always had a take on things that, if not compelling, was at least worth reading.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Syt on December 16, 2011, 01:17:31 AM
[Theist]All dressed up an nowhere to go . . .[/Theist]

:(
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Viking on December 16, 2011, 01:17:48 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpayingattentiontothesky.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fhitchens_despaircom.jpg&hash=be8e22d56543e872b9be5493254a84157df2b657)

Huckesters, liars, con artists and hypocrites all over the world can now breath a sigh of relief. But, as Habbaku suggested, I considered his life when I heard he was sick. He was an atheist activist in the vein of Ingersol, Mencken or Clemens. I can't help but think he was always an american born in an english skin. He battled against lies and for honesty because he thought honesty was in and of itself just better. His greatest achievement was, however, his ability to stand by his principles against his friends.

His life's work was done though. He had not made any new contributions since well before his illness. 
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Habbaku on December 16, 2011, 01:19:42 AM
Quote from: Viking on December 16, 2011, 01:17:48 AM
He was an atheist activist in the vein of Ingersol, Mencken or Clemens. He battled against lies and for honesty because he thought honesty was in and of itself just better.

Yep.   :(
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: JonasSalk on December 16, 2011, 01:23:17 AM
Quote from: Viking on December 16, 2011, 01:17:48 AMHe was an atheist activist in the vein of Ingersol, Mencken

Two of the best writers very few people these days have ever heard of, much less read. Especially Ingersoll.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Sheilbh on December 16, 2011, 01:27:52 AM
There's a lovely Christopher Buckley appreciation in the New Yorker. I highly recommend it.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: fhdz on December 16, 2011, 01:56:52 AM
Rest in peace, Christopher.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: The Brain on December 16, 2011, 02:26:28 AM
Didn't read his rants.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Razgovory on December 16, 2011, 04:42:50 AM
He was a lackey of murderous regimes who never lost his love of forced social engineering.  Maybe he can finally meet Trotsky.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Ideologue on December 16, 2011, 05:26:12 AM
I haven't actually read as much Hitchens as I should have, but I liked him quite a bit.  One of the few genuine anti-fascists left in the world.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Grey Fox on December 16, 2011, 06:54:43 AM
Now that's sad. :(
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 16, 2011, 07:46:21 AM
RIP  :(
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Razgovory on December 16, 2011, 07:49:52 AM
Odd that so many people use the term "RIP".  I Hitchens is correct he no longer exists.  He has been totally and irrevocably eradicated.  Certainly not "resting".
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: DGuller on December 16, 2011, 08:08:40 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on December 16, 2011, 07:49:52 AM
Odd that so many people use the term "RIP".  I Hitchens is correct he no longer exists.  He has been totally and irrevocably eradicated.  Certainly not "resting".
I think people here are just practicing forgiveness.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: grumbler on December 16, 2011, 08:33:50 AM
Hitchens may have never been right, but he also never was dull.  RIP.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 11:32:01 AM
Wishing him a pleasant time in Heaven seems a fitting eulogy.  :hmm:
Nevertheless, the RIPs are perhaps meant ironically?
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Malthus on December 16, 2011, 11:34:41 AM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 11:32:01 AM
Wishing him a pleasant time in Heaven seems a fitting eulogy.  :hmm:
Nevertheless, the RIPs are perhaps meant ironically?

I always thought the term "rest in peace" was a trifle ambivalent - on the one hand, it sounds pleasant for the person (who doesn't like rest and peace?) but on the other hand, it could be a request not to return and trouble the living.  :P
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 12:09:37 PM
I don't see any inherent religious significance to the term "rest in peace".
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: grumbler on December 16, 2011, 12:21:36 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 12:09:37 PM
I don't see any inherent religious significance to the term "rest in peace".
No more than is in "goodbye" (which means "god be with ye").
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 12:22:10 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 12:09:37 PM
I don't see any inherent religious significance to the term "rest in peace".
The things you don't see could fill a portly library.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Valmy on December 16, 2011, 12:31:58 PM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 11:32:01 AM
Wishing him a pleasant time in Heaven seems a fitting eulogy.  :hmm:
Nevertheless, the RIPs are perhaps meant ironically?

What should we say then :hmm:

May Non-Existance be Awesome?
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: grumbler on December 16, 2011, 12:36:44 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 16, 2011, 12:31:58 PM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 11:32:01 AM
Wishing him a pleasant time in Heaven seems a fitting eulogy.  :hmm:
Nevertheless, the RIPs are perhaps meant ironically?

What should we say then :hmm:

May Non-Existance be Awesome?
MYBFOTWOL:  "May you be free of the Wheel of Life"?
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 12:37:09 PM
Quote from: Valmy on December 16, 2011, 12:31:58 PM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 11:32:01 AM
Wishing him a pleasant time in Heaven seems a fitting eulogy.  :hmm:
Nevertheless, the RIPs are perhaps meant ironically?

What should we say then :hmm:

May Non-Existance be Awesome?
How can something that isn't, be?
No, I think we simply acknowledge that he's dead and secretly rejoice (with the requisite guilt) that another douchebag is gone.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: grumbler on December 16, 2011, 12:39:10 PM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 12:37:09 PM
No, I think we simply acknowledge that he's dead and secretly rejoice (with the requisite guilt) that another douchebag is gone.

We already did that, when you ragequit the forum.  Didn't take.  :(
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: MadImmortalMan on December 16, 2011, 12:48:21 PM
He's one of those people I would always read even if I didn't agree with the premise of the piece. Not having him in the world is a bad thing.  :(
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: fhdz on December 16, 2011, 12:51:11 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on December 16, 2011, 12:48:21 PM
He's one of those people I would always read even if I didn't agree with the premise of the piece. Not having him in the world is a bad thing.  :(

QFT.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Malthus on December 16, 2011, 01:42:51 PM
Quote from: grumbler on December 16, 2011, 12:39:10 PM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 12:37:09 PM
No, I think we simply acknowledge that he's dead and secretly rejoice (with the requisite guilt) that another douchebag is gone.

We already did that, when you ragequit the forum.  Didn't take.  :(

If Slargos did not exist, we would have to invent him.  ;)
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: FunkMonk on December 16, 2011, 02:54:53 PM
I read his book Letters to a Young Contrarian as a kid and it was one of the first books that affected how I thought.
His appearances on television as a talking head were always so amusing.

Fuck.  :( :(
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 03:54:52 PM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 12:22:10 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 12:09:37 PM
I don't see any inherent religious significance to the term "rest in peace".
The things you don't see could fill a portly library.

I'd like it if you went to that library.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 04:07:18 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 03:54:52 PM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 12:22:10 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 12:09:37 PM
I don't see any inherent religious significance to the term "rest in peace".
The things you don't see could fill a portly library.

I'd like it if you went to that library.

That can be easily arranged. Just stop coming here. But as with everything else, you're too weak-willed to actually go the distance required.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: grumbler on December 16, 2011, 04:17:51 PM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 04:07:18 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 03:54:52 PM
I'd like it if you went to that library.

That can be easily arranged. Just stop coming here. But as with everything else, you're too weak-willed to actually go the distance required.

Boy.

I'll bet that left a mark.

Not.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 04:34:24 PM
Quote from: grumbler on December 16, 2011, 04:17:51 PM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 04:07:18 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 03:54:52 PM
I'd like it if you went to that library.

That can be easily arranged. Just stop coming here. But as with everything else, you're too weak-willed to actually go the distance required.

Boy.

I'll bet that left a mark.

Not.

Old man.

That left a mark.

Not.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 05:39:55 PM
Slargos, if you weren't so weak-willed you might be able to come up with original content for your posts.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: PRC on December 17, 2011, 03:23:48 AM
Hitchens was great.  I liked David Frum's article on his passing: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/12/16/david-frum-on-christopher-hitchens-a-man-of-moral-clarity/

Quote
A friend of theirs once took Christopher Hitchens and his wife Carol Blue to dinner at Palm Beach's Everglades Club, notorious for its exclusion of Jews.

"You will behave, won't you?" Carol anxiously asked Christopher on the way into the club. No dice. When the headwaiter approached, Christopher demanded: "Do you have a kosher menu?"
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Eddie Teach on December 17, 2011, 03:35:18 AM
Even the most boring heaven imaginable can't be as peaceful as oblivion.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Martinus on December 17, 2011, 03:53:09 AM
I think he was one of the very few public figures who never seemed to compromise their beliefs just to be on the right side of the party line. He will be missed.
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Capetan Mihali on December 17, 2011, 02:03:25 PM
Even though it comes from the keys of David Frum:

QuoteA friend of theirs once took Christopher Hitchens and his wife Carol Blue to dinner at Palm Beach's Everglades Club, notorious for its exclusion of Jews.

"You will behave, won't you?" Carol anxiously asked Christopher on the way into the club. No dice. When the headwaiter approached, Christopher demanded: "Do you have a kosher menu?

:lol:
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Sheilbh on December 17, 2011, 03:17:59 PM
Quote from: Capetan Mihali on December 17, 2011, 02:03:25 PM
Even though it comes from the keys of David Frum:

Apparently after his visit they also instituted a strict no journalists policy :lol:
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Martinus on December 18, 2011, 04:33:50 AM
Btw, wtf, you can have "no Jews allowed" clubs in the US?  :huh:
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Viking on December 18, 2011, 04:39:22 AM
Quote from: Martinus on December 18, 2011, 04:33:50 AM
Btw, wtf, you can have "no Jews allowed" clubs in the US?  :huh:

it was an issue before, but now there are a few jewish members, but no blacks.

Btw, wtf, how can you discriminate against jews in Palm Beach Florida?
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: Eddie Teach on December 18, 2011, 12:28:41 PM
Quote from: Slargos on December 16, 2011, 04:07:18 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 16, 2011, 03:54:52 PM
I'd like it if you went to that library.

That can be easily arranged. Just stop coming here. But as with everything else, you're too weak-willed to actually go the distance required.

So if Jacob stops coming here that will make you read more?  :huh:
Title: Re: Christopher Hitchens Dead
Post by: BuddhaRhubarb on December 18, 2011, 01:50:10 PM
RIP