Christopher Hitchens has died

[PhilsFan]

Listening to Mr. Hitchens I don't hear a hint of the rhetorical nuance you claim to revere and exalt.

Ridiculous. Love him or hate him, but his rhetoric is second to none.

 

[INDY500]

Ridiculous. Love him or hate him, but his rhetoric is second to none.

My point is not to challenge his rhetorical skills but only to point out that in that clip he speaks in absolutes and with certainty which, I was led to believe in this forum, liberals loathe.

 

[the iron horse]

My point is not to challenge his rhetorical skills but only to point out that in that clip he speaks in absolutes and with certainty which, I was led to believe in this forum, liberals loathe.

You would think

I agree INDY500.

 

[canedge]

If so, it was horribly worded.

It was worded in an academic way, just never mind JT, you wouldn't.....

 

[canedge]

I found it interesting that Hitchens so embraced America. I presume it had more to do with the writings of Thomas Jeffereson than anything else.
He was a bit of a Rock Star in the way he lived too.

 

[PhilsFan]

My point is not to challenge his rhetorical skills but only to point out that in that clip he speaks in absolutes and with certainty which, I was led to believe in this forum, liberals loathe.

There's nothing wrong with certainty and absolutes when they're applicable. The debates are usually about when they're applicable.

 

[Jive Turkey]

 

[canedge]

who are you talking to? You seem to be raging against two different posters here.

 

[Jive Turkey]

I think I probably took your post seriously... Here, let me edit

 

[canedge]

I always knew you were a tights kinda guy JT.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Well, I have a strict rule: Tights never on their own. Always with a cape

 

[canedge]

Of those friends, a lot have since watched hours of Hitchens speaking on youtube. A couple of those have even just bought a book or two today after being left so impressed by him.

This quote proves two valid points.

1) JT and friends are ignorant and clueless even though Hitchens made a televised appearance in their city in late 2010. (maybe they can't turn on the TV)
2) Death is a career move

 

[Jive Turkey]

This quote proves two valid points.

1) JT and friends are ignorant and clueless even though Hitchens made a televised appearance in their city in late 2010. (maybe they can't turn on the TV)
2) Death is a career move

Every time I feel bad for calling you a twat, you immediately post something twattish. Never the less, you can remove the "JT and" because I clearly stated that I've loved the guy for quite some time. I'll add 'poor reading comprehension' to your long list of mental deficiencies

 

[canedge]

ok, i'll edit it.

 

[Jive Turkey]

I'm sure it will just be something equally halfwitted and uniformed, but be my guest

 

[canedge]

I clearly stated that I've loved the guy for quite some time.

That explains the tights and cape.

 

[BVS]

 

[Jive Turkey]

That explains the tights and cape.

If humour really is a barometer for intelligence, and I truly believe it is, you should do yourself a favour and stick to stalking people in EYKIW. Your consistently embarrassing 'jokes' betray your stupidity

 

[canedge]

stalking, gotcha.

 

[Diemen]

Alright, let's move on, gang.

 

[Irvine511]

My point is not to challenge his rhetorical skills but only to point out that in that clip he speaks in absolutes and with certainty which, I was led to believe in this forum, liberals loathe.

the only thing he said with absolute certainly is that Christians and Christianity, absolutely and certainty, do not have an absolute and certain grasp on truth.

your post and IH's post prove his point beautifully.

the clip i posted was about the famous "Hitch-slap" -- more examples of his fairly deft rhetorical skills. if you'd like nuance and subtlety, you should read the article i posted earlier from Vanity Fair where he talked about his enormous suffering while undergoing chemo.

 

[INDY500]

Tim Tebow lost today so I guess Hitchens must be right.


(edit)

Never mind, it was just the dreaded Sports Illustrated Curse.

 

[INDY500]

the only thing he said with absolute certainly is that Christians and Christianity, absolutely and certainty, do not have an absolute and certain grasp on truth.

"Now, I am absolutely convinced that the main source of hatred in the world is religion. And organized religion. Absolutely convinced of it."

And that's just the first clip. You're free to agree with him but there are other, defendable views of religion.

 

[Irvine511]

"Now, I am absolutely convinced that the main source of hatred in the world is religion. And organized religion. Absolutely convinced of it."

And that's just the first clip. You're free to agree with him but there are other, defendable views of religion.

he's talking about organized religion and how it functions.

you were talking about God. IH brought up "truth."

 

[nathan1977]

"Gods make their own importance." - Patrick Kavanagh

...which is why I'm still confounded by a god who was born in shit and straw and put other people ahead of Himself.

 

[Jive Turkey]

But if he was a god, it was his choice to be born in shit and straw. How is that profound? If anything, it seems a little manipulative

 

[Irvine511]

...which is why I'm still confounded by a god who was born in shit and straw and put other people ahead of Himself.

i agree that the Christmas Story is achingly beautiful, rich in meaning and sublime in it's subversion of what we normally think of as the infinite, the divine, and the almighty.

i much prefer it to the torture porn and bloodlust of Easter.

 

[Earnie Shavers]

But if he was a god, it was his choice to be born in shit and straw. How is that profound? If anything, it seems a little manipulative

The Peoples God™

Anyway, that story falls down right at the start.

 

[BonosSaint]

i agree that the Christmas Story is achingly beautiful, rich in meaning and sublime in it's subversion of what we normally think of as the infinite, the divine, and the almighty.

i much prefer it to the torture porn and bloodlust of Easter.

I never found the Christmas story particulary inspiring. I never found baby gods very interesting. Even with the torture porn and bloodlust of Easter, I found that part a much more psychologically interesting story. Christmas does have some kickass music, though. "O Holy Night" is an exultant cry even to this nonbeliever. But it is also music from my past and from my background, so it may be as much that as anything.

 

[nathan1977]

But if he was a god, it was his choice to be born in shit and straw. How is that profound? If anything, it seems a little manipulative

He could have chosen to come in power and glory, showing off for the religious and political authorities of the day. Instead, He came meekly, to the ass-end of a tiny country that no one cared about, born under controversial circumstances to a poor couple that no one cared about, and heralded by angels to shepherds who no one else cared about either.

And still, somehow, He turned the world upside down.

Profound to me.