Christopher Hitchens on Afghanistan and America + Q&A (2001)

Having just returned from Pakistan, Hitchens speaks about the war on terrorism, the impact of religious fundamentalism, and the role of the contrarian in society. Orville Schell conducts the question and answer session.
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[@Reel___]

Hitchens was way ahead of his time. It's so sad what happened to Salman Rushdie.

[@jestermoon]

A general overview will of his works speak volumes. Fellowship is vital. Stay Free

[@kamalhanbli8351]

A puppet planted by the west non the less as always Jews are above the law

[@FlyingSpaghettiMonster2000]

What??? ​@@kamalhanbli8351

[@mns8732]

Every epoch needs a Hitchens , someone who wields his intellect like a battle ax, a viking without remorse, laying low the courtiers of the age. Him and Tim Russert.

[@h.a.b.arguille1896]

I miss him like a close friend

[@sabyasachisenapati3619]

Although I myself try to understand Chomsky's apprehensive attitude towards US foreign policy, I must say Hitchens' analysis of the intent behind the attacks of 9/11 are spot on. He might have gone too far in being a fervent advocate for the Iraq war, but his view of the rising threat of theocratic fascism is very relevant even today in 2022.

[@danielj2653]

Good comment, I think you are correct. What do you make of Chomsky's comments on the Ukraine war, given that we all know what Christopher Hitchens would have said about Putin's war?

[@sabyasachisenapati3619]

@@danielj2653 Thank you for your remarks, unfortunately I haven't gone through his comments. Additionally anticipating Hitchen's position is a hard task, given his stupendous independence of mind and thought which he showed all throughout his life. We should all retain in ourselves a capacity for astonishment by his views.

[@daybreakgray3452]

the intent of the 9/11 attack was a political one, not based on religion. religion was used to manipulate the people who executed the attacks, but it wasn't the motive of those who organized and funded it. the men of the hamburg cell were driven by religion,, but KSM and Osama definetely were not , had nothing to do with theocratic fascism l

[@danielj2653]

@@daybreakgray3452 Yes that's very smart. When the criminals say they commit a crime for religious reasons and all analysts agree it was for religious reasons, then concluding that it wasn't is super smart.

[@Dimera09]

How relevant now...

[@e.g.7612]

I recommend googling all of his older pieces on Afghanistan as well. Good one in “for the sake of argument” (originally vanity fair). How he would react to the current scenes out of that country…

[@aallpprr8998]

@@e.g.7612 how would he react?

[@e.g.7612]

@@aallpprr8998 if you read his writings it’s fairly easy to figure out

[@aallpprr8998]

@@e.g.7612 sorry, not being a proficient english speaker it’s sometimes hard to follow an hour long interview of hitch even though very much appreciated. Could you resume in a couple sentences how he would have reacted?

[@e.g.7612]

@@aallpprr8998 let’s put it this way: he would not have joined the chorus of voices who shrug their shoulders and say “well it’s about time we left and there was no way to do it without chaos ensuing”. I’ve never read a single piece or heard a single statement he uttered remotely imply that. Again, if you’re truly interested you should read up or listen to shorter interviews.

[@Rurik8118]

32:30 - Brilliant (:

[@andrewwells6323]

22:53 "full dress repreese"? What does "repreese" mean??

[@thespencerwoody]

Reprise. MW: “a recurrence, renewal, or resumption of an action”

[@andrewwells6323]

@@thespencerwoody thank you!

[@electricmaster23]

@@andrewwells6323 It's the British pronunciation; Americans normally say re-prize.

[@tyleranyways]

3:32 no one laughed at that LOL. 32:15 37:00

[@Laight4work]

how sickened and embarrassed he would be if he could hear these moronic proclamations now as the reality of the situation has been written. his delusions at the time, magnified by his gargantuan intellect and distorted even further by his gargantuan ego.

[@RandoBurner]

Hitchens believed that mockery and constantly stating a string of facts that embarass the oposition without bringing any sort of light on the truth is the way to the truth. He wanted always to win, to be liked, to be charismatic, be seen, he cared almost nothing for the truth.

[@nkenchington6575]

@@RandoBurner a florid attack lacking in any real bite. He used facts, but had a tenuous relationship with the truth??​

[@RandoBurner]

@@nkenchington6575 The sky is blue is also a fact. Has nothing to do with arguing for anything for anything he argued for, just like his facts. Invalid arguments can have true premises and true conclusions.

[@nkenchington6575]

@@RandoBurner I don't hear someone shouting random facts, but it seems you do. Oh well.

[@RandoBurner]

@@nkenchington6575 You dont seem to be bothered that he upheld the ruining of the middle east based on his vengeful, militaristic mindset. He literally proposed fighting an ideology with guns. Nothing good came out of any single policy he proposed, and that is a fact. He backed the most ridiculous and distructive policies which led nowhere. And that is not well. He looked cool, while being wrong about every single proposition he made on policy. That is why he is dangerous.