Christopher Hitchens on Barack Obama

HITCHENS - 7:26, 14:06, 22:45, 26:13, 33:23, 39:10, 43:20, 47:45, 50:03,
Christopher Hitchens on Barack Obama

[@rhanna500]

Selfishly, I could have used many more years of Christopher Hitchens.

[@BgbadWulof]

+Bob Hanna Bob nothing selfish about it. A great man, hell of a thinker. And the amount of Charisma the man had was unbelievable. Not sure anyone or at least anytime soon will be his equal.

[@chrisw7034]

+BgbadWulof As a major CH fan, couldn't agree more. He looks well-hungover here, eh?

[@richardjoslin2549]

+Bob Hanna Couldn't we all, Bob. He was a really great man, much missed.

[@JediBuddhist]

+Bob Hanna That is not selfish my friend, in any way. BC I was not as interested in political/social debate. This man lit my fire with his well read, playfully provocative and well mannered oratory.

[@richardjoslin2549]

Well said, Sir!

[@MrBobbyd45]

Even though Hitchens was very capable of dominating any conversation with his intellect,he was still able to let other panel members speak.That is the mark of a gentleman.He will certainly be missed.

[@andrewbaumann2661]

5:55 - first question 7:27 - Hitchens' response

[@jamesoverholt878]

I always wish people would add a if you want to skip the introduction timestamp. Well done!

[@clonmore819]

Christopher Hitchens - you are so missed

[@peterlundstrom6740]

For sure.

[@georgestanescu451]

@@peterlundstrom6740 Really?

[@peterlundstrom6740]

@@georgestanescu451 ?

[@RicoCamacho]

Love the truths from Christopher Hitchens. What a great orator. I don't care what the bigots say.

[@ThePossumone]

Rico Camacho yes I didn’t always agree with him But I loved his intelligence and dry as paper wit

[@timbuk2469]

Rico Camacho Oh yes.

[@KingMinosxxvi]

I thought you love Christopher Hitchens.

[@dddebolt]

Hitchens is sorely missed in todays political climate. He really found his voice in later life, brilliant orator.

[@catherinesmyth883]

I really miss Mr Hichen’s. Great man❤️🇮🇪❤️🇮🇪

[@jammintoast1]

Even drunk, Hitch is more brilliant than the rest of us

[@MrJamberee]

Jeffrey Fisher Than you. Speak for yourself.

[@cqwt6103]

Don't have to be too brilliant to understand a lifetime of smoking and drinking will lead to a premature end.

[@novakingood3788]

@@cqwt6103 Tell that to Keith Richards.

[@zeitakulobusta9708]

@@cqwt6103 brilliance, common sense and good lifestyle choices aren't always baked into the same cake.

[@keithcrooks7217]

@@novakingood3788 And Jeffrey Bernard (more in Hitch's line than a guitarist not noted for his intellect).

[@chegadesuade]

9:45 Don Watson's analysis here was a hidden gem. I came for Hitchens, and discovered another great insight. Excellent perspective by Mr. Watson.

[@global001]

9:07 Hitchens 'Have I talked too much? Somebody better tell me.' No, Hitchens, everyone is quiet because we're hanging on your every word waiting for you to expand more. The other minds at the table are wasted airtime in comparison. We so wish you were here to comment on todays politics. You'd have a blast & despair with Trump & Clinton.

[@jaredmast2335]

He had plenty to say about HRC. I'm sure he would have been the loudest with warnings about Trump.

[@TBM1121]

Exactly.

[@benaffleckisanokayactor]

That’s not true at all, Dr. Don Watson was almost equally insightful

[@dalei8755]

the fact that he died before trump was inaugurated fills me with sadness from a personal perspective, and great happiness from an empathetic perspective

[@karenkaren3189]

He was spared a lot.....but he would have risen to the challenge

[@blackbird5634]

yes well it's your turn to shine then isn't it? Take what you've learned from him, make it known to the world and pass it along to another generation of contrarians.

[@Faraz9564]

Thank you Mr Hitchens for the gift you left behind. .

[@pedlumb2435]

E

[@richardpeterson1383]

I just love Hitchens! I could listen to him for hours. William F. Buckley always irritated me with his arrogant manner, but Hitchens never.

[@w67bv2cxm]

I'm in awe of Hitchens. The world lost a great mind when he died.

[@rumi9005]

A note to the poster of this video, ChristopherHitchslap, and other posters of videos like this. Please also post the actual date of the recorded meeting in the descriptive section. This conference took place, I believe, June 2010. That's around a year and a half into the first term of Obama's presidency. This information is important to put the discussion in context.

[@fattttb0y]

This would have been 30th November, 2010 based on the reference to the Korean Air 858 attack

[@tinfoilhatter]

did he call him out as a commie traitor?

[@unknownnumber1264]

fattttb0y but in other photos of Hitch in Nov. 2010 he's deep into Chemo. It's gotta be earlier. June 2010 was his last month before the diagnosis

[@dalinkwent202]

No, Hitch isn't likely to go full MAGA later on during Obama's 1st or 2nd term, no matter how much certain people wish it were so.

[@blatherskite3009]

@@unknownnumber1264 This was filmed at the Sydney Writers' Festival 2010, which took place in May of that year. Hitch was on tour promoting his newly-published memoir "Hitch 22" and he did a radio interview while he was still in Sydney which is definitively dated to May 21st 2010 - so this will have been around that same date.

[@mikegoss1231]

Excellent conversation about Obama and American politics. Great panel !!!

[@mari-greciaodal2436]

Hitch was not just SUPER brilliant, he was also funny and very cute!🥰

[@vickmkhikian7478]

I'm so amazed at how well informed these Australians are on American politics. I don't know a damn thing about Australian politics. Damn...

[@jimmysprinkles1738]

"A lion doesn't concern himself with the opinions of a sheep."

[@sobriquet5016]

@@jimmysprinkles1738 Anddd cue the USA chant? Regardless of whether the US is indeed the lion, it certainly is the laughing stock of the... jungle.

[@charliebak1505]

its pretty simple.. If Australia fuck up it hurts australians, if US fuck up (as they do) it hurts everybody.

[@DiggityDaws]

Im Australian...I still don't know a damn thing about Australian politics...

[@blatherskite3009]

Well, I expect it's the same in Australia as it is here in the UK: every day our news outlets insist on reporting America's news alongside our own. Call me cynical, but I can't imagine America gives a toss about anything that happens outside of America unless it's a particularly juicy major incident. Meanwhile, every fart and belch that happens in America is of global interest. Apparently.

[@timothypickles2607]

Hitchens would have opined on everything. he has been wrong and right on a myriad of issues. what I miss is his wit and quick ability to respond to the opposite in the debate.

[@amoniousbt1110]

Can I have a couple of examples of things he got wrong

[@willnash7907]

@@Gallant972310 Ask yourself if you'd really want another North Korea to exist, one that is set in the middle of the Saudi Arabia and Iran cold war for that matter. If yes, you are welcome to that opinion. I just think you would have a hard time defending it. Also, one with a nuclear program and arms and the capacity to fire them at the whim of the first fanatic to get them in arms reach, which while it probably didn't have yet at the time of invasion it would have gotten at some point, seeing as it's pretty much the hermit sates dictator's only real deterrent.

[@galaxybrain9928]

@@willnash7907 >fearmongering Noice.

[@willnash7907]

@@galaxybrain9928 So you think fear of a totalitarian regime under a party inspired by European falangists, in control of nuclear weapons , thought of by two other autocracies currently fighting a cold war as a buffer state in a strategically important area and major world economic artery is irrational? Well then try a bit of empathy for those that have to live under it. Give "The bomb in my garden" and "The republic of fear" a read and see if you can really see yourself sticking up for that regime.

[@galaxybrain9928]

@@willnash7907 I'm an isolationist, m8. You're kicking water uphill.

[@ScienceWinsEveryTime]

I ordered a shirt with a Hitch quote on it today, from a site that allows you to customize the shirt, and that's what I put on the back: a scotch glass, and "I miss Hitch."

[@barbiejw2012]

The difference a few years makes is stunning! Oh but to have Hitch here for a redo of this. He is and will be missed for decades to come.

[@thesprawl2361]

It boggles my mind how different the world was when the OP's comment was made. Trump was just starting to limber up in his attempts to be a future-pretend-president and everyone, without exception, including Trump himself, thought it was a joke campaign; Brexit was still a silly referendum that most Brits saw as a pointless sop to some wingnuts on the right, a sop that wouldn't go anywhere at all and would be rejected hugely by the public; Prince, Bowie, etc. were all still alive; Boris Johnson was a panel show TV-clown; the far-right/alt-right were not considered anywhere near as much of a threat as militant Islam; Putin was still on relatively good terms with the west; right-wing populism simply wasn't a thing; Game Of Thrones was still a great show... The internet and social media seem to have dramatically increased the rate of cultural and political change. It's been accelerating for centuries but the last decade and a half has resulted in a quite startling shift in acceleration rate. And there's no sign that the reasoned-through structure of the world, like democracies, economies, etc. will be able to keep up with that rate of change. It's beginning to feel too fast for human social structures to keep up with it, and what is replacing them is structureless chaos, like Trump and Brexit and right-wing populism, all of which rely/relied on instinctive, emotional, intellectual-low-effort supporters, rather than any kind of central planning and foresight. Those of us who like the achievements of liberal democracy and human progress in general are struggling to keep our heads above water in the face of all this internet-supercharged change.

[@jamesv7032]

Why the fuck did this man have to die?!

[@romperstompist]

Cuz GAWD!

[@dellcambre3096]

Kissinger gave him cancer.

[@johnschaub7810]

Dell Cambre lmfao

[@DiamondGirl333]

James V He killed himself. Because he was sooooo smart! LMAO!

[@elitebeing21]

James V because he was not smart enough to live longer

[@michaelmoore7559]

Hitchens once said. It's not what you believe. But what you do? i sure wish he was still with us! My comments are from March 8 2017. I am Canadian. I am digging for every Hitchens debates I can find.

[@deeliciousplum]

Thank you for sharing this panel discussion. The panellists certainly remind you and I of how little we learn from our main news sources and of how even less than that is learned via visibly slanted alternative news resources.

[@ccarson]

If Hitchens thought 'Yes we can!' was vapid I'm glad he didn't have to hear 'Make America great again'.

[@Jay-oy5zs]

Christopher Carson You do realize that Reagan had the same slogan....

[@MrJamberee]

Obama is the reason we got Trump. You and your fukktard friends voted fir a community organizer because of his skin color. You reap what you sow.

[@Earthad23]

All the slogans are vapid , ideally the candidates aren’t , unfortunately we can’t say that at this current time.

[@ambersullivan5730]

Imagine what Hitch would be saying today....

[@TheRhinehart86]

+Amber Sullivan Probably backtracking on the fact that he was one of the Iraq War's biggest cheerleaders.

[@ItsameAlex]

+Amber Sullivan you have a great face

[@ambersullivan5730]

ItsameAlex but my heart is black and cold and my soul was dead long ago.

[@ItsameAlex]

sad

[@TheRhinehart86]

Aaron Sochaczewski How, pray tell, did Obama give Iran a bomb? You're talking nonsense. Fact is, Hitchens was and always had been wrong about the Middle East. He spent so much time railing against the doctrine of Islam, not once do I ever recall hearing criticizing the neocons for arming, funding or training the Islamists and enabling them to establish well organized global networks. All Hitchens ever did was defend Bush and the War on Terror and talk about the Cosmic North Korea. I never heard him address illegal spying, or illegal drone strikes etc. You know the one guy who's been consistently prescient when it comes to the Middle East? Noam Chomsky.

[@Telluwide]

Love the time stamps for just Hitch! Well done!

[@ArnellaMaturin]

I don't agree with everything this Hitchens says but he seems extremely practical and to have actually studied all sides of these issues.

[@madyjules]

23:23 💔 Hitch you’re missed

[@determined919]

Wow, why is it that the geniuses of our time always die young? Bill Hicks- comedic genius, Jimi Hendrix and SRV- musical geniuses, Christopher Hitchens- Philosophical genius

[@thereisnosanctuary6184]

Drugs

[@MegaGamerClown]

Hendrix was 27, SRV was 35 and Hicks was 32. Hardly comparable to Hitchens dying at 62

[@psycho6542]

Yep, when on the other hand, it seems like every greedy, self-centerd asshole has 10 kids, money falls in their lap and they live to be 108, it makes no sense

[@ItsSVO]

@@MegaGamerClown true but 62 is still young to die considering our species life expectancy currently.

[@DjSmotpoker]

ChristopherHitchslap, thank you so fuckin much for soloing out Hitchens times when hes speaking, you have no idea how much I digged that, helps me condence lol but seriously awesome upload thanks so much :)

[@phssthpok5075]

This panel and the discussion are great!

[@nickbotfield6193]

Note how that at 43:40 Hitchens correctly acknowledges (to the point of prediction) the error that pollsters made in the 2020 election when they treated US Latinos as a homogenous mass. Remember how everyone was shocked by the early Florida vote going to Trump? Well the reason was "Cubans in Miami" not being treated differently from all other Latin Americans in the polling models. Ahead.Of.His.Time.

[@LucaEnzo]

Seeing Christopher before his cancer makes me want to cry. He will never be like this again

[@allenanderson4911]

Hitch comes to the defense of the Palestinians, and does so knowledgeably. Impressive, because he's also against the Muslim extremists who represent the Palestinians. A man for the People.

[@xXxSCOPExXx]

Christopher Hitchens has given me the courage to be publicly open about my secular views. I have recieved much scrutiny because my "anti-theism"...but I would not be true to myself if I were to say that i believe in a higher deity.

[@r0bbyinchins]

Man we could sure benefit from hitchens now... He greatly missed!!!

[@MuireKnight]

I really do wonder what Hitchens would of thought of Obama now and the political situation in the US at the moment .His first remark that Obama's open mindedness might turn into empty mindedness and neutrality seems to have been proven true.Perhaps also the abandonment of any decisiveness he had during the beginning of his first term seems to have gone down the drain and lack of any hard stance and implication in the politics of his own party, who seems to turn to hesitance to much.(but that's just my opinion) I really do wonder what he would of thought of ISIL and the shitstorm the US has managed to get into yet again.

[@svenhoek]

Well, Obama likes to draw red lines, remember?

[@GeraldAllen]

obama knows exactly what he needs to do to support the Muslim Brotherhood. He just acts stupid.

[@hewholivesdi]

Thank you for the Hitchen moments in the description! That is very thoughtful to some of us, though I actually like to watch the whole debate. Though the sentiment is greatly appreciated.

[@Herehear49]

Thanqes fohr shaeryng.

[@seancrapola]

I was detecting a little bit of attitude from that moderator, whom I've never heard of. Sorry, dude, Hitchens as always was the star of the show.

[@rickbruner]

As much as I like and respect Hitchens as a serious journalist and truth seeker, I have to call him on his gross inconsistency here. As you can see, over on the right, there's a video of Hitchens calling Obama a "megalomaniacal narcissist" just a few months earlier. Now he's calling him a humble pragmatist. Well which one is it, Hitch? He really did a 180 here and I think he'd have trouble defending it.

[@RemiusTheAwesome]

There is nothing wrong with a changing opinion. One could argue that his ability to do such a thing is why he was such an intelligent man. There's nothing to gain from holding a rigid opinion.

[@rickbruner]

RemiusTheAwesome The issue is not whether an opinion is rigid or malleable. It's whether it's right or wrong. Hitchens prided himself on being right, not on his ability to change his opinion on a whim, which, by the way, has nothing to do with intelligence. Anyone can change their opinion - whether a genius or a mentally challenged individual. Yet only a true seeker searches deeply for the hard facts that illumine the truth. Deeply opinionated people often do the opposite - try to make the facts fit into their world view.

[@RemiusTheAwesome]

If you respect Hitchens as a journalist, intellectual and truth seeker, then him having an opinion that changes over time should not be all that jarring to you. I would personally assume he changed his mind because he found more information that went against his original opinion of him. Whether or not you think his change of opinion is right or wrong based on your own conceptions about the subject (Obama) really has nothing to do with Hitchens or why he changed his mind. Do you think he's a truth seeker, or deeply opinionated? Based on his previous work, i've never really taken Hitchens to be the type who simply changes his opinion on a whim.

[@rickbruner]

RemiusTheAwesome If we were talking about a gap of years instead of months between comments, I would be less hard on him. But we're not. It should take a long span of measured thought and observation for a serious journalist to completely reverse such a categorical opinion if he meant it in the first place. For example, it took Mr. Hitchens many, many years to shift positions on American foreign policy. He would probably not have been a proponent of George Bush's War in Iraq if it occurred in the 1980s or 1990s. In the 2000s, he was one of Mr. Bush's greatest supporters.

[@voltron6172]

I completely understand the shock you're describing from the ostensible hypocrisy here. Hitchens isn't know for fickleness, so hearing those two statements, juxtaposed as they are, rattled me temporarily. However, after digging a bit deeper, I think the contradiction isn't as damning as it first appears. The two videos are, actually, about two years apart; so HItchens' change of opinion did not occur in such a short span. Furthermore, when Hitchens did call President Obama a "megalomaniacal narcissist" he was referring, chiefly, to Obama's claim that the ocean levels would stop rising as a result of his nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate. Taken in that context, the insult "megalomaniacal narcissist" doesn't seem strong enough, and I vividly remember the body-seizing cringe of embarrassment I felt for Obama when he put not just a foot, but both his feet in his mouth. Although, compared to the bombastic and self-serving nature of his acceptance speech, Obama's political style was rather open to centrism (at least as far as centrism can exist on matters like universal health care) and tended to come with an olive ranch for Republicans, at least in the first few years.. So I don't think HItchens was wrong in either assessment of the president when observed in context.

[@swoop986]

Very interesting talk. Always a pleasure to listen reasonable voices.

[@user-zw4wh1tm9x]

Thank you for highlighting his speaking moments

[@anisotropicpotential5052]

Indeed, Hitchens' clarity of thought and analysis would be invaluable in assessing the Trump era and the whole pandemic. When will we have anyone of comparable caliber?

[@DeweyLaymanJr]

Lol the Trump era is just beginning. Trump will be the 19th president of the US by April 1st

[@wasabuful]

What ah awfully vague premise "Yes he can/can't". I couldn't care less whether he has erection difficulties.

[@sloshedmonks]

So your argument is based on an assumption that "yes he can't" is somehow inappropriate. To take a campaign slogan, that was clearly implemented and questioning it, is not strange. It has nothing to do with Obama's penis, your silly.

[@wasabuful]

Andrew Long Well the premise is mired in propaganda - like starting a 100 metre sprint knee deep in mud. And the premise is never questioned. It's a joke, and yes I am silly.

[@sloshedmonks]

wasabuful Point taken. See what happens when you use your adult words? :)

[@wasabuful]

Andrew Long Well I had no idea there were adults around :)

[@sloshedmonks]

wasabuful Don't make me go tell your mom on you...

[@troymp1]

ChristopherHitchslap: Well done on the time stamps ... very helpful. Thank you.

[@StevenWilliamFischer]

Thank you for these videos

[@ilovelani69]

The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides. - Carl Sagan

[@peaceseeker9000]

What would Hitchens have to say about the possibility of a Trump vs Sanders 2016 election!

[@EpicMRPancake]

It's a good question. I think he would criticise them both for comparable foreign policy weakness, but side with Bernie for his grounding in social democracy, and, you know, psychological stability.

[@higherho1540]

There is a short clip roughly 20 seconds from the 90’s asking Christopher about Trump. It was funny.

[@georgemanners7319]

An astute comment from the panel, There are so few thoughtful people for these comments to hold water!! Therefore I admire these commentators who do speak out; We need common sense, honesty,without platitudes

[@davew4930]

Image 4 individuals having a frank discussion without hurling insults at one another.

[@adamrhaman5833]

What I didn’t like about Christopher Hitchens is, he used to speak as if his opinion is science, and objective, not subjective.

[@gordonnorris2494]

Technically speaking it is the same thing ! the same as ignorance can be construed as arrogance

[@tonyduncan9852]

What changed your mind?

[@luciadelia5607]

I am sooooo glad that The Hitch voted for Obama. Obama was not perfect, but he was a class act. He was a constitution lawyer, and The Hitch loved our Constitution.

[@DonCarlosHormozi]

Good talk. Thanks for posting.

[@mrronan2007]

The moderator likes to talk

[@mooseandspade6251]

no, he's a good moderator. He clarifies up what each person says to keep the discussion on track.

[@tayzlor]

When you have hitch on your show you let him talk until he's done. How a wasted opportunity to not take full advantage !

[@johnprentice44]

Hitchens is superb, like Orwell he goes beyond politics. He praises Obama & Bush (Senior) in one hour -- not many would do that.

[@txmoney]

In decades to come, Hitch will be more fully recognized as among the preeminent minds of a generation. What I wouldn't have done to be a part of an audience and to have the opportunity to actually ask him a question.

[@chrysalis72]

LOL 29 mins in,classic hitch slap, then he sits back in the chair looking pleased and cocky, smirks and wipes his glasses while the victim looks down , to the left and then the right, trying not to look disgruntled but looking like a cat that just missed the fence, oops nobody noticed that I hope, strolling on somewhat confidently ...

[@oncebittentwiceshy639]

Mr Rothschild once said: "Give me control of a nations money supply, and I care not who makes its laws".

[@elijad1376]

I see trees that are green, red roses too. I watch them bloom, and I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

[@TheArabsolga]

Do us a favor and shut up? Literally nobody here likes you.

[@elijad1376]

Jesus loves you.

[@TheArabsolga]

Elija D I don't care, stop spamming people.

[@elijad1376]

what? I don't even like spam! I eat eggs and ham. spam is nasty!

[@TheArabsolga]

Elija D Hilarious. A hoot. Quite the knee-slapper. Seriously, stop spamming people with your religious bullshit. Nobody likes it.

[@youtubechannelbannertest2215]

In the short time given to each panelist to speak. It felt like the Moderator loved listening to his own voice and took up all the time stretching out his questions and paraphrasing everyone’s answers. Which is a shame as I’m sure the audience would have loved to hear more from the guest speakers. Especially Hitchens.

[@chooshchoosh]

Windy moderator

[@fwily2580]

Six minute intro. Skip it.

[@sarojiniginger]

Thank you.

[@hoasjhdfiadsf]

thanks for the time markers

[@owebbo]

good call on keeping the questions in the timestamps

[@wallysmith9162]

We've had two shitty presidents in a row. We had better get it right next time or the hole may be too deep to dig back out of.

[@zeroeffects88]

Don't worry, we won't.

[@GeraldAllen]

3 in a row

[@NoMastersNoMistress]

There's no such thing as a good president.

[@vinnierex2]

BEN CARSON

[@zeroeffects88]

vinnierex2 Ben Carson? You mean the guy who thinks homosexuality is akin to having sex with a horse? Yea real standup guy....

[@WhenTheLeveeBreaks70]

How's Bush's Iraq looking now, Hitch?

[@Yerrakhunt]

You can thank early withdrawal for that.

[@WhenTheLeveeBreaks70]

Yerrakhunt That's certainly true. But I doubt it's in our best interest to camp there indefinitely and try to maintain cohesion in the area. That's not our business - hmmm... business.... maybe that's why we're over there.

[@SeanSmithDash]

WhenTheLeveeBreaks70 Yerrakhunt We still have troops and bases in Japan, Germany, S. Korea, etc. What would ever make anyone think we wouldn't need to keep some force of troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan for 15, 20, 25 years? Whether or not we should have gone into Iraq is irrelevant at this point. Once we did, we had a responsibility to see it through.

[@albertrogers8537]

The thing that Hitchens gets wrong is his belief that even if we win a war against Islam it'll do any good.

[@SeanSmithDash]

Albert Rogers What would you propose instead? Hand the planet over to Sharia? I think women are far too lovely to spend their lives covered up.

[@ArisFilms]

It's pretty cool to watch this knowing what we know now, especially about the healthcare.

[@mrKreuzfeld]

I do love listening to Hitchens when he talks about politics. He does not care what political affiliation the people he is criticizing has, just about their decisions. I do not agree with him on his views on the Iraq war, however I understands his reasons and I do not think he would hate my reasons for disagreeing. His political views is a much fresher breath of air than his atheist views are.

[@truedonblue3949]

ITS OBAMA, NOT OBAMER.

[@SitaWelsh]

+True Don Blue Thought it was Obummer.

[@pierre0095]

+True Don Blue It's a British thing - have you ever herd them say "drawing"? 'Rs' all over the place...(I know this is an Australian show, but of the colonies the Aussies have kept that component of the English language)

[@thedaveastator7939]

+Pierre00 heard*

[@mattm1982]

I'm not sure if this is meant to be funny or not but it's hilarious.

[@somewhatinformed716]

oh bomber

[@AmbientEpicuros]

“The problem with open-mindedness is that it can become empty-mindedness” ... what were next words right after from Hitch, couldn't get them?

[@F4m1LyGuy10]

At what time?

[@AmbientEpicuros]

8:31

[@AmbientEpicuros]

"..and neutrality"? Sorry mine left ear is half def and I've got a flue as hell that makes my right ear and mind makes almost everything question I hear :D

[@F4m1LyGuy10]

Pretty much. "...or neutrality..."

[@tinfoilhatter]

' neutrality', ambivalence, or apathy, i think maybe he meant?

[@ds8457]

Our most magnificent and strongest dragon has been taken from our movement. How do we battle on without Hitch? He broke down the walls we could say, rest is up to us I suppose.

[@justgivemethetruth]

thanks for the indexing ... nice job.

[@poobum9857]

obama was a great disappointment in the end to black Americans in particular and the world in general. However he was good with social events held at the white house - mick Jagger, paul macartney etc...

[@theholybible8702]

He did what he could. It's difficult when you have old, white Republican men controlling the senate. It's not like he could force things through. If he achieved one thing, he showed young black kids that they can achieve great things outside of sports or religion and that should be commended in itself.

[@somewhatinformed716]

+Epic Synthesia I guess all cult leaders should be respected the same. public manipulation and propaganda to be praised... because the uninformed will have a leader

[@anthonypai6127]

Obama was awesome, suck it up mate.

[@ImNotJoshPotter]

Anthony Pai Debt. Forcing an unwanted product. Dems losing seats in states that voted for him. Race relations. Fast and Furious. Snowden. Yeah he was fucking great.

[@Allgood33]

It's Feb, 2018 and this new administration spent its first year undoing what President Obama did. They haven't come up with any new idea but have been taking credit on everything that has been progressively improving in the past 9 years including the lowest black unemployment. Starting Oct. 2017, it is the Trump economy. So far we had one government shut down (historical first in a super majority) and the biggest point drop on Dow Jones in a single day. Let's see how much better Trump can do compared to the "good with social events" only black president. This supposedly businessman who finds a 10 page memo too long to read and has declared 6 bankruptcies so far. What could he do to MAGA?

[@osmith1999]

Recorded some time ago, but by most accounts Obama has done a great job. Presidents only have so much power and he had been hindered by an uncooperative congress. That being said the Affordable Care Act has insured millions of people, the economy has improved dramatically, the US has improved relations with Cuba, Osama Bin Laden is no more, and we have an agreement in progress with Iran to restrict nuclear arms. Not bad. Afterall Obama said "yes we can" not "yes I can." Improving this country takes all of us, not just the president.

[@txixm]

osmith1999 ACA was a way to force our money into the pockets of insurance companies for those of us who can afford it, and a cleverly disguised tax on the lower and middle class for those who can't. Our economy has grown by 3 trillion dollars in the past six years, and we have added 10 trillion in debt. We have continued to reward banks for mismanagement, paying for them to stay in business with money from our grandchildren's work. We have caused inflation with our borrowing. Since the rich don't spend most of their money, inflation primarily affects the poor. So we are paying for our spending with what is basically a poverty tax and our children's sweat.

[@osmith1999]

txixm A lot of what you say is true, and I do not deny it. We should have healthcare for all but the ACA was the best that Obama could get through Congress.

[@osmith1999]

The President does not "have" the Congress. The Congress was majority Democratic Party for a while but Democrats do not vote in blocks like Republicans. Just because they were Democrats did not mean they supported everything that Obama did and in fact they did not.

[@txixm]

osmith1999 "The Congress was majority Democratic Party for a while but Democrats do not vote in blocks like Republicans." I think you mean they do not vote along party lines as often. This is because Democrats are owned by a more diverse group of interests, some of which are conflicting. For example, many republican politicians are in debt to the business interest, because of both contributions and because their voters are pro-business. Democrats are also in debt to the same business interest because of campaign money, but also take money from unions and support regulation for its own sake, both of which are against the interests of business owners.

[@gavinoprimo2535]

***** What?

[@jhjhjhjhjhjhify]

Would have been fascinating to have heard Hitchen's take on things like Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders and the rise of populism in American politics. Especially considering the 2016 election with Hillary Clinton becoming the Democratic nominee (Hitchens detested her, as he did Bill Clinton, but I can't see him praising the anti-intellectual, evangelical appeasing Trump either). He wrote quite a bit about the emerging Tea Party/Glenn Beck right-wing in the late 2000's (whom he called crackpots) and even said that the trend of right wing parties across Europe emerging due to multiculturalism and changing demographics could one day be replicated in America. Troubling reading it now, but it does show his historical intuition.

[@benaffleckisanokayactor]

Hitchens almost considered voting for Hillary in 2008

[@salasvalor01]

The links in the description helped a lot.

[@heyjim52]

I don't think Hitchens would think much of Obama now, in fact he would be appalled.

[@sratus]

James Hubbs In fact, you don't know and cannot speak for him.

[@tedsims6221]

He would be appalled. Pretty self explanatory.

[@swoop986]

You don't comprehend english very well do you or maybe your lack of understanding comes from your shitty American public schooling? All you hear are his the criticism and fail to understand what was actually said.

[@mhikl4484]

+James Hubbs Surely he would have been quite disappointed in Obama; who only seems to have made nod towards promises that all fell flat. A do nothing President is his crown. And then, out of office, admitted to being a Republican at heart. • But Obama will be another many hundred millionaire President; probably what mostly focused his mind, leaving little for policy considerations. • This discussion is basically irrelevant as what Obama was to become was far from what was speculated. • Indeed, had Hitchens lived he would be appalled.

[@mhikl4484]

+TrainInVain Wrong one both accounts. James Hubbs does know and can speak for Hitchens. Hitchens was consistent and Obama failed 'him' on all accounts. You did listen to the discussions, did you not?

[@Sjester101]

31:58, the woman states that Americans are not nearly as literate about how economics work than Australians are. She makes such a callous statement with no fact to back it up and with utter contempt, is she really that arrogant and stupid??? Australia has a far smaller economy, even as a fraction of the population than the U.S. and she thinks the country that built the worlds largest economy is economically illiterate. Australia also has a more socialized economy that puts the govt in charge of a large fraction the economy, where in the U.S. businesses are ran by a far greater extent by the citizens who have to engage in it every day, but yet she makes this unqualified statement.....amazing.

[@James--Parker]

Size of a economy means nothing. India has a far larger economy then Norway, and yet I doubt you would claim that its economy was stronger. Australia does have a higher GDP per capita then the united states does, which is a far more relevant statistic.

[@mhikl4484]

Jon Smith You might want to check out the Pisa stats on the Australian education standing and that of the US. Australians can stand proud of their education system. Americans, not so much.

[@Kawiturbo750]

At 43:28 a PORTMANTEAU is a word that is formed by blending parts of two or more words, referring to a single concept. For example: brunch, motel, paratroops, etc. I had to look it up.

[@nshafiee5780]

Watching this in 2020. Imagine what Hitchens would say about Trump....!

[@Tomatoman857]

He didn't write "his" first book; Bill Ayers did. The second was written by Jon Favreau. Obama can't put the correct tenses together in a single sentence, no less an entire book.

[@dellcambre3096]

Jacquelynn Coviel Half of Obama's blood line comes from people in Africa that blows air (with their mouths) in a cows rectum to get it to give more milk.

[@AustralianLeprechaun]

Dell Cambre We all come from Africa luv, unless u think god ,made us!

[@chrisheck2831]

Dell Cambre It's called cultural relativism...you might want to give it a look-see.

[@chrisheck2831]

Jim Griffin Yep, he just graduated from Harvard....sooo dumb! xD

[@55bigcheese]

Christopher Hitchens is the only interesting person on this panel and the facilitator is super boring

[@RalphTGP]

Miss him so much...

[@mikeyoung9810]

I totally agree. But that doesn't mean he was right in anything he ever said. But he was good at saying it.

[@diglfargl]

To everyone arguing, I say this: politics, republican and democrat, liberal and conservative, etc. its FUBAR. It doesn't matter, it's all messed up on both sides. There is so much wrong with both sides that I myself do not want to be associated with either party. As a country, we are barely getting anything done. We have slowed to a crawl.

[@bklynfilipino89]

i watched this twice. once fully thru, and once by skipping everyone who wasnt hitch. guess which viewing was more satisfying

[@christinastow1079]

We al miss him so much……what a mind!!!

[@daven1824]

+Christina Stow no, we don't all miss the incredibly arrogant piece of shit so much. Only those of you who worship him, and order your lives around his dogma miss him so much

[@johanbennasonpoulsen6450]

+Dave N Get lost, hippie. I think MoveOnDotOrg has another position vacant.

[@mikeyoung9810]

I used to avoid folks like him but I've come to appreciate his honesty and his clear thinking. It doesn't make him more right than anyone else though and that's something we all have to remember when we listen to others. If we are all wrong at times how can we decide if someone is right in what they say?

[@longmemory1620]

if only Hitchen was here to discuss Trump ..

[@alanlloyd450]

.....america loves you guys too

[@andyl8055]

Wow... Christopher’s insights into Hispanics were SO right. Certain elements of the Spanish-speaking population in the US delivered Florida to Trump, while others sent Arizona into the blue column. What would Hitchens say if he was alive today?

[@Wanderlust1231]

HA! I didn't notice the time guides in the video description until about 29 minutes in, but I had been skipping along the entire time anyway. Thanks!

[@tayzlor]

Thanks for uploading and mentioning when hitch talks. I don't really want to hear anything else ;)

[@australiapride554]

'The pro bono bit is over, thanks for coming, bye, gotta go... No, 'cause we're late.' That made me chuckle.

[@stoopidfalo]

As an American, i sincerely respect foreign perspectives on US politics. Discusion are astute, focused. Notice how there is no segments dedicated to gun control, or any of the other punchline topics that have been perpetuated within our internal system. And that is not a knock against America, I imagine that all societies have their own respective "issues". But at this point in my life, I realize that the view from the outside can be helpful. Sometimes we all get lost in our own little worlds.

[@slutbunwallah]

Very true, I do not dispute that. But the nature of it's good will was appreciated. Mind you this is not the same as the prayers for him 'repenting' or 'converting'. That is something he could not care about. But regardless of the validity of a genuine prayer requesting a smooth passing on, he welcomed it on the bases of good will.

[@cptskellern]

Brilliant!