Christopher HItchens on Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr.

Subject: 'Is England Still Influencing America'
Firing Line
1990
Christopher Hitchens and William F Buckley Jr.

[@jobu88]

Whether one is liberal or conservative or independent or whatever, I think all could agree that this is what a serious talk show should look like. The current offerings on TV just make my head hurt.

[@Dafttar]

You are so right! The day of intelligent and courteous discussion is over. Now, it's all a shouting match.

[@johnosman3550]

That's true. "Get there firstest with the loudest voice" now seems to be the rule you have to follow in discussion programs.

[@panatronicfreud6484]

There is a lot of useless noise on TV these days, sure, but Charlie Rose has good conversations and debates. Frontline is the best news show on TV. The topic of this old episode wasn't all that controversial and let's not forget the fight Buckley had with Gore Vidal, when Buckley bellowed "...listen, you queer, stop calling me a crypto-Nazi or I'll sock you in your goddamn face...." It wasn't always respectful, polite debate back in the "good old days." Around the time this Fireline episode aired, Geraldo was opening Al Capone's empty vault, Phil Donohue was wearing a diaper and Morton Downey Jr. was screaming his head off as skinheads destroyed his studio. I'm old enough to remember.

[@dotconnor9966]

jobu88 i

[@SenorQuichotte]

my ears bleed with current "talk" shows

[@unshackledmind7863]

This is 100 times more interesting than anything on television today

[@1234dahu]

Most folks today are too stupid to understand what is being discussed. Even worse, have no interest in learning about it.

[@surfwriter8461]

Interesting in what way? That is, although it is at a much higher level intellectually than most of what passes for serious discussion of social and political topics today, it is highly dependent on a variety of literary and political references that are more esoteric and tangential than illuminating when they are tossed out with so little context and obvious significance.

[@jimtussing]

Absolutely true.

[@ChillAssTurtle]

@@surfwriter8461 using unnecessary wording trying super hard to sound smart without actually saying anything of meaning is quite pitiful.

[@surfwriter8461]

@@ChillAssTurtle In other words, you couldn't follow what I said, which is proof of your inadequate intelligence and not my failure to communicate. So of course you feel you need to insult me for what is your own inadequacy and insecurity. Tuck your head back into your shell, and maybe come back when you're capable of comprehending something more complex than a hip hop lyric.

[@Ssider]

Anyone born less than 25 years ago needs to watch this carefully. This was fairly typical Sunday morning fare before we decided that the audience must never have opened a dictionary in their lives and must be constantly entertained with graphics.

[@rr7firefly]

Yep. Our public libraries have adopted a policy to provide reading material that does not challenge the reader to actually learn something, especially if it involves looking something up in a reference book. Years ago my city library had 25 different books on Michael Jackson and only one book on El Lissitzky. When I asked someone there about it they told me "We want to provide material that will encourage people to read." Ah, the celebrity culture.

[@tinfoilhatter]

yeah-haha- one must be wary of the inadvertent insult (it's possible to insult an audience without even intending to, or appearing to)... talk shows were always the best, - depending entirely on who's talking!

[@eddiejohnston1853]

Born in 1994, have ALWAYS enjoyed watching these. Belizean citizen.

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

Ssider we still have this in England

[@TheDesertwalker]

Blame MTV and other factors for that. A short attention span is now the norm.

[@kenq7948]

I respect how Hitchens acknowledges the criticisms. I can't remember the last time I saw such genuine intellectual honesty.

[@vernonbear]

This popped up in my recommendation list, wasn’t exactly sure what I’d learn but I got to the end and realised exactly what you’ve described. There’s a respect for each other’s opinion, there’s time for each to express their thoughts and to be able to clarify those points and most of all there are commentators there who can lean on knowledge and experience, they have the intellectual honesty and power to be comfortable in their position and not be offended or upset by a contrary or alternative view. What went wrong?

[@eric4741]

What amazes me most about this discourse is how civil it is.

[@jangyman]

+Eric Scott ....civil? Didn't you notice how John O'Sullivan violently interrupted the jovial discourse at around 12:15, with an abrupt return to the original speaking point? Downright saucy, if you ask me.

[@whall5477]

+Eric Scott well they liked each other in spite of disagreements. that's rare nowadays.

[@jorgwalter1954]

+Eric Scott The same holds true for political debates in Germany in that period. And I don't think that it's due to poltical affiliation.

[@tipsydog3]

+Eric Scott And imagine that there were likewise no "safe spaces" required.

[@lawrencewright2816]

+Eric Scott. Yes. Very civil. Really, compared to the existential issues Europe faces today, the issues at that time seem rather superficial by comparison. Very difficult to discuss today's issues the same way.

[@kyd1972]

Hitchens is so articulate, and his statements are so well thought-out, it's a pleasure just to hear him talk.

[@zapkvr]

Utter drivel. If he is right it's more likely to be a fluke.

[@damianedwards8827]

This is that Atheist Hitchens guy. If he keeps disrespecting God, bad things will happen to him

[@ChillAssTurtle]

@@damianedwards8827 he passed away years ago.. if you keep worshipping your despicable demon like deity of the bible then bad things will happen to you and you'll even die. If you die some day then your demon is false. Can you begin to understand how dumb you are now?

[@Uuyrijies1123]

@@damianedwards8827 How accepting God truly is, taking others opinion about “him” and taking it seriously.

[@damianedwards8827]

@@Uuyrijies1123 Love is Obviously not just someone's Opinion. It is Engine of Life. The Source of All we do. Even your Comment. You Care.

[@consolecontempt9524]

Truly, Christopher Hitchens (although we seldom agree) is one of my all time favorite modern political thinkers. I miss him.

[@jamesjacoby6740]

+Console Contempt HE WAS A MARXIST!!!! KILLER OF OPPOSITION!!!

[@consolecontempt9524]

As I said, we seldom agreed.

[@FatToti]

+James Jacoby he wasn't a marxist for long

[@JaeWoodFLAWDSKWAD]

+James Jacoby I would contend that he was closer to the right than the left by the time he died... He certainly wouldn't be for all this SJW nonsense plaguing our country right now.

[@JaeWoodFLAWDSKWAD]

+Console Contempt I agree. Though I disagreed with him a lot more when he was younger rather than later in his life, he was always civil and articulated his position remarkably well. And, though he didn't go looking for fights, he could dish out the hurt on idiotic, impetuous asses that sought to attack him with ad hominem and hyperbole.

[@vishmonster]

This level of erudition makes me homesick for childhood, when I was constantly bewildered by adult talk.

[@beestingz1]

You mean before you realized that adults are as clueless as children but have better learned to hide it?

[@tejasnair3399]

@@beestingz1 Not these adults.

[@smanticus]

I could listen to Hitchens and Buckley talk to each other all day.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

Who's stopping you? I am in my eighth decade and everyone has a soul which is Divine and we all have an emptiness that can only be filled with the Divine but so many of us do not understand this fact. We try to fill that void with wealth, fun, sex, religion, weird conclusions, ( no God), food, fast cars, shopping, sports, the list is endless. ............falundafa

[@ExcitingBob]

The idea that this would be a television show today is incomprehensible.

[@bwana4711]

At 42 now it's amazing how aged the '90's looked, it certainly didn't feel like it at the time. Great conversation, much missed in today's world of soundbites.

[@missmellyminx]

Qq

[@cisium1184]

Some of that is just what happens to videotape when it gets old.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

I am in my eighth decade and everyone has a soul which is Divine and we all have an emptiness that can only be filled with the Divine but so many of us do not understand this fact. We try to fill that void with wealth, fun, sex, religion, weird conclusions, ( no God), food, fast cars, shopping, sports, the list is endless. ............falundafa

[@SardonicALLY]

It seems to me that every decade appears to be a repudiation of the previous one. We seem to be in a Puritanistic phase at present so hopefully the 2030's will be a bit more relaxed...

[@kaibe5241]

This is how an intelligent discussion is done.

[@rosslumbus]

I have a passing interest in this. I came here for the conversion. These two are EQUALLY Brilliant. I stress that not as some scream out or objection to anything you said but rather because I unfortunately knew only Christophers Hitchens. I have seen Hitchens steamroll people he debates effortlessly and a few that stand their ground but never an equal (in my humble opinion). Wolpe, Aly and Lennox are three different opponents with completely different ideologies that stood their ground against him and won my respect for doing so, but Buckley is pretty bloody cool and non-phased. I am watching more things with him in it,

[@kaibe5241]

Ross Lumbus - it's how it should be done. Nothing annoys me more in debates than logical fallacies, as it simply demonstrates that those people have no idea what they're talking about (without actually knowing it). These kinds of talks are really quite rare, and should be treasured. It's how public discourse should be done!

[@mackenna5911]

i wish all things should be discussed like this. check out buckley and chomsky interview. buckley looks like somene that hasn't a clue and is smug fuck. check it out

[@pearlfisher2813]

Kirk Bushell Yes but it's a shame it took until the last few utterances to recognise that Britain /the UK does not comprise only of England , but rather England, Scotland, Wales and the North of Ireland. It's that kind of arrogant dismissal of the other members of the uk that creates resentment.

[@tinfoilhatter]

i strenuously deny the existence of the logical fallacy! (haha)

[@gematria79]

Right, wrong, agree or disagree, what the USA has LOST in media & politics is serious, NON-RANTING, intelligent & logical discussions of issues, philosophies & practical goals.

[@BH-ip6ds]

+gematria79 There always has been a tendency in this country for an appeal to populism or demagoguery. We sometimes overcome it and we sometimes don't. I actually think the progressive distrust and questioning of all established institutions (I count myself as one of those that espouse this philosophy) has led to the hollowing out of everything except for base capitalism - pure greed. These kind of debates don't happen anymore because they aren't profitable. The Fox news model is predominate for one reason and one reason only - it makes money.

[@jamesjacoby6740]

+Ben Hebert Progressive distrust ?? You mean KILLING MILLIONS OF UNBORN?? What fools you people are!

[@SalomeBaptistSmith]

+Ben Hebert Most countries have gone in the same direction. Don't idealize the other side of the pond:) European TV debates are made to appeal to the lowest common denominator. The publishing world is totally rigged. Just a temporary decline I suppose.

[@jebediahkrimsoncraftleding3012]

+gematria79 We gained C-SPAN in the 70's; certainly nothing to scoff at.

[@kmccabe1962]

Hitchens and Buckley never get old.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

just more rotten? I am in my eighth decade and everyone has a soul which is Divine and we all have an emptiness that can only be filled with the Divine but so many of us do not understand this fact. We try to fill that void with wealth, fun, sex, religion, weird conclusions, ( no God), food, fast cars, shopping, sports, the list is endless. ............falundafa

[@zaknefain100]

@@jeffforsythe9514 Mhmm... I do wonder, could it possibly be filled with anything else or does it just need to be filled with things you feel are worthwhile?

[@jeffforsythe9514]

@@zaknefain100 We all have an emptiness which can only be filled with the Divine. That is exactly why we see people with 100 billion dollar fortunes, they can get no satisfaction, the same with overweight people, drug abusers, alcoholics, hoarders and people who live in 50 room mansions........................Falun Dafa

[@Remnants100]

@jeff forsythe - It may be of interest that I am halfway through my Seventh decade. I too believe in the Divine, but not to such an extent that I cannot embrace all that this life offers to an unfettered Soul. God Bless.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

​@@Remnants100 I was born in the forties myself. This planet is a sewer compared to Heaven and our true purpose is to seek the Divine and not be fun seekers. The wonderful practice Falun Gong explains many of life's mysteries.

[@MarrowEternal]

The reason we don't hear debates like this anymore is because the average American can't comprehend what is being said.

[@mpcc2022]

American Anti-itellectual sentiment it's a real thing it seems.

[@gunsgiftsgalleries7711]

+Joshua Amor People who underestimate the American people's intelligence and always go on about how dumb and fat they are is what's wrong. mindless contempt for the unitsed states and it's inhabitants is pathetic. don't be one of those guys.

[@mpcc2022]

+101864796226385716045 Firstly, I said American Anti-intellectual Sentiment, which is a category of culture, or a paradigm of thought. I didn't say Americans are fat and dumb. Don't misrepresent my words and project your personal prejudice on to them. I'd be prepared to construct an argument to demonstrate how America has been against European Intellectualism since the 60's when the American government viewed European Intellectualism as the seat of Communism and Fascism. America was openly anti-intellectual during the Vietnam era in response the advent of the neo leftist agenda. "Mindless contempt for the united states"? Do you mind explaining what's mindless about contempt for American Imperialism? I'm not Anti-America or American for that matter, but what's pathetic is that some Americans act if there isn't good reason for some groups of people not liking them, or that there aren't some fundamental flaws to their economic practices, modern cultural attitudes, and political paradigms. I currently live in America and see Americans and their culture and I'm not implying that any where in the world is perfect or that America is the worst country, but America seems to believe it is the golden nation.

[@mpcc2022]

GunsGifts Galleries what's the Average American IQ? What's the average BMI? If people seem to repeatedly say these things you may want to at least ask to what degree it's true rather than just be dismissive.

[@christopheroehrli902]

Oh, yes. You are so very superior, MarrowEternal. Do tell, do tell.

[@TristanJCumpole]

Wow! What a fresh young and fantastically incorrigible git!! Still miss you Hitch. The world became fucking boring very quickly.

[@samm1809]

Boring??? It's boggling my mind that what he had to say about Islam and the Middle East isn't being constantly brought up by EVERYONE at the moment, seeing as the Kurds are being invaded, tortured, slaughtered and buried alive by Islamic Fascist Theocrat lunatics who's sole objective seems to be to create an expansionist caliphate. Hitchens is being vindicated day by day.

[@kenvee2166]

I miss this show. I miss Buckley. I miss Hitchens, too. The world is a less intelligent place without them. We have so much information at our disposal and at our finger tips but we haven't got enough of what these gentlemen had in abundance. Nimble minds and class.

[@Warp75]

The world is less intelligent FULL STOP.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

There was a miss who was afraid that she would be an old maid, so she got married and became a maid. I am in my eighth decade and everyone has a soul which is Divine and we all have an emptiness that can only be filled with the Divine but so many of us do not understand this fact. We try to fill that void with wealth, fun, sex, religion, weird conclusions, ( no God), food, fast cars, shopping, sports, the list is endless. ............falundafa

[@arriuscalpurniuspiso]

Buckley the Oily Sleaze

[@MovieMakingMan]

And blame the pollution of the airwaves on Ronnie Reagan who had his FCC kill the Fairness Doctrine to enable Fox and rightwing radio to fill the airwaves with the toxic pus it’s filled with today. The media was destroyed by Reagan. But that sociopath destroyed so much more. He led a war on the poor and middle class and gutted the treasury to give it to the top 5%. Wages stopped growing under Reagan and his failed trickle down economics. Every tax break for the rich is 100% paid for by the poor and middle class. And the poor and middle class build and maintain 100% of everything you see. The extremely rich are parasites. They are the only demographic that is 100% expendable.

[@HotCuppaCoffee]

I truly miss Buckley, and Hitchens. And I really miss erudite gentlemen discussing weighty issues in civilized manner. 1990 seems like a foreign country now.

[@Voltanaut]

HotCuppaCoffee "The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there."

[@massey904]

HotCuppaCoffee You can't be a grateful person without evidence of God.

[@Voltanaut]

Chris t That's an absurd thing to say.

[@massey904]

HarryIsTheGamingGeek well its true.

[@Voltanaut]

Chris t Something cannot be absurd and true.

[@robertparkes4982]

Isn't it a forgotten pleasure to enjoy proper conversation ????

[@anilomd]

yes, it is.

[@ramon2008]

Yep

[@crispingoolsby6303]

Buckley and Hitch.....what civilized fun.

[@2l84t]

Crispin Goolsby Note the respect.....much different than the first time.

[@harryflashman3141]

this is so sweet to see Christopher Hitchens among intellectual equals arguing about issues that aren't black and white.

[@fyrshusx]

Because he's on a catholic Christian's show.

[@danny007p]

Fortunately the debate does not concern Mr Buckley’s religious beliefs. Lest Hitchen’s brute dominance on such issues turn the aforementioned sweetness not to the black and white but to the blood red.

[@andyb9732]

Er yeah.

[@timonschneider6290]

Buckley is just an insufferable, incredibly conceited snob. Dont call him intellectual just cause he speaks this extremely artificial, learned accent.

[@AlanWinterboy]

I don't always agree with Hitch's conclusions, or even his historical recountings, but I'm always amazed at his fearlessness, poise/confidence, and quick-wittedness. So inspiring to see him holding his own against Buckley, and obviously having/earning his respect.

[@ajarnwordsmith628]

"Holding his own against Buckley..." brought to mind Chomsky's exposure of Buckley's irksome flummery and my own tendency towards verbal loquacity transmuted to the written form.

[@dstarling61]

I always had great respect for Bill. I rarely agreed with his politics, but I admired his intellect and civility. It was never an argument for him, it was discussion and debate. It's really cool to see a young Hitch, I guess he's always been an amazing orator. I miss them both.

[@Michael71186]

Hard to come across a good natured discussion where the participants enjoy critical intellectual discourse with one another without reverting to platitudes and rhetorical techniques to "win" an argument via perception. A lot of intellect and class in that roundtable. The mastery of language in that group is a beautiful thing.

[@fifthbusiness1678]

Gnilrats "... never an argument" for WF Buckley? I beg to differ: watch the series of 1968 debates between him and Gore Vidal? "Watch it you fairy or I'll punch you in the god-damned mouth!" He let Vidal get to him ... Vidal was brilliant! It's a documentary on Netflix, or was. Recommended!

[@dstarling61]

Fifth Business Thanks! I stand corrected. I guess even the more eriudite Conservatives are still mean spirited.

[@Jamzmahname]

Gnilrats He was quite heated at the moment, Gore was hurling insults at him as well. He lost his cool, I wouldn't say he was "mean spirited".

[@RS-uh7rz]

".. the windier aspects of British imperial bluster"

[@nutsackmania]

Buckley's hair is sentient.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Sometimes more than the man himself:>)

[@BobBelson]

lol

[@senorblanco4993]

lol

[@dhh488]

I think Pres Trump covets it.

[@JLongTom]

His scalp, certainly.

[@weakestlink41]

This is how it should be. Civil intellectual discourse. No ad hominem and seemingly toned down pride. Truly lovely.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

They are both cynical wordsmiths, how's that? I am in my eighth decade and everyone has a soul which is Divine and we all have an emptiness that can only be filled with the Divine but so many of us do not understand this fact. We try to fill that void with wealth, fun, sex, religion, weird conclusions, ( no God), food, fast cars, shopping, sports, the list is endless. ............falundafa

[@AbominableHuman]

That intro is so hilarious.

[@brucesmith596]

AbominableHuman Could they make that nigga look any more ridiculous lol?

[@riz3310]

I love it when people who disagree with each other can have a stimulating discussion. This is great

[@truckerfromreno]

The English are so charming and eloquent.

[@dirkdiggler8093]

OY YA FACKIN MUNTER, ILL SWIG THIS PINT RITE QUIK B4 I KNACK YA THA FOOK OUT

[@truckerfromreno]

I'll jab your bollocks you bellend.

[@theplayer2286]

Indeed. Difficult to deny really.

[@Relbl]

Well that was impressive: two (well three, really) witty and urbane people discussing a topic from all angle and not screaming at each other, not repeating slogans, and agreeing with each other on points of debate. If TV were even 1/10th as smart as this nowadays I could still bear to subscribe to cable... alas I prefer saving the $100+ per month and avoiding that brain rot of commercialized drivel. Huzzah for the uploader!

[@kaibe5241]

I honestly have gained so much from watching Hitchens debate. I look into and research many of his references, I try and understand his angles and where possible, seek evidence to back up my disagreements with him. I really wish I could have seen him live :(

[@GamerwithaConscience]

No one in the comment section is discussing the subject that is being talked about in the video

[@normandylander]

Of course not! This is You Tube! lol

[@MrDan708]

That's because people not old enough to remember Firing Line while it was on the air are so gobsmacked to hear what political discussion USED TO be like. There is simply nothing like this on the air, today. What we have in its place is a series of three-minute shouting matches interrupted by five minutes of commercials.

[@GuruJudge21]

The Cold War hadn't even ended yet, the British Empire hadn't even been entirely dismantled yet, the topic is no longer relevant. Britain's role to America post-WW2 has changed so much that it's not even recognizable to the times.

[@MrJamberee]

They didn't come here to discuss the video.

[@Marcus280898]

GuruJudge21 With Britain leaving the EU project which has occupied her interest for the last 20 years I wonder if a realignment is on the horizon.

[@mariekirby1683]

really interesting to listen to in 2016. Thank you for sharing. Hitchens, as ever, so brilliant and suave.

[@jpzehner]

Would love to hear them today, discussing today's issues... Great minds, great communicators.

[@davesuiter]

Is William F Buckley melting?

[@stitchseam3201]

He is like 90 in this broadcast dude

[@leslieackerman4189]

His obnoxious accent was invented by him, no doubt. And why pay a lot for Brooks Brothers if you are going to look like a slob?

[@richardsoffice9176]

¡Si!

[@tinfoilhatter]

dang! i turnt 25 in 1990 and had not yet much appreciation for these gentlemen-- since then, maybe a leetle more!

[@mbelma6329]

Asshole, he’s old as hell in this clip

[@astrosci8864]

Mike Kinsley, William F. Buckley and Christopher Hitchens all in one place? Where has this been all my life?

[@kingmatt2563DABEST]

What an excellent debate, experts on all sides having a discussion, dont see that anymore.

[@thegreatonecometh200]

this kind of discourse isnt what gets ratings !!! this was when tv made their money from tv shows and so they didnt make a lot of money at least compared to now a days ! and plus most americans are anti intellectual ! and regard rational reasonable logical fact based conversations as suspect.

[@dstarling61]

Exactly, it all went to crap when news and current affairs turned into a money making machine. What ever happened to "Public Service". Now that i think of it didn't the FCC relax the "Public Service" requirement at some point? And If I remember correctly, it was never applied to non-broadcast TV.

[@TheHarryChanne1]

In our post-facts era, it's important not to let reality get in the way of a perfectly good narrative.

[@bradypostma3708]

You see a bit of it in Intelligence Squared debates (also here on KZbin).

[@D45VR]

Yes, agree 100%. There are plenty of good discussions available to anyone who does a little bit of searching. I suspect that many people are finding this out as they migrate away from TV networks which only focus on their bottom line.

[@warrenphillips5419]

I'm here because of Best Enemies.

[@drstrangelove09]

I always enjoyed Firing Line even though I often did not have the background to fully understand what they were exactly saying.

[@drstrangelove09]

Thanks for the unwarranted, smug, snobby, arrogant and superior insults. So, are you claiming that someone educated in whatever country you hail from would completely understand every topic discussed on Firing Line? I doubt that they would. You missed my point. I guess that your superior eduction did not teach you how to understand a fairly obvious implication, namely that Firing Line covered many complex subjects and had very well informed debaters and that it would be hard for almost anyone to completely understand what exactly was being said in every case.

[@BritishArrow]

drstrangelove09 What a very strange reply to her comment. You really are out looking for a fight aren't you.

[@ultimategoobah7212]

oh come on, the phrasing of her comment was horrendous, it's not even remotely surprising that it offended him. "you would have to read books that challenge you" lol.

[@drstrangelove09]

Claudia Venerable Fact, eh. Not sure I agree. Plus you completely missed my point. Further, I would be seriously surprised, if you with your British education (or whatever it is) understood most of what was debated.

[@davecee9024]

Claudia Venerable Education in America is as exactly as one would expect, if you persist you can prevail.

[@vagrantwanderer5810]

A very enjoyable and entertaining conversation......pity they are not still with us.

[@TheCB94]

Buckley forgetting O'Sullivan's name at the end, after O'Sullivan tells the audience to buy four of Buckley's books before they read Hitchens's, is absolutely hilarious to me.

[@clouddweller1195]

The great William F. Buckley Jr. Thank you for the clip.

[@meuccilawless]

Hitchens and Buckley had great chemistry !!

[@macklee6837]

That was brilliant. Loved it. Very gentlemanly and intellectual.

[@russvierra8104]

Ssider - very well said. One should also take note how these gentleman let the speaker make their point without constant interruption and showmanship. A real joy to watch these again...always interesting and informative...

[@markyoung01maccom]

This kind of television and discourse doesn’t in the popular media exist anymore. I think we are all robbed for such fine, insightful and quite entertaining exchange. Thank you for sharing. We miss you hitch

[@ADKT2AUDIO]

Damn i miss Hitchens' voice

[@THeBlueScholar]

ADKT2AUDIO I don't mean to come off as condescending, but the statement you just made exactly proves the point Hitch was attempting to make at around 14:30 of this video.

[@Jiian]

Brent Gilmore Perhaps or perhaps it isn't the accent, but rather, his cadence, pitch and tone. Also, we don't know where ADKT2AUDIO is from, although we can surmise, statistically, from his profile pic.

[@lopan9748]

+Brent Gilmore How in any way does OP's statement "exactly prove the point Hitch was attempting to make...?" Hitch was talking about the English accent's affect on Americans. You don't even know OP's nationality. All the statement said was, "I miss Hitchens' voice." That could mean any number of things. It could mean his symbolic voice in the world (I personally miss that a great deal). It could be his own particular voice (I have listened to him on numerous podcasts, debates, lectures, etc. and I will definitely miss hearing his voice. It was a voice I knew well and loved to listen to). Or it could mean something completely different.... the one thing it DOESN'T DO is.... "exactly prove the point he was making." You could have asked the OP if that is what he/she meant. Or you could have theorized that OP was possibly making a statement similar to what Hitch talked about at 14:30..... but you cannot say that it "proves Hitch's point." That statement is completely unreasonable.

[@giordanopagotto7940]

+ADKT2AUDIO Yeah, so do I... And I also miss someone under the spotlight as confronting as him, of course with such intelligence, cognisance and finesse

[@ThunderingJove]

"WASP is somebody who is not an accredited victim."

[@Marcus280898]

The enduring relevance of that comment today is staggering, if only they could see the extent to which it has gone.

[@mroceans8336]

Marcus280898 Fake News! You’re taking our jobs!

[@lorenmars5244]

When I was a kid, everyone said this show was boring. I'm glad I grew up.

[@naughteedesign]

lovely to see all participants on the same page and going along with their adversaries for the viewers enjoyment.

[@beverlyducharme433]

Sadly this wonderful show would never fly now for a number of reasons, the biggest one being that there isn't anyone who could fill the intellectual boots of these men.

[@seenotes3846]

It seems throughout this airing that Buckley, in both body language and thought, is enthralled to Hitchens and utterly indifferent to OSullivan. Of course its hard to blame him, Hitchens seemed to be the rare type who was always "on", no matter the circumstance.

[@jimmyfox2953]

+SeeNotes Buckley and OSullivan worked together and no doubt debated often.... Hitchens was new and interesting and challenging blood- so to speak. :)

[@user-oz5hp2km3z]

Jimmy Fox They’d known of or actually know each other for years at this point. Hitch was on the show years earlier, and he was friends with Christopher Buckley.

[@nottavictim5]

The economic equivalent of NATO is now unstable

[@PhilWithCoffee]

Firing Line was such a great program, especially when Hitchens was on. Himself and Buckley played off of each-other very well. It is a shame that political news debate has gone in favour of the brash, overtly self-aggrandizing style.

[@sixtiksix]

Thanks for posting this

[@mrpentium]

wow. Hitchens and Buckley.... my IQ jumped 40 points

Was it THAT low?

[@robertely686]

No. You just thought it did

[@tedayrom]

BEAUTIFUL ENGLISH LANGUAGE.I WISHED EVERYBODY IN AMERICA COULD SPEAK LIKE THIS.

[@GerLeahy]

HOW, BY SHOUTING? (Joke, it's a joke!)

[@cedricliggins7528]

Oh well

[@aaronskilton9435]

What stood out most to me in this discussion, was Christopher's remark about Marx's comment of the British having a civilising influence on India, at around the 11:55 mark, and Buckley pushing him on the fact he emphasised it as particularly noteworthy. During the subsequent explanation of this remark, the way Christopher looks at Buckley - as if seeking validation - displays an uncharacteristic uncertainty and lack of confidence in his argument - something rarely seen by Hitchens - which I feel has a very humanising effect, and I can't help but feel endeared towards him. I'm sure discussions like these enabled Christopher to sharpen his arguments, which, in turn, created the intellectual juggernaut we all know, love, and sadly miss to his day.

[@michaelkerr9995]

I love this. This is what we should aspire to.

[@AndreasJohanns]

Listening to these three minds is more valuable than most college classes and three times as imposing as NATOs current leadership.

[@pat9403]

My favorite part of this was at the very end. After endless pontificating and high level verbal dueling, Buckley can't remember the one dude's name.

[@donalfoley2412]

Hitchens refreshingly honest in this discussion.

[@angrylambie]

wow - that was kind of thrilling and went really fast - thanks for posting

[@AngloAm]

This was from a time when ideas were debated and fully discussed, not shouted and preached.

[@jimdez11]

Both Buckley & Hitchens had an abundance of class and culture, of which many of these commentators seem to be lacking!

[@respectthepeck]

Wow. What beautiful minds, a joy to listen to.

[@jloo222]

Great upload, thanks.

[@DennisMoore664]

Intellectual discussion - I have a distant memory of that. Ah, the good old days.

[@JeffreyGillespie]

Amazing, I only wish there was anything like this level of conversation or debate in 2016 America.

[@JusteUnOod]

Hey, thanks! You're doing a great everyone a great service!

[@heressomestuffifound]

Notice the lack of fast jumping camera angles. Watch the Hitchen interview in 1999 with Charlie Rose... the camera jumps a little faster, but still much slower than today. Watch anything from the past five years through today and it's dizzying. This is no accident and it is making us dizzied, distracted, and stupid.

[@jcarterjoseph9066]

Christopher Hitchens is very much missed. He would be grateful to know, because of his writings and video postings on You Tube, that he is achieving the only kind of immortality really worth having.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

Nonsense, he was only leading everyone to hell. I am in my eighth decade and everyone has a soul which is Divine and we all have an emptiness that can only be filled with the Divine but so many of us do not understand this fact. We try to fill that void with wealth, fun, sex, religion, weird conclusions, ( no God), food, fast cars, shopping, sports, the list is endless. ............falundafa

[@Alan-71351]

Without even trying, Hit hens stops Bucky Boy from flying off into his usual moronic hyperbolic soaring fancyboy crap.

[@HITCHBITCH22]

Buckley and Hitchens is like watching Borg and McEnroe. Fantastic.

[@mjcruiser4238]

Absolutely -perfect comparison

[@andrewrivera4029]

You would never have a host like Kinsley today simply introduces the panel of guests then sits quietly and listens.

[@jordanromaker]

It's amazing how much more Christopher looks like his brother when he was younger.

[@user-ju7ze9to4k]

Hitchens and Buckley were like English language olympians. I miss them. George will, please don’t die.

[@sirhumphreyappleby8399]

William F Buckley speaks with such effortless brilliance, reminds me of Hannibal Lecter in a way.

[@deegoulet9083]

Got to love our Christopher Hitchens.... I miss you!

[@DarkSaint411]

Long form discussions are so good.

[@poerava]

Hitchens quick humour reflects a brilliant mind

[@2fast2block]

He was FAR from brilliant. Hitch who pretends to know the bible as he screws up on it over and over again including what faith means biblically. --"Faith is the surrender of the mind, it's the surrender of reason, it's the surrender of the only thing that makes us different from other animals. It's our need to believe and to surrender our skepticism and our reason, our yearning to discard that and put all our trust or faith in someone or something, that is the sinister thing to me. ... Out of all the virtues, all the supposed virtues, faith must be the most overrated”-- Christopher Hitchens Now, look at what biblical faith really means that Hitch the liar didn't even look at: Biblically, faith means trust. It's a trust by evidence seen. God asks that we prove things. To reason. To get knowledge. To study. God has nothing to hide. We develop trust from what is seen, and that which is not seen yet is trusted also because of the trust built up from what is seen. It's much like a human relationship. We don't trust much until a person has gained that trust from what is observed. The difference is though, God is not limited to human powers. He created us. Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. crossexamined.org/biblical-faith-vs-blind-faith/ www.truthortradition.com/articles/what-does-the-bible-say-about-faith www.revisedenglishversion.com/Appendix/16/Faith_is_Trust www.truthortradition.com/articles/faith-a-confident-expectation-of-gods-promises-coming-to-pass www.truthortradition.com/articles/hebrews-1-11-and-faith Hitchens always went into evasive word antics to avoid key questions like how we got the creation of the universe. Real science says nothing does nothing. Real science says if there was something there already it must fit with the evidence of what we know. We know the 1LT says there's a conservation of energy. It can change forms and neither can be created or destroyed. Creation cannot happen by natural means. The 2LT has various aspects, one being the universe is winding down, entropy. Usable energy is becoming less usable, so at one point usable energy was at its max. This all points to a supernatural creation, by a supernatural creator at a certain point in which matter, space, and time were created. When I read how it can happen otherwise, ALL the fools resort to science-fiction. Once a supernatural creation is accepted, then the next step is finding proof of what supernatural power did it. We can't even get science without God. The laws of nature only can come from a Lawgiver, God. Life only comes from life. Law of biogenesis. God is the reason for us and all we have. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJqwoq2ElL6Gjrc The odds are NOT there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWLCfHiMlqisl6M kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4icmJStr79_qc0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpXEooarqdlol9k

[@poerava]

@@2fast2block There are too many errors in your video links and errors in your comments which show your scientific illiteracy, so I’ll just cut to the chase: Why we believe in gods - Andy Thomson kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3jWpp2BnsmBf9U

[@waynemizer4912]

@@2fast2block You worship a god that watches child porn every day and has yet to lift a finger to help even one child.

[@2fast2block]

"2fast2block You worship a god that watches child porn every day and has yet to lift a finger to help even one child." That was actually meant to show the evidence I gave is not correct. No, I'm not joking.

[@bookashkin]

O'Sullivan, for a presumably educated guy, is flat wrong about the beginning of the cold war. It wasn't started by Stalin, not in Berlin nor Czechoslovakia, nor Korea. It started with the British war on Athens, tanks and artillery blazing, while Stalin, respectful of his agreement with Churchill, stayed out of Greece. Churchill signed a deal with Stalin on Soviet influence in Eastern Europe (in return for Soviet non-interference in Greece) and then had the chutzpah to moan about the iron curtain, meanwhile passing the buck to the US to actually confront the Soviets. Notice how West Germany became a state before East Germany. Notice how NATO was founded before Warsaw pact. Stalin ordered his troops out of Austria and was willing to do the same in Germany, but the West preferred a West Germany in NATO to a unified non-aligned Germany.

[@SpacepopeSpeaking]

Stalin died '53. Sowjet troops were ordered out of Austria only after his death in '55.

[@zivaray]

Thank goodness for KZbin

[@tejastiger61]

A million thank yous for sharing this fantastic history lesson.... God Bless WFBJ and CH too...

[@hansfischer6413]

I love Hitchens ...not for his political views, not always, but he was a great guy and important voice and a voice of reason

[@timothy4557]

I love chocolate ice-cream, not for its taste but for its sugary structured cone.

[@youngosify]

William F Buckley is such a boss

[@Deathcomes4usall]

Look how young Christopher looks!

[@franklamagna3889]

I wish Hitchens appeared on Firing Line more often! His debates with Bill Buckley were priceless, particularly when they argued on the reasons fir the Vietnam War!

[@reenaheenan3101]

I miss programs like this. Are there any brilliant men left in America? Even if you disagreed with them, you admitted their erudition.

[@mpcc2022]

I miss American Intellectualism. It's death leaves me a hollow and lonely individual.

[@danielmcmanus5913]

its okay, america is pretty overrated

[@MrJamberee]

What are you talking about? We've got twitter!

[@MrJamberee]

Daniel McManus So is your skill at commenting. Go take a nap.

[@danielmcmanus5913]

Bruh youre just mad that america is overrated

[@astrospect]

@@danielmcmanus5913 idk man, we've got enough bombs to nuke every other country 5 times over. #1 world super power

[@mgoldstein3390]

“...sorry to borrow your analogy of the half’s.” Great stuff!

[@johnisaacdavey]

this was a delight to watch

[@2HHB]

is buckley melting?

[@akshayrathore2882]

who was that other guy pitted against hitchens? i have seen very few people handle hitchens that well

[@Povhc]

6:56 John O'Sullivan, You mean that guy?

[@akshayrathore2882]

No, other blond guy

[@Povhc]

Apart from the host and Hitchens the other two look gray to me but i guess you were referring to the guy on 2:25? He is William F. Buckley Jr. His name is also in the title so i assumed you were asking about O'Sullivan.

[@akshayrathore2882]

Ysengrimus thanks i didnt knew which one of them was William F. Buckley Jr

[@BakerWase]

Dunno how well he would handle an older hitch

[@krisschaefer876]

Brilliant... conversation.

[@paulaguenon1660]

It is nice to see a civilize debate instead of the bullying we see now.

[@BlackEpyon]

Oh wow. Hitch looks so young in this video o_o

[@fugazi480]

Hitch was no doubt an engaging and persuasive thinker. My own view, is that he replaced the falsehood of religion with the falsehood of 'state'. I would like less religion, less state and more freedom.

[@comedychrises]

Wow this was amazing to watch

[@donholt3361]

My God. How we have regressed. Brilliant intelligent debate.

[@lexdunn4160]

As Buckley aged, he looked increasingly like a lizard. I mean no disrespect, but he really did. He still had a sharp mind however.

[@9eyedeel998]

+Lex Dunn we must never lose sight of MESSIANIC PROTO-LIZARD.his is an essential salvific agonization, we owe him everything, and yet he is smarter than virtually only 3% of the population

[@kencabinson9720]

Lex Dunn i noticed that too

[@nikolademitri731]

I’m surprised Alex Jones, or rather, David Icke, hasn’t ever noticed and proclaimed him part of the race of lizard people...

[@williamrollings2146]

He would be a great Joker

[@tommanfrede5241]

Now, we have "The Five."

[@allah62]

Truly great, intelligent men talking like civilized human beings. I never tire of that.

[@arekhautaluoma4276]

I was born in '91, hard to believe this was TV right before my birth, but I do remember this 'vibe' about TV at a young age at my grandparent's house.