Christopher Hitchens vs. Shashi Tharoor FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Christopher Hitchens vs. Shashi Tharoor 2007

[@GamerFromJump]

If ever there was someone who up and died when he was needed most, it was Hitch.

[@SidharthSatheesh]

He inspired millions of us, there will be many to carry his torch forward.

[@dementare]

+GamerFromJump Sam harris does a great job of "filling in" on the philosophical and eloquent parts of Hitch, and Douglas Murray can turn a soft statement into an obviously soul shattering blow... however, should there ever be another person to contain both those attributes, as well as the intellect, history, and world knowledge as Christopher Hitchens... the temptation to declare them World Dictator would be strong in me.

[@uFFFO]

+dementare And the likes of Hitch would never accept that declaration. Because they would know better ;).

[@deanwilliams8331]

+GamerFromJump We need him now

[@robertblack3867]

+GamerFromJump he was a very confused man.

[@DapperDan1977]

240p my old enemy. We meet again.

[@skepticalgenious]

Yes capped at 240p. How many of us checked. 😂

[@mikeregan7034]

Hahahaahah

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@Samsonit50]

Yes i agree

[@Brakathor]

I've been studying his speeking form in all of his videos,.. The reason why he's probably the biggest beast in the history of debate is because he knows exactly WHEN to interupt, when to keep quiet, when to disregard interuption, as if being taunted by a whiny schoolgirl, and when to lash out at interuptions, as well as how to employ humour to offset criticism. He's a GENIUS of point placement, harmonizes the crude with the sophisticated, and is simply indomitable in every discussion he's in.

[@sswise12121212]

precisely

[@mikelindqvist8015]

Very interesting observations! I recognize it all but I couldn’t have put it that well as you did!

[@chrispywilliams1992]

how do you think someone gets that good?

[@chrispywilliams1992]

@@gm679 chomsky is superior?

[@Brakathor]

@@chrispywilliams1992 - There's really no school for this sort of thing.

[@lizzieh5284]

I really miss this great man. We really need him in today's world.

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@tygrahof9268]

Or rather MANY many more that emulate him and his truths!

[@Alan-71351]

How would he have treated Trump in your opinion?

[@lizzieh5284]

@@Alan-71351 with utter contempt!!

[@tomeboaventura9054]

Freedom of speech must include the right to offend.

[@2sridhark]

Luiz Rodriguez It can work the other way too. Muslims in West have been offending the people of West through hateful literature, invoking local muslims for jehad. One Pakistani Canadian Tarek Fateh has said in an interview that almost all mosques in Canada would start prayer with invocation of spreading Islam to the land of non-believers. In other words, muslims in the West do not pray for the prosperity of the country they are inhabiting but want everyone converted to Islam and become like them. Why they come to the West if they want everyone to be like them i wonder! Muslims clergymen are taking umbrage under the very freedom of expression that the West grants them. Thereby, many jehadists, terrorists are being produced in Western societies. No need to import from outside!

[@KC-jw5yz]

Good luck with High School Shootings. The perpetrators though the same thing, until the victim of verbal abuse became a killer.

[@Azerkeux]

@@KC-jw5yz That is an intellectually dishonest statement because in the United States your bill of rights does not extend into public schools. In fact- you *don't* have freedom of speech when you as a student, alumni, parent, etc are standing inside of or on the grounds of a public school.

[@KC-jw5yz]

@@Azerkeux And yet people bully other students in the school and call it "freedom of speech", even though it is bullying. And then these same people lose their lives in the mass shootings by the victims whom they bullied. PS: Free Speech doesn't exist, regardless of whatever some paper scratch made by some Europeans in America says.

[@Azerkeux]

@@KC-jw5yz You really seem to have missed the point. Bullying *can* be free speech, the two are not mutually exclusive. Free Speech *does* exist, it is part of our constitution it essentially means that the state (government) may take no action to engender the limitation of speech. This is on a federal level. So organizations, companies, private groups, schools etc all have the power to limit your speech in or on their property/forum. If a child is being bullied at school that is a failure of the administrative staff, it is not speech that is formally protected by or elicited by federal law.

[@acerbicatheist2893]

ST - "It's so difficult to argue with CH, because I enjoy him so much!" CH - "You can see why he's a diplomat and I'm not!" SUPERB. 50:00 - 52:00 more or less...

[@josongeorge5]

jonnine 51:42

[@MrRandomname010101]

"I'm ready to do it until I draw my last breath." And so he did. I'm so sorry I only discovered Hitchens after he'd gone.

[@YoursTruly-hw1xz]

You were still 7 years early than me!!🙂

[@vishnukumarmohanan7595]

Me too

[@jaybee9269]

Indeed, so am I! What a marvelous intellectual beast he was.

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@jimmythefool]

It was amazing to have him. I often wonder what he would make of the religious turmoil in the world of 2024. He would probably be disgusted with the shadiness of nearly all our political players too.

[@juliaabadi6812]

Even when this man is drunk, he still makes more sense than those to whom he is speaking. I miss him.

[@1984isnotamanual]

He’s not drunk

[@sifisonjabula3643]

@@1984isnotamanuallol I don’t get this comment. 😂why do people think that he is drunk here?

[@ChristopherHitchens3.14]

@@sifisonjabula3643 Assumptions.

[@tobiasdenhollander3210]

@@1984isnotamanual I think she means it as: even if he was drunk, he would make sense. Not suggesting he is, but in a hypothetical way.

[@BlackEpyon]

Yes, I know that you're offended, but I'm still waiting to hear your argument.

[@kevinboniface5668]

Mr tharoor is purely reactin and taking a stand as a politician

[@kevinboniface5668]

Mr tharoor is purely reactin and taking a stand as a politician

[@renewed6250]

That cannot be, because "dont insult our religion" is a command, not an argument.

[@KC-jw5yz]

@Johnny Sack Same with high school shooters.

[@TOLLEYBT]

That's a quote from Stephen Fry, correct?

[@paulburgess22]

The long consistency of Hitchens's position on totalitarianisms of every hue is wholly admirable, and his intellectual courage a beacon. Unlike most of his critics, his thinking was tested and evolved in light of friendships and experiences in many parts of the world, and hard won to a rare degree. He met the mothers of the "disappeared" in Latin America, and bore witness to the mass graves of Iraq. He challenged us to think for ourselves, and to ignore the easy dogmas left of right.

[@BunnyMan456]

"A society with contempt for free speech will surely be silenced."-Benjaham Linklon

[@ramanujamveda1928]

It is impossible to exercise complete freedom of speech without offending anyone! Quite simply because everybody'experiences life in a subjective way! Some feelings are meant to be hurt for the greater good/bad of humanity.

[@Ab_someone]

Ramanujam v Precisely why facts give a damn to anyone's feelings.

[@bryansimmons2001]

Ramanujam v irony at its best Believing one has an objective morality given by God But get to apply subjectively these so called "laws" to a only a few (EX. Christians think that we have souls so therfore Noone is allowed to get an abortion, even those who aren't catholic ) I ask you If atheists were to do this I am certain I can guess what would happen next History already proves this to be true Why would we want this back

[@ASkepticalHumanOnYouTube]

This remains of the most important topics. We simply must win the debate on this. The alternative is intolerable. Resist any and all efforts to restrict freedom of speech made by intolerant religious fanatics. These theocratic attempts to make worldwide society conform to their religious rules must be fought at every available opportunity.

[@WH-hx8dq]

+A Skeptical Human not only religious fanatics call for it, it is becoming an extremely confusing and politically divisive topic. We need a few more "skeptical humans" around, I think :P

[@matty9460]

Feminists especially those of the "intersectional" kind pose as much of a threat to freedom of speech with their no platforming bullshit as the religious. I would contend that the greatest opposition to freedom of speech is in the staff and administration of the institutions of higher education

[@rharcus]

Where is Christopher Hitchens when we need him most.. he left too early.

[@jmmacb03]

He would probably shame you into reading some history, educating yourself about issues, and continuing to read, read, read past high school and get organized! Don't worry, the other three horsemen are taking up the slack-but there is nothing to prevent you from taking up the mantle and filling in those holes in your education. Start by reading his books, and Dawkins, Harris, and Socrates. I spent last summer reading about the Middle East because I didn't know what to make about Israel's illegal settlement on annexed land. Now I am going to read philosophy this summer. Read all you can about science-there are tons of 2-3 hr lectures here on KZbin. P.S.- AND I found Hitch reading his book _God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything_ What a treat to hear his voice! kzbin.info/www/bejne/imO3gpZpnKuEnJo

[@letamarsden-huggins7027]

by 30 years plus

[@AI3Dorinte]

Rick he didn’t leave, he fucking died.

[@ramsaval]

Why do you need him?

[@Ozgipsy]

He foresaw where we were headed. Every time I hear him I'm amazed that his warnings were so accurate without being hyperbolic

[@philiphudgens4726]

Yep I added this timestamp in my own separate comment 38:55

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@magaretjuggler9722]

Hitchens was a great man, honest, educated, and fierce....we need more like him

[@Romamb]

Be like him yourself. Don't wish for others to be like him.

[@exilfromsanity]

Free speech includes the ABSOLUTE right to offend. Offense is never given, only taken.

[@stevelampley2591]

Luckystrike This is not a rational statement.

[@videowhat614]

Steve Lampley it makes perfect sense. Maybe you’re simply incapable of comprehending? Let me help. The person who determines if it’s offensive, is the person receiving it. It’s not up to the person saying the “offensive” thing.

[@JohnJohn-pm9wq]

@@videowhat614 statement applies in the right context. The question is more about how to filter information or a response that was intended to offend someone. The magnitude of offense can vary depending upon the individual receiving it which otherwise doesn't change the intended nature of something that was intended to be an offense. In this case is context specific with information that some may take it as an offense.

[@blair3264]

@@videowhat614 why do you have to treat him like an idiot cause he disagrees? Basic comment section squabbling.

[@HappyinJapan358]

Is there a place for us people who want to celebrate Hitch's life? The man is more than missed.

[@Romamb]

More than missed. Could you explain that please?

[@samardern2991]

We need such a place more than ever

[@myklee]

I can't stop watching Hitchens' videos.... damn it.

[@MrEVILISLAM]

This golden debate...can we have a script of this debate.We need to preserve these words for generations to come, and also so that they can be translated to other languages.

[@manusha1349]

Oh how I miss Hitch ❤😢 how much poorer the world is without his voice 💔

[@vegetableman4619]

17:22.... Hell yeah Christopher. I am applauding so loudly, I agree full heartedly 100% excellent assessment my man, well said! (I miss you so much 😞 rest in peace my friend...)

[@albertdavid2248]

Christopher's brevity and eloquence is unparalleled. His mental clarity about things is incredible. Above all, if there is one thing i deeply admire about him is the fortitude he displays to stick to his guns amidst the threats and dangers. Like he brilliantly put it "Resist it while you can".

[@Baghuul]

This man was a powerhouse! He went too soon, we need him in these dark times of the last few years. 😔

[@stoopidpants]

From 5 years in the future, firstly I hope you're well. You couldn't have known the times get much darker indeed.

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Lmfao

[@byronelenica8329]

Two intelligent men. Chaired expertly. Excellent debate. Christopher Hitchen is a rare person. I wish we had more like him. His brother Peter is also a worthy contributor, challenging the Established narrative.

[@elwrongo]

+byron elenica I don't think she chaired anything and just ended up agreeing with Hitchens, nothing wrong with that except its not the role of a chair.

[@byronelenica8329]

elwrongo Knowing when to remain quiet is a skill.

[@Lanearndt]

yes, but he's a believer, and it's hard to take them seriously most times! Very strong speaker though of course!

[@letamarsden-huggins7027]

Their parents would e so proud of them

[@suyashawasthi1]

@giri kotte He was under secretary of UN so definitely it requires some intelligence to be there. Secondly he studied at Oxford that's why the accent.

[@heathkitchen2612]

There is no evidence for god, but I would defend to the death a Theists right to offend me by teaching people I deserve to go to hell. That is the cold hard fact of free speech. You must allow opposing opinions or risk having them fester in the dark corners of society. If you want to know who rules over you, just find out who you can't criticize.

[@Gottenhimfella]

+Heath Kitchen I draw the line at them "teaching" other people's kids this, though, as I hope you would.

[@imthebossthere]

+Heath Kitchen exactly. the easiest way to get rid of stupid ideas is to let them fall on their faces by themselves. Don't silence them, prove them wrong and they will fade away eventually.

[@rosselliot8971]

+THthefirst If someone incited you to murder another, would you? If you did, would the responsibility be yours or theirs?

[@Kally0395]

Hear, hear.

[@Thatoneguynsuch]

Rubb-ishhhh......Yes, allow freedom of speech. Yes, allow the right to offend with free speech and opinions. TEACHING OTHERS THE BULLSHIT OF ATHEISM AND and DENIAL OF GOD with NO EVIDENCE TO BACK IT UP? COME ON, that has NOTHING to do with free speech. That's called misrepresentation and lying on behalf of the true teachers who would rather they didn't. Get a grip.

[@devil061006]

"Because my dog doesn't understand and fears the vacuum, it is my responsibility to not vacuum".

[@Seattlebeginner]

Amen & amen

[@InSingularity]

Shashi is basically saying that the right of people to react violently to offense is more important than the right to offend.

[@supercool37]

Despicable

[@supercool37]

But he is also saying that such a right is not extended to people who comply with modern societal norms like free speech, for example Hindus.

[@joeberg3317]

Needed now more than ever.

[@jmmacb03]

Hitch would implore you to take up the fight. Educate yourself and get active. I can't believe your entire country is obsessed with the tweets of a mental midget while the planet is facing climate change. How could you have backed out of the Paris Accord?? *And how could you go along with a 10-fold increase in nuclear weapons?* Were you alive for Chernobyl or Three Mile Island or the Cuban Missile Crisis!!? No one gets out alive. And now Fla has passed a bill that will spend millions on weapons in schools. Pure insanity. Get the dark money out of politics. I can't believe you have mid-term elections and nothing has been done to protect your democracy from Russian interference. Trump said the election was going to be rigged and yet-he hasn't even imposed sanctions on Russian or done *something* about your sadly out of date voting machines…good grief. Good luck from Toronto.

[@SecularFelinist]

Freedom of speech - the right to form one's own opinions and views and to express them without fear of retaliation - is the shield that protects us from religion and it's excesses. This right is infinitely more precious than protecting religious sensitivities.

[@albertrogers8537]

+sunac There is one thing worse than religion. Bertrand Russell, I think it was, put it that "The Will of the People is more dangerous than the Will of God, because the Will of the People can be ascertained". I'm not sure if the word was 'dangerous' or 'oppressive'. Anyway, I believe that the Bill of Rights,, the various Amendments to the Constitution of the USA, was explicitly the set of those rights of which the will of the majority is not permitted to deprive any citizen.

[@TheOrangep7]

Hitchens is amazing. The most captivating guy to watch and listen to with his use of words and the tone of his voice. Brilliant and a massive loss.

[@the8theist]

A terrible loss. Already four years. And just when he is really needed.

[@jmmacb03]

He has made me think I might be an anti-theist versus a deist. Can't wait to read his books and Richard Dawkin's and Sam Harris's and some philosophy-Socrates etc… You have to keep an open mind and keep reading for your entire life. I am also back to my childhood habit of keeping a dictionary nearby and looking up words that I am not sure about their exact meaning. I aspire to be able to express myself as well as the Four Horsemen!

[@letamarsden-huggins7027]

no one else i can listen to with such appreciation

[@davidshanaman4647]

I so miss this man. We need more people like him.

[@fozzz-vb5oj]

You He used to roll over and Nudge Me 🐕🐾

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Daisy?… remember how we used to run?

[@paulmay7777]

As usual, Hitch was completely right. If we made all our moves and utterances based on what may offend someone we would never say or do anything.

[@letamarsden-huggins7027]

as usual

[@darkoz1692]

And yet here we are in 2023.

[@rajadhirajmaharaj]

34:30 *"Criticism of religion is beginning of all criticism. If you don't have right to criticise religion, you have no right at all."*

[@tbomber]

i love hitchens' historical anecdotes. guy had an absurd wealth of knowledge.

[@Romamb]

Nothing absurd about it. He read books.

[@Azrael76667]

He was also a superb orator and polemic.

[@Brakathor]

He WILL sometimes stretch a truth or make a broad claim, but to be fair, I've never heard him speak a flat out untruth a far as I know.

[@ottam]

The title of this "debate" should be "I basically agree with Christopher".

[@rohitkashyap7476]

All debates with Hitch in them

[@jazhou83]

wow, shashi lost the debate from his first example.

[@jaewaitwhat4412]

I personally prefer Hitch in these forums rather than strict debates. A bit more of his genuine wit shines through in the course of banter.

[@Funnygooner10]

Hitchens is dearly missed.

[@raulsins]

Realist Vs Idealist. Views of an individual whose world we live in versus views of an individual whose world we wish to live in. Intriguing conversation.

[@FoolishlySmart]

Very aptly put.

[@drsatadrumahapatra9586]

RS1248 spot on 👍

[@arkitectoor]

Who is the realist? Shashi sounds to me like the realist.

[@Sid-ge9vb]

yes indeed, christopher is most certainly an idealist. This much is true and i believe if he saw this comment he would concede to that.

[@TomBerishaj]

Hitchens also lived in America, where, for all its faults, holds free speech as sacrosanct. The American state does not put holocaust deniers in jail not censor the press or its cartoons. And the American public, despite being very religious, is not attracted to arguments like Shashi's to any considerable degree. In that respect, he was describing the reality of America, even if this was an idealist position for Europe.

[@nakulluthra9862]

The world needs more people like Hitchins

[@Romamb]

'e'

[@PosthumousAddress]

I disagree with Shashi, but what a mellifluous voice he has. I could listen to it all day

[@tovylixir3621]

Haha, that's exactly how he's seduced millions of Indians. Good to know you've still got you're head on right and disagree with him.

[@catkeys6911]

Makes him a good match for Hitchens; usually Hitch has a large advantage in that category when debating. Hitch's English still sounds better to me than anyone I've ever heard (with the possible exclusion of Patrick Stewart), though.

[@letamarsden-huggins7027]

Christophers better

[@shankarpanda921]

And all night too, One would gather from your hagiography. I don't want to die but God that bullet is a real piece of craftsmanship.Dolt.

[@thenewtwenties]

Watch some of his other videos too!

[@TejasNarvekar1]

Oh wow.. discovered this when I’m 42. This is going to be epic!

[@goodshootingtex1295]

never had the pleasure to meet MR Hitchens.. but man am i grateful he documented is wisdom, for me to have known of him...R'I'P SIR.

[@fizzybacon2388]

"All these cults are equivalent glimpses of the untrue" 👏🏼👏🏼 Hitch will always be missed ❤️

[@Roozbehhushiarian]

I'm committed to freedom since I've known such a brave heart as the Hitch.

[@Sticklemako]

I miss Christopher so much..

[@religion3696]

What a feast of impeccable English !!!!❤️

[@Tsnore]

I miss the Mighty Hitch!

[@Robmgwan]

Hitchens is a Legend

[@analyticaldegen986]

Shashi is the closest to at least keeping up with Hitchens in terms of logic and reasoning. Refreshing change from watching Hitchens decimate some delusional religious nut job 👍

[@InSingularity]

"I'm ready to do it until I draw my last breath" And thus he did.

[@Jesusjablo]

You are dearly missed in this day and age Christopher!

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@theDuctapeUnion]

It occurs to me that the debates I most enjoy, enough to revisit on KZbin, are those in which I no longer indulge the urge to vindicate my beliefs in the comment section by proclaiming a victor, no matter how erudite my champion be, but am genuinely grateful at the opportunity to hear dissenting points-of-view as to better incorporate my brother into the fold or to unravel my opponents. There's far more to be gained (spiritually/intellectually) by studying dialectic arguments over any Orwellian Big Brother/totalitarian/theocratic censorship scenario. Long live the 1st Amendment. Long live the United States.

[@robbycombs8200]

The most brilliant man of my time.....his like will not soon be seen again.....

[@shirishjoshi7137]

Tharoor's Intelligence is never in doubt, just his morals and ethics are dubious. Otherwise, why would he try to paint abject submission to stupid but violent crowd as glorified responsible behavior?

[@thoughtful1233]

It is responsible, it's just unprincipled, non-idealistic. I'm with Hitchens, but in a country with enough potentially violent people, like India, I can imagine taking a more practical and obsequious route. Sadly.

[@Buttaman2218]

Don’t doubt his intelligence. Do doubt his fortitude. He articulates cowardice.

[@Desi.Superman]

@@thoughtful1233 India has very low homicide rates compared to other western and non western countries, making it less violent. Though the violent groups gets validation when people like tharoor says any such thing.

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@Edubbplate]

A debater verses a diplomat. What a bloodbath.

[@authenticallysuperficial9874]

No one ever gives context for Holmes' "Fire in a crowded theatre" quote. Well on you Hitch

[@heathkitchen2612]

Anyone who calls for thought police is my enemy.

[@RavikumarSiddharth]

You should be your own thought police if thats the case

[@JohanJonasson]

+siddharth ravikumar What do you mean?

[@RavikumarSiddharth]

if you cant understand it at 60 , I cant help you

[@JohanJonasson]

siddharth ravikumar way to have a dialogue...

[@JohanJonasson]

Some people, like siddharth ravikumar, seem to prefer thought police to free speech. Now to find someone worthy of the job... to decide what the rest of us can think, say, read or hear. Good luck with that.

[@morganmicawber5400]

I miss him so much it hurts. When he died, we lost a giant.

[@charleshendrick7266]

Mr Hitchens is 100% right.... especially with his warning..."resist while you still can". Can no one grasp the outcome if we do not?????? Is that the kind of world we want to leave to our children?

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@tuco897]

RIP mr Hitchens if heaven is real and they let you in give God a signed copy of God is not great and knock his ego down a peg.

[@epicface94]

His ego like his powers and knowledge is infinite!!! Us mortals can't even get close to scratch the outskirts of the heavenly egocentrism!!

[@quantumperception]

God told me to tell you that God doesn't exist. Lol.

[@kainebishop3970]

quantumperception God is a secret for after you die but fucking theists are spoiling the ending.

[@paulmay7777]

I have a feeling Hitch is in heaven and was probably told by God that he did all that was necessary for entry, not all the crap invented by humans but just being decent and authentic.

[@godalhakanson9555]

WHY ALL THE SQUABBLE ABT GOD IF BELIEF IN GOD IS HELPFUL TO ONE WHY SHOULD ANOTHER CASTIGATE

[@jaewaitwhat4412]

when we have to apologize for everything we can freely do nothing

[@FreethinkingSecularist]

I do miss him. I still have two books of his that I am looking forward to reading! Thomas Jefferson: Author of America is one.

[@DayZwTrizzo]

It took me a long time to get around to watching christopers final speech. In light of recent events, such as a 7 year old girl holding a behead those who insult the prophet sign in my home city, I started watching him again.

[@erich1940]

We know asking a child to clean his room can offend him to the point of tantrum and violence - do we therefor say we must respect his temper and reaction - we must not say things that will upset him? or do we say be upset be offended but you cannot grow up in a world where other voices are silenced by fear of repercussion

[@DerpBane]

Eric H Nice analogy xD but it can be switched and used for the opposite argument as well

[@mikevilla7299]

DerpBane plz do show us the opposite arguement.

[@DerpBane]

Mike Villa In this scenario the child is Islam or Sharia right? You can flip it so that Sharia is the parent and those that speak against it (throw a tantrum) are the child who's tantrum shouldn't be heeded.

[@stonewall01]

Eric H According to the Bible you have to stone the child to death for being disobedient. Deuteronomy 21: 18-21

[@BlackEpyon]

stonewall01 The word of the LORD. And that's why even if God did exist, I would hate the fucker.

[@nadinejoyce1203]

Love the hitch wit.💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

[@TheMrmessyal]

13 minutes in and hitchens has already won.

[@letamarsden-huggins7027]

he talks sense

[@yomilalgro]

That long?

[@samueltravell8411]

CH such a great man. The species is poorer for his passing. An incredible intellect an amazing vocabulary and a brave man you are missed and I can only hope to emulate you to some small degree in my own life.

[@mosienko1983]

"The main threat to free expression comes from public opinion". This threat has been augmented to a terrifying degree by the use of social media.

[@BrianCrouch]

And when public opinion is a gestalt force united with institutional power and self-righteousness ...

[@puttapakasaiprasad7005]

I never thought shashi tharoor & Christopher on the same platform😅❤❤❤

[@rubbishopinions6468]

They call it a debate but really it was more like a Hitchens lecture with Tharoor really just playing the role of a secondary moderator, providing contrary opinions and new topics every once and awhile for Hitch to dissect.

[@letamarsden-huggins7027]

no one can hold a torch to Hitch

[@OxbowisaMstie]

Nice! I have not seen this Hitchen's debate.

[@A0Refrigerator]

Shashi seems horribly apologetic. He keeps trying to shift the blame to the victims while also wanting to avoid outright saying that.

[@somjitchakrabarty3145]

He's become even more apologetic these days.

[@JohnJohn-pm9wq]

Sashi is a realist, tries hard to remain neutral out of political reputation. Doesnt like offended either sides because he has a place to be and a position to maintain. Whereas, Hitch doesn't care, because he's gonna get drunk at the end of the day

[@0004W]

Lucky Tharoor… got to share the stage with a brilliant legend

[@J3TF1RE]

Shashi might be one of my favourite of Christopher’s opposites. A pleasure to listen to.

[@HecmarJayam]

This is not even a debate. It feels much more like a Hitchens exhibition. What a presence and precision. Gotta love him.

[@adityatanwar2647]

Hitchens was looking for blood on this conversation. Loved it. He is at his best when he has a cigarette between his fingers and a glass of whiskey in the other hand.

[@Woltato]

The question is why are Muslims so sensitive and easily provoked? This is not the behaviour of people who are confident and secure in their beliefs.

[@spartacusthebringerofrain6455]

+Woltato the quran says the bible is true and other things just do not add up within the quran. This is why they are some of the smartest debaters out there. They have to work so much harder to defend themselves.

[@Christopherphantom]

an excellent point.

[@willmeariver7079]

Years of brainwashing, indoctrination, and the censorship of the reality of the outside world and opposing views.

[@jmmacb03]

You need to read the history of Islam. Educate yourself. I read book after book last summer-it was time and I didn't know what to think about Israel. The internet is at your fingertips but I prefer books because they are subject to libel laws. You have to continue your education past high school. Because of Hitchens, I am reading philosophy, Sam Harris, and Richard Dawkins. Muslims believe that the final word is in the Koran and that Jesus was a prophet-not God. Just as a Christian believes in their "god" so do the Muslims. Muslims believe that Christians/Catholics are polytheists because of the crazy Trinity and since they eat the actual body of Christ (the priest transforms it!) and drink the actual blood of Christ-they believe that Christians are cannibals and drink blood. That is why you will never convert a Muslim to Christianity. And then there is the history of the region starting in the 40's when Britain arbitrarily divided up the region based on where the oil fields were located… Read about Sunni and Shittes. Don't forget that Christians are not allowed to worship idols-but there are millions of statues and paintings of Jesus and God, and statues of Mary that are regularly prayed to. The Muslims simply are not hypocrites about this. (Did you know that there are actually a second set of Commandments that are totally different than the first. These are the ones written after the first ones were smashed) So, you might want to read about how Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Madison, and Lincoln were all deists. Yup, you are going to have to look up what a deist is! And maybe an anti-theist too!

[@Holy_hand-grenade]

jmmacb03 You sounds like you need to read a LOT more before you start rolling out tidbits on a hitches video. A second set of commandments? Who gives a fuck. Not sure what deisms relevance to this context either.

[@tw629108]

The worse thing Shashi Tharoor did was when he said that you need to be aware that saying something critical about someones' prophet could be considered equal to raping their mothers. The person considering my freedom of speech and disagreeing with their religion equivalent to rape is the bad person here, not me. Im perfectly fine with someone telling me if i unknowingly, or purposely offend them, but they have no right to physically hurt me because of it.

[@willmeariver7079]

I missed the rape comment, must have been making my samich, glad I saw your comment thanks. I'll have to go back and watch again. You are exactly right.

[@kkrisshh]

Chris : "enjoy without any restrictions" - sounds great and liberating Shashi : "enjoy responsibly as not everyone thinks like you" - sounds boring and old-fashioned Agree with Shashi

[@2sridhark]

Shashi Tharoor is basically asking everybody to be a bigot! Have 2 set of laws: one for those who truly practice "right to freedom of expression" and another set of laws for those who are not evolved enough to understand this and need to be tolerated, even if they are violent!

[@tstcikhthyss]

No. All he's saying is that speaking without "reading the room", as it were, is bound to ruffle feathers. It's like those people who call someone an idiot and are shocked to see that the other person reacts negatively; all Shashi is saying is that one should be prepared for the reaction. He's not condoning the violence from the other person.

[@randomrandom316]

@@tstcikhthyss Prepared how? By raising an armed militia of security personnel to guard one's life and property? Isn't that role already taken up by the security provisions of one's country anyways? Or would you rather say to be prepared means to be willing to die or be shamed and scared into protestation in front of a barbaric group of people? Could you elaborate on how one can be prepared for such eventualities?

[@Andre_Servetus]

You can't call it a natural trait of humanity when others don't share it.

[@martingirard1949]

Shashi Tharoor : "Its so difficult to argue with Christopher because I enjoy him so much."

[@prabirchaudhuri3026]

Shashi ghafoor (with a small r) is a congressman who have always tried to keep power by dividing society. (Tey learn the art from the british of which they were lackeys). Don't expect much from these crooks. They will sell the country

[@Ravanandashaheadan]

@@prabirchaudhuri3026 he was not a congressman when this debate happened. He was still working in UN with no obligations to India

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Ignore the right wing Hindutva thugs attacking Tharoor, one of the few decent and bright politicians anywhere.

[@loveurlife4ever1]

Which is best, Law abiding citizen, Forest gump, Green mile 51st dates Hancock Click or Stepbrothers? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3dfpeweZl0p8U

[@Earej]

Must be one of the best debates I've ever seen. Much appreciated.

[@CaluMew]

"The authority have the responsibility to ensure that freedom is exercised reasonably" The most paradoxical line ever said!

[@eliehasteiner3167]

"All of these cults are equal and equivalent glimpses of the untrue." Next.

[@sidcb9926]

49:32 "WHY CAN'T WE SAY THAT ALL OF THESE CULTS ARE EQUAL AND EQUIVALENT GLIMPSES OF THE UNTRUE" Takes a puff.....🔥

[@michaelkennedy8692]

Shashi Tharoor's first response indicates that the concept of "Freedom of Speech" is completely lost on him.

[@TheAtheist22]

Such a delight to watch Hitch, every time.

[@areddivaa]

@ 14:00 -- I loved when Hitchens praised India. Im proud of my secular country. India was secular from time immemorial and will remain secular forever. My salutation to the greatest minds of past who made my country proud.

[@ameanand]

But don't forget the dangers of rising fascism he mentioned thereafter. He was so good at predicting future..see what's happening in India now, how much polarised it has become.. he was absolutely correct.

[@areddivaa]

@@ameanand my comment was 9 years old. I was naive to think we are leading in a right path back then. You are right, who expected Modi led BJP will bring it to this state. I’m afraid to say fascism will grow in India until Modi is in power.

[@ameanand]

@@areddivaa I was more emphatic of his ability to deduce where we are heading.. my comment wasn't as much about your thoughts 9 years ago.. sorry if you felt that way, I could have stated it differently...

[@hiphop12ism]

Well, this comment aged like milk. In your defense, I had the exact same opinion a decade back.

[@dcSENTIENT]

I find Hitchens eloquent, intelligent and charming in equal measures, I've just finished reading Hitch-22 and for anyone who appreciates Hitchens' debates, even if you oppose him, I would whole-heartedly recommend it; it's a beautifully written biography, you can sense the same robust qualities in his printed words that you do whole watching him debate. A brilliant, brilliant man.

[@nicosteffen364]

Free speech: "when you cant say what you mean, you cant mean what you say!"

[@ashleyb7335]

twenty minutes in, I already know Hitchens is gonna do a mic-drop statement as a reply to every statement by Tharoor.

[@rajivekumar3069]

A debate between intellectual honesty (Christopher Hitchins) and dishonesty (ST)

[@kicksomeup6998]

Imagine, Tharoor is arguably the most secular person on the entire subcontinent. Imagine the plight of Indian rationalists and atheists. Although, it isn't half as bad compared to some of the neighboring Islamic countries. India should loan some of these great British intellectuals. We need some here, badly. When we got one in the form of Salman Rushdie, the parties of god forced him out.

[@Noprojects2b]

anon random Not really, with the great secularist writers being killed by Hindu extremists for blaspheming. Most of us live a comfortable life, true unless we're writers or cartoonists.

i doubt britain has anymore selfrespecting intellectuals after hictens. most of them are sold out leftist fuckwits.

haha good for you mate. keep your bowels and toilets clean, since somehow you seem to be too proud of that

[@AsEnIxX-wtf]

Kick someup couldn't have agreed more with you sir

[@Ab_someone]

Kick someup Arguably Secular! what a Misnomer. To label an regressive apologist for Charlie Hebdo Cartoon. Secular! The most fucked up & abused word in the India for a country which has personal laws based on religious affiliation. Indian apologists for Tharoor are so rife in this comment section

[@fusionspace175]

This shows the difference between a discussion and a debate. The vs in the title is a misnomer. No one is really arguing against free speech, it's only a matter of degrees and restraint.

[@Frenchcrop]

Pure Gold from Hitchens. Just the best orator. Much missed.

[@Romamb]

How do you know he was the best?

[@Frenchcrop]

@@Romamb Thank you for your response from 2 years ago.

[@tylerlately]

11:49 I love when he says bloody fool 😭. 44:36 46:25 1:12:40. Brilliant 1:13:10