Hitchens vs. Hitchens: Press Conference (3 of 5)

Brothers Christopher and Peter Hitchens debate the Iraq War and religion at an event organized by the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies with the support of the Center for Inquiry and the Interfaith Dialogue Association.

[@premodernprejudices3027]

In spite of certain obvious disagreements, both of these men were/are a treasure to Western Civilization.

[@coronaphone710]

On a surface level

[@writersblock26]

Thank you for posting this, HauensteinCenter.

[@bowanna63]

thanks for post

[@howardmctroy3303]

I find both Hitchens fascinating, even when I strongly disagree with one of them (And I've found myself disagreeing with both.)

[@Scrapheap71]

How Christopher sits, says that he's already had half a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black. X-D

[@ricksparks]

No, PEOPLE have a right to promote candidates of their choosing. To say religion has a place in selecting a representative is to go against the U.S. Constitutions.

[@ricksparks]

Agreed.

[@ballantrae101]

It depends on the society. If the society regards that as a crime, then legislate against it. If it doesn't, don't. If on the other hand you say that any religious act is legitimate, then you have no country. If on the other hand you say that any religious act is illegitimate then you are a dictatorship.

[@sun2515]

by the way, just for the record have you tasted both, and if yes,what do you think?

[@Scrapheap71]

In C.H's. own words, "Blue isn't worth the upgrade". JW Black is C.H.'s favorite as far as I know.

[@sun2515]

I love singles too, but if you ever get a chance try the Blue. It will light your mouth up,in a good way, ohhh and the finish is what dreams are made of! You know there is a JW green too. I have a small bottle collection it has the green in it.It must be kind of rare.

[@Scrapheap71]

I've seen Blue, Green and Gold at my local BevMo (Beverages & More).

[@ballantrae101]

I did. But I typed my reply fast, and what I meant to say was "the only way my argument would not..." as opposed to "would ..." I didn't correct it, because I assumed from the context you would figure it out.

[@ricksparks]

Not quite. If one stated by law that any act which infringes upon the right of others to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is illegal, the word "religion" would only come up during the case made by criminal defense attorneys - and, be soundly rejected by right-minded judges.

[@ricksparks]

Excellent point. You see Bill Maher's "Religiulous" movie? He has a conversation with a preacher during which he pokes fun at the man's obviously expensive wardrobe and the guy has the audacity to claim he has to look good for the flock. Unbelievable.

[@writersblock26]

@illini554 What statement?

[@canaanite23]

Europe had to choose between war and dishonor we chose dishonor now we'll have war stop appeasing Islam!

[@sun2515]

let me be clear, I could see where someone would say that it is not worth the upgrade due to the much greater cost. the last time I had Blue at a bar it was $25 a shot. maybe he said that when he was less well off. I would be interested if he still feels the same way.

[@Scrapheap71]

I've only had Black but truthfully, I'm a Single Malt fan. I like Lagavulin 16 year.

[@ballantrae101]

I am utterly uninterested if the ultimate reason for why a person wishes to legislate a law is because their religion tells them so. The only thing I care about is if it is going to have a positive or a negative impact on society - that is, is it a good law or a bad law. And let me say this, I am also unimpressed by many atheists who claim to be "nonreligious". Frankly, I see just as much fanaticism and blind faith in atheists as I see among members of various religions.

[@sun2515]

notice the difference how the brothers sit. says a lot.

[@ballantrae101]

and what if by simply wearing a religious icon or symbol you end up depriving someone else of the pursuit of happiness? You might think that's an impossible example, but there are precedents, for example, in France they found it necessary to ban headscarves in the classrooms. On the other hand, someone successfully sued the British government to be allowed to wear a hijab in school. My point is, you don't legislate for or against something based on whether it happens to be a religious issue.

[@ricksparks]

I don't need to. Look closely at what I wrote in the first place.

[@ballantrae101]

And yet, you didn't contradict my last assertion re: West Bank.

[@ricksparks]

The only assumptions I make regarding what people on KZbin write is that assuming I know better what they mean to write is a futile waste of time. Perhaps if you intend to communicate in writing you should take the time to do so properly.

[@ballantrae101]

Hashemite government to establish a smaller government. But that's a fact most people tend not to know.

[@saelaird]

Christopher Hitchens rocks.

[@dbent1830]

9:10

[@ricksparks]

P.S. Majority of Judaic followers, that is....

[@sun2515]

what makes you think he would be forced to drink JW Black? I would hope he has made enough money to drink something a little more respectable, at least gold, more likely Blue.

[@sun2515]

well if it's true, I will have to lower my admiration of Hitchens a notch. the difference between black and blue is unmistakable. Black I think is 10-12 year and Blue is 25-30. I am sorry, but anyone who cannot appreciate the difference is no whiskey aficionado.

[@ballantrae101]

You see, once upon a time I used to take guys like you seriously, with your preachy arguments based on specious reasoning. I would look into it and try to find sources to counter, hem and haw and rack my brain trying to work things out. Then Hitchens, the same guy who had a hard on for the Iraqi war like no-ones business, the same guy who told us the Jihadis were about to take over, this guy votes for Obama, because, get this: "Palin is too religious" . (cont)

[@ricksparks]

As an atheist, I deal with this nearly every day. Hardly a weekday goes by without me seeing some idiot wearing a cross around their neck (graven images, what?). Although, I do like being able to use such instances as opportunities to quickly identify those who are more brainwashed than others, so there's that. Your point may be that, but religious followers CERTAINLY attempt to legislate their beliefs. If that doesn't concern you, it should.

[@takeiteasycheesy]

Man: "Peter it looks like a thought is on the edge of your..." Peter: "It's staying there" Christopher: "Rod Parsley 😌"

[@JCMac777]

I get the impression that Chris is not only more articulate, and well generally better in debates about religion than his brother, but he's also more relaxed, more laid-back, 'cooler' with a better sense of style while his brother looks 'uptight'.

[@jimtomo9207]

Christopher is Liam and Peter is noel Gallagher

[@johnmuldowney]

It’s not the case anymore