Peter Hitchens | Freedom of Speech and Right to Offend | Proposition

[@byronelenica8329]

I totally agree with Peter Hitchins. There are many examples on the internet of idiots who attempt debate then revert to personal insult because they can not deal with the comments made.

[@rodericksloan1255]

+byron elenica You must be of part of the internet of idiots also.

[@ahmad3652]

+byron elenica I am not a fan of the Hitchins in general but I would get behind him on this.

[@WarfighterX22]

+byron elenica to the people who disagree with my opinions and who go about attacking me via insult i say BRING IT ON! i don't need ad hominem attacks to make someone look stupid.

[@byronelenica8329]

so you put the person above the subject of the debate.?

[@barristanselmy2758]

+byron elenica This is exactly the case. And when i say exactly, i mean pretty much bang on the mark. I posted a link to thereligionofpeace.com, i hadn't even said anything about anyone. And i was instantly attacked as being a racist, i started getting messages from people i don;t even know, calling me everything from a Nazi to a Donald Trump supporter. These people are so brain dead, it's almost impossible to have rational discourse with them. They reduce them selves to personal attacks within the first 5 minutes.

[@SwagMcFresh]

I don't agree with Peter on many issues, but I respect his right to say them all. This is not only, exactly his point, but it also shows that it's worth letting intelligent people have their own opinions, because you may find them actually defending the ones you share just as strongly as the ones you don't.

[@tellallimedium]

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." Aristotle

[@chrisjones3901]

Hey I like that one.

[@izzatirfan1995]

I notice that it’s always those that never impacted by “freedom of speech” are the one that will defend it, or another word for it is hate speech.

[@Srilankanenglishteacher]

@@izzatirfan1995 define by who? I mean who defines it as hate speech? You? I hate to tell you this, the human kind is polarized, so what maybe hate speech for is very well maybe the kind of conversation the folks on the other side of isle want to have. If you want to deny their rights for free speech, because you're being triggered, then you're very well killing the fundamental right of having different opinion to what you believe is true. That's like killing any competition before even there's a product. Add to that, your comment is very vague, because you don't say who exactly defends the freedom of speech, because they love hate speech. However, I shared my two cents anyway.

[@torannevans410]

@@izzatirfan1995 Hate speech was a very nasty concept it was never about hate it was about setting up a regulatory system that would allow the structure of speech control in other words it is solidly totalitarian in ideal and outcome. You are a scary individual the SOVIET union were on at the UN demanding the adoption of hate speech concepts they were of course as you are, very caring, in between the millions who they exterminated but they were worried about Hate Speech OH YEAH SURE WERE !

[@antoniakarpova]

He's so cool it's unreal. Maturity and wisdom is strength. Can't get enough.

[@Killerkwoi13]

if you think Peter is cool... you should look up his late brother Christopher... genuinely one of the best thinkers of our times

[@ayeeniko]

Panagia mou

[@RidinMyGrandmasCadillac]

@@ayeeniko greek people

[@EmilyRose1]

Me too I just love him !

[@Mortimer_Duke]

As a dyslexic alcoholic with a dangerously short attention span. I agree with Peter Hitchens 100%.

[@CfOme]

HAHA

[@irishnessie]

If you're black or gay you get extra points.

[@thanksfernuthin]

Don't you mean 001%?

[@ViscountAlexOfTheHorsePeople]

Let me guess, you didn't sit through the whole thing, did you? XD

[@fredcollierfinishingtouche6701]

You spell well. Considering.

[@connord9164]

Based Hitchens.

[@connord9164]

***** In simple terms it's just an internet meme word. Used for people who have an opinion and say it, not caring what others think.

[@mr.coolmug3181]

+Connor D Like Based Mom. All hail Based Mom.

[@Slashingsword]

+MrCool Mug Hail, Based Mom!

[@guidofarage7457]

*Morality Intensifies*

[@CraftyApe]

+Guido Farage Good to see you Farage

[@guidofarage7457]

Crafty Ape Ty m8

[@CraftyApe]

Guido Farage God save our gracious meme

[@JP-1990]

YA CANT BEAT THE PETE!

[@fearthefish8973]

can't ditch the witch

[@psjennings1]

+fear the fish Can't fear the fish

[@fearthefish8973]

gtfo

[@macmanoc2354]

brilliant logical straightforward talking,keep it up Peter,never lose your voice. You simply say what people feel but can't express

[@broxmouth]

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” VOLTAIRE.

[@YorkshireLad1985]

Brilliantly put. I don’t hate you, Peter. I disagree with many of your views, but I’m glad you have them and broadcast them. Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of modern democracy.

[@ThomasSimpsonOfficial]

Peter is a national treasure.

[@thedankatheist3466]

So is his brother lol

[@NarHandleBy]

In such cases value knows no national or political borders. The species is better for him having been born.

[@barrysteven5964]

I find this kind of hero worship unwise. He is a man. He is interesting. He says some things which make sense and other which don't. Just the same as everyone. We put too many people on pedestals and then become reluctant to disagree with them.

[@ThMrksman]

I love how the Hitchens brothers managed to show that two sane individuals could hold entirely different religious and political views.

[@dee_seejay]

Of course they did converge on certain things.. In Peter's favour was his abject refusal to fall for the jingoism that was the Brexit Leave campaign, something I'm sure his younger brother would have concurred with had he not been forced to cash in his chips early.. Peter didn’t actually campaign *for* Remain but that would be a little too much to ask, sharing a bed with all those degenerate leftists.

[@SagaciousFrank]

Peter used to share his older brother's views, but he grew out of them.

[@dee_seejay]

@@SagaciousFrank Nah, that's just crass oversimplification. Both Peter and Christopher (were he alive) would describe it as such.

[@SagaciousFrank]

@@dee_seejay , Peter has said that growing up and seeing the real world not fit the prejudiced depiction of his atheist socialist views is what changed his mind. What I said was a summary of that process. He grew up. Christopher Hitchens didn't, a grown man who liked Tony Blair of all people, and supported the invasion of foreign countries based on complete lies, and because he 'knew' there was no God from being a child, aggressively maintained that view.

[@swainscheps]

Vigorous defense of freedom of speech was a point of overlap between the two of them.

[@barbute3684]

It's almost absurd how much above his opposition Hitchens was here.

[@duderyandude9515]

You’ve got to love the Hitchens brothers and their defence of free speech. In fact, I almost expected for Hitchens to say scream “Fire!” when the applause ceased.

[@rivernorthhomes]

the fact that we are having debates like this is incredibly scary..

[@jakeschwartz2514]

Scary, but it shouldn’t be surprising. It’s all written regardless of what people will do

[@SA-5247]

It’s pretty obvious who wants what and why..

[@musicalcarpentry]

The man commands respect.

[@DaliborOkoro]

He speaks so eloquently, I could listen to him all day. Oh wait, I have - procrastinating.

[@just_another32]

ditto :D

[@UnSovereignedCitizen69]

I truly hope and wish that more people in the world could comprehend what this man is trying to say. It's a dangerous path were going down and suppression of speach is the first chapter of complete control.

[@wulfgarpl]

With Peter Hitchens (typo in title) i disagree on almost everything. But not on principle of free speech.

[@Frosty-oj6hw]

+Wulfgar I'm the same, he's full of terrible ideas, but the foundation of free speech is something that is absolutely core to a civilized society, the erosion of free speech in the UK is nothing short of disgusting.

[@DieFlabbergast]

+Frosty True, he has lots of terrible ideas, but he also has lots of good ones, and not just about free speech. NOBODY is right about everything, and equally, nobody is wrong about everything. Each proposition, position, or cause stands or falls on its own merits, and we must avoid ad hominem arguments like the plague.

[@godriczimmerman]

+DieFlabbergast What are some of his terrible ideas and what are some of his good ones, in your view? Can you give one or two examples?

[@loremipsum7471]

+Wulfgar That's really big of you. Congratulations on finally being right about something such a free speech.

[@SuperStrik9]

+godriczimmerman His views on marijuana and drug addiction are deplorable and idiotic. He once said drug addiction is a fantasy, which is not only a ridiculous untrue statement but completely counter productive in tackling the issue. He's also against legalizing or even decriminalizing marijuana for personal use. The man's a fool.

[@watcheroftheskies66]

Never really liked Peter Hitchens much but that was a very powerful and well delivered address. Possibly his best as far as I can recall.

[@amandatabert-dugray1548]

Imagine if the Hitchens brothers took on the free speech debate together... RIP. Christopher.

[@chrisjones3901]

I have seen some of their debates togeather .very captivating and you have to be quick because they whizz through them.

[@seanmoran6510]

Christopher Hitchens equals never ending war in the Middle East. Pity he didn’t follow Orwell and go himself. Re question time BBC

[@LokiOwl]

The Freedom to Offend is Absolute. Freedom from Offense is a Fantasy. If you do not understand this utterly simple concept of human existence, you also have the Freedom to Off Yourself. Good day, sir/madam. Good day.

[@brianstrawser5695]

After extensive searching I have never found the right not to be offended. Thanks Peter.

[@nomnomyam9379]

A man cursed at Buddha. Buddha smiled. The man asked "why aren't you mad? i insulted you" Buddha said: "If you give me a gift, and if i do not accept it, to whom does that gift belong to?" words are not offensive. it's only offensive if you accept it. The problem is your ego.

[@TheGava4]

hearing the audience gigging and dismisses Peter was awful.

[@TheGava4]

+CosmicCommander yes it's sad as political correctness rules the youth of today. But NO common sense.

[@retnemmoc101]

+CosmicCommander Wow, how stuck up can they get?

[@Nipah.Auauau]

+TheGava4 They were giggling and dismissing Peter because what he was saying clearly demonstrated his scientific illiteracy and embarrassing lack of research. What he said about the actual subject of debate however was completely valid and valuable.

[@Nipah.Auauau]

CosmicCommander It's scientifically illiterate because dyslexia has been shown to exist through empirical methods. To not believe it exists despite not having any counter-research shows one to be willfully ignorant of this fact.

[@CountZero78]

+Nipah Auauau Dyslexia 'diagnosis' relies too heavily on subjective indicators and not objective tests.

[@tnmusicman1]

You go, Peter!!!

[@laradollar9944]

It's Hitchens.

[@yell50]

Having a society where everyone is compelled to think and behave the same would be like living in some kind of horror movie.

[@NicoSmets]

Mr Hitchens, you are a hero

[@jjdominici]

A profound speech from Mr. Hitchens. I hope we all take heed.

[@mikkel1881]

Im not right wing, but I agree with Peter on this subject. Free speech is a important pillar of western society and yes you might be offended by some ideas and viewpoints. I consider the times I get offended a excellent time for reflection on my beliefs and evaluation of other beliefs, I suggest you do the same.

[@driverv86]

+bayes yoyoyo So classical liberalism.

[@bisbeekid]

Remarkable! I've read all of Hitchens' books and just when I think I can't be amazed, I''m amazed...

[@JackalStandard]

Excellently spoken.

[@cunaeus22]

I have been and remain in love with this man.

[@Philippoable]

I'll listen to this once a quarter from now on. It might help preserve my sanity on the interwebs.

[@gadda01]

Definitely agree with that notion. I don't like a lot of the things he believes in... but his idea of free free speech is something I would align myself with

[@thinkingoutloud6741]

I’m just amazed to sit here in 2022 and listen to him describe today so clearly from over 6 years ago.

[@Yuno08888]

Every "S" he says is like the sound of a basketball match.

[@mandibozo1294]

Ya dun no mate

[@roughdraught153]

I agree with Hitchens: "Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity" (Marshall McLuhan)

[@debunkingleftistmyths9846]

Get Hitch slapped.

[@sce2aux464]

What is the point of having freedom of speech if it *doesn't* include the right to offend? It's not like inoffensive freedom of speech requires legal protection.

[@tiranito]

As long as you let them leave their lives with dignity, then yeah. A certain line has to be drawn.

[@jasontownsend9460]

Mgec no, a certain line doesn’t need to be drawn. The only line is when the speech immediately calls for violence with the expectation that it will be obeyed.

[@homeone4054]

The problem being precisely that. Ultimately everything we say will be deemed to be capable of being taken as being offensive by someone either personally or even more alamingly by third party. See the Harry Miller case.

[@chrisjones3901]

Like saying there is no jehovah I beleive that true so it's my perogative to say so ,as in freedom of speech.but it offends a jehovah witness.no swearing byt it is offensive,maybe offence is only in some eyes .we can all see the same thing differently from our own eyes.

[@frankdsouza2425]

If Purblind Arrogance is a virtue, then Peter Hitchens is the best man ever.

[@katjosh]

ah the Hitchen boys how I love them

[@KingDeramo]

Why is speaker 4 (the one that follows Hitchens) in this series a private video? Why are we not allowed to view all 6 speakers? Is this not censorship and suppression of a debate about censorship and suppression? How ironic is that?

[@joshkenovan7876]

Coz Kate Brooks (the screaming feminazi) demanded that the channel take it down because she hates how she was destroyed by those she took interventions from. She's a daft bitch who can't accept she was wrong & wanted to delete the evidence, basically

[@KeenanTaku]

@@joshkenovan7876 She said later in an interview with Sargon that she was playing devil's advocate and didn't actually oppose the motion. But why she debated in the manner that she did was undoubtedly poor

[@TheKelpie13]

Unfortunately we're not allowed to see it because we all like to make fun of itshe gets a shipwreck by the entirety of the Oxford Union.

[@Messmerd97]

Very, very good speech!

[@froggrenadier6061]

can't stitch the hitch

[@jccusell]

Oxford, the last bastion of free speech

[@bh5606]

The right to offend. Love it.

[@MustafaKulle]

He makes valid points.

[@fredfalke9287]

Morality man needs to be an MP

[@williammcqueen1951]

He wouldn’t be allowed to by the establishment, he said that himself during a question time appearance

[@cheetah_100]

INDEED: 8 years have passed since this speech, and Cancel Culture has only gotten more tyrannical, more voracious and more terrifying...

[@billwalton4571]

youre the one with a phobia

[@NarHandleBy]

This man is so good and so right that the very witnessing of his words makes me halfway a modern scholar.

[@joelgullick1245]

Fuck yeah! Speak your mind...

[@gretareinarsson7461]

There is no special right to offend someone but it simply comes with free speech. It’s unavoidable even when being polite.

[@MaxwellBennett]

Learn how to spell, OxfordUnion.

[@investigate3_11]

+MaxwellBennett The uploader was probably dyslexic.

[@MikeSouthliberty]

+askmeifi'mjacknoff That's offensive. Clearly it was ADHD. Or possibly the byproduct of some addiction.

[@zenzombie72]

+Mike South Or a _progressive_ education.

[@tomgreene8480]

+MaxwellBennett Do they teach spelling anymore?

[@DieFlabbergast]

+Tom Greene No, just like they don't teach grammar. The word "anymore" is used only in negative statements in written English (British OR American). Its use in positive statements is colloquial. You should recast your statement either as "they don't teach spelling anymore" or "do they still teach spelling?"

[@InsertNameHere73894]

This is probably one of the only times, Christopher Hitchens (if he was still alive) and Peter Hitchens would've shared the same opinion at a debate.

[@ThMrksman]

4:22 What a line!

[@Zzyxzaa]

Why the fuck is the right suddenly the only ones defending free speech. I'm an American and all I care about is the first 10 amendments of our constitution. Not even fellow Americans know these or care about them. Here we see a man speaking nothing but the dignity of freedom, and guffaws are sent his way. It's insane the direction this is all headed.

[@Neaptide184]

Dictatorship of rage….. in three words Peter Hitchens demonstrates the brilliance of brevity focused. Bravo sir.

[@dutchboyslim5951]

Peter Hitchens has to be the most brilliant English thinker of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

[@adambritain5774]

I believe him to be peerless and also believe he will be sorely missed when he's gone.

[@rondunn4336]

Never forget please, other than physical violence, nothing can offend unless you choose to be offended.

[@gadenp81]

This is a really really good speech.

[@thescoutpanda]

I love this man

[@gothicwriter9897]

What he is basically saying to those who deny free speech is be careful what you wish for because... "First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out-because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out- because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me-and there was no one left to speak for me." Martin Niemoller.

[@sylvanianfam3786]

Agreed

[@corvardus]

I don't believe I'm actually on the same page as Peter on this. I feel scared and concerned. This is unprecedented!

[@lillybell4579]

He truly is the worlds greatest extra.

[@EIREriddick13]

This man is a Legend 👍🏼💪🏼

[@adambritain5774]

There is no stopping him.

[@ScotsmaninUtah]

The most important thing in life is our freedom of speech and religious belief , and we must fight vigorously to keep these freedoms, even if we disagree. Peter Hitchens as always eloquently makes a stand against those that would seek to silence those of differing opinions .

[@NoosaHeads]

So cogent and articulate. - Puts all others to shame.

[@adambritain5774]

Simply peerless.

[@Disgruntledgamer]

Well Said.

[@RyleKittenhouse]

How true are these words now

[@sw.7519]

Thank you.

[@EFChartley]

FAITH in FREE SPEECH 🇬🇧

[@umeshprasadsingh9648]

Freedom of speech is the fundamental aspect of human life

[@IsaacAndersonDiesel]

May not agree with his views on religion but politics man this guy is such a genius

[@enjoyyoursleep1]

its 2023 and we're here!

[@LuisManuelLealDias]

Hitchins? Come on people.

[@staC-wh6ik]

Lots of kudos to this great man!!!

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

0:59 “These are matters of conscience, morals and good behaviour” All too often, we need ‘should’ statements to be clarified as matters of legality or not. Free speech is a legal right, despite matters of conscience, morals and good behaviours of the citizens.

[@joshdean9105]

Thank the lord for people like Peter Hitchens!!!!

[@MSM4U2POM]

The right to offend is legitimate, as long as we don't take it to mean a right to be gratuitously offensive. Freedom of speech is one thing, but mindless vitriol is quite another. In any responsible state, public safety must always take priority over individual rights, and if freedom of speech has to take second place to keeping the peace, then that's a sacrifice worth making. There is no country - anywhere in the world - where you can say what you like, to whom you like, without consequence. It's just a pipedream; like world peace, utopian communism and other concepts, it simply does not work in the real world. The sooner some people get this into their thick heads, the better.

[@frederikdemoor2018]

Everyone has gone through the puberty, had incredible thoughts for humanity being always right.

[@RobGMun]

That oriental girl in the blue dress is freaking gorgeous!

[@TWGypsey]

Being offended is a choice - if you choose to be offended then own it - that's your right. Just as offering offence is mine...!

[@Jammil2477]

Peter Hitchen talking absolute sense.

[@chrisjones3901]

But boy those long posh words sound soooooo good.

[@99IronDuke]

The one, totally vital, thing Peter and Christopher Hitchens agreed upon was the central importance of real free speech in a free society,

[@markiemark1856]

Peter Hitchens - What a legend

[@TheAtheist22]

He has "something" of the greatness of his late brother.

[@chris5634C3PO]

I disagree with some of Peter's opinions but I am not insulted. He has his opinion and I am willing to accept it and understand other people might think differently on certain subjects. That is democracy is it not? When freedom of speech ends then so does your world as you know it. Do not de platform people , debate with them.

[@nrodaf06]

Peter Hitchins always had a great level of intelligence and rational debate. His brother was a little better I think, but nonetheless I enjoy listening to him as well.

[@chrisjones3901]

I started to follow Christopher Hitchens end of last summer,what a eloquent gentleman he seemed to me.very very clever too,on a level I feel I could never achieve,the books I have read are not that many.a murder a scifi and the odd couple of biographies fringed with a couple of poems.but i see in Christopher to be clever basically is to beleive in what you beleive.i was going to compare the brothers as i have never seen Christopher talk from notes,but that would be unfair of me,i am watching this Peter Hitchens on the radio shows from utube and various interviews he has given and I think I like the guy.no hate label he seems to as he says follow him from me,I find his views fasinating,but then I'm only 3,oh sorry couldn't help saying that.me following the hitch 2 around the utube now.

[@tryhardf844]

The same thing went for me.But a guess Christopher had to end up sick in order to appreciate how underrated Peter is. If Christopher were alive to see how the left had evolved to,he would waterboard himself.

[@ushitooso3872]

Authentic, real, absolutely correct

[@nikhtose]

One look at and one earful of the spokespeople for restricting offensive speech shows clearly the danger of permitting ANYBODY to have the power to limit or stop speech of any kind. Bores, scolds, and holier-than-thou, they are a kind of net-Victorianism that is truly a nightmare to imagine.

[@aanler]

Thank you Peter Hitchens.

[@1990-t1j]

I agree with everything Peter Hitchens says.

[@EmilyRose1]

Can't stitch the Hitch

[@S.ASmith]

The one thing him and his brother agreed on. Freedom of Speech.

[@msaoichan]

Nice to know that even if I don't agree with the man administering it, that the Hitchslap is alive and well.