Peter Hitchens on Gun Control and Drugs

[@davidcohen957]

It's good to see at least one man in Britain actually realises the Bill of Rights gives citizens the right to bear arms! Now we just need to educate more people on this :)

[@aethelwolfe3539]

It does not give, for these rights are natural and exist before goverment, they are not given in any sense of the word.

[@criert135]

I don’t think anyone is questioning what the Bill of Rights says. They are questioning whether it’s completely inapplicable to modern times where ‘arms’ has a completely different meaning to when that bill was written.

[@CanonPress]

NOTE: Peter Hitchens had caught a very bad cold and was not feeling well. Since he was flown from England for the debate, and only here a few days, he still did this interview and the debate, but as you may notice, he is not himself.

[@jasoncalvetti1983]

The fact that he said "The responsibility would be too great for me", is insanely refreshing. Instead of just having an irrational hatred for firearms.

[@magicpony9]

To those people saying there's no link between prescribed drugs and mass shootings - maybe there's not. I think PH is saying "there's certainly a very strong correlation, so let's look into this." Why not look into it? What's the downside? You all would find your opinion backed up by science (...possibly).

[@MiltiadesOfMarathon]

Wow Peter looks ill here, I can't remember the last time I was that ill, kudos to him for soldiering through that.

[@livnfulfilled]

Excellent conversation and commentary. Will share extensively.

[@wolfumz]

it depends on the substance, dude. I have been hooked on heroin for years and I've also taken anti-depressants. It goes without saying that, yes, heroin ferments problems by interfering with coping skills and fucking up one's life. Anti-depressants, however, hardly even fucking work, much less become a maladaptive coping skill. I've known so, so many people who have used their gently elevated mood on anti-depressants to learn new ways of thinking and living to genuinely elevate their mood.

[@reference12]

GET WELL SOON Peter!!!

[@mikeylitchfield4651]

I don't agree with Peter Hitchen's assessment that drug use is the leading the cause of gun crime. I don't take the position that it's never the cause either. I would rather take the politically incorrect position that guns are more dangerous in the hands of certain ethnicities of people that have a culture of illegal firearms possession. However I would gladly live under a Peter Hitchens administration. I would rather have citizens with access to firearms than citizens with access to illegal drugs. Drugs don't prevent genosides and provide a detente between the citizens and the state.

[@LesterBrunt]

as long as other drugs like alcohol are legal there is no case to make against other drugs.

[@GameLoot]

Wow... I thought this was somewhat informative until the end where you see where it was heading all along, to push the "religious" agenda.

[@harryadams9050]

God forbid a religious perspective is "somewhat informative".

[@sdstern68]

Wow...you would be gratified with "anti" religious agenda?

[@RonaldoFearsEboue]

Correlation does not equate causation. Depressed people take drugs because they are depressed not the other way round.

[@billhobin07]

+RFE Correlation does not equate causation The insert for many of these drugs say may cause homicidal or suicidal manic episodes.

[@SagaciousFrank]

True, but correlation does not necessarily mean there isn't causation.

[@tijuanaforeplay8232]

yep, happy people don't stick needles in their arms.

[@eklepto28]

not true

[@summerofplums]

This is very strange to hear Peter Hitchens talk about principle. It seems like a double standard to support the right to carry a gun - which is capable of harming both oneself and others, while saying that drugs - which can only harm the person who willingly takes them (and perhaps their family who have to look after them if they become mentally ill) - should be illegal. Also, drug damage takes years of willful ignorance, whereas gun damage, often fatal, just takes a second. Support both rights or deny both rights.

[@kylethedalek]

In another video he said he was reluctant to say he disagrees with gun control advocates Anybody know why ? Is it to look good? I just can't work it out?

[@kapernicusl-l1776]

I would hardly describe Peter Hitchens as 'boring' he as a quite interesting character. It is also the case that Peter got the true ability to think and argue honestly using facts and logic, whereas his brother used argument from emotion, straw men and red herrings.

[@infinitesimotel]

AH damn, my computer got a virus from him

[@CountingHouse]

8:57.....fuck me...

[@Pat121V]

Nihilism and despair is the end result of this. Nihilism and despair is not the end result of abandoning superstition. One should be shown how to find beauty and meaning in the natural world. I far prefer the sense of wonder and appreciation in gazing up at the nights sky than any solipsistic consolation one finds from believing that the universe is "designed with you in mind".

[@littlehorhey5285]

Yeah but shrooms are sick.

[@infinitesimotel]

Guess (open three brackets) who (close three brackets) are trying to disarm us

[@ncktyu]

I have the meaning of life that I can explain to you "The meaning of life is to create your own meaning" There you have it. Your meaning comes while you are on this earth, not while you aren't. There. So many theist only care and are concerned with the meaning that comes after you die which is what in some cases (if you believe it) leads to the religious bigots and racist and suicide bombers and religious chaos.

[@JasonPMartin]

According to WHO only 3 per cent of Americans die from lung cancer each year. If everyone who smoked got lung cancer this figure would be far greater.

[@markshephard997]

peter is the truth

[@munk1984]

He should smoke a spliff that would make him feel better...... and it would make him less of a boring square

[@hukep1]

I have to disagree. I enjoyed Christopher's oratory and writings very much but I also see the same talents for rhetoric, reasoning, and writing in Peter. The irony to me is how they both were/are immensely intelligent, yet came/have come to vastly different conclusions about religion.

[@feastonmyload]

How does this "its the drugs" argument hold up when you look at european gun death stats. We have just as much of a drug culture (probably more) on this side of the Atlantic but far fewer massacres/gun murders. Utter horseshit from Hitchens once again.

[@Azz93a]

When his not having a go at jesus and his followers he is an ok person

[@infinitesimotel]

No. Bad on blaming the Herb. No herb has made anyone kill anyone. Sorry Pete, bad call on that one.

[@PlayNiceFolks]

and I know people who have smoked a shit ton of weed in their lives, and are completely normal people, and a few are actually quite intelligent. relying on personal experience to debate something like this is idiotic in the first place, but if you want to play that game, fine by me.

[@markshephard997]

think again

[@samhassan683]

i dont believe peter hitchens rly believes all that stuff from 8.30 he just wants to be stand out from christopher

[@countchocula2169]

I just caught a cold

[@whitetanuki232323]

The whole "God is not in school, and that is a big problem" assertion cheapened an otherwise reasonable conversation.

[@SgtAndrewM]

i think your getting him mixed up with his brother, peter is a strong defender of christianity, try looking at other videos he has done.

[@zorgzarg9849]

ANYBODY? Do you realize that would include some of the most important and serious intellects of Western history? Militant atheists are, by and large, cultural philistines, as intellectually limited as American fundamentalists and this is brought home to me whenever I glance at youtube comments.

[@isaacclay218]

Hitchens has a cold

[@UhhCorey]

@5:22 Better clean that table.

[@Swimminginacoat]

Steroids are not mind-altering drugs.

[@SBCBears]

We know better, now.

[@MrGTO86]

Looks like he's down with the flu, but he's still sharp anyway!

[@PlayNiceFolks]

and not one study or piece of evidence has shown that mild and infrequent use of the drug will cause any major harm to an individual in a way that will inhibit them from living a normal life. if there is, i'm not aware of it. simply because something is not a safe substance gives you no right to tell others they cannot use it. you start sounding like a big government big brother nanny state with talk like that. should we ban cigarettes too while we are at it?

[@Luke-te2ez]

nice, the part about weed is so stupid

[@zorgzarg9849]

No, the doctrine of the Trinity has always maintained that there is one God and the Son, Father and Holy Ghost are simply his three aspects. St Patrick (by legend) converted Ireland by pointing to the clover and comparing the concept to its three parts which remain one leaf. I'm not even a believing Christian and I'm explaining this to you. Jesus, there are some stupid people among my fellow nonbelievers.

Anybody stupid enough to believe that 3-In-One malarkey is stupid indeed. You might as well believe in Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Mother Goose!!

[@markshephard997]

no in my sister,that would be a great investment. hehe

[@barlart]

Well, let me elucidate. God is supposed to be god. The Son is supposed to be God and finally, the holy spirit is supposed to be God. That's 3 Gods by my counting.

[@amjsing3469]

I enjoyed C. Hitchens as much as the next person but his fan boys are really trying.

[@wolfumz]

I'm curious what you think able-body into old age means exactly. Or that "mental illness" doesn't exist in indigenous cultures. My point it, if the hunter gatherer lifestyle so much better, get off your computer and leave. There's plenty of virgin land in various areas of the world. It's inherently phoney to point the finger at 'society' while you are sitting there enjoying the fruits of it. Please, if you'd like to respond, pm me. We've eaten up too much of the page already

[@tysonboss22]

Wtf are you talking about? Our ancestors did not live longer than us, lol.

[@PlayNiceFolks]

you presented NO argument, at least not a decent one. you say that because our society is a hypocritical one, and we have learned to live with that hypocrisy for a long, long time, that this is the reason to keep pot illegal? how many die a year from alcohol related deaths, vs the use of marijuana? The number for alcohol is in the thousands per year in the U.S., easily.

[@zorgzarg9849]

What 'Christian pantheon'? Christianity is a monotheism, last time I checked.

[@barlart]

Strange irony concerning the Hitchens brothers. Christopher got all the charisma, intelligence, and joie de vivre but boring christian Peter is getting the longer life. Not that I wish harm on anyone but I do miss Christopher. Peter writes one half page column in the rear of a very right wing conservative sunday newspaper. Columns rarely deviate. The country (UK) is declining due to marijuana, sex education and lack of faith in the Christian pantheon.

[@RationalConclusion]

It's guns.

[@claytonmcminn1121]

Sad that he is in hell.

[@GregStevens123]

Has Peter got throat cancer now or something lol?

[@Georgethenorthseatiger]

LOL? because throat cancer is reeaaally funny.

[@GregStevens123]

George Mills No, but Peter is. LOL!

[@Georgethenorthseatiger]

What do .you mean he is funny? I am very impressed by the very quick reply though :)

[@GregStevens123]

Peter is an unintentionally comedic clown. Throat cancer got the wrong brother.

[@Kpooji]

gregapage Are you saying you want Peter Hitchens to die of throat cancer?

[@EtcEtcAndEtc]

Wow, some of the most illogical points I've ever heard Peter make.

[@infinitesimotel]

In what particular part?

[@CanonPress]

NOTE: Peter Hitchens had caught a very bad cold and was not feeling well. Since he was flown from England for the debate, and only here a few days, he still did this interview and the debate, but as you may notice, he is not himself.

[@CanonPress]

NOTE: Peter Hitchens had caught a very bad cold and was not feeling well. Since he was flown from England for the debate, and only here a few days, he still did this interview and the debate, but as you may notice, he is not himself.