In Defense of Hitchens

Canon Magazine ^ | 12/2002 | Mark Grueter

[Face Man II]

A sober response, thank you. I hesitate to call the opponents of war "the left" since they advocate nothing interesting or provocative. They're Buchananites. They advocate nothingness.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

BTW, how have you been posting since 3/13 but only signed up 3/14?

[MHGinTN]

If you have a chance to listen to Christopher Hitchens' Elberg speech and exchanges with the students, it becomes evident why Hitchens is so opposite the isolationist, Buchanan. Christopher argues for globalism of the American culture/founding principles, as the only force that can defeat global Islamism in its totalitarian mindset.

[Chunga]

"I hesitate to call the opponents of war 'the left' since they advocate nothing interesting or provocative. They're Buchananites. They advocate nothingness."

The left have more than a few political positions in common with Pat and his fellow travelers. The difference between them, as I see it, is that the left has morphed into a political entity stressing globalism (in every instance in which American nationalism and globalism lock horns, from Kyoto to Iraq) and Pat seems to be strictly isolationist in his beliefs.

Perhaps you're right in your contention that the neo-cons are today's radicals; certainly part of the "Bush Doctrine" is that the military can be used to effect lasting social change in the most backward of regions. Did you see the photos, posted here today, of the children in Iran whose parents had had their foreheads ripped open by razors and swords in acts of Islamic worship? They were absolutely barbaric. Liberating children from the clutches of this sort of dehumanizing, medieval, demonic torture should be seen as the work of freedom fighters.

[Face Man II]

Was I kicked off arbitrarily? I thought this was the United States of America?

[Cacique]

Chriostopher's brother Peter is a rather interesting contrast as he is a true conservative, though not as well known on this side of the pond as his brother Christopher.

[Face Man II]

I guess I've been let back on...the first amendment still has some clout around here.

[Face Man II]

Peter Hitchens is a Buchananite, which makes sense sense, since CH and Buchs agree on nothing. Peter Hitchens opposes the Iraq war.

Again, this is a "liberal" war - how does it feel?

[Cacique]

I doubdt it was arbitrary. Our moderators have been overworked lately by the number of trolls and disruptors and are sometimes too quick on the trigger. you will find that mistakes are quickly corrected though when possible.

[AZcoug]

"I think it's pretty damn good myself."

You just gave it away! Danny, us good Mormon boys don't swear.

By the way, how did you enjoy yourself last Saturday night? I would like to hear all about your experience that night (we can get to politics later, this might be the only time I get to speak to Danny Ainge). :)

[Face Man II]

Interesting and weird. Although, the original decision was certainly "arbitrary" - I was not asked my opinion on the matter. Anyway, I hope "they" keep me on. I think I can add to the discussion here.

[Chunga]

I think you're fine. It might have been an inadvertant glitch of some sort.

I saw that this thread had been pulled and wrote an email to a moderator, and although I didn't receive a reply, when I tried to load it again it came up. So welcome back!

[Cacique]

Peter Hitchens is blinded by his hatred of the Laborites. He has forgotten a cardinal rule of some aspects of politics. there is no liberal or conservative way to collect the garbage. By that same standard, there is no liberal or conservative way to fight tyrants. Or, at the very least there shouldn't be. It's comforting to know that he is in the minority as far as the tories go.

I will however, allow our resident UK expert chime in with his expert commentary.

[Face Man II]

I don't consider "damn" a swear word. I say it all the time on TNT. I use to say much worse things as a player, and as a couch. I once called Robert Horry a bastard - he deserved it, that bastard. Anyway, it doesn't affect my devotion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

[Cacique]

An here I thought it was my e-mail that did the trick. :-)

[AZcoug]

Are you going to keep me in suspense about last Saturday night? I would love to hear your own account. Come on, I'm a coug, too.

[Face Man II]

Mad Ivan!!! Are you around?

I recall exchanging words with you, years ago, on Lucianne Goldberg's web site. Back then, I called myself "The Plague" and I was a misguided Buchananite.

BTW, I'm shocked that they kick off anyone. "Disruptors" strikes me as euphemism for "dissenters"....

[Face Man II]

Mad Ivan!!! Are you around?

I recall exchanging words with you, years ago, on Lucianne Goldberg's web site. Back then, I called myself "The Plague" and I was a misguided Buchananite.

BTW, I'm shocked that they kick off anyone. "Disruptors" strikes me as euphemism for "dissenters"....

[MarkL]

Well, welcome to Free Republic! I believe (along with some 90,000 others) that this is a terrific place to spend time. I think you'll find a lot of people with widely varied interests and professions here. I for one, am a computer geek. You'll find everything from housewives to nuclear physicists here... They say that politics isn't rocket science, but there are some rocket scientists here! We've even lost friends here to the murders of September 11: Barbara Olson (BKO) and FDNY Battalion Chief John Moran (BCM). You might remember his brother, Mike, who gave the immortal lines "Ossama, kiss my royal Irish ass!"

Personally, in addition to the rings, I think you deserve a medal of some sorts for putting up with Charles Barkley! LOL!

Mark

[Chunga]

We are discussing Christopher Hitchens.