Christopher Hitchens -- political insights in VV

[saltpoint]

In recent days some DUers have weighed in or wondered about the writer Christopher Hitchens.

In the current Village Voice, John Giuffo takes a look at some of Hitchens' political stands, especially the controversial ones.

The piece is short but informative, in case anybody wants to have a look:

http://www.villagevoice.com/books/0505,giuffo,60659,10.html

[John_H]

1. Here's how it works.

An undetermined but significant percentage of English "Men of Letters" are born with a rare double-whammy dual gene combo. The first gene kicks in sometime between the tentative fellations of Eaton and the studiously Trotskyish pieces in The Observer, and, in fact, is responsible for aspiration to become "English Man of Letters." The second gene turns on between the 32nd root canal and the realization that all that booze has been doing the John Self routine on one's Lower Cheapsides. This gene negates the effects of the first gene and transforms the formerly Stalinite worldview into that of a cranky editorial writer for a small town Republican newspaper which, when you think about it, isn't that long of a slide.

[No Exit]

2. ROFLMAO!!

And I just thought he was demented...

[zmdem]

3. Hitch is an interesting specimen

I always enjoy reading him. I would point out however that conflating Trotsky and Stalin is a mistake. My recollection is that Hitch was a Trotsky-ite, not a Stalinist.

As to the booze, well, let me get back to you after I run to the fridge for another beer ;)

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

4. I don't know why, but I have this uneasy respect for him.

I don't know why. It's probably more a fascination than anything, but his views are intriguing. I"m no Trotskyite, or anything close, but his literary talents are compelling. This may not surprise some of you, but there is agreement on the a lot of the WOT stuff.

What really bothers me is Hitchens' absurd notions about the Clintons and Democrats, and how he seems to kiss Bush's ass so much. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, but he's a guy I can at least listen to, and have an infinitely more substantive debate with him, than the likes of Coulter or Horowitz. And unlike some other ex-Dems who have switched post 9-11 (Yes, Dennis Miller, I'm talking to you), at least Hitchens tries to justify it, rather than kiss Bush's ass, because he's "patriotic."

[John_H]

6. Sorry, I couldn't resist. I dimly recall reading somewhre

that HitchyPoo used to insist he was a "stalinite," making a clear distinction between "trotskyite" and "stalinist," after which I thought, "I wonder if these days he distinguishes between 'Wolfowist' and 'Perleite.'"

Grab one for me, please.

[saltpoint]

5. When I disagree with Hitchens on Iraq, for instance --

-- I want to strangle him.

When I agree with him, I want to kiss him.

Well, shake his hand, then.

I don't mind his iconoclastic stances because he backs them up with wild talent. Too conservative for me, sure. But I would never call him untalented.

[DemDogs]

7. Thanks. Hitchens is an enigma

It is easy to concentrate on the inflammatory things that he says, but there is more there, too, some of it helpful. If his Iraq position comes from his experience with the gassing of the Kurds, it is easier to understand his frustration that the world stood by then. Understanding that he wanted that wrong righted makes it easier to get why he concentrates on the ends. even if he intolerably excuses this administration its means.

[saltpoint]

8. Very nicely stated, DemDogs.

No kidding -- I think you've got Hitchens there just right.

[TeacherCreature]

9. I absolutely despise Hitchens.

What was left out of this piece was his Brutus-like betrayal of an old friend, Sid Blumentahl, in the Lewinsky case--Hitchens supported the Clinton impeachment and was a close ally of the house manglers.

Also his personal invite to the WH and guest appearances on Air Force 1.

Hitchens supports Bush and the Iraq war.

He is also an anti-Catholic bigot.

If you wanna like him, great, but to me he is long ago lost.