Friday, December 16, 2011

In Memoriam: Christopher Hitchens, 1949-2011


Vanity Fair wrote about the passing of Christopher Hitchens tonight.

Christopher Hitchens—the incomparable critic, masterful rhetorician, fiery wit, and fearless bon vivant—died today at the age of 62. Hitchens was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the spring of 2010, just after the publication of his memoir, Hitch-22, and began chemotherapy soon after. His matchless prose has appeared in Vanity Fair since 1992, when he was named contributing editor.

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link:

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2011/12/In-Memoriam-Christopher-Hitchens-19492011

I didn't always agree with Hitchens - his atheism, his admiration for Che Guevara and his opposition to the American involvement in the Vietnam War are three areas of disagreement that come to mind - but I was thankful for his brilliant defense of the Iraq War and the war on terrorism, and his fearless opposition to Islamic fanaticism.

I've read nearly everything this fine writer and highly intelligent man wrote. I also enjoyed watching Hitchens debate. He was a very fine speaker and debater.

Although he famously did not believe in God or Heaven, my prayers are with him and and his family.

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