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Christopher Hitchens: The 60 Minutes Interview

March 6, 2011 5:00 PM

When Steve Kroft interviewed the late Christopher Hitchens in March, the author was ill with cancer, yet still outspoken and outrageous.

Outspoken and outrageous: Christopher Hitchens
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by tuxguys July 22, 2011 1:18 AM EDT
Next, maybe, to Buckley, my fave "public intellectual" of all time.
Beat it sir, you can do it... a "recovering Socialist" can beat anything.
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by whocaressowhat49 May 13, 2011 7:45 PM EDT
He is no different than all the other religions. I think atheism is just another form. It is an idealogy that you believe to be the right one, and everyone else should believe the same, and if they do not, then they are either stupid or to be pitied. There are just as many bigots and zealous people who are are atheists, as there are Evangelicals, Catholics, Muslims and the rest.

I have my belief system, it is based on what I have experienced. I don't expect or want others to believe the same as I do because it is not something they experienced.

For his childrens' sake I do hope he stays around a little longer.
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by ripley1423 March 13, 2011 2:39 PM EDT
I love Christpher Hitchens's views on Mother Teresa. Check out Hell's Angel on YouTube, or his book, "The Missionary Position".
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by MikeBinDG March 12, 2011 3:47 PM EST
I was a video feed engineer at a small news services bureau in DC - for years.
I was lucky to have worked with him several times.

Other than being a manic - maybe maniac - smoker, he was funny, cerebral and controversial.

Have read 2 of his books - he makes you think - whether you agree with some of his theories or not...

I wish him luck in his battle with cancer.
The world would be a lesser place - without him.
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by SueMePlease March 8, 2011 6:17 AM EST
Here's something likely priceless Christopher Hitchens will have left for me: I watched one of his first interviews after he was sick, and he offered the advice (paraphrasing): "Lay off the cigarettes and alcohol". I've thought of those words almost every day since then, hating that I was smoking, wanting to quit, trying, and never succeeding for more than a few hours. But I came across a potential smoking cessation aid, and along with my will power, I stopped smoking last week, not having had a cigarette since, and will never pick up another cigarette. I have two young children to stay alive for, and lots of life to continue loving. Christopher Hitchens was the first person to seem to drive it home for me to quit smoking. I owe him for that.
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by David_Weidner March 8, 2011 2:27 AM EST
Christopher, I will not pray for you. I will however keep your memory alive with reverence and admiration through your books and writings, keeping your legacy alive for all time. In a sense giving you eternal life in the memories and consciousness of humanity. This is something prayer could never do. Wishing you health in life, and prosperity to your legacy.
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by Mery Griffin March 7, 2011 9:17 PM EST
PPS Telling someone they'll be met by the devil while they have stage five cancer. Real nice.

What religious denomination are you again? No seriously I wasn't being sarcastic&or was I? Take it as you may. How do you know he or I'm sorry, this He you speak of will not say, "here is your chair back Mr. Hitchens", or that the devil will not be right there with him laughing at all of us fighting over a situation that doen;t concern us yet.

Christopher has played devils advocate his whole life. He speaks for him because YOU wont. Isn't it a little blasphemous to be claiming *you know* such a thing to be true & ah His point exactly.

I guess I am jumping a little ahead too for assuming you really feel the way you write but I'll take my chances and give you my best response. I'll write back on faith my dear. Writing something down never killed anyone did it? No? Are you sure? When people take things too literally it can be a dangerous thing& almost as dangerous as reading so far into something you miss the moral completely.

I'm an atheist. TO ME that means I have faith in life *as i experience it right now* Arn't you supposed to love me back because you know what comes next? I'm confusing myself, but it's ok , I know that happens to everyone... because we are all human, God's children as you may call it. Either way I CHOSE to believe their are plenty of Gods and Goddesses here on earth, already among.

Although he wouldn't ever dare say it, Christopher is one of them.
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by Mery Griffin March 7, 2011 2:08 PM EST
P.S. You just proved his point. ;)
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by Mery Griffin March 7, 2011 1:55 PM EST
Dear MsWillow,

I LOVE that name! Did you name yourself after that short guy from the movie, haha, "But I'm a real sorcerer!!!" . Remember the line, "Only a real sorcerer can use it, not a stupid peck like you!!!" Haha such a classic.

Any-who I loved your response, and I can only speak for me, but I assure you Christopher Hitchens has looked all of what you are saying up and then checked it again. He appreciates your concern. I would imagine he is very pleased to see you've done your homework. Have you ever taken a class he's taught?
I haven't.

I think you may have just learned your lesson?
Maybe not, it's ok.

I know I haven't just when I think I have. Hate when that happens.

God bless!!!

Love,

An atheist.
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by MsWillow March 7, 2011 12:34 PM EST
Dear Mr. Hitchens, You are such an interesting man! I wonder what enthusiasm and results you would have brought to God had you been on His side. We all want to be gods. You are the god of your life, that's clear. But it's God's universe, His creation. Even Satan is God's creation. You, sir, have "no chance in hell" of going to heaven, because heaven requires perfection. Perfection can only be achieved by our sins (the things that interfere with loving God) being covered by the sacrifice of Jesus' blood. Jesus is our atonement. Right now, you don't understand God, so you don't assign any value to Him. 60 Minutes ended your segment with your quote, "I like surprises". You think that you have chosen your own way in life. When you die&and I sincerely hope you survive the cancer this time&but, whenever you die, you are going to find that God and the kingdom of heaven are real and that you cannot enter in. Surprise! I Corinthians 2:9 Look it up. ("Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1) Please make room for God. I would love to see your brain working in His corner of this world ring. I think you could find that He would agree with SOME of the things you've said.
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