Hitchens being an ass

[Cicero]

You gotta remember, Cicero is a fan of Ann Coulter, who, as far as I know, likes the word "faggot" as well. And I recall a certain situation in which she made it into a public "joke" that also bombed.

Hitch is on the opposite end of the political spectrum than A.C. I am a fan of both. But where is all the outrage expressed against rappers who make their living sprinkling in offensive terms in their "music?"

 

[Lonewulf]

But where is all the outrage expressed against rappers who make their living sprinkling in offensive terms in their "music?"

LOL!

Seriously, you're going to ask that question? You really seriously think that no one's criticized rap before?!

 

[Cicero]

LOL!

Seriously, you're going to ask that question? You really seriously think that no one's criticized rap before?!

The question is are they the same people who register profound offense from Hitch's indelicate remark?

 

[stilicho]

The question is are they the same people who register profound offense from Hitch's indelicate remark?

They're going to charge you with Red Herring any time now...5...4...3...2...

No, really, do the same people who find Hitchens offensive also find Elton John and hip-hop artists offensive? Maybe it's time for a poll.

 

[Eddie Dane]

Hitch is on the opposite end of the political spectrum than A.C. I am a fan of both. But where is all the outrage expressed against rappers who make their living sprinkling in offensive terms in their "music?"

Kee-rist!

I'm a fan of PJ O'Rourke and have serious trouble understanding how you can like Coulter.

You're an even more elusive specimen than the mythical Vanilla Ice fan.





Or maybe I haven't been reading her good stuff. Please direct me to her finer work, if possible.

 

[joobz]

Hitch is on the opposite end of the political spectrum than A.C. I am a fan of both. But where is all the outrage expressed against rappers who make their living sprinkling in offensive terms in their "music?"

Again, you expose your inability to think of people as complex multidimentional entities.

Certain Hitchens is liberal on a good number of topics, but he's clearly conservative when it comes to Terrorism and the war on terrorism.

 

[Cicero]

Again, you expose your inability to think of people as complex multidimentional entities.

Certain Hitchens is liberal on a good number of topics, but he's clearly conservative when it comes to Terrorism and the war on terrorism.

By extrapolation, libs are push overs when it comes to "Terrorism and war on terrorism?" The POTUS seems to express the same views as Hitch does on these subjects.

 

[Cicero]

They're going to charge you with Red Herring any time now...5...4...3...2...

No, really, do the same people who find Hitchens offensive also find Elton John and hip-hop artists offensive? Maybe it's time for a poll.

Maybe there is one set of rules for pundits and another for artists when it comes to political correctness?

 

[CoolSceptic]

For those who think that saying lesbian would be less offensive, you should know that such usage of the term is offensive to both female and male Lesbians.

 

[joobz]

By extrapolation, libs are push overs when it comes to "Terrorism and war on terrorism?" The POTUS seems to express the same views as Hitch does on these subjects.

 

[Lonewulf]

For those who think that saying lesbian would be less offensive, you should know that such usage of the term is offensive to both female and male Lesbians.

What, from the island of Lesbos?

Were you trying to make a point here?

 

[Polaris]

I find drug abuse in public unbecoming and embarrassing.

Plus: Hitchens is screwing up his health with his drinking problem.
I watched his waterboarding adventure and was mildly surprised that he didn't die on the spot.

Ron White loves you too.

 

[CoolSceptic]

What, from the island of Lesbos?

Were you trying to make a point here?

Actually, it was more of a joke with respect to the embedded link. Wow, I didn't think I'd have to explain it. But there is a loose point attached.

Some people suggested the word dyke should not be used as it is offensive to a certain group of people. Yet the word they suggested was offensive to another group of people. So why is it better to offend the latter group but not the former?

The point following from this, of course, is the absurdity of trying not to offend everybody. It just can't be done. At some point, you'll offend someone, no matter how careful you are.

I'm glad you saw fit to remove the bundle of sticks analogy (which I just caught before your edit). Unless the bundle of sticks were offended by it (or we were worried about offending bundles of sticks), your analogy was utterly irrelevant to the point at hand.

If you're still struggling with the whole humour thing, feel free to be further offended by Penn and Teller's take on it here.

 

[Wolfman]

I don't quite understand the black/white nature of many people's opinions here, where Hitchens' writing and opinions are somehow inextricably mixed in with his character and personality.

I like (but don't always agree with) Hitchens' writing; he expresses himself well, and certainly is not averse to taking on controversial issues. He's someone that, if he wrote another book, I'd happily go out and buy it.

I dislike Hitchens intensely as an individual. He's a drunk, he's obnoxious, he's an [insert anus-related profanity here]. He's someone that I would never, ever consider for a friend, or someone I'd like to hang out with.

 

[billydkid]

Old Chris is largely FOS about many things, but he is a lot more fun to watch than most talking heads. How do you not like a public figure who says just exactly what he really thinks about everything? I can't help it. I like him. I like that he is an asshat. I like that he insults people. I like that he is unembarrassed about being a drunk and smoking like a chimney. We need more public personalities like him. And what other public figures has no qualms about insulting believers and religion in no uncertain terms and if they don't like it - fork them!

 

[SRW]

"He who cannot make a point without being an ******* does not have a point worth making." -- me

Being an ass does not invalidate ones point, it simply makes one an ass.

A skeptic is not someone who goes out of his way to offend people, just for the publicity or the thrills or the reputation for offending people, like Hitchens does.

I agree that he does all of those things and that he is not a skeptic because he does them. But at the same time, his antics do not negate his views.

A skeptic is someone who uses critical thinking to arrive at his conclusions, whatever these may be, and I don´t see Hitchens doing that.

Ever? He must be stealing a bucket full of material then.

 

[Lonewulf]

Actually, it was more of a joke with respect to the embedded link. Wow, I didn't think I'd have to explain it. But there is a loose point attached.

I didn't even realize it was an embedded link. I just thought you italicized and underlined the word.

Some people suggested the word dyke should not be used as it is offensive to a certain group of people. Yet the word they suggested was offensive to another group of people. So why is it better to offend the latter group but not the former?

The point following from this, of course, is the absurdity of trying not to offend everybody. It just can't be done. At some point, you'll offend someone, no matter how careful you are.

So this justifies, say, throwing around the word "faggot" and "******" because other words will offend someone somewhere? Hey, why bother to broaden the vocabulary, it just leads to bad things anyways.

I'm glad you saw fit to remove the bundle of sticks analogy (which I just caught before your edit). Unless the bundle of sticks were offended by it (or we were worried about offending bundles of sticks), your analogy was utterly irrelevant to the point at hand.

Considering your point, all I have to do is to show one person upset at the word "gay" or "homosexual", and that validates the use of the word. After all, someone might be offended by the word "gay" or "homosexual", so let's just call them all faggots and be done with it. And let's not mention people that might be offended by the terms African American, or black, or whatever else... so let's just call all them blackies ******, right?

I'm always up for a challenge. You really want to go this way?

If you're still struggling with the whole humour thing, feel free to be further offended by Penn and Teller's take on it here.

They're cute entertainers, but little else. Especially how funny they are throwing around the term "first amendment". The First Amendment does not protect you from consequences of your words, it merely protects you from the government directly attempting to control what you can and cannot say (and even then, there are exceptions to this, as mentioned earlier).

If I go into a black person's house and call him a "******", or suggest that he should be eatin' that dang fried chicken, why should I expect to receive a favorable reaction?

 

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

I dislike Hitchens intensely as an individual. He's a drunk, he's obnoxious, he's an [insert anus-related profanity here]. He's someone that I would never, ever consider for a friend, or someone I'd like to hang out with.

He can also be very charming, thoughtful and funny. I'd hang out with him. Like Bill Maher, he seems like he can be a pain at times but, well, that's him.

He also seems like someone you would never get bored being around.

 

[Lonewulf]

He can also be very charming, thoughtful and funny. I'd hang out with him. Like Bill Maher, he seems like he can be a pain at times but, well, that's him.

He also seems like someone you would never get bored being around.

I admit, I agree with this. There's something oddly charismatic about him.

 

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

I admit, I agree with this. There's something oddly charismatic about him.

There are people like that. You are drawn to them even when they drive you up the wall.

Besides, I respond to the brave, the wacky, the nutty, the unconventional and the audacious.

Which may be why I have affection and a certain admiration for Michael Moore, Penn Jillette and Ann Coulter.