Don't believe I've talked much about Christopher Hitchens here. That's because I never felt I had all that much to say. I read his God is Not Great a couple of years ago and found it rather a personal rant instead of the even-handed argument I'd hoped it would be. That's the first time he came onto my radar and my impression was what an angry, angry man.
Since then I've read the odd column here and there, and since his diagnosis with esophogeal cancer I paid him more attention, reading part of his Hitch-22, eventually buying Arguably: Essays by Christopher Hitchens on CD - something I rarely do as it's so cost-prohibitive. But I felt this was something I really wanted to take time with, to pay attention to this volatile man who certainly had no lack of opinion, to learn more about a man I feel sorry I neglected in my reading.
I know bits and pieces about the man, that some of his opinions dovetailed with my own and others diverged wildly. I respect the journalist he was expressly because of his fervent, even rabid opinions, his inability to keep his mouth shut, his bravery in saying what he thought rather than bowing to political correctness. In some respects I wish I were more like him, though I follow that up quickly with "but not in ALL."
Summing up, I feel the loss of him. I was sorry to hear of his passing and seeing the news come through Twitter in the wee hours of this morning kept me awake 'til almost dawn. Honestly, I had the impression he would have more time on this earth. Alas, not.
Wherever he is now, if in fact he's anywhere at all, I hope he's found his peace, so richly deserved.
“Hatred, though it provides often rather junky energy, is a terrific way of getting you out of bed in the morning and keeping you going. If you don’t let it get out of hand, it can be canalized into writing.”
- Christopher Hitchens
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