Christopher Hitchens on Charlie Rose 04-May-07 (Part 2)

[dogman7777]

How can Rose not get the point? Hitch communicates with such clarity and factual support, it seems silly for Rose to continually interupt.

[dougd1981]

where is 1 of 3 ???

[kjergens1]

@dougd1981

removed by the Charlie Rose people. :(

[MultiUniv3rsal]

What happened to part 1?

[omars1982]

Hitchens is a quack. This guy has no idea what he's talking about. He's a neo-con.

[EminemBase]

Totally absurd statement. He's a complete intellectual and adamant historian. Not a fucking quak.

[omars1982]

No. Howard Zinn is a complete intellectual and adamant historian. Hitchens is a historian, and a terrible one at that with a neo-con agenda. Neglects the fact that Saddam was put in power by the US, neglects the fact that the war is about control of the middle east not keeping peace. Neglects the fact that the country saying they are for democracy supports dictatorships in the region. He's a fool.

[SidandCoke]

you have not read his books then, btw go and live under sharia law then tell me we shouldn't fight it.

[omars1982]

Iraq was a secular country. I dont agree with Sharia law, but are you saying that was the reason why we went to Iraq? Sharia law. So tell me, why don't we attack Saudia Arabia then? They are the most extreme right wing Muslim country and dont let women eve drive! Oh that's right, the United States govt actually funds that govt and keeps them in power because they allow American oil corps access to their oil fields. And by the way, how did Saddam get to power and who funded him in the 80s?

[SidandCoke]

Iraq was not a secular country-far from it. Saddam used and abused religion to his benefit. Saddam was not too keen on sharing power but he did have substantial connections with Al quida (which just means "the base" BTW in arabic.) I actually lived in Saudi for 6 years so please no lectures there. I totally agree we should be sorting them out as well but for all there faults-and there are many they are slowly but surely making progress-I saw it happen.I know about Saddam's rise to power

[SidandCoke]

Because a previous american government was complicit in his rise to power doesnt mean we shouldn't have removed him. Personally I know it is all about Oil. That is the reason that the Saudis are so upset - there is a real possibility that a Shia country will be even more powerful than they are. they dont like it. I truly believe that we should either get tough in Iraq or get the **** out. Same for Afghanistan. Please don't ignore how much better off the Kurds are now.

[BillKiernan]

if you say so...

[unearth19]

Hitchens has Jewish ancestry. His brother Peter introduced a girlfriend to their grandmother and she could tell the woman was Jewish, and when Peter asked how, she said because she is too. The ancestry is matrilineal, but as Christopher says, depending on whether or not you believe in the Nuremburg laws and Mosaic laws, he is part Jewish in the racial sense. He certainly isn't in the religious sense.

[yak6ex]

Some kooks have said that he's jewish.

I wicked it and it said he had some jewish

ancestry.

It was on wikipedia so it must be true.

[koripley]

In the end I think Hitchen's support of the Iraq War is about the confrontation with Islamic fundamentalism. The Islamists cannot moderate themselves so we are being put in the position of bulwark between freedom and Islamic totalitarianism. The muslims are failing to adapt to the modern world.

[earsie1977]

where the hell is part 1

[teejayandrade]

lolol it was taken off during the copyright sweeps..

[Nojank]

i respect hitchens as intelectual and as a writer, but i dont understand how even in 2007 he's still clinging to this failed war. His propaganda and war mongering are on the level of cheney.

What he doesnt understand is that there are dozens of violent regimes just like saddams, and a few that are worse than saddams, and if u think it is the duty of america to go after one (which its not) than u shud go after all of them. Which the US does not have the resources, time or the right to do

[Brantinger]

Thats to say if a police-officer watches a rape, an attempt to murder and a violent robbery he shouldnt care about any of them, since he cant take care of them all. Geez god thanx that it doesnt work that way...

[Nojank]

that's a fair point, but lets be honest we know that north korea was and is the most brutal regime of the so called axis of evil. Furthermore the iraq war wasn't strictly based on giving democracy; it also had alternative motives: oil money, company contracts; esentially war profiteering. I am not one for an interventionist foreign policy, but i think if u are it is logicall to fight a more radical and oppresive country such as north korea.

[Brantinger]

I think u might underastimate Saddam here a lil bit, but thats indeed a debateable point. NK is sourrounded by big powers, some of them nuclear: China, Russia, Japan and the US in SK and Japan. Since we had and have a specific problem with the muslim world. I think one must see Iraq in the context of a broader conflict. But that doesnt mean that i am opposed to regime-change in Pjongjang.

[TheLastReplicant]

Charlie Rose is a dick. What king of interviewer doesnt allow his subject to talk.

[Brantinger]

Yep its really annoying and even more since the questions are quite good...

[Entropy56]

Forget the Bush Doctrine. What is the Hitchens Doctrine?

[infokemp]

Sadam funded the Jihadists who took over the Iranian Embassy in 1980s in London

[formulaprimer]

American foreign policy always cause "blow back"

Nation building from a country who doesn't even control its own currency instead borrows money from the private bank of the Federal Reserve can not possible have the ability to influence other countries in a positive way.

[Andylocksigma]

I think this host sounds like the black guy from family guy.

[IntEngT]

HAHAHA.

Yes m8. He bleedin well does

[kailoong168]

If Saddam Hussein is a tyrant, aggressor that ought to be killed, then George Bush Jr should also be hanged too. George Bush Jr invaded many countries too. Osama Laden is not Afhanistan. Iraq has no weapon of mass destruction. George Bush is responsible for so much suffering in these 2 countries. can someone use George Bush is a tyrant and invade USA?

[finchy633]

charlie rose is too fucking annoying. i wish hitch would have reacted and told him to stop his fucking noise!

[Memesphere]

really? I dig hitch, but I think he's an awful and disrespectful interviewee

[domstapleton]

As much as it pains me to have to correct the Hitch, Margaret Thatcher was only Prime Minister for 11 years (1979-1990) not "nearly fourteen". Thanks for uploading these videos! :)

[bdl218]

I took it to mean that Hitch felt she had the "power" of a prime minister during her shadow cabinet days. I don't think he'd make such a glaring historical error.

[pandemias]

is it just me, but does Charlie Rose talk too much and talk over his guest? not the best interviewer, though I think some of his questions are good

[frattydan]

well, although I somewhat agree, the talking over each other is an issue that is certainly compounded by Hitchens who seems to have a habit of refusing to back down if he's ever interrupted. I like both of these guys though quite a bit and I personally like the fact that Rose is engaged in the interview and challenges the interviewee.

[bluehoneycomb]

I totally agree with his stance on God and Religion. I'm just perplexed how he supports the Bush administration without any hard criticism. It sounds like he's buying all the bullcrap from the "good regime" under the name "Democracy". He also needs a healthy dose of skepticism not just in Religion.

[derekparfit]

I don't think he has no criticism of the administration... It just happens to be doing something he wants done, so he is more halting in his criticisms of him. But at the end of the day, Chris Hitchens is a 'piss taker' at times, holding overly controvercial positions perhaps in order to spur debate, perhaps to have publicity.

[bluehoneycomb]

I agree, thanks!

[DaveyH123]

Thats called being a contrarian, which is somethings he denies vehemently.

[minnbassman]

I think what puzzles you is that he is an Athiest and a Conservative at the same time. You probably don't think these are possible. The few athiests I know(one is my best friend)are hard-core conservative. There is a difference between religion and politics. That's why I love this guy. I personally am Agnostic, but agree with Hitchins almost 100% of the time.

[whole27]

Hitchens isn't Conservative...he himself corrected an Anchor when she called him a conservative...he doesn't want to be identified to either party...an independant...but the only thing i have seen him conservative on is the war! Obviously, his relgious beliefs are very liberal! That would also include, abortion and gay marriage...liberal on that as well. Religion interferes with all those things....except war, well i don't know how a religious person can support mass killings(war) and be moral!

[minnbassman]

I didn't know that about him. Thanks for the info. Most "Conservatives" I know are against the war, the Neo-Cons I know are for it. But both are against abortion, which both see it as you put it "how a religious person can support mass killings(blank, fill in the space)and be moral!" (Hint:Abortion...) Weird how one word can change an argument. I will have to look up more interviews to find this topic, as it shoots him down a little in my book.

[Sshelly34213]

I think he comes off as more of a left liberal but I've heard him be identified as a right liberal as well. hmm idk.

[untamedromeo]

Hitchens is a socialist-democrat. FACT.

[Sshelly34213]

do you have sources?

I mean I can believe that, he seems to have that way of thinking, he's very literal in his reasoning.

[untamedromeo]

It is pretty common knowledge. He was a member of the Labour party in the UK ( I am a member of this very party ) but was booted out wrongly along with a group of students, I think it was some type of union or something but don't qoute me on that. He used to write for a socialist publication here in the UK and is a renowned former Trotskyist, I am sure he is still Socialist-Democrat though. Wikipedia is probably the best bet , but a quick google should yield results.

[wexerguy90]

He voted bush in 04

[specsthiele]

Hitchens is anti-abortion.

[ChessJew]

He is; so what?

[specsthiele]

I don't know why I've gotten so many thumbs down for simply stating that Hitchens doesn't agree with abortion. It's just a fact. He's written about it.

[burnhippiesforfuel]

have you seen 'penn says: viewer mail- abortion'? it's a good commentary on the issue.

[wownov83]

@specsthiele Because you're wrong. He agrees with the concept of an unborn child, but he doesn't necessarily disagree with abortion.

[tambocha]

Sweet love of a possibly non-existent god, is this difficult to watch. Normally Charlie Rose is one of the better interviewers on American TV, but here he simply can't stop reasserting his ownership of the show (a much more common trait of mediocre interviewers and "entertainment" interviewers). He also sees fit to use his interruptions to change the subject, right in the middle of interesting comments by Hitchens. Pretty disappointing. Not even very stimulating.

[applaya]

Hitchens forgets to mention Saddam was our friend when he invaded iran.

[cancerparty]

That has absolutely nothing to do with the rightful removal of a theocratic monster who butchered his own people, and planned the destruction of many more. Try reading Bomb in my Garden, a memoir from one of Saddam's own nuclear scientists, detailing piece by piece that attempts to accrue arms. Secondly, is it better to have left Saddam in power or not. Very simple question. Thirdly, are you not against Islamic totalitarianism? The Left used to have principles and stand up for the downtrodden..

[applaya]

the us government is trying to force Iraq to hand it's oil over to multinational corporations, with no provision stating that any of that $ has to go to the people. Still think this was about removing a tyrant (that we supported). Secondly, Saddam had nothing to do with Islamic totalitarianism, you should stop watching so much fox.

[cancerparty]

I'm Scottish, so I don't/can't watch Fox (thank f*ck), and I agree, I don't think the overall reasons were regime change, but to say Saddam had nothing to do with Islamic totalitarianism?!! Are you serious? Explain the hellish, slavish praise of his name at every public event, read Kanan Makiya's biography, detailing the horrific daily torture, and family disappearances following ANY dissent whatsoever. I'm sympathetic to some anti-war people, but you clearly have no idea what real fascism is.

[applaya]

I'm not saying he wasn't a fascist. What I'm saying is that he was a secular ruler with little to no tolerance for Islamic extremists like UBL.

Thanks for the book recommendations though, I will check them out.

[donut316]

The Right used to be sane too, but we could play this game all day. But seriously, asking is it better to have left Saddam in power is not a simple question. The sad answer is that it absolutely would have been for us. The resources and loss of life do not make it worthwhile, in a cold analysis. Would the people of Iraq have been better off? Well, I won't speak for them. I imagine it might not be as cut-and-dry as one may think though.

[TomPiltoff]

Holy shit Charlie Rose, shut the hell up and let your guest speak for more than 5 seconds at a time.

[dionusos2]

Is Charlie Rose an unbeliever?

[twosixteen]

No, he's a christian.

[countertreason]

Man... if only the US citizens hadn't been conditioned for defeat. Imagine a world where a country as backwards as Iraq could not stand in the way of world progress and stability without being deconstructed and reconstructed in America's image. The benefits of courage...

[TheBannedAtheist]

Iraqi society is actually quite advanced for that part of the world. At the present time an otherwise civilized country is being dragged back into the Dark Ages by the parties of god and "intellectuals" and liberals in the West wish to capitulate and sell out brave men and women in Iraq and Kurdistan who seek dignity and happiness. I truly hope we don't sell these people out again.

[countertreason]

I agree. Don't forget though, Iraq was moving toward civilization, but reverted and began re-islamisizing. The Kurds, most surely need to continue enjoying our providence.

[SCODgreenhood]

America should not use its power stupidly as it has in Iraq since "mission accomplished".

[everybodysfavourite]

charlie Rose is not doing an interview with the brilliant Hitchens.. he's talking over him and spewing out his own bullshit. how did you get where you are?

[Quietlydoesit]

This 'interviewer' is a wanna be polemicist. Why doesn't he ask a question and wait for an answer? What a prick.

[DaveyH123]

He is not a moderator, there is no opposing position on the issue taking part in the debate so he is inclined in the name of balance to offer an alternative to the subject, in this sense he has to be a polemicist, as is anyone in any situation where they offer a differing perspective. sharpen up your understanding or leave it alone. schooled again, victory is mine, 2-0.

[JSoul83]

EXACTLY...LOL

[Con1974]

Thanks berkeleyguy.

[whalefish83]

real politik ie my enemy's enemy is our freind. this incestrous relationship that the US have had with their 'client states' in the second half of the 20th century has made the sort of libertine intervention that hitchens endorses more or less impossible and has poisoned the very idea of freedom and democracy that the neocons try to sell us

[Quietlydoesit]

sharpen up your language pal, or just leave it alone.

[falsificationism]

Lots of body language going on in this video. And loud attempts at talking over one another.

[mjn76]

"Engaged in polemics, atheists like to do two things, which certainly Hitchens does. The first is to make fun of believers on every matter possible, even when that requires outrageous misstatements of fact and employs such clumsy logic as they would mock in others. The second is to generate as many incoherencies in the faith of believers as their fertile minds can make up." -- Michael Novak, National Review

[BeyondDGrave]

Hitchens states the truth and irrationality about religion, and how it has no point being in a civilized country, let alone in the 21st century. If you do not like the benefits of secularism, I suggest you go live in a cave, and worship your sky god, and stop commenting on things I doubt you know anything about. Thanks!

[mjn76]

Hitchens smears all of religion but repeatedly cites Muslim jihad. No member of the Christian/Jewish/ Hindu/Buddhist faith is murdering anyone on God's behalf or pointing to holy scripture to justify it.

[BeyondDGrave]

It tells you to, but that is besides the point. It is based on and revolves on irrationality, and delusions.

[mjn76]

"It is based on and revolves on irrationality, and delusions."

As opposed to our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Those are never wrong! No, our 5 senses are always correct! And since they are always correct, and we haven't received a telegram from God confirming God's existence, then God cannot exist!

[kossmikham]

but god did send a telegram. just ask any muslim about the koran. i'd recommend that you phrase your questions carefully though, or you might find yourself without a head.

[tfustudios]

Wow! This is an amazing example of someone SO convinced of their own bullshit. He absolutely refuses to admit that the War In Iraq was a mistake! Maybe if he enlisted, he'd feel a bit different.

[mserth22]

If you listen to the first part, he clearly states that the war is a mistake...

[kuskut]

I don't particulary like some of his positions, but I have to agree with him on religion. I hope he puts some sense into his conservative comrades.

[Tesselator]

Gawd! I wish I could see things in the same way Hitchens sees them. It would make all this moral delima so easy! But the FACT that the CIA is essentially under control of the NWO International Bankers which is all tied up in Naziism, the promotion of the very WORST kind of communism, and world domination under a 1 world government. Therefore I just can't see it. Even if it's true and he's right.

[devilsadvocut]

thet should b talkin about his book

[skoupitsa]

Margaret Thatcher in power for 14 years?? What is he on? Apart from the Jack Daniels.Does he include her tenure as Leader Of The Opposition?

[chiavaio]

Rose was correct: 11 years more or less.

[TheChileman]

Not one original thought in Hitchens head. Riding on the coattails of Dawkins, Dennett, and Harris in his latest book. His overview of the Iraq war and the Middle East are stunning examples of equal parts ignorance and arrogance. He truly is a US citizen.

[chipleeiii]

Chris Hitchens is a blowhard a'hole who's absolutely correct about everything he says, especially on religion. I hate his demeanor but face it, he's right on the big issues and history will regard him as a pioneer along side Dick Dawkins and Dan Dennett.

[beinglikewater]

i agree... even though i differ on some issues about the war - he deserves credit for helping turn the tables on the religious.

[Puchtoonwali]

Christopher Hitchins--Intellectual poseur personified!

[moegolden]

you don't have to like him, but i think 'poseur' would imply that he doesn't believe what he's saying. he may qualify as a sensationalistic iconoclast though.

[IncredibleGoliath]

Nice that Hitchens is still clinging to his Iraq-justifying bullshit. North Korea next! YEEE HA MOTHERFUCKERS!!!

[shystylzyt]

Why do eight-year olds like you comment on adults like Hitchens? Go back to kindergarten, these are adult issues.

[IncredibleGoliath]

Adults like Hitchens, Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheny... those proven tactical geniuses? I'd rather ride my tricycle, thankyou very much.

[Chomskyno1]

lol:)

[EBrendog]

This is an epic battle of two of the great interrupters in media history.

[proofset666]

Yeah, it's interesting to see hitches not always being the one to talk over other people