UK: Christopher Hitchens & William F. Buckley (2/5)

In this episode of Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution fellow Peter Robinson interviews Christopher Hitchens and William F. Buckley. (Filmed: 7/29/98)

For current episodes, see: http://tv.nationalreview.com

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• conservative
• national
• review
• commentary
• analysis
• documentary
• liberal
• counter
• culture
• politics
• radical
• left
• 1960s

[ehrengm]

I wish chomsky was in the room.

[WhenLilacsLast]

Every time Hitchens makes a valid argument against the right, the partisan host is gripped by a swirl of tension and he scrambles desperately towards Buckley like a frightened child.

[austenbosten]

@DefeatedElitist I really don't see it that way, I see him trying to avoid Hitchens from taking up all the airtime, I like Hitchen's debating but he tends to ramble on...just a bit. I would say PR is a good interviewer because most interviewers on the Left would just interject with their own views. PR doesn't do that and I'm glad cause he knows that we aren't interested in his views but Hitchens and Buckley. The clear interjection was a tongue-in-cheek...he did let CH finish

[DefeatedElitist]

@austenbosten He's clearly biased towards Buckley, often cutting Hitchens off in order to get Buckley's opinion on an answer that makes him uncomfortable; you can tell by his body language and almost urgency to hear what Buckley has to say in response. A good interviewer does not consciously, or sub-consciously, pick sides in a debate, like Peter so clearly does.

For the record, I am a big fan of both Buckley, and Christopher. Don't misconstrue this as an attack on either one.

[austenbosten]

@DefeatedElitist okay so you are one of those people...fine. Tell me what about Peter Robinson's demeanor do you disapprove? and how should one "act"?

[DefeatedElitist]

@austenbosten Again, I must say: Just because the "left" has some terrible interviewers (which they do) does not excuse this man's behavior. If you enjoy him, fine, that's great. However, there is a certain way an interviewer should act if he is to be considered a decent interviewer, and Peter does not act accordingly.

I'm not attacking his political stance, or yours. I'm merely speaking on his interviewing methods.

[austenbosten]

@DefeatedElitist I would like to know what about his demeanor is so horrible to those people. I find Peter Robinson better than most of the left-wing Pravda hacks in the media today, because you won't find Peter trying to make his guest get caught in gotcha questions. But anyway my advice to the a-holes ragging on Peter Robinson is simple...go watch the left-wing hacks on TV if PR burns your butts so much. Some people like PR's style of interviewing.

[DefeatedElitist]

@austenbosten I don't think anyone is attacking his stance, but rather his behavior as an interviewer. Just because there are poor interviewers on the "left" does not excuse this individual and his actions. Besides, I think everyone, no matter what their stance, respects William F Buckley Jr. - You don't see many people attacking him on here, do you? I'd say your argument is slightly invalid there.

[tsilairett]

I'd like to see this after 2001

[newsradiohead]

This is the Hitchens I want to remember. I want to pretend that the malignant neo-conservative beating the war drums for Iraq is a fiction.

[evenstrength]

this moderator is such a bitch

[evenstrength]

Hitch changed my life for the better. On the other hand, I am a fan of Buckley's, and I wish modern republicans would model themselves after him. He's a thoughtful man, and I do not think the repubs are thoughtful anymore.