A Tribute to Christopher Hitchens, 1949 - 2011

Author Christopher Hitchens recalls a photo caption in a National Portrait Gallery catalog that mistakenly listed him as "the late Christopher Hitchens." "When you read about yourself in the past tense," says Hitchens, "it does concentrate the mind."

Authors Salman Rushdie and Christopher Hitchens play a parlor game, altering the titles of classic works of literature, such as Toby Dick and Good Expectations. The works of Shakespeare take on a different tone when re-titled in the style of Robert Ludlum novels.

The late Vanity Fair columnist and alcohol enthusiast Christopher Hitchens shares a passion with the best dictators of the Middle East.  

Author and atheist Christopher Hitchens remains unconvinced of the value of religion. Hitchens mockingly describes his favorite pro-religion argument saying, "The big bang is so amazing it must have been God after all." The best arguments in favor of the existence of God, he explains, are those that have "annexed" scientific theories and thus present more of a challenge for debate.

Author and atheist Christopher Hitchens notes an increasing audience for "resistance to clerical bullying." He cites examples of society's widespread frustration with outdated religious traditions and champions the perseverance of scientific thought.

Noted atheist Christopher Hitchens compares monotheistic belief to living under a despotic dictatorship similar to what he reported on in North Korea. The one difference, he notes, "You can get out of North Korea -- you can die, and it's over. You can't do that with monotheism."

On the eve of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's most recent address to the UN, author and journalist Christopher Hitchens marvels at the confusion that characterizes the Obama administration's policy regarding Iran.

Author Christopher Hitchens criticizes the Obama administration for being humiliated by the Israeli government over settlements in Arab neighborhoods.

"The last time there was an impressive American policy it was a Republican administration, and it was undone by the hero of every liberal in this room," he quips.

Author Christopher Hitchens discusses his views on the recent Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. He argues that while the Gaza occupation is unjust, the activists on the flotilla most likely had ulterior motives.

Christopher Hitchens discusses his love of wordplay, particularly limericks. While they may seem simplistic, "even the most puerile stuff," says Hitchens, "can build muscles in you."

Journalists William F. Buckley Jr. and Christopher Hitchens debate the true motives behind the protest movements of the 1960s. Buckley attributes the rise of counterculture movements to a general "listlessness" that "called for a kind of masturbatory relief."

Journalist Christopher Hitchens and historian Robert Service agree on how Leon Trotsky saw the threat of the German National Socialist party long before other intellectuals.

However, Service is more critical of his moral standing in light of Russian actions, stating "his idea of foreign policy was not a morally pure position at all."

Author and journalist Christopher Hitchens defends why he called himself a Trotskyist. Hitchens says "he combined in himself the role of man of action and man of ideas," and admires his opposition to Stalin and Hitler as "a person of immense emotional and physical courage."

Journalist Christopher Hitchens elaborates on his view of Iranian nuclear policy. Hitchens says, "Which do you think is worse: The Mullahs get a bomb after the way they have behaved to their own people and to their neighboring countries? Or, that they be told that they cannot have a bomb?"

Journalist Christopher Hitchens comments on the consequences of the age demographic in Iran. Hitchens claims that nearly half of the Iranian population is under 25, which has resulted in a "baby-boomerang."

"The Mullahs have by accident ... brought about a generation that doesn't like them."

Journalist Christopher Hitchens remembers a vivid experience while visiting uncovered mass graves in Iraq.

"If you want to feel dirtied up by the experience of fascism, try finding that you're 12 hours away from a shower and you can't get dead person out of your hair."

Christopher Hitchens draws from his experiences in war-torn Sarajevo and the war in Northern Iraq to evaluate the shock of 9/11.

He says, "That kind of thing happens in a war, has to be expected. If you're in a war you're going to lose a building and a plane."

Christopher Hitchens offers an atheist's perspective on moral worth and the nature of evil.

Drawing from examples of genital mutilation and suicide bombings, Hitchens argues that religion often draws out man's tendency towards evil and greed.

Christopher Hitchens and Victor Davis Hanson discuss "the cult of Churchill," which Pat Buchanan believes glorifies military intervention, and led us to the current war in Iraq.

Christopher Hitchens and Victor Davis Hanson discuss the contrasting views of Niall Ferguson and Rush Limbaugh, the former arguing that the Allies used tactics as brutal as those of the Nazis, whereas Limbaugh argues it is merely revisionist history.

Christopher Hitchens and Victor Davis Hanson refute Pat Buchanan's argument that the war led Hitler to begin the mass-murdering of Jews, and suggest instead that was his intention all along.

Christopher Hitchens compares Barack Obama's race speech to the Gettysburg address and finds the former the "most boring speech ever made."

While Hitchens calls Obama a "megalomaniac narcissist," Ben Relles defends the campaign by detailing the layered process between raw material and Youtube-worthy product.

Christopher Hitchens names the "#1 failure" of Hillary Clinton's campaign Bill Clinton, whom Hitchens calls a "raging pyscho."

Hitchen "rejoices" in the campaign's failure, hoping Americans will now see both Clintons in their true colors.

Lizz Winstead and Christopher Hitchens wonder aloud about how "pointless, faux-political" and "ridiculous mainstream media is."

Hitchens remembers a LA Times poll asking Americans to vote on "cancer in a presidential [Reagan's] bottom."

Author Christopher Hitchens debates the Reverend Al Sharpton on the persistence of religious belief in a world of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement.

Christopher Hitchens, author, columnist and vocal supporter of the U.S. war in Iraq, discusses possible consequences were the U.S. to rapidly withdraw from the country.

Bestselling author and journalist Christopher Hitchens speaks with FORA.tv President and CEO Brian Gruber. This program was recorded prior to an event featuring Mr. Hitchens at City Arts and Lectures in San Francisco, CA, on May 23, 2007.