Now we know why:
I have been advised by my physician that I must undergo a course of chemotherapy on my esophagus. This advice seems persuasive to me. I regret having had to cancel so many engagements at such short notice.
Good luck, Hitch. I wish you the best moving forward, and naturally, I'm not praying for you.
Footnote--As news of Mr. Hitchens' cancer spread through the blogosphere yesterday, virtually everyone made a comment along the lines of the one I made, or to the effect that they would be praying for him whether he likes it or not. Each sentiment has seemed to upset various groups of people. This is silly. For my part, I intended nothing more than a little black humor, not to make any point about his beliefs (or lack thereof.) More to the point, it happens to be literally true that I won't be praying for him, not out of deference to what he believes, but because of what I do.
Cantankerous as he is, I seriously doubt that Hitch finds the sincere prayers of his believing friends and well-wishers an affront. Nor would I, in his shoes...
5 comments:
No man since Senator Alan Simpson (Wyo - R retired) can make me shake my fist in rage one minute and have me cheering, standing in my seat the next minute like Mr Hitchens.
I'll hold him in the Light regardless of his lifelong pathology of confusing form and substance re: religion. When he's right, few in the world have ever been righter.
Hitchens wields the English language like no other person alive, IMHO. This is reason enough to read him, regardless of what you think of what he says. I certainly don't always agree with him myself, but when he is right...
Now, about you perpetuating the myth of Wyoming, here. We've talked about this...
If I could write one-sixtyfourth as well as him I'd be happy. I'd also be published by a major house instead of the minor indies nobody ever heard of.
I saw that convo about Wyoming but stayed silent because I once wondered aloud to a fellow Quaker "is there actually such a place as Wyoming?" and had to sit there listening to twenty minutes of reasons why, yes in fact, it existed. A problem we have, you see.
Truth to tell, though - and it must be said - Alan Simpson was actually the only human being ever born in Wyoming.
Ever.
i used to like hitchens when he appeared on hardball. he would say things others would not, or he'd say them differently. witty. he was cool.
i've never read any of his books,though. his column a few times.
Letters to a Young Contrarian is great. (And short!)
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