Good ole Christopher Hitchens is gone, once one of the most prescient and incisive critics of American imperialism, he cheerled for it during the abominable administration of George W. Bush. Still a record as impressive as his should not be eviscerated, by one conspicuously and egregiously recognizable mistake. Estimates as high as a million dead, have been recorded, though, and he put himself in league with some very dark-hearted and malignant folks.
And, indeed, one wonders about this so-called war against Islamofascism, and how much of it is legitimate and how much of it is just kindling for the MIC. And also, of course, how much of it, is just for scaring the shit out of folks. Enemies don’t just appear from the firmament, they (typically) have to be prefabricated, trumped up and/or invented out of whole cloth. But, then again, you’d probably consider this the kind of thinking that earned your former examplar, Gore Vidal, the “dignified” and “distinguished” title of crackpot!
But, nevertheless, be sure and rest in peace Hitch, though if God exists, he or she will surely be pissed as hell atcha. Writing nasty screeds, and tomes against the one and the creator will certainly not put one in the divinity’s best graces. Agnosticism, I think, personally, is better fitting, for us meager souls down here on Earth, but you, certainly, said your peace. The only thing that we know, for sure, is that you’re either rotting or in some form of acute metaphysical reeducation/concentration camp.
As I said one mistake (though a million Iraqis are dead), and one egregious insult to a very respected, eminent, and learned man of letters, should be enough for you to make it to at least purgatory; but who am I to be a seer (or knower) of such meaningful and purposeful thoughts. Though, in my opinion, neither science nor religion explains this nutty multiverse in which we all reside. The golden rule seems to be just about the only thing, that suffices as a preeminent guide. A guide that you just didn’t follow, Hitch.
Though, you may have been gifted and talented on so many levels, Hitch, it’s just a shame that you didn’t put some investment into the perennial philosophy. This would have included the aforementioned golden rule, of course, which would have precluded wars of choice, preemptive war, and wars of aggression. Maybe then some of those estimated liquidated, eviscerated and dead in Iraq, would be left alive and well—and six feet above the Earth, instead of under it today.
Sean Fenley is an independent progressive, who would like to see some sanity brought to the creation and implementation of current and future, US military, economic, foreign and domestic policies. He has been published by a number of websites, and publications throughout the alternative media.
Who is this Fenley person that feels confident enough to scoff at the great Gore Vidal and call him a crackpot? Do you any credentials that are a micro fragment of those of that fine historian and author or are you simply a blathering schmuck?
You misread what Sean Fenley wrote. He did not call Gore Vidal a “crackpot.” Fenley was referring to Christopher Hitchens calling Vidal a “crackpot” because Vidal doesn’t buy Washington’s official 9/11 tale.
As Rick Perry said, “oops”. It’s time for the pointed cap, a new pair of glasses and a remedial reading course. Full apology to Mr. Fenley.
I frankly knew about much of this, but having said that, I still believed it had been helpful. Very good post!
Thank you for making the effort to explain the terminlogy for the starters!