Politics, they say, is an ugly business.
Those of us on the left or the right hold our opinions, passions and beliefs dear to our hearts; recently Tea Partiers realized to their surprise they are willing, also, to fight for their beliefs. (Ed. sidenote: Barbara Boxer, this is figurative language as opposed to literal language.)
When you enjoy the rough and tumble of political arguments, you watch the talking heads go back and forth, winning some, losing some.
Along the way, you develop a respect for those who represent well their side of the argument, whether you agree with them or not.
An artfully turned phrase, a line of reasoning that pierces straight to the intellect, an unexpected laugh, either at oneself or others...
These are the elements that delight and spur thought.
Am I right on that issue? Do I need to strengthen my intellectual foundation for this issue? Why does that person believe that so strongly? What is waste? What is abundance?
Christopher HItchens was a master of eloquence, a sharp witted, at times besotted rhetorician of the left, and sometimes even the right.
I enjoyed him and his earnest portrayal of his positions on issues.
He made me laugh, something that rarely happens in politics.
So many of them are just downright mean and dirty, willing to claim old ladies are being thrown off the cliff because (fill in the blank).
Hitchens seemed to me honest, above all else, an aspect missing in so many talking heads. He was a real live in the flesh liberal, willing to examine his and others' opinions with laser precision, sometimes taking a knife to it.
I'll miss him and his voice on the national stage.
We could have used more like him, not less.
A person with whom we could disagree, respectfully.
As they say, Christopher Hitchens, RIP.
You know now there is a God.
I hope He welcomed you home.
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