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Out of respect, I didn't want to put this in the religion forums, though some people will assuredly have religious ideas about the story.

Lateline - 17/11/2010: Atheist Hitchens stares death in the eye

Of course I hope that he is able to beat the cancer he is fighting.

If he doesn't, I hope he lives as comfortably as possible until the end. I also hope that he manages to come up with a really mind blowing summary of his perspective on the world that is written in earnestness and a desire to contribute every ounce of intellectual value he has to offer the world before he goes. I can't stand listening to him "debate" with theists and I am usually too angered with his vanity to finish reading what he has written. That's why I'm hoping he'll write something for posterity instead of to be argumentative and angry.

Ideally, he'll both live and write a book I can read without throwing it down in disgust. Either way, it would be very morally corrupt for any of his detractors to claim his illness as a sign from God and I hope any that try are rightfully disgraced.

One can, of course, hope he finally writes something worthy before he leaves, it's not as though he's incapable. I've been unamused by his self-gratified posturing for as long as I've known of his existence but who knows, maybe writing to this last deadline will bring out the real Hitchens for once. He's rational, he's capable, he should never have adopted the US-TV shout-loudest-while-not-listening approach to life.

Exactly why I've been so annoyed reading his work. I think he has so much more to offer that what he has done. I want to read something that really shows his talent and brilliance.

Shame about that I have always had a soft spot for Hitchens. Yes he has got worse lately but I think he assumes that getting all shouty is the way that US audiences like it. On that note I am sure if I was faced with O'Reilly, Hannity et al I would become a bit shouty.

I think that if you want to read a well put argument the Dawkins is your man, I still watch his demoltion of Bill O'Reilly at least once a week.

I think the sentiment wishing that the religious lobby will not make capital out of this is admirable but I bet some of them will, the more extreme right will have a go I am sure.

dchistoryman;1344227 wrote: I think he assumes that getting all shouty is the way that US audiences like it.Regardless of whether the mindless audiences over there like it or not, it's bad form and seriously damages any attempt at a discussion. Gore Vidal never behaved that way in his life. Shouting over another opinion should be universally recognised as an admission of defeat. Interrupting should be too but I doubt whether American pundits even know the word exists.

Well, he's gone. I've not changed my mind about his boorish approach to discussion in public. To become Ann Coulter one must behave like Ann Coulter. That's what he did and that's where it got him.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16226580

I think he'd have helped society more if he'd been less offensive but maybe no one would have known his name if he'd been less offensive so... who's to say?

I couldn't stand listening to the man speak for more than 15 minutes. Other people wished he'd never stop talking.