Good ole Hitch is gone, once one of the most prescient and incisive critics of American imperialism. He cheer-led 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 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 at ‘cha! Writing nasty screeds, and tomes against the one and the creator will certainly not put one in the divinity’s best grace(s)! Agnosticism, I think, personally, is better fitting for us meager souls down here on Earth — but you certainly said your piece! 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 (even if a million 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 IMO neither science nor religion explains — this nutty multiverse — in which we all reside in! The golden rule seems to be just about the only thing, that suffices as a preeminent guideline. A guideline that you just didn’t follow IMO, 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 lesson, of course — which would have precluded wars of choice, preemptive war, and wars of aggression, by the way. 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!