Aw, Nuts

Christopher Hitchens was a gifted essayist and keen thinker; he passed away today at 62.

Although he could be virulent and petulant in his arguments against religion (he was a committed atheist), Hitchens could also present his case and argue his point with courtesy and charity -- which he did often, although not as often as one might wish. He was willing to show respect towards faithful people more often than ranting pedantists like Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris or Philip Pullman -- even though he sometimes didn't.

Either way, it was a load of fun to watch him take aim and fire when his target was one that a reader might also wish to see suffer a few blows. He had an understanding of satire that escapes probably more than 90 percent of those who claim to practice it.

And not having new Hitchens around to read will make life a little more boring, to be certain.