Hitchens - all news, articles etc here

[Lee]

MOD NOTE: I'm making this into a sticky as Hitch is writing many articles and doing lots of interviews as he undergoes therapy for his cancer. So put all your Hitch stuff in here so it's all in one spot. Thanks /END MOD NOTE


Sad news everyone

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_631429.html

[Fearless]

Bugger, not good!

I really hate cancer. I think everyone has been touched by it in some way.

Hope he fights through it of course.

Christopher Hitchens is an example of a person I can like without having to like him - if you get what I mean.

I am one of the anti-smoking types that people love to hate and ridicule - there are similar 'sophisticated' types who think throwing beer cans at runners and cyclists is fun as well.

Mr Hitchens has often spoken with contempt about anti-smoking, and other health, measures taken by governments, he was/is a loud and proud smoker (and drunk).

Tobacco (and excess drink) use is a major risk factor for cancer of the oesophagus (pretty obvious really.)

While makes this sad news even sadder to me is that it could almost certainly have been avoided, this is not an ‘act of god’...... it is a predictable outcome of bad choices.

I hope Christopher will acknowledge he has been 'the author of his own misfortune' and now come out publically with a different view of health campaigns. I don’t know how much practice Christopher has of admitting he was wrong.

I have seen a person close to me (at a much younger age than Christopher) dramatically change their life, almost certainly due to their smoking, have it not been for the choice to smoke they would still have two legs. Like Christopher, they weren't interested in health, there own or anyone else’s.

After they became ill I have never mentioned it, but I often want to ask how they now feel now about the determination to be a smoker, and whether they regret refusing to listen to people who cared about them and begged them to give up. I also wonder if they regret the pain and distress brought to others - these are questions left unasked, thoughts that will never be discussed.

Most people accept that smoking hurts and kills you, yet most people still do not seem to realise how bad it really is.

It’s all very well being ‘caring’ and ‘sympathetic’ after someone is sick, the time to care is long before that, when something can still be done to prevent the sickness.

Sadly, the reality is you can’t help most people, it has to be their choice. I am sure we all know people who smoke and/or drink and eat too much, we know they are killing themselves but are helpless to do anything.

The general consensus amongst doctors seem to be 80% of illness (in some developed countries) is caused by our own lifestyle choices. Non-smokers, runners, healthy eaters etc, are often subject to contempt, anger and abuse from those who are proud of their own ridiculous lifestyle choice, yet when those same people become sick as a result of those choices they often expect concern and sympathy from those they have previously ridiculed.

I wonder if this news will cause anyone here to change their own lifestyles.

OK nuff said ....... time to get off my lazy backside and get my circulation moving.

'.... and may he have the freedom to treat his illness or control any suffering as he wishes. ....' - Or can afford.

'.....May he also be free from people pointing and preaching.... .' - As I said these are things that (once the person is sick) have to remain unsaid (to them). I think its OK to speak in general about things we care about, and comment on a public figures publically expressed views.

Being all warm and fuzzy after a person is sick, or dead, reminds me of the Chasers skit.

Governments, health professionals and other agencies must continue to speak and look for ways to stop this mass self-destruction.

Christopher has been an outspoken apologist for smoking - with his public profile, and previous public comments, I think he has a responsibly to reflect and comment on that.

I have had the pain of seeing a person go through things that could have been avoided - it still hurts, frustrates and angers, and its not over yet, there are no cures just containment. I continue to deal with their limited health, permanant disabilty, treatments and knowledge of the premature death to come.

It only ........

If there are people in your life you are watching harming themselves, I wish I could offer some suggestions of intervention that might help - but I can't.

[IVPITER]

Christopher Hitchens is someone I have great admiration for and hopefully he recovers from this illness.

[Logic]

Sad and I hope he kicks the cancer's ass, but smoking is an informed decision and I am sure he was well aware of the risks.

[Brother Nelson]

Originally Posted by Lee

Sad news everyone

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_631429.html

Thanks Lee.

That has put a bit of a dampner on my day but that is insignificant compared to the dampner it would have put on his day. I wish him well with his treatment.

[owheelj]

Terrible news. He's a big hero of mine.

[Jaar-Gilon]

I am one of the anti-smoking types that people love to hate and ridicule.

At least you warned us!

Christopher has been an outspoken apologist for smoking - with his public profile, and previous public comments, I think he has a responsibly to reflect and comment on that.

What's the bet he doesn't change his opinion regarding smoking.

[asparagus]

Sad news indeed.