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:If everyone left home in the morning with a strong piece of elastic attached to the back of their trousers, they'd be able to release it and simply spring home at night, with no discernable damage to the environment. Now, that's enough of these spiteful responses to Mr Hitchens. He's a good man doing his best. --[[User:OhNoPeedyPeebles|OhNoPeedyPeebles]] ([[User talk:OhNoPeedyPeebles|talk]]) 21:36, 17 November 2008 (UTC) |
:If everyone left home in the morning with a strong piece of elastic attached to the back of their trousers, they'd be able to release it and simply spring home at night, with no discernable damage to the environment. Now, that's enough of these spiteful responses to Mr Hitchens. He's a good man doing his best. --[[User:OhNoPeedyPeebles|OhNoPeedyPeebles]] ([[User talk:OhNoPeedyPeebles|talk]]) 21:36, 17 November 2008 (UTC) |
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== Peter's status == |
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Maybe someone should mention that Peter Hitchens is indeed a large penis. |
Revision as of 00:42, 31 December 2008
Journalism Unassessed | ||||||||||
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Staunch
I have now three times removed the word 'staunch' from the description of my position. If my position is staunch, it shouldn't need saying, likewise if it isn't. 'Staunch' is in any case not a word in normal currency. Its use makes a factual description into a partial statement and a cliche. Someone keeps putting it back. I cannot imagine why, but perhaps he or she could explain. I should have thought ( having already been outed as the evil editor of his own Wikipedia entry) that I was entitled to get rid of what looks to me like sycophancy from an entry about myself. Peter Hitchens, logged in as Clockback (talk) 13:28, 5 June 2008 (UTC)
Spelling of middle name
Is his middle name "Jonathan" (top of article) or "Johnathan" )picture caption)?
- "Johnathan" was only given here on WP, so I have corrected it. Philip Cross (talk) 18:38, 14 April 2008 (UTC)
Is there any such name as "Johnathan"? I thought it was a mis-spelling. Peter Hitchens, logged in as Clockback (talk) 12:47, 25 April 2008 (UTC)
Yes, of course I edit this entry
The great glowing warning above seems to suggest that there is some sort of secret about the fact that I edit this entry. On the contrary, I have many times publicly acknowledged that I do so, to ensure factual accuracy, and I see to it that my sign-in 'clockback' is identified as mine, so it is easy to see what I have done and where I have been. I did not, however, create the entry in the first place, or write it as a whole. I have left in it a number of descriptions of my positions, etc, written by other people which I might express better, because I think I should limit my intervention to ensuring that the entry is factually correct. It would be wrong for anyone to assume that this was a self-description. Peter Hitchens, signed in as Clockback (talk) 12:47, 25 April 2008 (UTC)
Disagreeable experiences
I have now twice removed a claim in the entry that I said in my Mail on Sunday blog that the Grand Rapids debate with my brother was a disagreeable experience. The entry, containing this inaccurate claim, seems to suggest that I had decided - as a result of it being 'disagreeable'- that I would not debate with my brother again. This is demonstrably not so. I said before and during the debate itself( at the very beginning, in my introductory remarks, and also at a press conference held a few hours before, both recorded) that I would not again take part in a public debate with my brother. This was a decision I took before the debate took place, in fact during my journey to Grand Rapids. Whoever reinstated this the first time should check the reference they themselves provide. The entry they produce contains no such statement. Peter Hitchens, logged in as Clockback (talk) 13:39, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
Noted - however, if if I am not mistaken, you did say in your blog that you thought it was an unpleasant experience, which prompted the chosen wording, though I can see now that that wording does indeed create the inaccurate impression that this directly led to your decison not to debate C Hitchens again.Jprw (talk) 08:35, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
I am puzzled. Which words are these? Peter Hitchens, signed in as Clockback (talk) 18:03, 25 May 2008 (UTC)
"It was quite unpleasant. I fought as hard as I could for what I think." see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-557443/Hitchens-vs-Hitchens--Peace-lifelong-feud-brothers-laid-rest.html. I got the reference wrong - it was your column and not your blog. Anyway, 'disagreeable' seems a fair enough synonym for 'unpleasant', so my original entry in your article seems justified. Jprw (talk) 07:27, 21 June 2008 (UTC)
I have just made a new entry that takes into account the above. Jprw (talk) 07:35, 21 June 2008 (UTC)
Impressed as I am by this person's fierce, relentless determination to work this into the article, I should point out that what I described as 'unpleasant' was not the act of debating with my brother, but the experience of defending my faith in front of a largely hostile audience. This is a statement of the obvious, really, and would have been the case whoever my opponent was, or even if I hadn't had one. Does this interpretation really belong in a section devoted to my relations with my brother? Also, this wasn't my column, which generally takes the form of five or more items about topical matters, but a separate article. Peter Hitchens, logged in as Clockback (talk) 11:40, 23 June 2008 (UTC)
"This is a statement of the obvious, really, and would have been the case whoever my opponent was, or even if I hadn't had one." I'm not quite sure what this means. Anyway, I'll undo it as it doesn't seem that important. Jprw (talk) 13:21, 23 June 2008 (UTC)
What it means is that discussing highly personal matters in front of a largely hostile audience is unpleasant, and that as soon as you see the circumstance described, you realise that it would be. I mean, it would hardly be pleasant, would it? The name and nature of my opponent are not the point. It would have been the case had I been speaking alone, and without an opponent. Thus, it's a statement of the obvious. As is this reiteration.
Peter Hitchens, logged in as Clockback (talk) 16:42, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
Terrible terminology
As a subscriber to the force of natural selection, I find that the usage of "Darwinism" as a descriptive term to be horrific. No one, outside of the Creationist community, uses this aberration. Searching for the term "Darwinism" returns no result on this wiki, and a search for "Darwinist" only returns references to Social Darwinism. One should not refer to those who believe in the existence of Natural Selection as Darwinists, much as how those who do believe in the concept of relativity are not Einsteinists. At least put quotation marks about the term each time. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.249.15.13 (talk) 03:36, 21 November 2007 (UTC)
Core Beliefs
Peter Hitchens frequently asserts a (supposed) love of free speech but doesn't seem to understand how to apply this ideal in practice. Comments to his blog are apparintly screened by a team of 'moderators' who delete or heavily edit anything he might just find hostile or disagreeable. When a comment of mine was published (attached to my real name at his insistence), he attacked me at leangth. Strangely my response never appeared... JDerek.C (talk) 19:32, 5 May 2008 (UTC)
If this person contacts me at the Mail on Sunday with copies of the contributions involved, I will see to it that they are published provided they fall within the rules of the blog, which is on the site of a major newspaper group and (like the newspapers) governed by the laws of England, not covered by the US First Amendment as we would all no doubt prefer. I also ( as I have made clear from the start) refuse contributions which contain bigoted expressions, even if they are lawful.
I do not and obviously cannot "insist" that contributors use their real names, though I state clearly that I prefer them to do so, and tend to mock and chide people who needlessly hide behind pseudonyms or silly names.
I am perfectly entitled to respond to contributors, in fact that is the point of the site. And I am perfectly entitled to attack their arguments, if I disagree with them. It seems a bit odd to allege that free speech is being impeached, and then to complain when it is used against you. Any visitor to the site can see that many comments highly critical of me and my ideas are published.
Some contributions simply get lost, including ones that I post myself. The technology is imperfect, and so are we, and so such things can happen. Others get needlessly snared by over-sensitive filters. Keep a copy and send it again, is my advice.
Peter Hitchens, signed in as Clockback (talk) 18:01, 25 May 2008 (UTC)
It should be pointed out that the above response clearly neglects to address the issue of outrageous comment-editing that is commonplace on the forum. Moderators have been known to publish comments only after certain opinions, seemingly proscribed, have been removed. It is this issue, even more than that of contributions being barred in their entirety, which raises concerns about the extent to which freedom of speech can really be practiced on the blog. New Canadian (talk) 16:46, 26 July 2008 (UTC)
Too much about Christopher?
Does anyone else think that a disproportionate amount of space in this article is dedicated to his relationship with his brother? It almost makes Peter seem like someone who is only notable for leeching fame off of Christopher. We don't need such a detailed breakdown of their political differences.--96.52.132.224 (talk) 20:45, 6 June 2008 (UTC) After looking at Christopher Hitchen's page, I feel the need to mention that Chris' article has a smaller section on the relationship between the brothers, despite having a much larger article in total. That reinforces my belief that the weighting is a little off.--96.52.132.224 (talk) 20:49, 6 June 2008 (UTC)
The section only seems to be a slightly more fleshed out version of the one on Christopher's article. I think the first paragraph could probably be cut down significantly though, maybe reduced to a sentence. Other than that I wouldn't say it was overly large. EvilRedEye (talk) 14:17, 8 June 2008 (UTC)
It is completely unnecessary to mention his relationship to Christopher Hitchens in the opening paragraph. Val Hayes signed in as New Canadian (talk) 15:10, 26 July 2008 (UTC)
- Why? Since Christopher Hitchens is more widely known internationally than his brother, it is reasonable that he should be mentioned in the introduction to this article. While it is true the 'Relationship with elder brother Christopher' section is referenced in the contents list, this option is not always visible. Philip Cross (talk) 19:43, 26 July 2008 (UTC)
- I'm with Philip Cross on this one - I think the relationship notable in the intro, especially since the debate between the Hitchens bros. at the Hauenstein Center. Mimi (yack) 12:00, 28 July 2008 (UTC)
- I also agree that it should be included, Christopher is more well known in some parts of the world and it's helpful to spell out the link between the two. EvilRedEye (talk) 10:44, 29 July 2008 (UTC)
Rape and Reason
Just to note that I have substantially altered an entry in the 'Controversy' section about my recent article on compensation for rape. It was inaccurate in one small respect, left out many important facts and quoted only a very small part of my main argument. Peter Hitchens, logged in as 'Clockback' Clockback (talk) 09:30, 28 August 2008 (UTC)
Opinions on Immigration
I scanned this article looking for something about Peter Hitchens view on immigration but unless I am mistaken, and apoligies if I am, there is no acknowledgement of the subject and certainly no explicatory information regarding it. Indeed, as I understand it Hitchens has been suspiciosly quiet about the issue of immigration; on his blog, in his books, and in his weekly newspaper column. JDerek.C (talk) 23:27, 29 August 2008 (UTC)
- He is vociferously against it. Philip Cross (talk) 23:36, 29 August 2008 (UTC)
The reference in the article (currently numbered 13) dealing with my criticisms of the BNP links to a blog article in which (while also attacking the BNP) I state my position on immigration in some detail. Peter Hitchens, logged in as Clockback (talk) 16:22, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
On motor cars
It says in the article (under "Core beliefs"): "He has said that he wishes the motor car had never been invented because of the damage it has done to society." If that is relevant, then perhaps it is also relevant to say whether he owns and uses one. Does anybody know? (Obvious candidate: Yourself, mr "Clockback".) I have found that quite often, the more vehemently people claim to be against motor cars, the more likely they are to have and use one. In my opinion, this says quite a lot about their consistency and integrity. Given the vehemence of mr Hitchens alleged opinion, it wouldn't surprise me if his were a two-car (at least) household... -- CRConrad (talk) 07:28, 16 October 2008 (UTC)
- He does own and use one. He has mentioned on his blog (so Googlable) that he holds driving licences permitting him to drive in the UK, America and Russia I think. But check his blog archives which contain references to his driving experiences in a car in this country. Mimi (yack) 16:20, 16 October 2008 (UTC)
- Well, you asked, and now here is the answer. Alas, the car has been invented, and our society has since been designed around it. I do have a car, just the one, though I'd rather not and hope the day will come when I'll be able to do without it completely. I am sometimes obliged to drive, as are many other people, not by any desire to do so, but by the lack of proper public transport, and also by the equally significant lack of services for carrying heavy luggage efficiently. Similarly, I'm frequently obliged to fly, though I dislike this means of transport almost as much as cars, and would much rather go by ship and train. But I fly because there simply isn't time to go the pleasant way, and because, absurdly, flying is often hugely cheaper than train and ship. When I lived and worked in the USA I would try to travel to assignments by plane, and return by train, and have used more of the US rail network than most Americans even know exists.
My general view is that one should use cars (this includes taxis) only where there is no reasonably practicable alternative, and I think I can say that I stick to that. I would expect to drive no more than once or twice a month. I know how to reach most major airports by public transport (when I lived in Moscow I think I was the only correspondent who ever travelled to Sheremetyevo-2 by Metro and bus, which I almost always did once I found out how it could be done, and how much reading I could do on the way ) and I use this method wherever it is possible and safe. I recently used the suburban railways to travel around Bombay, finding them faster, more convenient and more interesting than sitting in traffic jams.
I did not obtain a driving licence for a car until 1982, when I was 30, and then reluctantly. It was increasingly difficult to live and work in Britain without one, , and a licence is more or less essential in the USA. I drove rarely in Moscow, especially after being rammed by a lorry on the ring road, and used the Metro, trams and trolleybuses for most journeys in that city. I drove more in the US, where I passed the test after undergoing a compulsory cours on alcohol abuse, required of all non-US citizens, and held a Maryland licence. Mainly I drove when on on assignment out of the Washington area. In Washington DC itself , where I lived, there is an excellent Metro, and the suburbs, though designed to frustrate through traffic, were navigable by bicycle or on foot with a bit of effort.
I have had a full motor-cycle licence from the age of 18, but long ago managed to injure myself quite seriously, fortunately without doing major harm to anyone else, and have given that up.
It is quite reasonable to ask this question, and I hope you feel it's been properly answered.
Peter Hitchens, logged in as Clockback (talk) 15:21, 24 October 2008 (UTC)
Peter Hitchens (Clockback ?), you are still a bit of an hypocrite for criticising motor vehicles and people that use them even though you use them. You make the excuse "I am sometimes obliged to drive" well no you are not "Obliged to drive" you can get public transport like the rest of us.
I think Peter Hitchens's hypocrisy should be added to this article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.104.226.92 (talk) 14:56, 13 November 2008 (UTC)
- Oh, come on; that's quite unreasonable of you. Also, rather illitterate: He actually said he does use public transport as much as he can. Have you ever worked as a newpaper correspondent in Washington DC, Mr Anonymouse? If you have, then you can claim that it's possible to do that wholly without a car -- if not, then it would behoove you to STFU. -- CRConrad (talk) 09:09, 17 November 2008 (UTC)
Extraordinary. Ignorant, spiteful responses hiding behind anonymity. What interest do such people have in an encyclopaedia, I wonder? One sometimes despairs of the ability of some individuals to take part in rational discussion, and wonders if there is any point in candour . I make it quite plain in the above response that I walk, bicycle and use public transport wherever possible, and in circumstances where most people would not do so. Anyone who seeks to do this in real life, especially in the USA but also in large parts of modern Britain, will find that certain types of journey simply cannot be accomplished without a motor car - either in the form of a taxi or of a self-driven private car. As I specified, these are sometimes journeys where the traveller has a large load of luggage. I would certainly be hypocritical if I attacked people for doing this, and then did it myself. But I don't . I say I wish the car had never been invented, not least because its invention has created a landscape in which this ugly, unpleasant and wasteful device has become essential and unavoidable for far too many people. This is even more so in the Third World. I favour the redesigning of our country ( and others) so as to minimise car use, by making it less necessary. But I recognise that there will always be some journeys, especially those very late at night or in remote areas, where a car is more or less essential. Peter Hitchens, signed in as Clockback (talk) 13:22, 14 November 2008 (UTC)
- If everyone left home in the morning with a strong piece of elastic attached to the back of their trousers, they'd be able to release it and simply spring home at night, with no discernable damage to the environment. Now, that's enough of these spiteful responses to Mr Hitchens. He's a good man doing his best. --OhNoPeedyPeebles (talk) 21:36, 17 November 2008 (UTC)
Peter's status
Maybe someone should mention that Peter Hitchens is indeed a large penis.