Centerfield

A Rough Death For Hitch

Hitchens is distraught because a brave and smart soldier was killed in Iraq after being inspired to enlist partly by his columns.

Of course, both the kid and Hitch did the right thing. Democracy needs active and intelligent defense.

"Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighbouring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves. Its administration favours the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy. If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences . . . for the Athens that I have celebrated is only what the heroism of these and their like have made her . . .

-- Pericles' Funeral Oration. Still rings true today, thousands of years later, doesn't it?