Christopher Eric Hitchens (13 April 1949 – 15 December 2011)
English-American, Literary Critic, Journalist, Author,
Essayist, Polemicist, and Outspoken Anti-theist
Don’t take refuge in the false security of consensus and the feeling that whatever you think you’re bound to be okay because you’re in the safely moral majority . . . my own opinion is enough for me and I claim the right to have it, defend it against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, anyplace, anytime; and any anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.
Always Question Authority 
RIP Hitch, such a great man. Really like your blog by the way
I had only come across Hitchen’s work a few years ago and am sad that it wasn’t sooner. However, he has made an indelible mark on me. Thanks for this quote.
If more people just do what they love, without fear of condemnation by others, we would get a lot more done, do better work, and be happier for it.
I don’t agree with him on some things, but I think the world was better off with him here.
What incredible courage that man had. What a terrible loss to the quest for reason!
One could only observe in absolute astonishment his photographic memory and encyclopedic mind in action. I personally, and without reservation, place his mind at the top of the list of the greatest minds that has ever been bestowed on mankind.
If I may take the great one’s quote out of context and say that, “any anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.”
I really wish I had learned more about him while he was alive, as my respect for him has grown immensely as of late. What you say about him is very similar to my thoughts on the works of Ayn Rand – and my outrage at the way her words have been twisted and misused since her death. Let’s hope the legacy of Christopher Hitchens receives better treatment.
BTW, I’d love to know what he thought of her…
He did not have a high opinion of her work as may be witnessed in the following video:
I think that if one were to take Ayn Rand’s writings strictly as fictional literature, and not as a working model for an economic, or moralistic way of life, one would likely walk away with an appreciation for what it is, literature; however, like clockwork, because of the two Santa Clause theory (Goggle it, you may find it rather interesting) anytime a Democrat takes the White House the Party of racists and homophobes rushes to the big box bookstores to embrace the economic theory of Ayn Rand’s fictional works. I think this is what Christopher Hitchens takes issue with.
I ran across the same video in a quick search after posting my comment, but I can’t make out the audio very well. However, more reading lead me to pretty much the same conclusion as you. And the way her work has been twisted for political expediency is precisely the source of my outrage. I’ve done a whole series of posts aimed at combating this, which are listed on my In Her Own Words Contents page.