Reader Sastra has informed me that Christopher Hitchens is scheduled to receive the Richard Dawkins award from the Atheist Alliance of America this October in Houston, Texas:
The Richard Dawkins Award has been presented annually since 2003 to notable individuals for their work on behalf of promoting atheism and freethought around the world. Past recipients include Susan Jacoby, Bill Maher, Penn and Teller, Julia Sweeney, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Daniel Dennett, Ann Druyan, and James Randi.
This year, Richard Dawkins himself will present AAA’s Richard Dawkins Award to Christopher Hitchens, who may accept in person or in absentia as his schedule permits.
The last sentence is very sad.
UPDATE: I note with pleasure, however, that Hitchens is still turning in his weekly column on Slate.
Congratulations to Christopher,I do hope he is well enough to go.
Hopefully he can make it in person.
A more than deserved accolade, Mr. Hitchens.
Congrats Hitchens, you deserve it!
Christopher Hitchens deserves this more than anybody.
Not much at the moment, however, on news about his health.
No news is good news, I hope.
My heart is full when I consider the amount that Christopher has added to all our lives. And I hope to see Richard give him this award.
Long overdue.
You wouldn’t have known this without Sastra telling you ? Ok !
I’ve no doubt he would have. Sastra just was the first to bring it to his attention, and Jerry gave Sastra a tip o’ the hat by way of thanks.
b&
The Hitch is one of those rare people who is always worth paying careful attention to, even when he’s worng. He’s also rare in that he’s brutally honest, even with himself, and that he spares no effort in examining his own life. Most importantly, the world is noticeably a better place for his efforts, even if “all” he does is focus people’s attention on that which must not be ignored.
It is an honor and a privilege to share the spacetime continuum with him.
Without meaning any disrespect to the past recipients, I think it fair to state that Hitchens is the most deserving to date, and may well be the most deserving for the rest of my natural lifetime. Only Dawkins himself is currently as influential on the international stage, and his influence has never extended significantly into the political realm — and, of course, I would hardly expect Richard to award his own award to himself!
Cheers,
b&
He’s a fascinating character, a brilliant intellect, and all round an inspiring, engaging, perspicacious and talented man. I hope he can make it in person.
What excellent news! It would be hard to imagine a more worthy recipient this award.
This is a great prize for a tireless champion of reason who is devoted to the cause of fighting supernaturalism and how it harms us all. Congradulations Mr. Hitchens.
Great choice
Well done. Greatings for Hitchens and Dawkins from dark, katholic Poland.