[Sam Cree]

That is just a great article. Hard to believe the guy is a socialist. It's true that the peaceniks and the left are taking positions that, by default, ally them with the terrorists, and all their hatred and evil.

However, I would like to know what Hitchens means by "reaction" and "reactionary." Maybe someone can enlighten me?

[wimpycat]

It must be some leftist thing. Maybe he's speaking in "code" to his fellow leftists.

[Andy from Beaverton]

He is a hard man to pin down. I think he's honest with himself most of the time. I debated him on Kosovo and he is willing to open his mind more than most columnist. I doubt we will be seeing him talk about this article on any of the talking head shows.

[cgbg]

I would like to know what Hitchens means by "reaction" and "reactionary." Maybe someone can enlighten me?

The socialists (including, amazingly enough, Hitchens) believe in a future world where we all will love each other and live in socialist bliss. Anything that gets in the way of that socialist dream is "reactionary".

Hitchen's analysis is correct as usual. Fundamentalist Islam would create a world where we would all worship Allah or die in a prison camp under some sort of Islamic theocracy of, by and for the ruling elite of Islamic clerics.

Hitchens is a fascinating character. He is a Leftist with a brain.

They are rare jewels indeed!

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

Here's a definition that seems to fit.

[Trailerpark Badass]

However, I would like to know what Hitchens means by "reaction" and "reactionary." Maybe someone can enlighten me?

In the socialist lexicon, "reactionary" is a synonym for "counter-revolutionary," though I think Hitchens is using it here to describe anyone who supports ideas which run counter to the goal of individual freedom.