Personally I looked forward to his jousts and debates on TV and there's a fine legacy of YouTube clips to back this up. As an example, his introduction and support to a speech given by Naom Chomsky is so clever, his legacy cannot be dismissed so peremptorily.

josepp says:

"He was largely a waste of space. An intellectual argument against Christianity? Why, is one necessary? Do we need intellectual arguments against Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy?"

I believe Hitchens' views were against all religion, not just Christianity, however josepp has a point...the only difference being that Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy are not particularly known for initiating wars in their names - which religion, per se, has done throughout history. The conclusion which is absolutely correct is that people of faith have just that...faith...and no amount of argument will dissuade them of it. In support of true balance, however, we shouldn't stop preaching against the excesses of religion though, any more than we shouldn't stop railing against Fascism or Stalinism or any other hideous 'ism' - just because your opponent has faith.

I wouldn't mind betting that twenty or so years ago Hitchens' views would have been perfectly in tune with the radical left but that his (relatively) recent volte face on some issues have made things rather difficult.

But I agree with Big Al...calling the man a fuckhead does little to reinforce an opinion.