Transcript of the relevant portion of the discussion about Iran on
the August 25 season premiere of the weekly HBO show aired live Friday
nights at 11pm EDT/10pm CDT:
Christopher Hitchens: “Who wants a Third Word War? The
Iranian President says that one member state of the United Nations
should be wiped physically from the map with all its people. He says
the United States is a Satanic power. Members of his government, named
members of his government have been caught sponsoring deaths squads.
He's lied, he's lied to the European Union about his nuclear program-”
Bill Maher: “But you know that a lot-”
Hitchens: “He says the Messiah is about to come back. Who's looking for a war here?”
Maher: “So does George Bush, by the way [audience applause]. That's not facetious [audience applause continues].”
Hitchens:
“That's not facetious. Your audience, which will clap at apparently
anything, is frivolous. [oohs and groans from audience, Hitchens gives
them the finger] Fuck you, fuck you. [groans continue]”
Maher: “I was just saying what the President of Iran and the
President of America have in common is that they both are a little too
comfortable with the idea of the world coming to an end.”
Hitchens: “Cheer yourself up like that. The President has said,
quite a great contrast before the podium of the Senate, I think
applauded by most present, in his State of the Union address, that we
support the democratic movement of the Iranian people to be free of
theocracy -- not that we will impose ourselves on them, but that if
they fight for it we're on their side. That seems to be the right
position to take, jeer all you like.” - [Via SondraK, Via Brent Baker at NewsBusters]