Today -- as is already, of course, all over the news, Twitter, and the like -- the world has learned that Christopher Hitchens has lost his battle with cancer. I do not know if the few who will see this journal will know him or his mountainous body of work, but suffice it to say that a great human being has been lost this day.

The time-honored phrase uttered at many a time such as this generally holds that the deceased was "a great many things to many people," but none so much as Christopher Hitchens. A reporter of unmatched caliber, an almost impossibly sharp wit, an incredibly keen mind... And one of the greatest humanists to have ever lived. That is to say, he was one of the greatest advocates for humanity, ever.

Trending on Twitter right now is the tag #GodIsNotGreat. It is the title of a book Hitchens wrote, one of many books he wrote, and has caused a kneejerk reaction among the faithful on Twitter. Violence has been threatened against whomever started the trend.

I am honestly uncertain as to whether Hitchens would love or hate this. Perhaps both, equally. He would love that he was able to get in a last word, even before his grave is dug; but the hatred over a simple hashtag on Twitter does a brilliant job of making his point.

Hitchens' personal faith, or rather profound lack thereof, was hardly his defining character, however.

It has been learned that the New York Times has stopped its presses to reprint their front page with the obituary of Christopher Hitchens. That is to say, that the most influential newspaper in the world has ground to a halt to make way for this one man's passing. Few testaments can be made to the impact and importance of a person that are greater than that.