Hunter S. Thompson: Death of an Icon

Death of an Icon
Hunter Thompsonâ??s death touched me, hard. I remember John F
Kennedyâ??s death, and Bobbyâ??s and Malcomâ??s, and each of those deaths made a
difference to me. Jimmi, Janis, they all touched me somehow. And Hunter kept
going. Through him the sixties energy, that take â??the wall by stormâ?� attitude
continued. And yes, I was hurt when I heard it was suicide.
But Iâ??ve had a day or two to think about it. Yes. I have had my years of
drug abuse, the massive cocaine binges that killed people around me, or the
decades of fog fueled by weed and whiskey. I under stand pain and have looked
longingly at the barrel of a gun more than once and considered the peace that
oblivion would bring. Somehow I am still here, against all odds Iâ??m still here.
But when I think of the pain, the tremendous soul searing pain that brought
me to this point I would not ask any other person to endure it. Nor would I deny
them the option to release the life that caused them that pain. Not my worst
enemy, not Terri Shivo, not even that corrupt and thoroughly evil bastard George
W Bush. No one should be judged wanting, or defective for leaving the pain
behind.
At his age he had earned the right to make the decision. While I might,
under certain very specific conditions restrict a minor child from taking the
ultimate step, it is our own Karma and Soul that must bear the burden of the
Wheel and if we choose to step off we must accept the consequences of that
release and how we will return to complete our spiritual mission.
Yes, I felt Hunter had the world by the tail. Yes as a struggling writer who
has tried for forty years to make a living as a wordsmith I felt he was the pinnacle
I aspired to. Yes, while I would have sold my soul to the devil, ( or Richard Nixon)
to live a year, or even a day as Hunter, it is not my place to Judge him. That
responsibility is far beyond the ken of any mortal man and we who are left behind
must forgive and carry the candle forward in the hurricane, protecting the flame
he kindled.
So if you want to imagine â??what ifsâ?� write Science Fiction, but do not
attempt to Judge a man whose life you have not lived for choices you do not
approve of, as based on morals of your own choosing. The secret of Hunter was
Love. And if you respect any part of Hunterâ??s contributions you must accept and
cherish his choice: pay him the ultimate compliment, forgive and Love. Like a
butterfly in a world of maggots he was different and very beautiful.


Doctor G

Wonderfully said.

He was our last taste of the 60s-70s.

This was no society for Hunter though. A Woman's society under Conservative rule... Hunter hated Nixon... I can imagine he didn't like Bush either. He didn't have much to live for other than the teenagers who liked Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas, the movie. To me, that's a shitty feeling. The new generation doesn't like you, they like the movie you played a the role of your future self... while your book is left sitting in a pile of dust for those who did buy the book.. while the DVD remains in the DVD player. He was a journalist... and he'll be remembered by kids as the writer of that funny movie all about drugs...

I've never gotten a chance to do acid, or trip reguardless. I feel as if I've missed my chance. The recent deaths of Jerry Garcia, Tim Leary, Ken Kesey, now Thompson... Whether or not I venture into the world of psychadelics, it will never mean the same thing as if I were to have done it before a few of these deaths.

Who do we have left?

hey!!People used to compare me to him then again they also compared me to Jeff Spicoli too.What the fuck do people know

It might be that (they made it) look like suicide,but it could possible he was murdered. I read some where he was working on a new book about the World Trade Towers coming down.

Maybe he was terminally ill and didnt just want to fade away, so he thought im gonna go out with a bang (no pun intended).

It was the pain of the hip replacement and the broken leg. According to his son Juan , "it wasn't fun any more". So he took matters into his own hands. I can't fault him, I just wish he was still with us. They plan to hire a crew to fire his ashes out of a cannon over his property in Colorado. I wish I could be there.
Love to all
Doctor G

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PurplePotatoes

He was our last taste of the 60s-70s.

This was no society for Hunter though. A Woman's society under Conservative rule... Hunter hated Nixon... I can imagine he didn't like Bush either. He didn't have much to live for other than the teenagers who liked Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas, the movie. To me, that's a shitty feeling. The new generation doesn't like you, they like the movie you played a the role of your future self... while your book is left sitting in a pile of dust for those who did buy the book.. while the DVD remains in the DVD player. He was a journalist... and he'll be remembered by kids as the writer of that funny movie all about drugs...

I've never gotten a chance to do acid, or trip reguardless. I feel as if I've missed my chance. The recent deaths of Jerry Garcia, Tim Leary, Ken Kesey, now Thompson... Whether or not I venture into the world of psychadelics, it will never mean the same thing as if I were to have done it before a few of these deaths.

Who do we have left?

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I'd have to disagree. He was still popular in many circles, and I have several recent issues of Rolling Stone and High Times in which he contributed some of his general awesomeness. It's a bit short-sighted to reduce his legacy to Terry Gilliam's movie. He'll still be remembered for pioneering gonzo journalism, and with it revolutionizing American literature.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dick Justice

I'd have to disagree. He was still popular in many circles, and I have several recent issues of Rolling Stone and High Times in which he contributed some of his general awesomeness. It's a bit short-sighted to reduce his legacy to Terry Gilliam's movie. He'll still be remembered for pioneering gonzo journalism, and with it revolutionizing American literature.

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I really hope not. I've read two books of his this year... he's a very good writer. I love the idea of gonzo journalism, and how well he writers. But most the highschool kids I know that have heard the story of Fear and Loathing, will have seen the movie, and that be the only thing they know about Mister Thompson. (Sorry, I'm blazed right now, just in case if it's not that great)

We can only hope that high school kids aren't his only audience.

I know my children know who he was , and I can assure you my grand children will know as well. But them I'm the old man of this discussion...............
Doctor G