No more Gonzo Journalism

Hunter S. Thompson killed himself this weekend.

I suppose it was inevitable. He was nuts, drank, used drugs, and had too many guns. Many years ago, I thought Thompson shooting himself was inevitable, but now that I am older, I realize that 65 is just too young to die. Suicide is a cowards way out and a symptom of a deeper illness.

My first exposure to Thompson was during Jimmy Carter's campaign for the Presidency. It was published in Rolling Stone. He was the first person to nail that Carter would go on to win the election. No one else had a clue. It was also the first election I was eligible to vote. Very turbulent times.

After that, I read "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" (and saw "Where The Buffalo Roam" with Bill Murray).

I think Thompson committed suicide for the same reasons as Hemmingway. Two very different writers from different times, but pursued by the same demons (not daemons).