A damn good writer is dead.

[Matt1]

Hunter S. Thompson killed himself. (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=3&u=/ap/20050221/ap_on_re_us/obit_thompson)

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is one of my favorite books. We've lost a unique voice today.

[Mighty_Wingman]

I was hoping this was one of those fake news stories, publicity stunt kinda things.

It's not... sucks... really sucks.

[Robbo_the_Hood]

Shit. That means it's going to be really busy at the bookstore today. And it will mean that all these people that never cared about Thompson before are going to be buying up all of his books like he was the greatest genius to die since Ray Charles.

In fact, this will be the most often asked question of me today: "Why is Hunter S. Thompson in Journalism, and can you help me find Ray Charles' Genius Loves Company? I looked all through 'Pop/Rock,' but I can't find your Ray Charles section. Oh, I didn't even think to look in R&B."

[Dave]

Dude,
you might as well just set up a "newly deceased" table near the front door, and save yourself a lot of trouble.

[Robbo_the_Hood]

You think we don't? I'm a good businessman. I called in today after reading that to make sure the store knew so they could begin making money by picking the flesh from his dead carcass.

[Razorback]

I have to question the genius of anyone who kills himself less than 3 months before Revenge of the Sith!!!

Anyway, I wasn't a fan and can't imagine ever reading anything of his work, but I would like to note that he was old... just in case anyone didn't notice. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

[Robbo_the_Hood]

You're not supposed to make me laugh. I'm supposed to scowl after everyone of your posts. Now get back on track!

[Jason_Brown]

Reminds of the French, Frith, Kaiser & Thompson song: "Now that I am Dead".

Now that I am dead
My agent finally said
He wanted to have lunch with me.

Now that I'm deceased
My record sales increased
I'm making lots of royalties.

I'm a composer, decomposing.
I'm on the Rocker's Roll of Fame.
My songs the critics are praising.
Yes, they even learned to spell my name.

Now that I have kicked
The Rolling Stone has picked
My albums as the best that be.

They all say that I was over-stressed
Since the break-up with my wife.
But, their payment plan was not the best
My check was in the mail all my life.

Too bad my genius was discovered
After my coffin was covered.
But I'm forever grateful to eternity
Now that my video's on MTV.

[Threadkiller]

Along with Arthur Miller we've lost a pretty good chunk of American literary heritage in the last month. These guys were both still writing too.

[DangerSeeker]

Yeah, last week Hunter had an article on ESPN about a new form of golf he'd come up with, and his 3AM phone call to Bill Murray to work out the details. It didn't seem like the sort of thing one on the verge of suicide would be writing. Also odd, it occurred to me a while later that Bill played him in a movie way before Depp, but I'd never considered that they became friends to the point where Hunter was considering calling Bill's brother too.

As for the bookstore thing, I plan on responding to the journalism question, "Because he was at the forefront of... come on now... BLANK journalism... think Muppets..."

Then I'll take them to the Doonesbury section and drop them off.

[Asteban]

<font color="green"> Some one I used to be friends with, but haven't talked to in about 4 months, told me about this today. He felt it was necessary to inform me of it. It was necessary, I jumped down a flight of stairs and told my brother. He was quite upset. </font color>

[JK]

Suicide is a punk-assed way to go, regardless of who you are. I don't see losing Thompson in this way as a tragedy at all. And yes, I've personally been affected by suicide... I know some people will take me to task for that statement, but killing yourself is a cowardly way to solve your problems. It forever leaves a stain on anything you might have accomplished in life.

[karmattack]

I didn't read much of Hunter's work, but I really did have an appreciation for it. I usually read to chill out, and his style took too much mental energy from me to translate the demented genius.

That said, this thread makes me almost feel guilty that I was making out with a special lady friend at the time I heard the news and acted like I didn't hear it.

[Dave]

I no longer have any simpathy for him. (http://entertainment.msn.com/celebs/article.aspx?news=182439) What an ass-hole.

[jjcourtright]

Doonesbury is running a tribute/story about Thompson. If you can imagine the story revolves around Duke. Starts here. (http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html?uc_full_date=20050307)