I first came across Hunter S Thompson in Rolling Stone. I guess in the late 60's. It wasn't all that easy to regularly find copies of Rolling Stone in those days. It was great to read his take on USA politics "live" as it were. Then in 1971 (or was it 72) he wrote some articles on Nixon's campaign also "live". He careered through the campaign like a rocket fuel powered 360 degree video camera and recording machine. It was surreal but somehow more real than anything else around. Many a time since then I have dreamed of having my own Samoan Attorney.
During the last Australian election campaign I would have liked to lend my Samoan attorney to Nabakov, put up a Paypal button to collect money for drugs and send Nabs on Latham's Bus, or perhaps an orange or yellow Datsun 180B with a cloth top, to write a daily blog about it. It's now one of my great regrets in life that I didn't do it.
I was going to have a rant about the current state of Rolling Stone. But I've lost all passion. I don't care. It seems Rolling Stone doesn't care either.
I went to their web site expecting to see the front page at least dedicated to Hunter S. Nothing. Not a bloody thing. Not even a link. This is what we have come to. UPDATE: It took them about 48 hours but finally there is a link up. Weak as.
UPDATE: I didn't think I'd ever say this but Professor Bunyip has written something on Hunter S I can largely agree with.
Monday, February 21, 2005
fear & loathing writer shoots through
The guy who started the whole blogger style, Hunter S. Thompson, 'Gonzo' Journalist Who Wrote 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,' Kills Himself
By CATHERINE TSAI Associated Press Writer [..full article here..]
DENVER Feb 21, 2005 — Hunter S. Thompson, the acerbic counterculture writer who popularized a new form of fictional journalism in books like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," fatally shot himself Sunday night at his Aspen-area home, his son said. He was 67.
Besides the 1972 drug-hazed classic about Thompson's visit to Las Vegas, he also wrote "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72." The central character in those wild, sprawling satires was "Dr. Thompson," a snarling, drug- and alcohol-crazed observer and participant.
Thompson is credited with pioneering New Journalism or, as he dubbed it, "gonzo journalism" in which the writer made himself an essential component of the story. Much of his earliest work appeared in Rolling Stone magazine.
"Fiction is based on reality unless you're a fairy-tale artist," Thompson told the AP in 2003. "You have to get your knowledge of life from somewhere. You have to know the material you're writing about before you alter it."
Thompson was a counterculture icon at the height of the Watergate era, and Richard Nixon once said he represented "that dark, venal, and incurably violent side of the American character."
His compound in Woody Creek, not far from Aspen, was almost as legendary as Thompson. He prized peacocks and weapons; in 2000, he accidentally shot and slightly wounded his assistant, Deborah Fuller, trying to chase a bear off his property.
By CATHERINE TSAI Associated Press Writer [..full article here..]
DENVER Feb 21, 2005 — Hunter S. Thompson, the acerbic counterculture writer who popularized a new form of fictional journalism in books like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," fatally shot himself Sunday night at his Aspen-area home, his son said. He was 67.
Besides the 1972 drug-hazed classic about Thompson's visit to Las Vegas, he also wrote "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72." The central character in those wild, sprawling satires was "Dr. Thompson," a snarling, drug- and alcohol-crazed observer and participant.
Thompson is credited with pioneering New Journalism or, as he dubbed it, "gonzo journalism" in which the writer made himself an essential component of the story. Much of his earliest work appeared in Rolling Stone magazine.
"Fiction is based on reality unless you're a fairy-tale artist," Thompson told the AP in 2003. "You have to get your knowledge of life from somewhere. You have to know the material you're writing about before you alter it."
Thompson was a counterculture icon at the height of the Watergate era, and Richard Nixon once said he represented "that dark, venal, and incurably violent side of the American character."
His compound in Woody Creek, not far from Aspen, was almost as legendary as Thompson. He prized peacocks and weapons; in 2000, he accidentally shot and slightly wounded his assistant, Deborah Fuller, trying to chase a bear off his property.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
cornelia rau
No time. A short post.
Any time we take away anyone's freedom of movement and association we must also allow scrutiny of that action, and especially if the deprivation continues beyond a few days, by independent people or advocates for the detainee. We must also ensure that the person's health is maintained in a reasonable manner.
It doesn't matter if it is in a prison, a hospital, a refuge, a safe house, child protection, self protection, or refugee camp.
It doesn't matter if the person is sly, tricky, misguided, criminal, inarticulate, educated, uneducated, clever, wordy, well dressed, dishevelled, drunk, drugged or mad. Difficult and often dishonest people are mostly dealt with humanely and in a dignified way everyday in prisons and other places. We shouldn't have to wait until it seems as if it could be our own neighbour, sister, daughter or mother.
On another tack 1 & 2 newspapers allege that the name Ms Rau was using when arrested by police – Anna Schmidt – is a composite of the names of two other cult members who she met when involved with Kenja in 1998.
I believe Kenja is an "official" enemy of Scientology. This usually means it is an offshoot or breakaway cult.
Kenja gains a mention in the book Dangerous Persuaders: An Expose of Gurus, Personal Development Courses and Cults, and How They Operate in Australia. By Louise Samways
Also a mention in NSW Parliament by The Hon. S. B. MUTCH: on Tuesday, 15 March 1994 - about halfway down the page.
"The document "Our Australian Freedoms are Under Threat" was issued by members of a group known as Kenja, which I have had a go at in this House. The principal of that organisation has been charged with serious offences. I shall refrain from talking too much about that organisation because of the sub judice rule and I do not want to do anything that might prejudice that upcoming trial. It seems, from the way members of that group are running around, they are becoming concerned." [..more..]
A comprehensive list of issues and thoughtful discussion at dogfightatbankstown and troppoarmadillo and Prof Quiggin and Northcote Knob and others as they come to hand. Currency Lad writes about Ministerial responsibility, and other stuff, with regard to this case. Naturally barista always has a shot of short black for the brain.
Any time we take away anyone's freedom of movement and association we must also allow scrutiny of that action, and especially if the deprivation continues beyond a few days, by independent people or advocates for the detainee. We must also ensure that the person's health is maintained in a reasonable manner.
It doesn't matter if it is in a prison, a hospital, a refuge, a safe house, child protection, self protection, or refugee camp.
It doesn't matter if the person is sly, tricky, misguided, criminal, inarticulate, educated, uneducated, clever, wordy, well dressed, dishevelled, drunk, drugged or mad. Difficult and often dishonest people are mostly dealt with humanely and in a dignified way everyday in prisons and other places. We shouldn't have to wait until it seems as if it could be our own neighbour, sister, daughter or mother.
On another tack 1 & 2 newspapers allege that the name Ms Rau was using when arrested by police – Anna Schmidt – is a composite of the names of two other cult members who she met when involved with Kenja in 1998.
I believe Kenja is an "official" enemy of Scientology. This usually means it is an offshoot or breakaway cult.
Kenja gains a mention in the book Dangerous Persuaders: An Expose of Gurus, Personal Development Courses and Cults, and How They Operate in Australia. By Louise Samways
Also a mention in NSW Parliament by The Hon. S. B. MUTCH: on Tuesday, 15 March 1994 - about halfway down the page.
"The document "Our Australian Freedoms are Under Threat" was issued by members of a group known as Kenja, which I have had a go at in this House. The principal of that organisation has been charged with serious offences. I shall refrain from talking too much about that organisation because of the sub judice rule and I do not want to do anything that might prejudice that upcoming trial. It seems, from the way members of that group are running around, they are becoming concerned." [..more..]
A comprehensive list of issues and thoughtful discussion at dogfightatbankstown and troppoarmadillo and Prof Quiggin and Northcote Knob and others as they come to hand. Currency Lad writes about Ministerial responsibility, and other stuff, with regard to this case. Naturally barista always has a shot of short black for the brain.
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