Thompson's Ashes May Be Shot From Cannon

[geomon666]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=525991

Brinkley also said Thompson did not take his life "in a moment of haste or anger or despondency" but probably planned his suicide well in advance because of declining health. The author of books including "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was in pain from a host of problems that included a broken leg and a hip replacement.

"I think he made a conscious decision that he had an incredible run of 67 years, lived the way he wanted to, and wasn't going to suffer the indignities of old age," Brinkley said. "He was not going to let anybody dictate how he was going to die."

Thompson had spent an intimate weekend with his son, daughter-in-law and young grandson, the spokesman said.

"He was trying to really bond and be close to the family" before his suicide, Brinkley said. "This was not just an act of irrationality. It was a very pre-planned act."

Family members had no hint that Thompson planned to take his own life, Brinkley said, and he did not leave a note. "There was no farewell salutation," he said.

[toymachines]

1. hunter was ready for that final great trip

hope it treated him well.

[dave123williams]

2. Good writer, but self-important, selfish prick.

Anybody who would hurt their loved ones with that selfish act is beneath contempt.

[Heidi]

3. Scope out this scenario . . .

You have a loved one who is 67 years old, has had an incredible run in life, but is now living in pain due to hip replacement surgery, a broken leg, and other mental and physical health concerns known only to his closest friends and family. But you don't want that person to have autonomy over his own existence because you might be hurt by it.

Now, who's the self-important, selfish prick in this scenario?

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cooley Hurd]

5. I agree...

Would you keep your dog or cat alive if they were in unmanagable, chronic pain? I'll never understand that...

[dave123williams]

14. No, but I wouldn't shoot my dog in front of my grandson, either.

[Rush1184]

25. Hunter did not kill himself IN FRONT of his family...

He waited till they were all out of the house on sunday, after spending a close weekend with them.

[dave123williams]

Oh, so it mustn't have been at all traumatic to find grandpa...

...with his head blown off by his own hand. He...was a selfish prick, as is anybody who goes for effect when euthanising themselves.

How 'bout a nice, quiet morphine overdose? Or barbituates and alcohol?

You're probably right; nothing says "I loved you guys" better than a gunshot wound to the brain.

[Rush1184]

29. First of all, i do not believe if was his grandson who found him,

I think it was his son, though it could have been his wife, I am not competely sure though. He did not use a gun for effect. He used a gun because he liked guns, and though they have not released what kind of gun was used yet, I am willing to bet almost anything it was a .44 magnum, for which he use to joke about having a fetish.

His family, I am sure, understand why he killed himself the way he did, as do his fans.

[MnFats]

7. It's awfully presumptious to label him a 'self-important, selfish prick'

We don't know all the facts. We don't know the state of his health.

What we do know is that he had ferocious insight and balls that clanged when he walked. We'll miss him. We sure need him around now. But we have to respect his decision.

[JanMichael]

11. Kiss off

and hope to God or the Goddess that you will never be in that situation.

[dave123williams]

15. He SHOT himself with kids in the house. Duh.

[Karenina]

22. I've not heard it reported

that his grandson was in his house or anywhere near his office. :shrug: Woody Creek is a large COMPOUND. Speaking as one who survived a father's suicide, y'all need to get off your high horses and into an acceptance of CHOICE. You have only just seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to suicide in your midst. Back from Iraq, coming to a neighborhood near you.

It is a CHOICE that cannot be contravened. Deal with it.

[Rush1184]

27. You are wrong.

His family was out of the house, his wife was at the gym or something... get your facts straight.

[Heidi]

13. His family expected it . . .

Son: Thompson spoke of suicide well before death
ASPEN, Colorado (AP) -- Journalist Hunter S. Thompson discussed committing suicide at least 10 years before he took his life, his family said.

Thompson's son and daughter-in-law, Juan Thompson and Jennifer Winkel Thompson, said that the 67-year-old "gonzo journalist" had outlived his own expectations.

"I've known for many, many years that this is how Hunter would go," Juan Thompson told the Rocky Mountain News in Thursday's editions. "It was just a question of when. This was a big surprise and I didn't expect it to be now, but the means was exactly as we expected."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/books/02/24/thompson.death.ap/index.html

[man4allcats]

6. HST - Truly a man after my own heart!

I have always said that when I die I want to be blown up - not just buried or cremated and my ashes scattered quietly. No, load me into an ICBM and detonate the warhead well past high earth orbit. Short of that rather costly scenario, being blasted from a cannon sounds like a great alternative. Excellent choice, Hunter! Enjoy the ride, my friend!

[Algomas]

8. No class exit and not funny either...

What a shitty thing to do to your family. If his life was so bad he could have arranged a much more meaningful farewell. Why didn't he spare his loved ones the horror of seeing his brains plastered all over the wall? What kind of statement is that?
Asshole!

[Bridget Burke]

10. What's a "more meaningful" farewell?

How does one arrange it? Someone on another thread asked why he didn't just go off into the hills to do it. Apparently he had mobility problems as well as pain--a long walk alone was a bit much.

[bloodyjack]

26. Did you read the thread title?

His ASHES are being fired from a cannon.

[Spinzonner]

9. R.I.P.

Rest In Pyrotechnics

[llmart]

12. I'm a fairly literate person.......

have read incessantly all my life, work in a library and quite frankly, I've never heard of this guy, so why the obsession with him on DU? People die/commit suicide every day. Are we showing that much concern or giving that much "air time" to soldiers committing suicide in Iraq or after they return?

I don't get it.

[slackmaster]

16. Try reading some of his books then get back to us

:dunce:

[Karenina]

17. Ignorance on parade.

The "hide" function is your friend.

[Bridget Burke]

18. Just because you never heard of him....

Doesn't mean he wasn't important.

Please--check him out.

[jonnyblitz]

21. wow I have known of him since I was a little kid without trying

and find it hard to believe that somebody who constantly reads and works in a library never has heard of him.

[Rush1184]

28. Why don't you do some research onto who he was...

You work in a library, I am sure they have pleanty of information on him...

[lowreed]

19. Lame exit.

The cannon thing is fun though.

[callous taoboy]

20. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it:

From Wiley Wiggins' blog:

Cintra Wilson has a good piece in Salon today about the passing of HST:


I think it is improper and disrespectful to whine about this suicide. Thompson was in the game for a very, very long time, and I think it is a safe bet that he was never comfortable. This was a profoundly tortured guy, the smoke from whose ears always made a whole lot of exciting colors that we all enjoyed. It was a great brain to watch but you wouldn't want to live in it, I'd aver. He was a butch motherfucker and I'd bet cash he stuck it out significantly longer than he really wanted to. Let's face it, HST was not one for the nursing home -- he'd have just stolen everyone else's barbiturates and hurt people trying to arm-wrestle.

[newyawker99]

30. Hi lowreed!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Karenina]

23. His ashes WILL BE shot from a cannon.

IIRC it IS stipulated in his Last Testament and I cannot imagine his loved ones failing to honor his wishes. Film at 11 for closure.
RIP, Dr. Gonzo, und ich bedanke mich.

[Megahurtz]

24. I always enjoy a good writer with guts

who isn't afraid to speak up. We need more people like him now. I'm sorry to see him go.