Some tidbits about Kerry

[Mass]

I fond interesting that Kerry would go there.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_2960103

Going, going, gonzo
"Half of the people here look like Keith Richards"
By Troy Hooper
Special to The Denver Post


The ceremony Saturday night to send Hunter S. Thompson s ashes into the sky over Woody Creek was a private affair, but there was a bit of spectacle for the fans who could only wait outside Owl Farm. Those who turned out to honor the famed writer, who killed himself Feb. 20 at age 67, included actors Johnny Depp and Bill Murray. (Post / RJ Sangosti)

Woody Creek - Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson's ashes rained down on his Owl Farm property Saturday night as actor Johnny Depp, who paid for the $2.5 million ceremony, raised his champagne glass toward the sky.

The star-studded crowd, which watched a cannon fire the ashes into the air, included the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, and his 1972 counterpart, George McGovern.

[JI7]

1. they were friends

i still remember when Kerry campaigned with him last year and joked about making Thompson his vp.

they knew each other from the anti war days during vietnam.

[karynnj]

2. I wonder if McGovern and Kerry got together

My husband told me McGovern was on Imus recently, talking about things as vareied as WWII, his campaign, and Kerry. He said Kerry came close and talked about Ohio manipulations. He also said Kerry was a good, decent man and was brilliant when he spoke in 1971. (Second hand, but very reliable :) )

Thompson's comments on Bush and Kerry in Rolling Stone were great. In spite of his strangeness, Thompson's writings on 1972 were very insightful. Last year's seemed more personal, as he actually knew both candidates at some point in their lives - and deeply respected one. The other may not have appreciated his stories or opinions.

[JI7]

8. you should have seen McGovern when Kerry started winning the primary

and McGovern had endorsed Clark also. but he was very happy for Kerry and would only say good things about him. you could just tell how highly he thought of Kerry.

[globalvillage]

3. I wondered if he would go.

As we all know, Dr Thompson was very supportive of JK. I'm glad he attended the "send off".

"I endorsed John Kerry a long time ago," he said, "and I will do everything in my power, short of roaming the streets with a meat hammer, to help him be the next President of the United States."

*****

Which is true. I said all those things, and I will say them again. Of course I will vote for John Kerry. I have known him for thirty years as a good man with a brave heart -- which is more than even the president's friends will tell you about George W. Bush, who is also an old acquaintance from the white-knuckle days of yesteryear. He is hated all over the world, including large parts of Texas, and he is taking us all down with him.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/_/id/6562575?rnd=1099009920793&has-player=true

[fedupinBushcountry]

4. When I heard about this yesterday

I was wondering if Kerry would be there, since he was out that way. I'm glad he went, they were good friends and respected each other.

[blm]

5. Kerry and Thompson were friends for over 3 decades.

Not surprising at all that he would attend.

Kerry and Thompson "GOT" each other. Even when so many refused to understand.

[ginnyinWI]

6. It sounds like he's having a lot of fun this August

and he's getting some good work done too. Making connections, learning, etc. He never seems to waste a minute. Life and work are combined and inseparable, because it's more than work--it's a mission. :)

[JI7]

7. i remember watching Thompson on some show

it was a while back and he was asked about Bill and Hillary Clinton and he said he didn't like them. i was wondering if he was one of those Nader types who just hated all Democrats. but then i saw he loved Kerry and had good things to say about him.

[whometense]

9. NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/22/national/22hunter.html



The ashes of Hunter S. Thompson were blasted into the sky amid fireworks during a star-studded gathering at the journalist's Colorado home.

Former Senator George McGovern, the protagonist of Mr. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72," was among the 350 invitation-only guests who paid him tribute before liftoff.

"I'm not quite sure where he's going," Mr. McGovern, 83, mused in his flat South Dakota prairie voice during two hours of alcohol-free tributes. "But I salute you and wish you a happy journey in that land of mystery."

Mr. Thompson's family and friends - including Senator John Kerry, Lyle Lovett, Bill Murray, the musician David Amram, Ed Bradley and locals like Bob Braudis, the sheriff of Pitkin County, Colo. - watched Saturday night as his ashes exploded with fireworks, lingered in great puffs of milky smoke, then vanished.

"When the going gets weird," Mr. Thompson once wrote, "the weird turn pro."

You must read the whole thing. It was quite an event.

[whometense]

10. Another picture

And Talk Left has a lot more links.