[jungkvist]

Not to be too critical, but it's probably not a good thing to assume you know anothers motives. Seeing things through the clouded glass of my own belief system has often caused knee-jerk reactions that usually need to be amended. Yes, HST probably became a prisoner of his own image and killing himself was a horrible thing for him to do to his family and friends. But, condeming someone for their actions, while not truely knowing the circumstances of those actions, is a mite narrow minded.



LIke it or not, HST influenced more writers than Joyce (those who can read and understand Ulysses are few and far between). Though his style was obviously gleaned from the beat writers, Keroiac and Burroughs, HST popularized the style and changed the face of journalism. Whether that was good or bad, I can't say. However, he made me laugh and helped many of us to see things beyond what our English teachers were capable of.



And, considering that you take you post-name from the Norse God of mischief, I wonder what you are complaining about. You might want to keep in mind that chaos isn't a choice, it's the natural state of the universe. HST simply put it into words.



As for low self esteem, that can be manifested in innumerable ways - from abject poverty to attempts of world domination...and, few ever really know the reasons for thier own actions.



"Who the Gods would destroy, first they make mad." Madness is a time-honored tradition of those who look beyond. Sometimes taking the peak is too much, and the rest of us are left to wonder.

 

[jungkvist]

Re: Well Said!

Learning that Thompson's grandson was in the house at the time he killed himself sickend me. I can't, however, condemn HST out of hand. Suicide is rarely undertaken with a coldly rational mind...and, alcohol and drugs don't help things, when they are taken to excess. HST was unfortunate that his addictions became part of his public image; with most addicts, getting wasted usually catches up with them...if they're lucky, they hit bottom and recover...if not, it's usually not pretty. In Thompson's case, he seemed to have not only the where-with-all to support his habits, but also the physical ability to keep it up - probably longer than he should have - and that doesn't happen often.

So, rather than hate Thompson for killing himself, maybe we should all be grateful, especially if we have never experienced addiction. Addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful; and no one is truly beyond it's grasp, because it is also patient. It is a sickness that strikes the righteous and the uncertain, the weak and the strong, as well as the rich and the poor. Some survive, most don't!

Count your blessing.

 

[jungkvist]

Something I've noticed...

Let's blame liberals for everything - FOX News does. After all, we can't hate our past scape-goats: n!ggers, ***** and *******. Nice to see that americans can still get behind that good-old Klan mentality...Get me some lumber and some gasoline boys; I'm fixin' to burn a cross.

Yep, nothing like taking money away from education to bomb the hell out of Iraq, so the a bunch of rich Texans can get richer. Hey, it's the American way.

Now, that's Democracy in action.

 

[jungkvist]

Re: Well Said!

I'm not saying HST was a victim of anything; he had a sickness: addiction. I believe he had a life that most of us only dream of; unfortunately, his excesses caught up with him. What I'm annoyed by is that so many people think that addicts are weak willed and that it can't happen to them. Sadly, I've known several extemely decent people who have ended their own lives - some who spent years serving others.

It would be nice if everyone could live a life of certainty, but not everyone can. Some people live in torment. Some can't stand the fact they can't live up to who they think the should be, or what's expected of them. I think, rather than condemn them, maybe some of us should be grateful..."But for the grace of God, there go I."

Again, count your blessings.