Helen Thomas
Jim Caruso posted a lovely blog today about Hunter’s work and The Gonzo Way, a book I wrote about the valuable lessons I learned from Hunter. But today, it doesn’t help me deal with the shocking news of Helen Thomas – Her seat is now empty. I do know how much Hunter respected her work and would shush the room when she was asking a question in a televised press conference. But I don’t know exactly what he would have written today after her appalling remarks that went viral via a guy who asked her opinion and got a shocking answer on camera. She has apologized and said it is not what she believes in her heart. But… she said it. Did she mean it? I’m not qualified to assess her entire career via her sidewalk statement. But it’s a shock from any angle. The only thing that comes to mind is a passage from a book you probably know:
"Never mind," I said. "It’s your turn to drive." I hit the brakes and aimed the Great Red Shark toward the shoulder of the highway. No point mentioning those bats, I thought. The poor bastard will see them soon enough."
— Hunter S. Thompson, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
your disappointed friend,
Anita Thompson
Thank you Rory for the following passage from Ralph Steadman’s The Joke’s Over.
