If Dr. Gonzo Were Blogging From Owl Farm

Nothing can come closer to a blog written by Hunter S. Thompson than the book Hey Rube; a compilation of columns The Good Doctor penned for ESPN Page 2.

Columns included in the book stretch from 20 November, 2000 to 13 October, 2003.

Hunter's weekly ESPN column was something I always looked forward to and thoroughly enjoyed.

While I can't say this was his best work, it was definitely top shelf stuff. Comparable with the Great Shark Hunt, nothing could have been more satisfying than to see this come at the end of his life.

With that, I give you an interview with Dr. Gonzo...

Your life, at least your public image, has been dissected and analyzed.How would you describe Hunter S. Thompson?

"I am a Romantic by nature and a gambler by instinct --- and I can tell you for sure, little Xania, that Losing goes with the territory in my business. All gamblers lose regularly, but they rarely discuss it in public. Losing is bad for the image, dude. Nobody buys Hot Tips from Losers. Remember that."
- Hunter S. Thompson {page 189}

You've had your share of run ins with the law. Is justice part of the American legal system in your eyes?

"Justice is expensive in America. There are no Free Passes.... You might want to remember this, the next time you get careless and blow off a few Parking Tickets. They will come back to haunt you the next time you see a Cop car in your rearview mirror. Or if you notice your teenage daughter hanging out with a rotten-looking Skinhead... There is no such thing as Paranoia. Your worst fears can come true at any moment... What happened toLisl Auman can happen to Anybody in America, and when it does, you will sure as hell need Friends.... Take my word for it, folks. I have Been There, and it ain't Fun."
- Hunter S. Thompson {page 75}

You've provided a political narrative for over 30 years. How do you see things today?

"We have seen weird Times in this country before, but the year 2000 is beginning to look super weird. This time there really is nobody flying the plane.... We are living in dangerously weird times now. Smart people just shrug and admit they're dazed and confused. The only ones left with any confidence at all are the New Dumb. It is the beginning of the end of our world a we knew it. Doom is the operative ethic."
- Hunter S. Thompson {page 3}

What should we make of the polls related to the Presidential election? Nothing turned out the way it was projected in 2000.

"Jesus, and we wonder why the Election turned out so weird. The Pollsters knew nothing, because the people they talked to lied to them. Nobody wants to talk to a fucking Pollster, anyway. They are Vermin. And they are getting paid to harass you with questions, but you're not getting a dime for it. You're not even getting on TV."
- Hunter S. Thompson {page 11}

Your commentary on Presidents runs from Richard M. Nixon to George W. Bush. What do you think of the current President?

"Indeed, we are truly the squanderer of what was once the American Dream and our own dreams, for that matter. In two disastrous years, this Waterhead son of Texas has taken this country from a prosperous nation at peace to a dead-broke nation at War, and that is a very long fall."
- Hunter S. Thompson {page 190}

How do you think the attacks of September 11th will impact America's future?

"The towers are gone now, reduced to bloody rubble, along with all hopes for Peace in Our Time, in the U.S. or any other country. Make no mistake about it: we are At War now --- with somebody --- and we will stay At War with that strange and mysterious Enemy for the rest of our lives."
- Hunter S. Thompson {page 90}

Given that, how would you describe America today?

"We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear --- fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, fear of getting downsized or fired because of the plunging economy, fear of getting evicted for bad debts or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer...."
- Hunter S. Thompson {page 179}

What do you say to someone who says, it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game?

"One of the most basic factors in sports is that Winning becomes a Habit and Losing is the same way. When Failure starts to feel normal in your life or your work or even your darkest vices, you won't have to go looking for trouble, because trouble will find You. Count on it."
- Hunter S. Thompson {page 238}

One last question. You've devoted a great deal of time to writing about politics and sports. What do see as the connection?

"But I have learned, in my life and work as a sportswriter, that big-time Sports and big-time Politics are not so far apart in America. They are both a means to the same end, which is Victory.... And why not? Victory is good for you and don't let anybody tell you different."
-Hunter S. Thompson {page 243}

Don't miss reading Hey Rube. It's a five star collection.