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A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 11:05:32 PM EST
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For those who would like to see the famed Owl Farm in Woody Creek, Colorado, home of the late, great gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, painstakingly preserved and tended to by his beautiful wife Anita, here's a little movie I made of our visit there Saturday during NORML's Aspen Legal Seminar. Since it is 20 megabytes, I put it on youtube where it isn't as clear as the original, but you'll get the idea. It also looks better on a Mac than it does on a PC.

Update: Much clearer version is now here.

I took a few of the photos, but most were taken by Timothy Tipton. There are no titles, but the first photo is of Anita and Hunter's son, Juan Thompson. The second is Hunter's kitchen, from which he managed his world. The big, grinning guy in the middle of the movie is Aspen Sheriff Bob Braudis -- one of Hunter's closest friends and my favorite Sheriff ever. The last photo of the pig may be at the Woody Creek Tavern, Hunter's favorite watering hole. And as you can see from the baby photos, it was a family affair.

A great time was had by all. I have about 300 more photos to sort through and figure out how to get into one place on the web. But for now, I hope this video conveys the spirit of our "High Tea at Owl Farm."

The music is my doing. And please, go easy on the technical criticism. It's my first photo slideshow using an Apple computer.

As an extra treat, here's a 2003 video of Hunter explaining to Tim Russert why he is opposed to the Iraq war.

Update: Anita Thompson has a blog about Hunter called Owl Farm Blog. Here's her post about our event Saturday.

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    A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video | 24 comments (24 topical)
    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 10:47:03 PM EST
    wow

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#2)
    by Edger on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 12:01:23 AM EST
    Cool. Thanks for making that, Jeralyn!

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#3)
    by jondee on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 03:52:06 AM EST
    Kingdom of Fear. Well put Hunter.

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#4)
    by jondee on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 04:39:46 AM EST
    I just finished listening to an old BBC interview with Robert Graves in which he spoke about his experiences in the trenches of WWI and how he believed, as he put "the body secretes substances under such circumstances that take about ten years to get out of your system." I wonder if any PNAC signatories ever experienced anything remotely similar, or ever had any occasion to even contemplate what Graves was refering to. On to Iran. As Lorca said, "they gather in boardrooms and the universe isnt there."

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 08:32:31 AM EST
    Forget sometimes he's gone. Sometimes wonder what HST would lend to a particular issue or what light or laughter he might shed on these rotten times. The Bush/Iraq saga is right up his alley, the truth of which is perhaps even more daunting than anything the good doctor could conjure in his marvelous, acute observations and withering satire. Thanks Jeralyn, for a fine offering.

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#6)
    by squeaky on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 08:34:06 AM EST
    Nice slide show, looks like a great time was had by all. Thanks for the Hunter Thompson video. Asked about 9/11 as justification for the Iraq war he reminds us:
    You couldn't take this case [for the Iraq war] to an American court and win. It is speculation. I don't believe we have ever linked Saddam Hussein or OBL. I don't even believe that there is circumstantial evidence.
    Strange how this has played out since that interview. Somehow, now, almost everyone believes that OBL was responsible for 9/11. There is zero evidence suggesting this to be true. OBL's 'confession tape' is more bogus than a three dollar bill. It doesn't even look like him. Even more insane is the fact that many believe that Saddam had something to do with the bombing of the WTC. I do not know what happened and I live a few blocks away from the disaster. Some call those who do not believe that OBL did the job conspiracy nut cases. Well I think that those who assume OBL (or Saddam) was responsible are even nuttier. If you believe that OBL was responsible just ask yourself how do you know that. The only reason OBL or Saddam even enters into the discussion is because our WH said that is what happened. Trust us is their motto. 'We have the evidence but it is too dangerous to reveal. We are at war and national security would be compromised if we revealed what we know. Bush has a great track record for telling the truth, and I have a bridge to sell very cheap. America seems to have swallowed the wildest story since the one about the moon being made of swiss cheese. How can we be so easily deceived. Even cows seem smarter in comparison to this. Again I do not know what happened. Strange that most think they do. Why?

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#7)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 09:52:17 AM EST
    If you believe that OBL was responsible just ask yourself how do you know that.
    Because Colin Powell said we had irrefutable evidence. Then again he said the same thing about Saddam's WMD. I said from the beginning OBL should be tried in absentia in a U.S. court and let the government make their case before we started invading and building bases. History makes clear that we are a bloodthirsty lot however, and the Bush handlers knew exactly the old cowboy movie lingo to have mouthed to the masses to grease the skids to the next Little Big Horn. The Rapturists gained the cockpit through deceit and violence, hijacked the U.S. and are flying it into the ground at 500 mph. Cue the impotent old men in their vengeful cocoons for rebuttal...

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#8)
    by Peaches on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 09:55:14 AM EST
    Strange that most think they do. Why?
    Squeaky, you pose an interesting question. I also don't know what happened on that day. When you get right down to it, most of what any of us know is backed up only by faith. We reach an understanding when we have social consensus. Social consensus is a powerful motivator. It is very hard to refute. To be skeptical and questioning of our beliefs will often lead to a lonely existence. Many people will label these skeptics insane, and perhaps many of them are, since insanity can also only be determined by deviations from what is considered normal in our society. So, what happens when society deviates from the norm, how will we ever know. When confronted with something like the rollingstone article by RFK jr. on the "stolen elections" in 2004, it can shake the foundations of our beliefs system. We ask for confrimation of others. Either the story takes off and society responds by taking measures to correct the past misdeeds or contradicting evidence comes in refuting many of RFK's claims and the story dies. Or the story is ignored by most people and some of us our left with doubts and we cannot believe in our democracy anymore (if we ever could.) Likewise, when we are presented with certain unexplained facts about 9/11. Some things just don't add up. We don't know what to believe. I had a similar experience when I read an investigative account of the Death of Paul Wellstone by James Fetzer. Ultimately, we can only rely on our own experience. We have to be guided by love and hope and not necessarily Truth, because the Truth is a moving target.

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#9)
    by squeaky on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 10:54:30 AM EST
    Truth may be a multi faceted moving target but hope springs eternal. If we get control of congress maybe we will see some action on this. At the very least the WTC widows may get some of their questions answered, because they are very, very frustrated by the government's stonewall. I do agree that part of the power of consensus is that some things are just too vile for most to believe. A reflexive self preservation instinct kicks in because some notions are too self damning for us to bear. The big lie, while fodder for conspiracy nuts, is kind of a profound idea. Had the Germans not lost the war, much of history as we know it today (not that I believe in a single narrative as history) would have been relegated to fringe 'nutjob conspiracy theorists'. One thing that I find interesting is the lesson our Administration learned from Iran-Contra. As you know many of the players of that scandal are running our country. What sunk that case, as opposed to Watergate, was the secrecy, the complexity, and utter outrageousness of the thing. That led to widespread conspiracy theories with more threads to chase than a raggedy ann doll factory. The stonewalling and unprecedented secrecy of this administration creates an fertile ground for nutjob conspiracy theories. That cover works well for those on an ideological mission to reshape America in their own image. I do not know what, if anything, our government did to allow 9/11 to happen. What I do believe is that the creeps running our country are capable of anything.

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#10)
    by Slado on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 12:04:29 PM EST
    Where to begin? First of all HST was a great Author but a drug addict who killed himself abusing his body. Lets take any of his words of wisdom with a grain of salt. Second OBL is responsible for 9/11. By Squeaky's theory Hitler is not directly responsible for killing 6million jews but i feel comfortable blaming him. Also Peaches the 2004 election was won by George Bush. Fair and square. Taking a bunch of mismatched facts and spinning them togehter into a common thread does not make for a legitimate theory or even a body of evidence. Your case wouldn't make it past the grand jury and we all know how easy that is.

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#11)
    by Peaches on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 12:19:52 PM EST
    Your case wouldn't make it past the grand jury and we all know how easy that is.
    Slado, the grand jury in this case is the public and it likely will not get past them. That is the point.

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#12)
    by squeaky on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 12:32:25 PM EST
    By Squeaky's theory Hitler is not directly responsible for killing 6million jews but i feel comfortable blaming him.
    Right, I did not think that you were that brainless, but hey life is full of suprises. Trolls will be trolls. Guessed you missed a thing called the Nuremberg trial. I am not surprised. BTW where is OBL. Your chimp has lost interest in him, wonder why? Family connections perhaps?

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#13)
    by Slado on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 12:38:55 PM EST
    Squeaky I was making a gross comparison. Let me try again...hmmmm... By Squeaky's theory Stalin would not be responsible for the death of millions in the Gulag. I still blame him. How about that one? Also the "chimp" is not willing to go to war with Pakistan in order to find one man in a mountainous country. Also the Taliban was reomved from Afghanistan and most of his associates are either dead or hanging out in club Gitmo. funny you don't watn to spy on calls, ship terrorists to other countries but under your administration we would have found him by now. I highly doubt it. Peaches. For all the Ohio irregurlarities there is another case to be made that some republicans where unable to vote and that many of the democratic votes where 2nd voters and dead peopele. But I don't have to proove anything. Just make the accusation.

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 12:42:09 PM EST
    Ok, guys, good discussion, but can you keep it to Hunter Thompson please or save it for tomorrow's open thread?

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#15)
    by squeaky on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 01:15:27 PM EST
    Slado and others can eat up the WH version of history but I agree with HST.
    I don't believe we have ever linked Saddam Hussein or OBL. I don't even believe that there is circumstantial evidence.
    Call him what you want, you are entitled to smear the dead. It is easy as there is no one to spit back in your face. His clarity regarding the Iraq war and 9/11 was refreshing to hear. Clearly OBL is an enemy of the US, and has claimed responsibility for many attacks. Hanging 9/11 on him may give you comfort but gives way too much credit to him and his motely crew. HST was certainly not a bedwetter or henney penny. Refreshing.

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#16)
    by jondee on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 01:55:00 PM EST
    It dosnt take some evil puppet master to figure out how to commandeer airplanes and fly them into buildings but it certainly makes for a more compelling narrative. And thats the one area where the pissants in the admin collaborativly give Thompson a run for his money - producing compelling narratives. The difference between the two being that Thompsons work glitters with a thousand sharp truths whereas finding honesty in the productions of Shrubco is like looking for a diamond ring at the bottom of an outhouse.

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#17)
    by Aaron on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 05:20:45 PM EST
    Thanks guys for letting us peer into some of Hunter's haunts, and paying tribute to one the greatest Americans of our times. Hunter S. Thompson lives on in the hearts of all who were touched by his writing.

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#18)
    by Edger on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 07:11:39 PM EST
    Squeaky: Strange that most think they do. Why? Peaches: When you get right down to it, most of what any of us know is backed up only by faith. We reach an understanding when we have social consensus. Social consensus is a powerful motivator. It is very hard to refute. This line of questioning is one that leads down some very strange paths, compared to usual day to day existence and assumptions about the nature of 'knowing' and it's relationship to human existence and how consensual reality comes about. It is a path of questioning that can and often does quite literally shake the foundations of a persons worldview and entire life. Peaches, you hit the nail very close to the head I think in your comments on Squeaky's statement. Most of what we know is literally determined by faith... faith that what we know, or rather, think we know, has reality beyond our immediate experience. But how can we know this? What evidence can we really have except the agreement of others? For example, when we watch a news program telling us a story about something that "everbody knows" to be true, all we really can "know" is that we had the experience of the television producing sound and images that seemed to impart some knowledge separate from our experience of watching the program, and we assume that we now "know" the things that the program told us... but do we really? All we really had was the experience of the television producing sound and images....... And one day we see planes flying into buildings on our TV screens....... and we start finding almost everyone agreeing...... "Fiction is based on reality unless you're a fairytale artist" -- HST

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#19)
    by Edger on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 08:20:53 PM EST
    "If you want to keep a grip on what you think you already know, you will have to dismiss what I say" --Peter Kingsley, 'Reality' "...yet remember this, that man can part with no life properly, save with that little part of life, which he now lives: and that which he lives, is no other, than that which at every instant he parts with." --Empedocles To be frank, Kingsley asks too much of his readers. So did Parmenides. So did Empedocles. For the truth is, as Empedocles pointed out, most of us would prefer to remain secure in our "little part of life ... and claim in vain that we have found the whole"

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#20)
    by squeaky on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 08:30:40 PM EST
    edger- HST-
    "Fiction is based on reality unless you're a fairytale artist"
    Slightly OT, David Neiwert
    Craig Unger has a must-read piece in the most recent issue of Vanity Fair about the psy-ops component of the run-up to the Iraq war:


    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#21)
    by Edger on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 08:40:42 PM EST
    Squeaky, I sometimes wonder if Hunter purposeley left out a corollory to his statement. Reality is sometimes, and often, based on fiction. Maybe he had what Unger writes about in mind?

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#22)
    by Edger on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 08:53:26 PM EST
    Which leaves it up to us Webfolk to start talking about it. link

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#23)
    by Edger on Wed Jun 07, 2006 at 08:02:37 AM EST
    Jondee:
    Thompsons work glitters with a thousand sharp truths
    Well put, Jondee... I would rather someone was wrapped in the Constitution burning the flag than wrapped in the flag burning the Constitution -- Genius of Insanity

    Re: A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video (none / 0) (#24)
    by jondee on Wed Jun 07, 2006 at 09:01:48 PM EST
    Squeaky - The good news is that we're all multi-faceted moving targets too.

    A Day At Hunter Thompson's: Video | 24 comments (24 topical)