THE ORIGINAL GONZO JOURNALIST IS GONE

Sad to read that Hunter S. Thompson, who pioneered "gonzo journalism" in which the writer made himself a primary component of the story, fatally shot himself last evening at his home near Aspen, Colorado. He was 67.

Thompson was the author of a number of books such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Hells Angels, and Hey Rube: Blood Sport. He most recently had been a regular contributor to ESPN's Page 2 group of columnists

He began his career as editor of the base newspaper at Eglin Air Force Base near Pensacola while also moonlighting for a local civilian newspaper. He worked for several publications, and eventually his work was noticed by Rolling Stone publisher Jann Werner, who signed him on. His work there made him into a national celebrity, and his fierce love of guns and privacy made Thompson the basis for the character Duke in Garry Trudeau's Doonesbury.

"Hunter was not only a national treasure, but the conscience of this little village," said Gerry Goldstein, a prominent Aspen attorney who is a dear friend of the Thompson family. "He kept us all honest. It didn't matter who you were, whether you were his friend or someone he didn't even know. He didn't mind grading your paper. He was righteous. He was part of a literary nobility."

Enough said.