Conservative Chickens Come Home to Roost By Matt Taibbi for Rolling Stone

[existentialist]

9. I read Matt Taibbi's article in full, and posted yesterday.

I have had some more thoughts about it.

It was published by Rolling Stone.

40 years ago Hunter S. Thompson was political affairs editor for Rolling Stone, and was publishing, chapter by chapter what was later to be compiled and published as Fear and Loathing on theCampaign Trail '72

Soon after I became a Hunter Thompson fan, and to some extent I still am.

However, I have come to realize, that although Hunter Thompson had a kind of genious, and ability to explain things to a receptive audience, that his "Gonzo journalism" had to seem, to all not already largely accepting of his counterculture views, to be "obscene, horrid, repellent" and not at a persuasive or even responsible work from the standpoint of trying to persuade a scepticle or hostile audience. His works was and remains a disaster from the standpoint of political rhetoric.

I am very grateful that the present Taibbi article maintains the tradition of Hunter Thompson's strengths, and has gotten past his counterproductive weaknesses. One can present Matt Taibbi's article to those of contrary persuasion, and while it may not convert, it is unlikely to alienate in counterproductive ways.

Thank you Matt Taibbi for your article.