Category: default || By jt3y

It's a short Almanac today, and one which requires at least a working familiarity with the comic strip "Doonesbury" and the late writer Hunter S. Thompson. If you're not familiar with either Garry Trudeau's brilliant creation or Dr. Gonzo, then bugger off.

No, I don't mean that. I'm tired and cranky, that's all. But what else is new?

Anyway, as those of you familiar with "Doonesbury" and HST know, the character of "Uncle Duke" was heavily inspired by Thompson. Duke was introduced as a booze-swilling, pill-popping, gun-toting writer for the underground press, and a womanizing lout. Thompson hated, hated, hated "Uncle Duke," possibly because Trudeau didn't compensate him.

Indeed, Thompson threatened Trudeau with physical harm if their paths ever crossed, though in later years, he supposedly made piece with the Uncle Duke character --- especially as Duke's adventures became ever more fanciful.

At various times, HST's comic strip doppelganger has been governor of America Samoa, an NRA lobbyist, coach of the Washington Redskins and a zombie. Most recently, he's been a member of the occupation government in Iraq.

So, when Thompson snuffed himself Feb. 20, people naturally wondered --- what would Trudeau do with Duke? Comic strips have a lead time of several weeks (although Trudeau works on a shorter deadline to allow him to respond to events in the news), so naturally, his initial response had to be confined to a statement on the "Doonesbury Town Hall" website: "The late Hunter S. Thompson was indeed the initial inspiration for Doonesbury's Uncle Duke ... Their paths diverged as Duke took on a life of his own, and over the decades his ever-evolving career has differed dramatically from that of HST. ... The Town Hall respectfully raises a hefty tumbler to Hunter S. Thompson, a powerfully innovative and influential journalist and writer whose voice will be missed."

But then came this week's series of "Doonesbury" strips. Monday's installment was fun (the third panel is a homage to Thompson friend Ralph Steadman, who illustrated some of HST's articles and books), but Tuesday's installment was ... well, at first I thought it was over the top, and then I laughed hysterically.

As I write today's Almanac on Tuesday night, the newest "Doonesbury" hasn't been published yet, so I have no idea whether Trudeau continues the story, or if this was just a two-strip nod to Thompson's legacy. But if you're a "Doonesbury" or HST fan, what did you think? Tasteless or funny?

I vote for "tasteless and funny," and some how, that seems a fitting enough monument to the late Hunter S. Thompson.