We can kick Thompson because he deserves it, because Nixon isn't here to do it and because HST probably would have enjoyed it as long as he was drunk or drugged or both (awake, in his case). I enjoyed his columns and his books, but I thought he should have killed himself years ago when there might have been more than a hand full of people to notice. Did you read his final column? - Shotgun golf ... gotta love Doctor Thompson.
Nixon would not do it if he was still here. According to Thompson himself in F&L on the Campain Trail, Nixon treated him quite decently when they met.
I liked HST in spite of his politics and his personal flaws. He frequently made me laugh out loud, sometimes until I cried.