Street Cred Rising

Doug Stanhope is the Tech N9ne of comedy...and I had a chance to speak to the man recently. What I always appreciated about the man's comedy is the flat out honesty of his material. He had opinions about everything. He can think freely and independent from the system. He also happened to live near me in a small community in the Southwest. I explained the type of activism I was involved with and pieced together several parts for him throughout the news. The ironic part is that he would probably have more questions for me when we meet. He turns out to actually be a really friendly guy for an independent thinker at his level in the stratosphere.

I have a lot of really high hopes for 2012 based on the headway I've already managed to make, as well as the things I'm planning for the new year. I finally got my taxes straightened out and got some audit insurance. My FAFSA has been accepted and I'm going back to school. I don't give a flying fuck about any of that though because I got invited to hang out with Doug Stanhope. I'm going to be partying with a living legend of comedy.

After talking to him the first night, I've come up with a "Worst That Could Happen" list...

How not to be the man who killed legendary comedian Doug Stanhope…

·         Do drugs to keep up with his alcohol intake…but do not do drugs with him…if he OD’s, you’re the man who killed legendary comedian Doug Stanhope…

·         Understand that if the banks really wanted to fuck with you, they’d send a hit squad to kill him and make it look like you’re the man who killed legendary comedian Doug Stanhope…

·         Hope Doug Stanhope doesn’t decide he has a better chance of being referred to as “legendary comedian Doug Stanhope” if I become the man who killed legendary comedian Doug Stanhope so he commits suicide in my presence…

So the second time I spoke with Doug, he immediately asked about Anonymous. I wasn't sure where to start, so I explained a few of my personal experiences with them during my fight with the bank, along with a few past ops they've conducted. He told me about his experience with them in NYC during a Scientology protest. I interrupted his story at the point he mentioned the Vendetta masks by offering to bring him a Guy Fawkes mask to keep when we meet. We shared stories of the direction we want to go on our respective paths through life. He's a very down to earth guy.

He told me a story about a guy who set up a website where he was stealing Doug's material word for word, everything he ever did, and passing it on for his own work. Someone had pointed him to this site, so Doug went to check it out, and it was true. Even in the comments section, when someone who wasn't familiar with the material would make a comment about it, he'd steal another bit that explains it. Doug Stanhope has a wealth of material to choose from, and you'd think he'd be so drunk he'd never notice. The thing is, his fans are dedicated. He has the type of cult following an entertainer of his caliber deserves. Doug called the person out on his Twitter account, and his fans, much like the phone and botnet ion cannons utilized by Anons and Lulzsec supporters worldwide in defense of injustice, reacted swiftly, taking down the kid's site, social network accounts, etc, and doxing him.

Because of this, Doug wants to learn how to utilize his power for good, much like Anonymous. He wants to provide quantifiable solutions through his art and position in life. He wants to find a reason to get off the couch and make a difference in the world again. I can relate to his thought process, having walked through a fire or 2 myself, so I decide my job is to help him reach this goal.

Over the weekend and holiday, I spent some time researching Doug's 2011 4Q work to make sure I understand what he means. I learned a lot about his views, which are often labelled as Libertarian. I listened to his interviews on Rogan, Stern, Opie & Anthony, Fox News, in the UK, etc. I rewatch his stand up routines. I crammed as much Stanhope into my brain as I could stand.

At the same time, I started reaching out to my Anon contacts to introduce the man. He's a bit slow on technology, but willing to learn, and I'm sure the communications barriers can be overcome. There's definite interest in working together on all sides. I'm excited about the possibilities.

After a week, however, plans seem to have stalled. The last I heard from him was when his girlfriend (Bingo was her name-o) jumped to 2nd place in their celebrity death pool by correctly predicting Whitney Houston's death this year. Since then, I believe he's already gone on the road. I'm still waiting. Anonymous is waiting...

(To Be Continued...)

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