Rest In Peace Mr. Heston.

[Betticus]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/04/06/heston.dead/index.html

Charlton Heston has passed away.

 

[HB1965]

Did they get the gun out of his cold dead hands yet?

 

[EmpressFi]

Did they get the gun out of his cold dead hands yet?

such disrespect...

I think dying of alzheimer's was probably enough pain without you heaping your words on top of it.

 

[malinborn]

wow how shitty of a thing to say. Charlton Heston may not be a great actor by todays standards but he was a great actor, a great American, and yes, he held fast to his constitutional right to bare arms... just as you, me, and all of us hold tight to our right to free speech.

Did they get the gun out of his cold dead hands yet?

 

[HB1965]

such disrespect...

I think dying of Alzheimer's was probably enough pain without you heaping your words on top of it.

wow how shitty of a thing to say. Charlton Heston may not be a great actor by todays standards but he was a great actor, a great American, and yes, he held fast to his constitutional right to bare arms... just as you, me, and all of us hold tight to our right to free speech.

Yeah disrespect.

I'm sorry, but to announce that so soon after Columbine in the same area where that tragedy took place was the height of disrespect to the people that that lived through that it. To even have gone ahead with the conference there was disrespectful. He should have known better.

I'm sorry if you find it offensive. I am not a mean person, but I take very seriously when someone can't show decency to others.

I'm sorry that he had Alzheimer's, and I'm sorry that the memories that many of the younger generation had of him was the last scenes of him acting like an idiot in "Bowling for Columbine". He was a superb actor in his day. There where very few that could have pulled off some of the roles that he did, but I will not excuse him for his inappropriate behavior.

Before you all choose to judge me as I see happen so often in this forum, I have great respect for those that have passed on and preserving their memory. Even the memory of those that I never knew in life. I have volunteered for years for a website that promotes the preseveration and the transcription of cememteries. I resent that I have no understanding and compassion for those that have passed on.

 

[WriterDom]

GOOD MORNING.

I want to welcome you to this abbreviated annual gathering of the National Rifle Association. Thank you for coming and thank you for supporting your organization. I also want to applaud your courage in coming here today. Of course, you have a right to be here.

As you know, we've canceled the festivities and fellowship we normally enjoy at our annual gatherings. This decision has perplexed a few and inconvenienced thousands. I apologize for that. But it's fitting and proper that we should do this ... because NRA members are, above all, Americans. That means whatever our differences, we are respectful of one another and we stand united, especially in adversity

Wellington Webb, the mayor of Denver, sent me a message: "Don't come here. We don't want you here, "

I say to the Mayor, I volunteered for the war they wanted me to attend when I was 18 years old. Since then, I've run small errands for my country from Nigeria to Vietnam. I know many of you could say the same. But the Mayor said, "Don't come."

I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry for the newspaper ads saying the same thing. "Don't come here." This is our country. As Americans we are free to travel wherever we wish in our broad land.

They say we'll create a media distraction. But we were preceded here by hundreds of intrusive news crews. They say we'll create political distraction. But it has not been the NRA pressing for political advantage, calling press conferences to propose vast packages of new legislation.

They say, "Don't come here." I guess what saddens me most is how it suggests complicity. It implies that you and I and eighty million honest gun owners are somehow to blame, that we don't care as much as they, or that we don't deserve to be as shocked and horrified as every other soul in America mourning for the people of Littleton.

"Don't come here." That's offensive. It's also absurd, because we live here.

There are thousands of NRA members in Denver and tens upon tens of thousands in the state of Colorado. NRA members labor in Denver's factories, populate Denver's faculties, run Denver corporations, play on Colorado sports teams, work in media across the front range, parent and teach and coach Denver's children, attend Denver's churches, and proudly represent Denver in uniform on the world's oceans and in the skies over Kosovo at this very moment.

NRA members are in City Hall, Fort Carson, NORAD, the Air Force Academy and the Olympic Training Center. And yes, NRA members are surely among the police and fire and SWAT team heroes who risked their lives to rescue the students of Columbine from evil, mindless executioners.

"Don't come here?" We are already here. This community is our home. Every community in America is our home. We are a 128-year-old fixture of mainstream America. The Second Amendment ethic of lawful, responsible firearm ownership spans the broadest cross-section of American life imaginable.

So we have the same right as all other citizens to be here ... to help shoulder the grief... to share our sorrow ... and to offer our respectful, reasoned voice to the national discourse that has erupted around this tragedy

One more thing. Our words and our behavior will be scrutinized more than ever this morning. Those who are hostile toward us will lie in wait to seize on a soundbite out of context, ever searching for an embarrassing moment to ridicule us. So let us be mindful ... the eyes of the nation are upon us today.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Yeah disrespect.

I'm sorry, but to announce that so soon after Columbine in the same area where that tragedy took place was the height of disrespect to the people that that lived through that it. To even have gone ahead with the conference there was disrespectful. He should have known better.

I'm sorry if you find it offensive. I am not a mean person, but I take very seriously when someone can't show decency to others.

I'm sorry that he had Alzheimer's, and I'm sorry that the memories that many of the younger generation had of him was the last scenes of him acting like an idiot in "Bowling for Columbine". He was a superb actor in his day. There where very few that could have pulled off some of the roles that he did, but I will not excuse him for his inappropriate behavior.

Before you all choose to judge me as I see happen so often in this forum, I have great respect for those that have passed on and preserving their memory. Even the memory of those that I never knew in life. I have volunteered for years for a website that promotes the preseveration and the transcription of cememteries. I resent that I have no understanding and compassion for those that have passed on.

You won't get criticism from me HB. People are answerable for their deeds in life, even after death...a celebrity is no exception IMO and death does not grant them immediate purity and exemption for what they may have done...to believe otherwise is hypocritical. I have enjoyed some of his acting, as well as not some of it, but what has ruined it for me in recent years is his continual disregard for human life, animal life and his continued glorification of gun ownership in a country whose statistics (and reality) far outweigh any logical argument IMHO that anyone should uphold the right to bear arms. If human beings had more logic, responsibility, control of their anger and general attitude, and respect for others and their rights, as well as a real need to own a gun, fine, but that is not the reality. So yes, in the last 20 years or so, everytime I see him in anything, I can't watch it because of his closed minded and arrogant stance, and blatent disregard for life. I am sorry for his family for their loss.

Catalina

 

[A Desert Rose]

such disrespect...

I think dying of alzheimer's was probably enough pain without you heaping your words on top of it.

Oh, I agree and would say that it's worse than death. It drags on for so many years and it's a horrible torture for the victim, as well as the family.

I've seen lots of people die of lots of different things but I think, by far, this is the worst way to go.

There are people on this very forum who are dealing with this disease in their own families. My heart breaks for all of them.

 

[RawHumor]

How does standing up for our constitutional rights equate to disregard for human life?

 

[WriterDom]

, as well as a real need to own a gun, fine, .

Catalina

It's a right to own a gun. I think that any law abiding teacher or professor who qualifies should be allowed to pack a concealed weapon. Then maybe 30 kids wouldn't have to die because one nut job got off his meds.

I'm glad I don't live in San Francisco. At least here a burglar has to think twice about the household being locked and loaded.

 

[catalina_francisco]

How does standing up for our constitutional rights equate to disregard for human life?

Easy, it is which constitutional right is upheld, not the upholding which disregards human life. He was a gun owner lobbyist 1000%...guns in the hands of irresponsible people result in the deaths of men, women and children, and IMO, unless you are on a ranch/cattle station (in Oz lingo), remote farm where livestock (or humans) may have their life threatened by wildlife, there is no logical reason for gun ownership, especially in a country whose gun related death stats demonstrate just how ridiculous an ideal it is. Sheesh, the biggest cause of death for pregnant women in the US is from gunshot....and that is reasonable and acceptable and proof gun ownership is OK? Numbers of gun related deaths have dropped significantly since the government in Oz brought in strict gun ownership laws and gave an amnesty for all illegal and without exemption (under the new law) guns to be handed in following the Port Arthur massacre. It was one of the few good decisions they made while in power.

Catalina

 

[RawHumor]

Easy, it is which constitutional right is upheld, not the upholding which disregards human life. He was a gun owner lobbyist 1000%...guns in the hands of irresponsible people result in the deaths of men, women and children, and IMO, unless you are on a ranch/cattle station (in Oz lingo), remote farm where livestock (or humans) may have their life threatened by wildlife, there is no logical reason for gun ownership, especially in a country whose gun related death stats demonstrate just how ridiculous an ideal it is. Sheesh, the biggest cause of death for pregnant women in the US is from gunshot....and that is reasonable and acceptable and proof gun ownership is OK? Numbers of gun related deaths have dropped significantly since the government in Oz brought in strict gun ownership laws and gave an amnesty for all illegal and without exemption (under the new law) guns to be handed in following the Port Arthur massacre. It was one of the few good decisions they made while in power.

Catalina

All constitutional rights need to be upheld, or we'll lose them all.

Where did you get the stat about deaths of pregnant women?

 

[00Syd]

People are answerable for their deeds in life, even after death.
Catalina

Agreed.

***

Alzheimer's is a terrible disease, and I truly feel for his family. My bubbie died of Alzheimers, and for the 13 years that I knew her, she didn't recognize me as her granddaughter or my mother as her daughter.

My respects go out to his family, and I hope he is able to rest in peace.

 

[catalina_francisco]

All constitutional rights need to be upheld, or we'll lose them all.

Where did you get the stat about deaths of pregnant women?

It is an antiquated constitutional right which was short sightedly written into the constitution at a time when it may have been more logical and necessary, but without allowing that time progresses and it is no longer needed, or logical...times change, needs change. Just because something has been deemed necessary or right at one time, does not mean it remains that way for all time otherwise we would still be imprisoning people guilty of being gay, and sending those into BDSM for serious psychiatric observation and treatment.

The stats were something I first came across when studying at university, but which are also still widely available through various sources related to homicide, domestic abuse, violence, deaths resulting from violence, and mortality rates for pregnant women. I have also heard it mentioned in various news and documentary presentations around such subjects. I thought it was widely known as I have also seen it mentioned in this forum by Americans before as well. I'm sure google could bring them up in a flash.

Catalina

 

[WriterDom]

Unless you are old and feeble, you don't need a gun to kill a pregnant woman. Look at OJ, he almost decapitated Nicole and he didn't have a gun.

 

[HB1965]

How does standing up for our constitutional rights equate to disregard for human life?

It's not the standing up for the constitutional right that was the issue. It was the rubbing it in people's face that was the issue. To say what he said at that conference after what had happened negates EVERYTHING in my opinion that he said in that speech that WD quoted which I'm certain wasn't writen by him.

My condolences DO go out to his friends and family that have lost a love one. I have watched over and cared for people with Alzheimer's. It is a great tragedy.

 

[callinectes]

What did Heston say? I'm asking because I really don't know.

 

[RawHumor]

It's not the standing up for the constitutional right that was the issue. It was the rubbing it in people's face that was the issue. To say what he said at that conference after what had happened negates EVERYTHING in my opinion that he said in that speech that WD quoted which I'm certain wasn't writen by him.

My condolences DO go out to his friends and family that have lost a love one. I have watched over and cared for people with Alzheimer's. It is a great tragedy.

I don't know what you're referring to that he said at the speech that you think rubbed anything in people's faces.

I do recall that there was a congressional vote on gun control taking place at the time, and CNN and a few others were talking about how important the vote was - indicating which way they hoped the vote would go - and that vote was still continuing as planned.

 

[RawHumor]

I've found, from two sources (now.org and someone referring to an episode of Oprah) that the leading cause of death to pregnant women in America is homicide. I can't find any statistical evidence to support that, though. Plus, homicide <> shootings.

 

[catalina_francisco]

LOL, so those who took offence at HB's comment "Did they get the gun out of his cold dead hands yet?" know it was a play on words? I just saw a BBC news report about his passing complete with the usual coverage of his life and career which ended with what was introduced as some of his most chilling words (and which I hadn't seen until then) of him rallying for gun rights and ending by holding a rifle above his head and saying in usual dramatic tones 'from my cold dead hands'. So it seems HB was just repeating his own words. I am sure Mr Heston would see the irony of a bunch of BDSMers standing up for his rights and continuing his fight when he was renowned for his significantly strong right wing politics and public support for right wing politicians such as Reagan and their policies....me thinks he would have been just as happy to have thrown us all in prison and had the keys thrown away.

Catalina

 

[catalina_francisco]

I've found, from two sources (now.org and someone referring to an episode of Oprah) that the leading cause of death to pregnant women in America is homicide. I can't find any statistical evidence to support that, though. Plus, homicide <> shootings.

You will, believe me...and yes, I believe Oprah did feature it on a program or two but that was years after my uni days, and quite apart from the various research stats and police stats I had to use in my work.

Catalina

 

[RawHumor]

me thinks he would have been just as happy to have thrown us all in prison and had the keys thrown away.

Catalina

Exactly, because all of us Conservatives want to lock everyone in prison.

 

[RawHumor]

You will, believe me...and yes, I believe Oprah did feature it on a program or two but that was years after my uni days, and quite apart from the various research stats and police stats I had to use in my work.

Catalina

From here: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=3311859

A 2005 study by the American Journal of Public Health reported that 31 percent of all pregnancy deaths between 1991 and 1999 were the result of homicide. Only pregnancy-related complications ranked higher as a cause of death.

Therefore, homicide is the second leading cause of deaths to pregnant women, not the first. Secondly, homicide, not shootings.

 

[catalina_francisco]

OK, first thing that came up on goggle for me was this report which talks about the highest cause of death fo pregnant women being homicide and of those deaths, 56 percent, were shot to death. Don't have time to go through the rest, but suspect there aremany more.

Catalina

 

[HB1965]

I don't know what you're referring to that he said at the speech that you think rubbed anything in people's faces.

I do recall that there was a congressional vote on gun control taking place at the time, and CNN and a few others were talking about how important the vote was - indicating which way they hoped the vote would go - and that vote was still continuing as planned.

LOL, so those who took offence at HB's comment "Did they get the gun out of his cold dead hands yet?" know it was a play on words? I just saw a BBC news report about his passing complete with the usual coverage of his life and career which ended with what was introduced as some of his most chilling words (and which I hadn't seen until then) of him rallying for gun rights and ending by holding a rifle above his head and saying in usual dramatic tones 'from my cold dead hands'. So it seems HB was just repeating his own words. I am sure Mr Heston would see the irony of a bunch of BDSMers standing up for his rights and continuing his fight when he was renowned for his significantly strong right wing politics and public support for right wing politicians such as Reagan and their policies....me thinks he would have been just as happy to have thrown us all in prison and had the keys thrown away.

Catalina

That's exactly what he said, and the fact that anyone here didn't catch that means that they are selective in terms of what they pay attention to on the news. It was HIGHLY publicized, and he said it in Denver.