Not to exhume this long dead discussion but this is truly specious as
a comparison. Sure, it's pleasing to the writer, but it lacks true
merit in that the
comparison is over the top. If we need to vilify to such a degree
for our own argument to have any value then our argument is suspect
in the
first place. Or more importantly, we render our argument to appear
less valid in our desperate need to be 'right' or prove others wrong.
I am a VERY liberal person, don't own guns and don't want to. So I
understand people's need to hold someone responsible, to paint
someone as
the 'black hat' and to reduce a complex issue to simple elements in
order to fashion a powerful argument, we do it all the time in
politics and art
(see Darth Vader). If only all things were so simple and easy. The
problem is that in focusing purely on Mr. Heston's words and deeds we do
ourselves no favors as we lose our 'aim' and don't focus on those who
hired him and those who fight against even the smallest sensible gun
measures at all costs (most often the cost of more lives) which most
responsible gun owners do not find threatening.
Mr. Heston was a lightning rod, no doubt, but this was a distinct
advantage to the NRA I suspect that there was likely manipulation of
Mr. Heston
who's full control of his faculties is seriously in doubt.
Still, it is a no-brainer that the nature of our nation's
relationship with guns is staggeringly complex and dangerous whether
Mr. Heston ever became
the NRA Spokesperson or not. So to accuse Mr. Heston as completely
responsible for 100,000 gun deaths per year or even mostly so is
ludicrous and
akin to a diversion. One should not deny his influence as that of
any corporate spokesperson, but to heap it all upon his shoulders and
compare him
even remotely to Adolf Hitler is patently absurd.
Then again, I always reserve the right to be wrong. So, if I can
find any study that shows there were zero gun deaths prior to
Charleton Heston becoming
the NRA Spokesman, and due to the death of Charleton Heston, all gun
deaths evaporate, then I will accept the fact that I am wrong and
admit that ALL
the gun deaths were ALL due to Charleton Heston's "cold dead
hands." Unfortunately there will likely be just as many or more gun
deaths even though
Mr. Heston is gone.
I can only hope that I am wrong.
Patrick
On Apr 26, 2008, at 6:26 PM, rodxmorgan wrote:
who had choice, negative words about charlton heston only hours
after the actor passed away??
Maybe if his handguns had killed and injured a million people/year,
instead of just 100,000---you
might also have the good sense to disparage his reputation.
Remember...there were more pictures taken of Adolph Hitler kissing
babies, than gassing Jews.
"Springtime for Heston and NRA..."
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