See bottom of page for actual tribute to Charlton Heston. The rest of the content of this page was made in 2000. Our policy is strict: We honor the dead after they actually die.

The senseless murder of beloved actor and NRA President Charlton Heston has taken a toll on all of us. For one thing, it has forced us to take stock of who we are as a people, a senseless murdering people whose insistence on more and more guns promises more of the same. Ironically, Heston's death is attributed to the very weapon he loved and sought to protect. (More on this fascinating irony below.) Overall reaction to Heston's passing has been mixed. First, of course, there was the sadness, then the tributes. But now we're all experiencing a strange sense of relief...

We'll never forget you. But Lord knows we'll try. R.I.P.

Our nation's political leaders seek solitude at his grave, that they may offer one last fitting tribute on behalf of us all.

GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH "Thought you were going to share an office with me, did you? Well, share this, buddy!" "Ready, aim, fire....you always liked that phrase, didn't you? Looks like I can't miss today!"

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON "So you don't believe in trigger locks, huh? Well, I guess I don't either! Let 'er rip!" "Hey Chuck, I feel your pain, and I aim to please!" "My only regret that I have but one bladder to empty for my nation."

VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE "Felt like making me the whipping boy, huh? Well, now I've got it whipped out!" "You parted the Red Sea. Let's see how you do with Yellow River!"

ATTY. GEN. JANET RENO "So you thought I was a jack-booted thug, huh? Well, here's something else for you to think about!" "You always said you hated the looks of my face? Well, take a look at this, buddy!"

Editorial: As Things Stand Today Americans have once again seen the dreadful fruit of violence with the death of Charlton Heston. And now we struggle with the questions: "Why?" and "How come?" We seek to make sense of a situation that is admittedly senseless. And of course we seek to reflect and say "Goodbye" in a fitting way. Charlton Heston's death is yet another reminder to us that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. If there's any tribute worth giving Mr. Heston perhaps it's simply this: to cherish our loved ones today while we have them. A drive-by shooting, a premeditated murder, or a government raid can cheat us of every one of our tomorrows. As the situation stands now, still we are numb with our loss. But we are a resilient people; we can bounce back. And already we can sense the stirrings, as we make our way out of the morass of grief. Politically, the calls for tougher gun control have been heard, and the support seems to be there this time. If we can redeem this terrible situation in any way, this is no doubt going to be it. Again, we'd be remiss if we failed to point out the fascinating irony of Charlton Heston's death. The man loved guns: big guns, small guns, old collectors' guns and Saturday night specials. And he did what he could to spread firearms far and wide throughout America. Some say the man had blood on his hands before he was shot, and that would be entirely accurate. How incredible, then, that he himself was shot to death! That's kind of like the author of Jaws going swimming and being eaten by a shark!

Actual tribute to Charlton Heston (2008): We thought Charlton Heston was a great actor, and actually a great person. Because he believed passionately in various causes and fought for what he believed. As far as his movies, the ones we saw, we thought were pretty great. One you don't hear much about was Soylent Green. He was very heroic, and looking great. That was in the early '70s. So....he shall live on in the films. And our memories.

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