Budd Dwyer...


For any of you who wants to know, why did that guy shot himself on TV, here is your answer, (remember the scene what plays in very slow motion in this?)

** This comment contains adult issues **


On January 22, 1987, the day before his sentencing, Dwyer called a press conference to "provide an update on the situation." Many expected Dwyer to announce his resignation from office.

At the conference, an agitated and nervous Dwyer once again professed his innocence, and declared that he would not resign as state treasurer. Those attending would hear his final words:

"I thank the good Lord for giving me 47 years of exciting challenges, stimulating experiences, many happy occasions, and, most of all, the finest wife and children any man could ever desire.
"Now my life has changed, for no apparent reason. People who call and write are exasperated and feel helpless. They know I'm innocent and want to help. But in this nation, the world's greatest democracy, there is nothing they can do to prevent me from being punished for a crime they know I did not commit. Some who have called have said that I am a modern day Job.
"Judge Muir is also noted for his medieval sentences. I face a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison and a $300,000 fine for being innocent. Judge Muir has already told the press that he, quote, 'felt invigorated' when we were found guilty, and that he plans to imprison me as a deterrent to other public officials. But it wouldn't be a deterrent because every public official who knows me knows that I am innocent — it wouldn't be a legitimate punishment because I've done nothing wrong. Since I'm a victim of political persecution, my prison would simply be an American gulag.
"I ask those that believe in me to continue to extend friendship and prayer to my family, to work untiringly for the creation of a true justice system here in the United States, and to press on with the efforts to vindicate me, so that my family and their future families are not tainted by this injustice that has been perpetrated on me.
"We were confident that right and truth would prevail, and I would be acquitted and we would devote the rest of our lives working to create a justice system here in the United States. The guilty verdict has strengthened that resolve. But as we've discussed our plans to expose the warts of our legal system, people have said, 'Why Bother,' 'No One Cares,' 'You'll Look Foolish,' 60 Minutes, 20/20, the American Civil Liberties Union, Jack Anderson and others have been publicizing cases like yours for years, and it doesn't bother anyone..."
At this point Dwyer stopped with his prepared text and called to three of his staffers, giving each an envelope. One contained a suicide note to his wife, a second was an organ donor card and other related materials, and a third was a letter to Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey, who had been inaugurated just two days before.

After handing out the envelopes, Dwyer opened a fourth large manila envelope and withdrew a .357 Magnum revolver, advising those in the crowd to "Please leave the room if this will offend you." Those in attendance cried out to Dwyer, pleading with him to put the gun down. Some tried to approach him. "Stay away, this thing will hurt someone," he warned.[2] Those were his final words. Amid the cry of "Budd, Budd, Budd," Dwyer put the gun barrel into his mouth, pulled the trigger, and collapsed on the floor bleeding, in front of five live television news cameras. Medical crews immediately arrived and treated Dwyer's hopeless injuries, which he succumbed to at 11:31 a.m. at Harrisburg Hospital.

"Get upstairs & Get Your Grandpa!"

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I guess he was a believer in the philosaphy it is better to burn out than fade out.

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and was he even guilty? not sure, but i found this read interesting.

http://members.fortunecity.com/budd3/inno.html

this video clip (which i saw 13 years ago for the first time, when i was 15) stayed in my head for days. it's not the faucet of blood coming out of his nose, it's that hollow look in his face as he slumps over.

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you only commit suicide if youre guilty
Dylan Kelbold and Eric Harris (columbine)
guilty
suicide
that vietnamese Virginia Tech guy
totally guilty
suicide

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The VT shooter was Korean not Vietnamese.

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I was home from school the day this happened. I, along with many other children in the state of PA, had the misfortune of being home due to snow. Alot of my friends saw this too. Pretty sad stuff to see around the age of ten.

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Just wondering, if i were to watch this or anything from Traes of Death, is it a close-up of his actions, or is it from a decent distance? I've known about this for many years and I believe one of my friends saw it, but there is just something about close-up, REAL gore that I'm not certain I can handle.

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From what I remember it was a good shot. the quality was good and you can actually see everything. I think it closes in once he falls to the floor although its been a long time since I've seen it.

I get it up, I get it up in the dark, I make her feel I'm not a holy man

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From what I remember it was a good shot.

Indeed, he was gone almost instantly. He seemed rather calm and determined, too. I wonder what was going through his head after he pulled the trigger.

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I'm thinking it was a .357 bullet

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he claimed he was innocent, but he had already been found guilty. he killed himself before sentencing. the judge had already made statements implying that he was going to throw the book at him, which i think could have been something like up to 50 years.

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by - karottychoppa on Tue Jul 24 2007 17:03:18
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you only commit suicide if youre guilty
No. A person may kill themself because they have been trapped and ruined for something they did not do. I highly recommend Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer. Great film.

Votes: 2061
Reviews: 129 (http://www.imdb.com/user/ur0756238/comments)

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This scene has bothered me more than anything else I have ever witnessed on television or movies. It has haunted me for over a decade and when i start thinking about it i get really sick to my stomach and completely horrified.

Gee, thanks, Traces of Death. And to the pathetic douche that narrates the film, rewinding it over and over, making sick little jokes on the voiceover, I hope this happens to the person you love and care about the most. And then I hope some bozo makes you watch it over and over again, cracking jokes in your ear as he anally rapes you with a rusty machete. Get eff'ed, dude!

And Texas Chainsaw - thanks for the story. Its a bit theraputic to hear what led up to those events. I won't be wondering "why" all the time anymore! LOL

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"This scene has bothered me more than anything else I have ever witnessed on television or movies. It has haunted me for over a decade and when i start thinking about it i get really sick to my stomach and completely horrified."

Ditto, ditto and DITTO.

This scene changed my life in a way. It was the last time I ever viewed a movie of this genre.

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I think that Budd was an innocent and well spoken man. It's a shame that the judge had to be a dick to him like that. If I were in Budd's position, I think I would do the same thing, except probably not in public like that.

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Yeah, no kidding... He traumatised quite a few people. In my book that was a really selfish act and pretty darn cowardly. Drama queen material.







Ta-daa! It's... it's gone.

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I've seen the clip numerous times and it's heavy. I wasn't alive at the time Budd was serving, so I don't know what kind of an influence he had, nor have I done my research to fully know what kind of a person he was.

Our songs will all be silenced, but what of it? Go on singing. -- Orson Welles

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