(Val) Kilmer comments rankle N.M. lawmaker (about needing to carry gun)

sacramento bee ^ | 10-6-03

[wheelgunguru]

PECOS, N.M. (AP) -- Actor Val Kilmer has been talking about New Mexico, and one state lawmaker didn't like what he heard.

Kilmer, who has a ranch in the mountains south of Pecos, was asked about living in rural New Mexico in an interview published in a recent edition of Rolling Stone.

Kilmer told the magazine he carries a gun in his car.

"I live in the homicide capital of the Southwest," Kilmer said. "Eighty percent of the people in my county are drunk. So driving home on the highway, especially with kids, it's (carrying a gun) just a precaution."

Kilmer was also asked how he spends his time. After talking about feeding the animals and going to the watering hole, he put on a hick accent and said: "We shoot the automatic weapons at the trespassers and people a different color than us."

State Sen. Phil Griego, whose district includes Kilmer's ranch and who lives nearby, said Friday that if the actor doesn't like San Miguel County he's welcome to leave.

"He's shooting from the hip and he's espousing stuff he really doesn't know anything about," Griego said.

The lawmaker said the actor lives behind a gate and doesn't know his community.

A call to Kilmer's agent requesting an explanation of the actor's remarks was not returned.

John Hendry of the state tourism department said Kilmer actually loves New Mexico and its people.

"I don't believe for a minute he meant any of it. I know him and I have a feeling that you had to be there" to understand Kilmer's perhaps sardonic intent, Hendry said.

[dangus]

Oh, nothing personal when I said cooter=hick. Other cooter. :)

[onedoug]

"You may be a good woman. But you might also be the antichrist."

[najida]

I looked it up (I didn't get it either)

To be one’s huckleberry—usually as the phrase
I’m your huckleberry
is to be just the right person for a given job, or a willing executor of some commission.

[sandydipper]

"I'll be your Huckleberry"

As in I'll be your guienea pig or I'll play your game.

[Cinnamon Girl]

I think a 'huckleberry' is the dupe a roadshow huckster would pick from the crowd to prove his elixir really works.

[Slings and Arrows]

As a former New Mexican, who would return in a moment if I could find work there, I've always said you're not a real New Mexican until you can bless and curse the place in the same breath.

[Reverend Bob]

The Road To Ruin was still there the last time I passed through (admittedly a couple of years ago). Rats! Now I'm starting to get road fever.

[ibbryn]

Val Kilmer has some issues and personality problems. I don't know if I want him on my side

Don't worry. He's not on your side. I'd guess he believes he's important enough to carry a gun but he doesn't want you armed.

That's just a guess.

[gg188]

Nope. The best Doc Holliday was Dennis Quaid.

[Possenti]

Bronson in "Ten to Midnight". I liked it better than the Death Wish movies.

[wardaddy]

I like Quaid but .....

[sandydipper]

--- the Huckster dupe ---

Makes a lot of sense - Thank You!

[Muleteam1]

I think they tore down, or replaced, The Road to Ruin bar at Logan. I was up there this summer and did not recognize the town which, like all New Mexico towns with a mountain or a lake nearby, has grown immensely.

Muleteam1