Matt Lauer astonished that Charlton Heston never reconsidered Support of Gun Rights. (BARF-OLA!)

Media Research Center ^ | Friday September 6, 2002

[Draakan]

Matt Lauer acted astonished that NRA President Charlton Heston had never reconsidered his support of gun rights after hearing about a shooting.

During a taped interview played on Thursday's Today, Lauer wanted to know, given that Heston has guns in his house as he is showing signs of Alzheimer's, whether there is "a concern that if you become of diminished mental capacity that that could be a problem?"

Lauer was also appalled by Heston's disrespect of Bill Clinton. Today showed a clip of Heston proclaiming: "Mr. Clinton, sir, America doesn't trust you with our health care system. America didn't trust you with gays in the military, America doesn't trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure Lord, don't trust you with our guns."

After Heston maintained, "I'm proud of having said it," Lauer admonished him: "Speaking about a President of the United States here."

Earlier in the interview, Lauer demanded: "Have you ever gotten up one morning, read the newspaper or seen the news about a particularly horrific crime or event that involved a shooting and thought even for a second, I may be on the wrong side of this issue?"

Heston: "No I never felt that."

An astonished Lauer wondered: "Never wavered?"

Lauer set up the September 5 segment, aired during the 7:30am half hour, which MRC analyst Geoffrey Dickens noticed:

"Last month actor Charlton Heston got some stunning news. He was diagnosed with what is believed to be Alzheimer's disease. He's known to millions around the world as Moses or Ben Hur.

But in recent years Heston has become almost as well-known for a different role. That of political activist. Most notably as the five-term President of the National Rifle Association. Recently I sat down with him for an exclusive interview to reflect on his diagnosis and his life crusading for the causes he believes in."

Lauer prompted Heston during the pre-taped, in-studio session: "You were active in the civil rights movement" and reminded him: "You stood on the Lincoln Memorial steps as Dr. King delivered his, 'I Have A Dream,' speech."

Lauer soon noted: "Heston is as much known for his activism as he is for his acting." Lauer asked Heston: "What are you most proud of in that area of your life?"

Heston: "I suppose the leadership of the NRA." Lauer: "Why?" Heston: "I believe in the right to keep and bear arms. Thomas Jefferson and all those smart old, dead, white guys that invented the country, that's what they were in favor of. And so I'll go with him."

Lauer suggested Heston should change his views:

"Have you ever gotten up one morning, read the newspaper or seen the news about a particularly horrific crime or event that involved a shooting and thought even for a second, I may be on the wrong side of this issue?"

Heston: "No I never felt that." Lauer: "Never wavered?" Heston: "No. Again I'm on the side of the men who invented the country. They believed in the Second Amendment and I believe in it too."

Lauer: "Let me read, probably, your most famous quote as the head of the NRA, standing in front of the convention one year-"

Heston: "Oh yes." Lauer: "And if you, well I'll start it, you finish it. How about that? 'As we set out this year to defeat the divisive forces that would take freedom away I want to say those words again for everyone within the-"

Today jumped to join a clip in progress of Heston as he held up a rifle at an NRA convention: "-within the sound of my voice. To hear and to heed and especially for you Mr. Gore. From my cold dead hands!"

Heston: "From my cold dead hands."

Lauer: "Received an enormous reaction."

Heston: "Yes it did."

Lauer: "Still feel that way?"

Heston: "Yes I do. Yes I'm, I'm very proud of the fact that I've been able to be useful to the NRA."

Lauer: "There was a column written after it was announced that you had Alzheimer's and it brought something up that I hadn't thought about."

Heston: "I don't have it yet, not yet, not yet, later, later."

Lauer: "That you had the symptoms. It brought up an issue that I hadn't thought about. You are gun owner, you have guns in your home. Is there a concern that if you become of diminished mental capacity that, that could be a problem?"

Heston: "If it becomes a problem then it has to be dealt with it, doesn't it? But I don't think it will be."

Lauer: "What do you say to the people who have opposed you on that particular issue over the years?"

Heston: "You have a right to oppose me but I have a right to do as I feel is, is important and is best to do and that's what I'm doing."

Lauer: "You started out as a Democrat."

Heston: "I did. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Lauer: "What changed you? The story goes you were driving down the street one day and each day you would pass a big campaign billboard for Barry Goldwater in 1964."

Heston: "Yeah, that's right."

Lauer: "And that billboard said something to the effect of, 'In your heart you know he's right.'"

Heston: "Right. And I thought son-of-a-gun, he is right."

Lauer: "And you switched right then."

Heston: "I did."

Lauer: "Let me read you what you said about Bill Clinton. 'Mr. Clinton, sir, America doesn't trust you-'"

Today again joined a soundbite of Heston in progress: "-with our health care system. America didn't trust you with gays in the military, America doesn't trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure Lord, don't trust you with our guns."

Heston: "I'm proud of having said it. I'm also-" Lauer, jumped in to admonish him: "Speaking about a President of the United States here."

Heston: "I also was pleased to hear that afterwards he said to his followers, after the last election when Mr. Gore was defeated. To his credit he said, 'It was the NRA and Chuck Heston that did it.'"

Lauer: "And you're proud of that?"

Heston: "I am."

Lauer moved on to lighter topics: "He's still getting offers and is currently in negotiations for a movie. He's also working with his son Frazier on an animated version of Ben Hur. And he's spending more personal time with his family as well, including his daughter Holly, his grandchildren and wife of 58 years, Lydia. Heston's first and only love whom he met in college."

For the remainder of the interview Lauer asked about his wife and kids and role as a father as well as how he has kept a daily journal throughout his life and how he his handling the disease which confronts him.

[Howlin]

During a taped interview played on Thursday's Today, Lauer wanted to know, given that Heston has guns in his house as he is showing signs of Alzheimer's, whether there is "a concern that if you become of diminished mental capacity that that could be a problem?"

A stunning statement.

[sheik yerbouty]

Lauer is a pc imbecile.

[Inspectorette]

"Speaking about a President of the United States here."

I wish Mr. Heston had replied, "I'm speaking about a person who squatted in the Oval Office and defiled the Office of the Presidency for eight long years, and who turned the White House - the People's House - -into a whorehouse.

[Senator Pardek]

...that horse-faced chick from Sex in the City

Thank God - I'm not gay for thinking that! I thought I was the only dude in the world who thought she's Ms. Ed.

[Ipberg]

vs

That should get rid of any respect a few of you Freepers still might have had for Lauer! Thank you Media Research Centre

A larger photo from this hideous event in morning talk show history is at the following link: BARF ALERT You've been warned.

[wardaddy]

Thanks....I truly despise Lauer and his ilk. They are almost the level of enemy as the Islamists.

In the long run, the lib media may damage us even more from a political and cultural perspective.

[Drango]

Matt Lauer has never reconsidered his support for pedophiles, rapists, traitors and pond scum.

[billhilly]

If, on his ride to the studio in his network provided limo, it should hit and kill a pedestrian, is there anyone here who believes he would stop riding in the limo?

[Hildy]

My only comment would be why Heston and his people would have subjected themselves to this.

[DoughtyOne]

Because the public needs to see someone who has his head glued on squarely when it comes to guns.

[CaptainK]

Lauer: "That you had the symptoms. It brought up an issue that I hadn't thought about. You are gun owner, you have guns in your home. Is there a concern that if you become of diminished mental capacity that, that could be a problem?"


There are car keys and steak knives in the house too. Better get rid of them before it's too late.

[Restorer]

A stunning statement.

Also true. I've been around people with advanced Alzheimer's, and they shouldn't have access to guns, anymore than 3-year olds should.

[Howlin]

That is NOT the point; it's not up to Matt to discuss that in public.

Or are you insinuating that Matt was just thinking of what was best for Heston, and not trying to make him out a hypocrite?

[onedoug]

"I wish Moses had knocked him on his butt."

I'd say, he did.

[muir_redwoods]

Chuck would have to fall pretty far to be as diminished as Matt, Katie and the rest of the commie media.

[agrace]

EW.

[dsutah]

Yeah, but he sure put him in his place! hehehehehe! What's the matter Matt? Did the old gent with Alzheimer's get the best of you? Cat got your tongue?

[Fintan]

After Heston maintained, "I'm proud of having said it," Lauer admonished him: "Speaking about a President of the United States here."

That's okay...Millions of dimwits actually believe Lauer's a "journalist".

[dubyagee]

"Speaking about a President of the United States here."

No, no, he got it all wrong. "Speaking the truth about a President of the United States here."

Liberals always drop the most important parts.

[SunnyUsa]

thanks for posting this.... I never watch the Today show and this was very amusing! lol

Good for HESTON, he's the greatest....

Matt Laur is such a lightweight...he's gotta be the luckiest man on TV.