Do you know "who" this song is about? A guy who commited suicide on television. I almost saw it live. I missed it by about three minutes... I'm not mad I didn't see it.
The story: I was living in Maryland at the time. It was summer. There was a Pennsylvania state official (comptroller or something like that) who had been accused of bilking the state for quite a bit of money. He called a press conference to say he was innocent. When the news conference was coming to a close, he pulled out some envelopes and passed them out to some of his coworkers. Then, he pulled out a big manilla envelope, opened it up, pulled out a large hand gun with a very long barrel, put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. Everyone ran for cover... leaving the cameras on. This was a life news conference.
It had happened just before noon. So, when I turned on the tv it had already happened. They edited the video by the time I saw. Thank God.
For some reason, I really like this song, though every time I hear it I am reminded of the whole affair. May I ask why this song is your "favorite?"
DWC - Yep, I know the story. But thanks for filling in my readers. :) I actually posted a link to Bill Dwyer's biography on Wikipedia by hypertexting the "man" in the song title.
It's a tragedy, really. He was adamant about his innocence and wasn't really given a fair trial. What he did -- though sad -- sent a loud statement not only about our judicial system, but also our media.
Not to mention, our priorities.
I can't imagine what his life was like in the months leading up to his very difficult decision. Rumor has it the only way his wife and kids would've received a pension is if he died before he was officially locked up.
If you get a chance, read the wikipedia story. It includes a transcript of what he said at the news conference.
I read the wikipedia article. It explains why I was home. We must of had a snowday, I thought it was summer time. Either way, it did affect me. I didn't see the actual footage of his suicide, but I saw up and afterwards. Scary stuff to see for a 13 year old.
Do you know "who" this song is about? A guy who commited suicide on television. I almost saw it live. I missed it by about three minutes... I'm not mad I didn't see it.
ReplyDeleteThe story: I was living in Maryland at the time. It was summer. There was a Pennsylvania state official (comptroller or something like that) who had been accused of bilking the state for quite a bit of money. He called a press conference to say he was innocent. When the news conference was coming to a close, he pulled out some envelopes and passed them out to some of his coworkers. Then, he pulled out a big manilla envelope, opened it up, pulled out a large hand gun with a very long barrel, put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. Everyone ran for cover... leaving the cameras on. This was a life news conference.
It had happened just before noon. So, when I turned on the tv it had already happened. They edited the video by the time I saw. Thank God.
For some reason, I really like this song, though every time I hear it I am reminded of the whole affair. May I ask why this song is your "favorite?"
DWC - Yep, I know the story. But thanks for filling in my readers. :) I actually posted a link to Bill Dwyer's biography on Wikipedia by hypertexting the "man" in the song title.
ReplyDeleteIt's a tragedy, really. He was adamant about his innocence and wasn't really given a fair trial. What he did -- though sad -- sent a loud statement not only about our judicial system, but also our media.
Not to mention, our priorities.
I can't imagine what his life was like in the months leading up to his very difficult decision. Rumor has it the only way his wife and kids would've received a pension is if he died before he was officially locked up.
If you get a chance, read the wikipedia story. It includes a transcript of what he said at the news conference.
Guilty or not: it's sad.
I read the wikipedia article. It explains why I was home. We must of had a snowday, I thought it was summer time. Either way, it did affect me. I didn't see the actual footage of his suicide, but I saw up and afterwards. Scary stuff to see for a 13 year old.
ReplyDeleteDamn.
ReplyDeleteWhy have you been feeling more like this lately?
~BPP
Do we need an intervention?
ReplyDeleteYou know, I actually kind of thought the song should "be about" Charles Whitman, but that's neither here nor there.
ReplyDelete