APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Buchanan blames entertainment industry for killings
GOP presidential hopeful says shooters were devoid of moral values
By Scott Lindlaw
Associated Press
NEWARK, Calif. — GOP presidential hopeful Pat Buchanan said the entertainment industry is partly to blame for filling the heads of the young gunmen in the Littleton, Colo. massacre with violence.
"For what is happening in our public schools that didn't used to happen 30 years, I think Hollywood bears a measure of responsibility," Buchanan said late Friday after a speech to conservative activists here.
The Republican said that Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, the apparent shooters, were devoid of moral values because the American Civil Liberties Union had worked to get prayer out of public schools.
"They were empty vessels," Buchanan said during the speech.
"And what was poured into those vessels? All the dreck of modernity," he said. "All that Hollywood can produce in terms of raw violence and sex and filth and all the rest of it.
"What happened in Littleton, Colorado was a product of that culture of death that we've got to resist," he said.
Asked after the speech what he would do as president to halt that, Buchanan offered no specifics, saying instead that he would use the power of the presidency to urge filmmakers to restrain themselves.
"As president, I think what you use is the bully pulpit to castigate those in Hollywood who are responsible for putting out this garbage and this ultra-violence and who have no restraint on what they do.
"Frankly, I think you should praise those folks in Hollywood who are doing good films, but those who are doing this sort of thing I think should be condemned from the bully pulpit, and I don't think the president of the United States has done that."
Buchanan didn't mention any films by name that he thought merited such praise or condemnation.
His fellow GOP candidate Steve Forbes echoed Buchanan's comments Saturday.
"I think (the massacre) just underscores how important it is that we revive our culture, take back our culture," Forbes said at a reception here. "There's a lot of relativism out there today, a lot of anything-goes attitude, and that eventually hurts us all."
Like Buchanan, he said that "a lot can be done from the pulpit of the White House of imparting a sense of integrity, honesty, dignity and character." He didn't offer any specific proposals.
Buchanan and Forbes addressed the California Republican Assembly, a conservative arm of the state GOP. Three other conservative presidential candidates are scheduled to attend this weekend, including Alan Keyes, Gary Bauer and U.S. Sen. Bob Smith of New Hampshire.
Bauer said Hollywood and other entertainment media played a contributing role in the massacre.
"I think we've got a culture of death in the country," Bauer said later Saturday. "There's part of our culture — music videos, video games, etcetera — that large numbers of impressionable children are being exposed to."
Bauer also said he would use the power of the presidency to "shame" media executives into curbing violence in their products.
April 25, 1999
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BACKGROUND
Full index of the shooting Reconstruction of the shooting Timeline Location the school Floorplan Weapons used
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AUDIO
'Friend of Mine' Listen to the Columbine Memorial song sung by Columbine students Jonathan and Stephen Cohen.
911 tapes
Interview with Arun Ghandi |
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PHOTOS
A Daily Camera photo essay detailed the tragedy of April 20 and the recovery and remembrance in the following weeks: photo essay
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INTERACT
In light of the shooting on April 20, should the state legislature allow people to carry concealed weapons? vote here
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
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THE INVESTIGATION
Gunmen paid for weapons, teenager claims CHS investigators focus on computers Investigators try to disprove third CHS shooter Man charged with selling handgun to child FBI investigator's son linked to case Agents creating models of Columbine Teen targeted by sheriff denies involvement in school attack Arrest in Columbine shooting Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Officials no closer to arresting suspects Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Security videotapes at school may show whether gunmen had help Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Violence in Georgia School violence stuns nation Teen wounds six fellow students Teens charged in alleged school attack plot Michigan teenagers charged in plot Other school shootings 1927 school bombing killed nearly 40 children Suspensions, arrests across country La. school site of another shooting Facts: Death in schools 'Blood in the School Yard', from the Cincinnati Post full series |
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REACTION
High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny Parents of Columbine shooters sued Suit planned against parents of Columbine High shooters Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million Safe Night aims to curb youth violence CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors School security business surges Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' Clint Talbott - BVSD rejects dress code What now? Video of Clinton's Wednesday morning speech Video of Clinton's Tuesday speech
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GUNS AND LAW
GOP tinkers further with gun legislation Columbine dad lobbies Washington Group forms to back gun control Poll says two-thirds in U.S. support tougher restrictions on guns Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales Dems want special session Gun control strife House won't debate gun bill New gun laws on table Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
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HOW TO HELP
- The Denver Rocky Mountain News has established a drive to raise money for a memorial to the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy. Contributions may be mailed to the Columbine Memorial Fund, c/o The Jefferson Foundation, 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO 80215.
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