"I don't care. Charlton Heston is the head of the National Rifle Association. He deserves whatever anyone says about him"
About this Quote
George Clooney makes an unequivocal statement about his views on Charlton Heston by declaring, “I don’t care. Charlton Heston is the head of the National Rifle Association. He deserves whatever anyone says about him.” The comment indicates a clear divide between Clooney and Heston, rooted in their beliefs about gun rights and perhaps larger social responsibilities.
By stating that he doesn’t care, Clooney quickly dismisses concerns for political correctness, reputation, or the impact of his words. It’s not just indifference to Heston personally, but to any possible backlash or criticism for his stance. This emphasizes Clooney’s strong opposition to what Heston stands for as the head of the NRA, a powerful and often controversial pro-gun lobby in the United States.
Identifying Heston’s leadership of the NRA as the focal point, Clooney appears to equate Heston’s public persona with the policies or actions of the NRA itself. He sees Heston not merely as an individual, but as a figurehead responsible for an organization whose advocacy for gun rights, and, by implication, resistance to gun control, he despises or finds deeply problematic. This directness signals a deep frustration, possibly rooted in events such as mass shootings or debates about gun violence, a recurring issue in American society.
When Clooney says Heston “deserves whatever anyone says about him,” he is brushing aside concerns for decorum or civility typically afforded to public figures. There’s a moral judgment at play: if one leads an organization with controversial or harmful consequences, one forfeits the right to avoid harsh criticism, even if it becomes personal or intense. Clooney’s statement becomes not just about Heston or the NRA, but about holding public figures accountable for the ideologies and actions of the organizations they represent, suggesting, perhaps, that taking a public stance may inherently involve accepting public scrutiny and condemnation.
