Watching Those Who Watch...
A curious trend has been emerging over the past few months. It seem that several individuals have turned the cameras on themselves as they view Budd’s final press conference. They then upload the video and, well, we watch them watch Budd Dwyer die. Their reactions (laughing, awe and shock) are varied and somewhat interesting (if you’re into that sort of voyeur experience) but ultimately have no greater purpose then to add to the mountain of throwaway YouTube dreck that will forever pollute the Internet. It makes me wonder, when will someone film themselves watching a Budd Dwyer reaction?
How long will the chain grow and ultimately how far removed will we become from the original content and the intended message?
Article Highlight: USA vs Dwyer
The following document contains the official indictment for Budd and Robert Asher, as well as two articles commenting on the charges. Whether or not you believe the charges is up you, but regardless it’s a very interesting read and it details the scandal very well.
I believe the indictment, not the conviction, was the tipping point for Budd as it represented the ultimate betrayal of the system. Going to trial meant the end of his clean record and forever changed his relationship with the people of Pennsylvania. Even if he was found innocent he would never be able to erase this blemish, he would never truly be exonerated. It was the first set down a dark path from which he would never return…
“I thank the good Lord for giving me 47 years of invigorating challenges, stimulating experiences, many happy occasions, and, most of all, the finest wife and children a man could ever desire. Now my life has changed, for no apparent reason. People who call and write are exasperated and feel helpless. They know I’m innocent and want to help. But in this nation, the world’s greatest democracy, there is nothing they can do to prevent me from being punished for a crime they know I did not commit.” - RBD
23 Years Ago...
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Budd’s suicide. Instead of offering my own thoughts on today’s significance, I’d like to offer some words directly from Budd Dwyer himself. Below you’ll find a link to download the final entry in Budd’s journal. I’m making it available unedited, untranslated and uncensored. I need not say more, as his final entry says it all.
Article Highlight: Budd's letter to Reagan.
After his conviction, Budd wrote a letter to President Reagan asking for a Presidential pardon. A loyal Republican his entire life, Budd thought the President would recognize Budd’s clean record and see how his conviction was politically motivated. Many believe this pardon was the only thing that could have stopped Budd from taking his own life.
At long last, I can speak out...
I was in my first semester at the Academy of Art University, studying film, when I accidentally came across the video. At the time I was attempting to download “Bowling for Columbine” via a peer to peer program, but was coming up short. It wasn’t uncommon to download an incorrect file, users would sometime mislabel videos or songs out of malice or an attempt at humor, so you were never sure what you were going to get. Well, that day I got Budd Dwyer. It’s reasonable to say that it was a mistake that I wouldn’t soon forget.
That was six years ago.
In those six years I’ve been researching, interviewing, filming, editing, running out of money, filming once more, researching, running out of money again, filming and editing. And now I’m fully at the other end. The documentary which I’ve come to carry like some extended creative pregnancy, is finally ready to stand up on its own two legs.
“Honest Man: The Life of R.Budd Dwyer” is my attempt to answer some of the questions that flooded my head when I first saw Budd’s suicide. If you’ve seen the video or are vaguely familiar with Budd’s story I’m sure you have you own questions too. Through this blog, I hope to answer some of those questions and share the experiences I’ve had over the last six years. Since the film is complete we’ll also be sharing updates on the premiere and a slew of other news. Stay tuned…
James Dirschberger
Director
