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The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

Heston Addresses `Pursuing American Excellence’

Every nook and cranny of the Saint Louis Room was filled last night as the Great Issues Committee’s biggest speaker of the year, actor, director and National Rifle Association president Charlton Heston, presented a 35-minute talk entitled “In the Pursuit of American Excellence.”

“This is our biggest event of the year,” Great Issues Committee member sophomore Amy Smith said. “This took a lot of manpower, not only to get him here, but to advertise.”

Heston’s evening at SLU began with a press conference in the De Smet Room. Four local news stations, newspaper reporters and a local radio personality were present.

Heston, along with the five news cameras, was then moved upstairs to the Saint Louis Room for the presentation. He entered the room accompanied by a standing ovation from a majority of the crowd, estimated at 800. Heston called this a “stunning response” to SGA president Jay Perry’s “generous introduction.”

With students sitting on the floor and hundreds of public visitors standing in the back of the room, Heston began his speech of what he believed is an eroding American culture.

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“We chase pleasure,” Heston said, “and everything else seems risky. People are dominated by lust and greed.”

Heston gave examples of historical figures whom he believes were remarkable and should be recognized by everyone.

“Moses, Michaelangelo, John the Baptist and Thomas Jefferson. These people were not ordinary,” Heston said. “They were extraordinary and they changed to world. They changed the world by telling us about it.”

Heston continued his speech using numerous quotes from historical figures. He discussed the political system of the United States and how it is the most successful government since the Roman Empire. He spoke of the government created under Adolf Hitler and how one mistakes ruined their country. This discussion was followed by a crowd-arousing quote.

“If you don’t know history, you are doomed to repeat it,” Heston said. “History is not just the best subject. It is the only subject.”

Heston concluded his speech with a quote from contemporary novelist Thomas Wolfe.

“America is the only country where miracles not only happen, but happen all the time.”

A question-and-answer session followed Heston’s speech. Great Issues Committee President Derek Goewert read audience questions written down on cards which were passed out prior to the speech. One of the question asked Heston how he would respond to students at SLU regarding violence in America. The speaker quickly responded with the largest crowd arousing quote of the evening.

“Violence is a problem in any society,” Heston said. “However, the problem is not a lack of law. The problem is a lack of prosecution.

“The greatest creation of America was its constitution and bill of rights. No other country has anything like it. It defends citizens from intrusions of the federal government.”

Heston discussed other topics throughout the evening. He told the audience that Moses was his most difficult role as an actor and that he had been to Vietnam three times. He concluded his presentation with a response to a civil rights question.

“I hate the lined names. The phrases ‘Native-American’ and ‘African-American’ offend me. We are all Americans.”

Heston’s presentation created excitement and solidarity in both the University affiliates and the public.

“I liked the part about how we are all Americans and we don’t need to distinguish ourselves,” freshman Josh Burbridge said.

“I was awed to know I was to be where he was,” audience member Barbara Purselley said. “I agree with all of his philosophies. He’s a speaker of American freedom.”

However, numerous people were disappointed by the heavily-advertised presentation. It was felt that Heston’s speech was a mere collection of quotes and anecdotes that lacked energy and cohesiveness.

“It was a bunch of anecdotes that didn’t really have a point,” sophomore Joe Ord said.

“It was a cliche-ridden meandering of an over-the-hill actor longing for the good ole’ days,” John Slosar, professor of social work said. “I was blown away by the nothingness of it.”

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