I remember seeing the footage when I was in my late teens or early twenties(funny--my memory of it made me think I was even younger). R. Budd Dwyer killing himself and it was broadcast on the evening news. Back then I was living in Rhode Island. So a state treasurer in PA. didn't make news in RI except for this time. I remember the picture of him with his gun in his mouth that appeared in the paper too. Chilling. Today I had an assignment to cover the screening of the movie here in Meadville. R. Budd Dwyer was from Crawford County. A couple weeks ago I had to find and then photograph the man's grave. I knew a little about him, but not much. I knew he had killed himself and his act allowed his family to retain his pension--I always thought that was pretty smart. He had said he was innocent and there does seem to be some doubt of his guilt--so I really have no opinion on that aspect of his life. I do believe it is possible that corruption could have led to his tragic end--whether it was his own or others that ended up framing him in lies---the sad thing is that corruption exists in the first place. I've never felt that cheating in anything can make you feel good about an accomplishment. So why do it? No one is perfect, but what can possibly be gained from corruption? It certainly isn't something that it will advance mankind--and isn't that the legacy we want to eventually have--as someone who helped advance who we are? When I got into photography and journalism I truly believed it was a noble thing to do--to seek stories to tell--to record history and to find a better understanding of the world. To watch those who do wrong and right and make sure the story is told fairly. I know not everyone in the profession feels this way and that there is corruption even within what we do---but isn't it really what it should be about. I won't go into a longer diatribe about this, but it is important to note--that the press gets blamed for an awful lot of things, but without the press--believe me, things would be horrible---things would not be America and what it is supposed to stand for. One criticism in this case was the way the press handled the suicide. At that time the footage was shown. It was horrific. But now we really don't see the media showing horrific things and I'm not so sure we're better off. Sometimes seeing the horror makes us think and understand life better in our uneasiness. And I do agree that it is a shame for the family to have to watch and see the footage over and over again, I can't imagine it if it was my family. It is a dilemma for sure--and its not something that has a right or a wrong answer. But showing the horrific images of terrible events, should make us understand life more fully and act to make sure that life and mankind advances. My fear is if we turn a blind eye to things that are hard to view--corruption and corrupt people will win out and cause more damage in the long run. I could go on. Meadville Tribune photograph by Richard Sayer. And I'm not sure if this documentary investigated things enough--it was pretty one sided on the fact that Dwyer was innocent and wrongly accused and convicted....but it certainly does get one questioning...which is good. This photograph is of the director after greeting the crowd prior to the showing of 'Honest Man' Saturday night at Allegheny College.
Did I mention--that Black and white photography really does narrow the focus on to the subject matter? It does!
Did I mention--that Black and white photography really does narrow the focus on to the subject matter? It does!