My Memories of Charlton Heston

I woke to the the sad news that Charlton Heston died today at age 84.

During my days as a political consultant, I met many dozens of politicians, dignitaries, writers, judges, athletes and celebrities. None were more impressive than Mr. Heston.

Sadly for me, he was impressive on more levels than I comprehended at the time.

The first time I met him during the final weeks of the 1994 election. He had come to the central coast of California to do a fundraiser for Andrea Seastrand's congressional campaign. He was coming directly from another event. I was in the driveway waiting to show him into the event when his limousine pulled up. There was excitement in the air as the limo came to a stop. The man who slowly exited the limo was not Ben Hur or Moses, it was an exhausted 70 year-old man who had crisscrossed the country making dozens of campaign appearances in the past few days. He wasn't feeling well and he looked shockingly feeble. As he walked into the house, he straightened his jacked and tie, took a deep breath, and went to work. He started by posing for photos with high dollar donors and then he went to the backyard where more than a hundred people were waiting to hear the Academy Award winning actor speak. I stayed behind attending to other campaign details.

Armed with a small tape recorder, I was charged escorting him to his car and then recording a sound-bite that could be distributed to the local radio stations. As we stood next to the car, I pressed record and asked him if there was a single issue that he thought people should think about when voting during the coming election. I was hoping for a zinger of a quote— something like the talking points that the Republican National Committee faxed to our campaign on a daily basis, or something like I would have written for one of Mrs. Seastrand's speeches. Without pausing to think of an answer, Mr. Heston solemnly replied, "Freedom, I hope people think about preserving the great gift that we have been given." That was it. I pressed the red stop button on the recorder and said thank you. Mr. Heston said thank you, slowly ducked into the limo and was off to another event.

I was disappointed. He was so off message. How could he not give me something good to use. I did not get it. But then again, I had spent too many months helping press hot button issues and recycle talking points about illegal immigration and middle-class tax cuts. I doubt I ever played the recording back. I know I did not consider sending it to a radio station. His passionate and sincere answer was lost on me. What a waste.

What an idiot I was.

It was not until I read his autobiography that his answer started to make sense. How could I have though that the 70 year-old man, who was worked himself to exhaustion and through sickness, did all that because he really wanted a "much deserved middle-class tax cut" or to "stop the tide of illegal immigration that was flooding the country." What happened in that election or any election during his lifetime was not going to change the fact that he could sit in a mansion in Beverly Hills and spend the rest of his life in extreme comfort. His name was not on a ballot. His lifestyle was not on the line. He subjected himself to a campaign schedule that rivaled that of a presidential candidate because he believed in something bigger than himself— "freedom... the great gift that we were given." It was that belief that led him to be the first white celebrity to march with Martin Luther King, Jr., an unpopular move that put more than his acting career in jeopardy. It was that belief that led him to be the most recognizable champion of the 2nd Amendment, a move that was mocked by most members of the Hollywood academies and unions that he once led.

Mr. Heston returned to the Central Coast in 1996 to campaign for the reelection of Congresswoman Seastrand. This time I picked him up at the small Santa Maria airport where he arrived on a charter flight with Congressman Chris Cox. My appreciation for Mr. Heston had improved and so had Mr. Heston’s health. As I stood by the fence waiting for the two men, I could see that he stood taller, walked more gracefully, and looked 10 years younger than he did two years prior. There was no limo to take him to the next event, just my 1991 Ford Explorer. Of course, he rode shotgun and Congressman Cox sat in the backseat.

Our destination was 20 minutes away and Mr. Heston was thirsty, so with time to spare, he asked if we could pull through a McDonald’s drive thru and get something to drink. I laughed out loud as I thought of going through the drive through with Charlton Heston. I think I forgot to answer him because he followed the question up with, “is that okay.” As I pulled into the drive through, I wanted to say, “I’ll take an iced-tea and Moses wants a Diet Coke.” I didn’t and nobody at the McDonald’s in Santa Maria even noticed the international celebrity they served that day.

As we drove to the event, I made small talk by nervously asking a few questions. Mr. Heston make conversation by sharing stories and insight. He told me that he thought Rober Deniro was the best actor in Hollywood and that Deniro should play one of Shakepeare roles to show his true greatness. He joked how easy it was to predict the winner of the best actor award, “just look for the person playing the handicapped person or Aids victim.”

At this event, I made sure to listen to him speak. When he gave a stump speech, he spoke with the cadence and theatrics of a great actor and the passion and conviction of a Baptist minister. Whether it was in the backyard of a house in Santa Maria with a hundred people or in banquet hall in Washington DC with a couple thousand people, when Mr. Heston spoke, everyone listened. His voice was commanding and his words were always poetic as they were direct. He could make a crowd listen silently as they hung on every masterfully articulated word, or roar with laughter, or applaud with passion. I remember someone next to me say, “I would pay to hear him read the phone book.”

He was commanding, inspiring, and theatrical. of the great speakers that I have heard speak in person, Ronald Reagan was his only equal.

Like many great men, Charlton Heston was a man of passion and courage. Like the rarest of great men, he was a leader in battles for prizes that he had already won. He is one of my heroes.

When Asking About Expungement & Record Sealing

To help me answer your questions about clearing your criminal record, please always tell me as much as the following as possible...

1. In what state was arrest or conviction?
2. If applicable, what year were you convicted and when did you finish your sentence, and yes, this includes probation and parole.
3. What other misdemeanor or felonies are on your record and when did they occur.
4. Let me know if you are serving any other sentece.
5. What you were convicted of.


Here is a quick primer on legal terminology that will help us communicate effectively.

1. Charge - This is what you were accused of doing
2. Conviction - This is what you were found guilty, pled guilty, or pled no contest to doing.
3. Arrest - This is when a law enforcement agency brings you into custody
4. Court Case - This is what happens when the state files and "information" or other document with the court against you.

Welcome to My Expungement & Rant Blog

After spending less than 14 dog years helping a small expungement law firm grow into the largest regional law firm, I took my earnings and coasted into retirement.

I am now free to sit on the couch and bark out legal advice and random rants. I have been spending time answering questions about expungement on message boards. One of the grateful users asked that I create a blog... so here it is.

I am here to answer questions about expungement or the state of justice for those who have gone through the criminal justice system. I may have been a lawyer, but I am not now... so there is no attorney-client privilege here. That said, post your questions or comments and I will do my best to help you find the answer.

-Siena