Quite frankly, I'm wondering what TOOK THEM SO LONG...
It took YouTube no less than 15 YEARS to notice that one of our videos, The Out Of Bodies - PRAY FOR THE DEAD, featured a few seconds of the infamous, publicly broadcasted LIVE ON-AIR SUICIDE of disgraced Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Republican Budd Dwyer - who was found guilty on 11 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, perjury (among other things) and was due to be sentenced January 23, 1987. Budd had different plans.
During a live, televised press conference the day before - when Dwyer was expected to announce his resignation - he instead babbled on endlessly about his "innocence", which prompted half the room to begin packing up their equipment and leaving. Noticing this he broke from his own written statement to say "those of you who are putting your cameras away, I think you ought to stay because we're not.... were not finished yet." He wasn't kidding.
Moments later he pulled a .357 Magnum revolver from a manila envelope.
Now even though the length of time it just took you to read this back-story was much, MUCH longer than the actual clip I used - evidently, clips of ANY length showing ole' Budd emptying his skull on live TV goes against YouTube's "SELF HARM POLICY" ......and the video was removed.....
Ironically, the parts of the video showing the creepiest zombies I've ever seen from "Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things" was perfectly fine... and for roughly 15 years this video (featuring the sweaty, yet lovable Budd Dwyer) resided on YouTube unscathed, racking up thousands of page views. With all the videos on YouTube which SHOULD be removed for one reason or the other - makes me wonder, ... REALLY? THIS one???
YouTube Cares
So folks, that's it - Pray For The Dead is no more - - and now apparently YouTube is concerned about ME!... They've sent me an email...
..."we're reaching out because members of the YouTube Community, including fellow creators, viewers, or staff, have expressed concern for your safety or wellbeing after coming across content you posted with topics related to suicide or self-harm... Video: Pray For The Dead - The Out Of Bodies."
"If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thinking or self-harming, know there is help and you're not alone. It's not uncommon to turn suicidal thinking and self-harm as ways to cope with painful emotions. Talking to someone can help you process these emotions, as well as get support through a difficult time."
Again, this was posted 15 YEARS AGO!! Gee, thanks for the QUICK RESPONSE, YouTube! YOU'RE A LIFE SAVER!! LOL!!!!
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