All language subtitles for Benson s06e23 The Bookburner

I didn't know the Three Stooges had a
backup team.

You cut the smart remarks.

Benson, you've got a tie -breaking vote.
What are you going to do?

It's pretty obvious what Benson's going
to do. What are you going to do, Benson?

I'm going to do the right thing.

I'd think twice before doing the right
thing.

Too bad your parents didn't think twice.

Clayton, I don't think you realize the
impact of what Senator Jenkins is trying

to do. If this bill passes, his
committee will be able to have the power

any school library book that they find
objectionable. Sir, I do realize that,

but the way the bill is constructed, if
Benson votes against it, the schools

will not get their proper funding.

That's a catch -22 anyway.

Which, incidentally, is one of the books
the senator wants banned.

Boy, I can't believe some of the
booklets Bozo has on this list.

Huckleberry Finn.

Little women.

Now, don't worry about it. I have the
deciding vote.

Yeah, but that's all very well, Benson.
But what about the funding for the

school? Well, we'll just have to try and
find the money somewhere where there

are no strings attached.

Hey, Dad, want to go get some lunch?

Honey, let me ask you a question. Sure.
Are there any books in your school

library that anybody could find, I don't
know, dirty?

No way. There were dirty books in the
library. Boys would get library cards.

I know Senator Jenkins is well
-intentioned, but what the man's trying

just wrong.

Well, going up against him won't be
easy. I wouldn't trade places with

for anything.

Actually, sir, I think it is the better
part of valor to steer clear of this

whole situation. If Benson wants to take
on Senator Jenkins, I say fine, let him

flap in the wind.

Oh, nonsense, Clayton.

Benson, you want my opinion on this?
Well, um, to be perfectly frank, no.

Fine. All right, you want to make your
own decision, I respect that.

Come on, Katie, maybe I can help you
with something.

Don't worry, Benson.

If Senator Jenkins bans these books,
it'll be over my dead body.

Don't tempt me, Krause.

Benson, I've got to hand it to you. You
were something on that Senate floor. You

stuck to your guns and gave it to them
with both barrels.

Well, I'm glad it worked out. You put
your career on the line.

It's part of the job.

Cast an historical vote.

Cross, you're embarrassing me. Your
action will shape young minds for

generations to come. You know, they
might even put up a statue of you.

I'm sure the pigeons will enjoy that.

Knock it off, Benson. I'm proud of you.

Devoir. Great speech.

Thank you, Leonard.

Even Senator Tyler was impressed when he
voted against you.

No, no, I wasn't impressed. I just enjoy
seeing someone go up against Senator

Jenkins once in a while.

Last guy that had the guts to do that
was Assemblyman Blanchard.

Poor guy.

Assemblyman Blanchard?

I've never heard of him.

Well, not many people have.

Disagreeing with Senator Jenkins has a
way of lowering the life expectancy of

one's career.

Yeah. One day Blanchard was Speaker of
the House and the next day he was

painting a house.

Take care.

Don't listen to him and don't worry.

I'm not worried.

Did you see Senator Jenkins' face when
you were reading your decision?

His face got so red I thought it was
going to explode.

He was so stupid.

He was so red, he looked like a tomato.

Senator Tomato was right behind you.

Senator Tomato.

Senator Jenkins.

That's gross.

Lieutenant Governor Dubois. Senator
Jenkins.

That bill meant a lot to me, Dubois.

Well, Senator, I just felt that the
school should get their money

unconditionally. Do you know who you
work for, Lieutenant Governor?

Senator, please, I work for the people
of this state.

That's right.

And they're tired of filth.

They're tired of it in their libraries.

They're tired of it at their newsstands.
They're tired of it on television. You,

Mr. Lieutenant Governor, fail to
represent those people.

Fortunately, that's for the people of
this state to decide, not you. I want

to know that I am holding you personally
responsible for the death of my bill.

It was a mercy killing.

Well, you...

Seem to have made a few friends today.

But let me tell you, you have made one
very powerful enemy.

Is that a threat?

Oh, I don't make threats.

I don't have to.

I make promises, and I keep them.

Just ask former Speaker Blanchard about
me.

You'll find him in the Yellow Pages
under House Painters.

What do you think he's going to do?

I don't know.

I don't know one thing.

What's that?

I don't know nothing about painting new
houses.

I

can't

stand another hour that those people
have been out there picketing for three

days. Well, Senator Jenkins.

Knows how to stir up the people. Look at
this. They got some new signs out

there.

Dubois supports filth.

That's a dirty lie.

Benson soft on porno.

It's ridiculous.

Garage sales Saturday 3 to 6.

Garage sales? It say where?

I wonder how long this is gonna go on.

Well, it says three to six.

You're no help at all.

Benson, you made a decision. You just
have to accept the fact that some people

strenuously disagree with that decision.
You mustn't take it so personally. They

don't hate you.

They just hate everything you stand for.

Well, thank you for the pep talk,
Gipper.

It looks like a television set, only
smaller.

Look, there's a little tiny Senator
Jenkins.

Turn him out.

Senator Randall Jenkins and hundreds of
his supporters conducted a book burning

today to protest Lieutenant Governor
Dubois' recent vote in the state

legislature. Other people voted, too!

Among the authors whose works were
incinerated were Mark Twain, James

and Kurt Vonnegut. Senator Jenkins was
quoted as saying, the people are behind

me on this one. Not this people.

We now return you to your regular
scheduled program, Stunt Show Bloopers.

This is unbelievable.

Certainly is.

We've got to get me one of these things.

Clayton, this is a serious matter.

Oh, you're absolutely right, sir. I
agree.

Now, dragging Benson's name through the
mud is one thing, but burning books is

just plain tacky.

Benson, there are some reporters here.

Well, not now, Mrs. Cassidy.

Benson, this is your chance to give your
side of the story.

They only want to ask you a few
questions.

Good, because I'd like to give them a
few answers.

Well, wait a minute. Hold the phone.
This is hardly the time to meet the

I think he's right. One wrong remark.

It'd make things worse.

Mmm, those media people smell blood.

Your blood, blood.

Benson can take care of himself.

Well, for once, Krause is right. I'm the
lieutenant governor.

I ought to be able to handle a press
conference without losing it.

Send them suckers in, Ms. Cassidy.

Fine, fine, Benson. What do I know?

My sentiments exactly.

All right, this way.

Maybe I'll pull up a couple of chairs.

You better pull up an auditorium.

Exactly. What did you mean by that,
Lieutenant Governor Dubois?

What did I mean by what? I haven't said
anything yet. What do you think about

the protesting?

I hate it.

You hate the protesters?

I hate the protesting, not the
protesters.

Sir, if things don't look up in the next
ten seconds, I suggest we make tracks.

I think it's going very well.

Senator Governor, why do you support
pornography?

Did Senator Jenkins tell you to ask me
that?

All righty, if you'll excuse us, I have
to get the governor to his guitar

lesson.

Why do you hate Senator Jenkins?

I don't hate Senator Jenkins. I just
hate the way he uses fear and calls it

justice. You're saying Senator Jenkins
doesn't know the difference between fear

and justice?

Well, if you're not going to listen to
my answer, why don't you just get the

hell out of my office?

What have you got against morality,
anyway?

Okay, that's it. You can continue
without me.

Excuse me, Lieutenant Governor. Wait,
Lieutenant Governor, wait. Don't go

Lieutenant Governor, one more statement.

Wait, one more statement.

So how's it going, Bunsen?

Well... Oh, you don't have to tell me. I
know they're blasting you on radio and

television. The press is raking you over
the coals. Yeah, yeah.

And it's not just the press either. Huh?

Last night I went to the laundry. Yeah?
The lady told me to take my business

elsewhere. Oh, that's terrible.

Yeah, she said that if I brought my
shorts back over there, she'd scorch

Listen, I've just been watching the noon
report on TV.

More bad news, huh? Yeah, well, there's
good news, too. The commentator said you

were irresponsible and hasty in your
school budget decision.

That's good news? No, no, no.

It's going to be beautiful and sunny
today with a cooling trend towards the

weekend.

Well, well, I hate to be the one to tell
you this, my friend, but you are down

for the count.

First weather, now sports.

There is talk of impeachment.

Benson impeached? No.

Well, there's nothing here in the paper.
Oh, no, no, it's not in the papers yet.

No, it's still in that tantalizing
scuttlebutt stage.

The House? The Senate?

Mm -mm. The barbershop.

Well, the talk stops here.

You understand, Clayton?

Yes, sir.

Listen to this letter to the editor.

Lieutenant Governor Benson Dubois' ill
-fated decision was compounded by his

disastrous follow -up press conference.
He has once again exhibited a glaring

lack of governmental experience.

It is obvious that our own beloved
Governor Gatling had nothing whatsoever

with these political fiascos.

Sincerely, Clayton Endicott III.

Well, I'm entitled to my opinion.

knows a perfect way to get even with
Senator Jenkins.

Forget Senator Jenkins. I want to get
even with Clayton.

Revenge is never the answer to anything.

No, no, no. Unless you can do it without
getting caught.

It's my opinion.

Well, my advice to you, Benson, is stand
your ground. Yeah.

Stand your ground.

Yeah. Stand your ground until they bury
you in it.

I think that is rather cynical.

What do you expect from an obnoxious
pompous snob with an overblown ego and

overactive mouth?

I don't like the sound of that.

You're not going to like it in print
either.

You wouldn't dare.

Hey, babe, it's my opinion.

Join us again tomorrow for another
episode of The Edge of Our Lives.

Better be careful, Mrs. Cassidy. You're
going to knock some dust off that desk.

I was waiting for Daytime Magazine.

I love that gal. Oh, she's a pistol.

Welcome to Daytime Magazine.

With me today is Senator Randall
Jenkins.

We'll be talking with Senator Jenkins
later on in our program, but first we'll

be meeting a doctor who has scientific
proof that back pain can be controlled

through the proper use of vegetables.

This is very interesting.

You got a bad back?

No. Could you ask Miss Krause to come in
here, please?

She got a bad back?

Yeah, and a bad front, but I still need
her in here.

I'll send her in right away. All right.

I understand you want me. This is no
time for jokes, Krause.

Senator Jenkins is on live TV right now,
and we have to get over to the station.

I think it's about time that we brought
our disagreement into the public. Are

you sure you want to do this? Your
career could be on the line.

I have no choice.

Wait a minute, wait a minute. If your
career is over, do I get your job? If my

career is over, your career is over.

Well, don't just stand there. Let's move
it.

May I help you?

Yeah. Is this of every fine daytime
magazine?

Yes, it is. But I'm sorry our audience
is packed today.

No, no. You don't understand.

This is not for the day.

I'm bringing this woman here. I'm making
a delivery.

She's here for the facial makeup
renovation part of the program.

I don't think we're shooting that today.

Oh, well, no. You don't understand. It's
not for the day.

We have to get her started now so she'll
be ready for next week.

Okay. just go around that corner down
there, and you'll see the set. Okay.

you. Come on, Russ. I have something I
want to say to you.

Okay,

everybody, here we go.

Five, four, three, two... Welcome back.
I am Marjorie Manning, and we are

talking with Senator Randall Jenkins.

Senator, before the commercial break, we
just had time to discuss your

background and your powerful position in
the Senate.

The first question I would like to ask
you is, where did you get those shoes?

Your shoes, they are gorgeous.

And I think everyone would like to know
where a senator buys his shoes.

Am I right?

Oh, look who's here.

What a surprise. It's our own Lieutenant
Governor, Benson DuBois.

Uh, Ms. Manning, may I join you?

Well, certainly I think you know Senator
Jenkins.

Yes, how do you do, Senator? Lieutenant
Governor.

Well, how interesting to have two high
-ranking government officials with us at

the same time.

We were just discussing shoes.

Well,

that's very interesting.

Mrs. Manning, if you don't mind, I'd
like to change the topic.

Well, go ahead. I think that would be
fun.

I'd like to ask the Senator a question.

Senator, why are you... you attempting
to use the school budget as a weapon

against pornography?

I'd be happy to answer that.

This state, our whole country for that
matter, is decaying due to vulgar

pornographic garbage that is being
passed off as literature in our school

library. It is eating away at the
morality of our young.

With all due respect, Senator, I don't
think that you have the right to make

value judgments for anyone but yourself.

And that's where you're wrong.

As an elected official of this state, I
have a mandate from the voters.

When it comes to making decisions for
them, I not only have the right, I have

that responsibility.

Now, this is really funny.

When you said we were going to talk
about something other than shoes, I

you meant other types of footwear.

Where am I today?

Well, I'm sorry, Ms. Manning. I'm sure I
must have caught you off guard.

That is okay.

We will be all over the evening news.

Well, I'm not so sure about that.

Talking about books isn't as colorful as
burning them.

I didn't do that as a publicity stunt.

I want that garbage out of our lives.

I agree with you, Senator. Some of the
filth I see out there makes me sick,

But that's not the issue here. The issue
here is censorship.

Have you forgotten that we are
guaranteed certain freedoms in the

The First Amendment was not intended to
protect smut peddlers.

Once again, Senator, that's not the
issue. The issue is censorship.

Who is to decide what smut is and what
smut isn't? There are still just and

decent people in this country quite
capable of filling that role.

Like yourself, Senator?

Oh, I think I'd make an excellent judge.

You've seen my list of offensive
materials, I believe.

Yes, I have, and I must admit that there
are some things that I find

objectionable which are not on the list.

Just tell me what they are. I'll be glad
to add them.

Oh, so you think I'd make an excellent
judge, too?

Well, I'm sure you would. You're a
decent, responsible man.

Thank you.

Ms. Manning, are there any books that
you find objectionable that the senator

hasn't included?

Well, I really don't have time to read
books, but there are some TV shows where

the women just run and bounce, and I
just don't consider that entertainment.

And I agree with you.

I think we should put shows of that type
on the list.

So you think Mrs. Manning would be an
excellent judge, too?

Why don't you just drop the theatrics
and make your point?

Well, the point is this, Senator.

Everyone has something they find
objectionable. How about you people in

audience? Anything you'd like to
contribute to the bonfire?

The dictionary.

Should we have somebody writing this
down?

Well, I don't think we need anyone to
write it down, Mrs. Manning.

I'm sure the Senator sees my point.

No, I don't.

At the risk of being redundant, Senator,
the point is simply this, that everyone

find some book or film objectionable. If
all these excellent judges added their

choices to your list, we'd have nothing
left to read, see, or hear.

So you'd let anybody hide behind the
First Amendment?

Oh, Senator, they're not hiding. They're
exercising their rights.

And you support that?

Yes, I do.

Well, if the Klan marched down Main
Street delivering their vile message,

you support that?

Support it? No.

Recognize their right to do it? Yes, I
would. So your answer to the problem is

to do nothing.

I say put the responsibility back in the
family where it belongs.

Look, this legislation is meant to help
the family. Oh, come on, Senator.

Morality isn't spread through
legislation.

It's spread by example.

Don't we have any responsibility?

Well...

Abe Lincoln said that the responsibility
of government is to do for the people

what they cannot do for themselves. It
seems to me that this is something that

people can do for themselves.

But they need the power of government to
back them up. No, they don't.

They have a stronger power.

The power of the consumer to buy or not
to buy.

I think the Lieutenant Governor makes a
good point.

And I think that we would all like to be
concerned consumers.

Am I right?

Well, I'm not sure I agree with you,
Lieutenant Governor, but I am willing to

sit down with you and see if we can make
progress on this issue. My door is

always open to you, Senator.

Well, I, for one, think both these
public officials deserve our

This is great.

I'm so glad it happened on my show.

We'll do shoes tomorrow.

Coming up next... Listen, I just had to
say to you, you were wonderful.

Ma 'am.

We are still on the air. Oh, yes. Oh, we
are?

Hi, Mrs.

Cassidy.