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Sitting by his pool in the sunshine, as a small coyote strolls by and red-tailed hawks circle above, Heston seems a man at peace, relishing his foray onto the nation's political stage. In his autobiography, he offers a philosophy of life: "In the beginning an actor impresses us with his looks, later his voice enchants us. Over the years, his performances enthrall us. But in the end, it is simply what he is." Last week, as part of a revived $5 million ad campaign, Heston's metaphysics came newly into focus. His jaw set, his gaze uncompromising, his rifle gleaming, he stared out from a magazine ad under the caption, "I've never been afraid of doing the right thing...I'm the N.R.A."