Shock-rocker Marilyn Manson said the imagery in his "Coma White"

video that recalls the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy

is "a metaphor for America's obsession and worship of violence." In a

statement issued through his publicist, Manson said he filmed the video

more than six months ago to "enact the 'Journey of Death.' [It] was always

intended to make people think of how they view and sometimes participate

in these events. Little did I know that the tragedy at Columbine and the

accidental death of JFK Jr. would follow. But it was telling to see the

media shamelessly gorge itself on these events, which ultimately made my

observations in the video even truer than I had originally imagined."

Manson went on to explain that the "short film clip" was "in no way

mockery" and was inspired by his movie script, "Holywood." "[The video]

is a tribute to men like Jesus Christ and JFK who have died at the hands

of mankind's unquenchable thirst for violence," the statement concluded.

The clip premiered Monday (Sept. 13) on MTV.