Bowling For Columbine

[PaulOakenfold]

I just recently watched this movie (yah I'm behind on the times) and I'd like to know what you guys think about this issue (for those of u that have seen it).

For those of you that haven't the issue that is brought up is simple, and the following facts are found out throughout the documentary:
Why is it that America has the highest death rate from guns than any other country?

Fact: America has over 11 thousand deaths a year from guns, the next closest country is Britain I believe with a about 250.

Q: Is it the amount of guns?
A: Canada has more guns per capita than the United States. Certainly it's not because of this

Q: Is it America's bloody history?
A: I'm sure you can name 3 countries just in Europe that have a bloodier history than America.

Q: Is it because of the large minorities?
A: When I visit other countries I see cities full of blacks, and asians. Hell minorities make up 15% of Canada's population.

My thoughts: I think it's based on America's fear aproach media. I remember traveling up to Canada for a couple of weeks and watching their almost FRIENDLY media. Our newscasters look like monsters compared to the rest of the world.

I want this to be semi-constructive. I know a lot of you hate America out there, but don't give stupid shit head answers like "America is dumb, therefore they kill each other." Be intelligent.

[Dameon Angell]

My thoughts: I think it's based on America's fear aproach media. I remember traveling up to Canada for a couple of weeks and watching their almost FRIENDLY media. Our newscasters look like monsters compared to the rest of the world.

I just reciently watched that movie as well. I don't agree with Michael Moore's views on politics, but I do agree with the fact that the mass media focuses on the negative over the postitive and that breeds violence.

Marilyn Manson makes people kill people? Hell no. I'm a Manson fan and I'm not a murder. I don't get these feelings of killing after listening to him.
Video games make people kill people? Helllll no. I've played games violent and not and I haven't killed anyone.

But, the reason why the media reports on the violence, is because violence sells.

[Ilya]

terrible movie

it's fiction, not a documentary

Roger & Me was a little better, i kinda like that

edit: i know you weren't really asking for movie reviews, i'm just saying

[Bob (SRB)]

I hate it when morons think a movie like bowling for columbine is "fiction." How the fuck is it fiction? Jesus if you are angry that the movie exposes the flaws in America its better to just admit it and try to improve then to just blatantly deny what the movie has said. Prove to everyone here that this movie is fiction. I want rock solid evidence, not opinion, and not bullshit american propaghanda.

Jesus, either you get idiots who cant handle how Michael Moore isn't afraid to say what needs to be said, and just because it isn't so politically correct they have to immediately bash it. Then you get pride filled morons who are too proud and must defend their country no matter how stupid their argument is.

[za gophar]

larger population + poverty + easy access to guns even if you're poor (x) drugs = 11k deaths

thats just my guess.

[Reclusion]

I don't remember the URL for the website, but it did show several points that portray the film as more fiction than fact.

Examples:

1. Moore spliced several of Heston's NRA speeches together to form a cohesive "speech" that condemns the "gun nuts." (Notice how Heston's tie changes from one part to another?) Aside from the splices, he takes several lines completely out of context, thus making Charleton out to be Satan Incarnate.

2. How logical is it that a Canadian Walmart or K-Mart (whichever it is) would allow a foreigner to buy a whole shitload of ammunition without any kind of ID check, even though Canadian policy (as far as I know) requires identification when making purchases like that.

Those were the only two I noticed personally after watching the film.

While his arguments on the media covering violence, etc. were valid and somewhat thought-provoking, the film as a whole was far too vague and full of stretched "truths" and Michael Moore propaganda to be considered "non-fiction."

There were several other arguments (that I also checked into just because I was bored) that further made this movie look like shit. I can't wait to see his Anti-Bush slur that is Faranheit 9/11.

[Reclusion]

larger population + poverty + easy access to guns even if you're poor (x) drugs = 11k deaths

thats just my guess.

Eh, everyone has poverty and many have easy access to guns.

The whole 11,000 death thing is a little fishy, though. Remember that 76% of statistics are made up on the spot.

[Ezor]

Not only does the media focus on the negative things that occur in the world, they blow them way out of proportion. A recent example that can easily be pointed to is the Iraqi prisoner torture story that every shithead reporter harped on until the Iraqis said "Fuck it" and cut off Nick Berg's head in retaliation. If the media had dropped it, I seriously doubt that would have happened.

But will they take responsibility for what happened? Better question: Does the media EVER take responsibility for the shit they stir? They didn't take responsibility for digging into every detail of the Columbine incident and making sure that KMFDM, Marilyn Manson and id Software came under unnecessary fire because two teenage shitheads couldn't tell fantasy from reality. No, the blame shifted to the kids' parents. Which wasn't entirely wrong, because all the signs of a troubled kid were there and they didn't intervene, but the whole thing made the government stand up and say "Hey, let's raise these people's children for them and crack down on those evil musicians and video game makers!" Go figure. :down:

I've digressed quite a ways from the subject here. We have 11,000 gun-related deaths for a variety of reasons. On rare occasions, you have a Columbine-type ordeal where a couple of morons get immersed in a false world and lose contact with reality. More commonly, a teenager will try to show off or a short-tempered idiot will go off on his friend or neighbor for an insignificant reason. There's no excuse for twisting the Second Amendment around so that it gives you the right to take innocent lives. Everyone, including parents of adolescents and teenagers, the adolescents and teenagers themselves, the media, and the government, needs to wake up. There is not enough control being exercised over who has access to these weapons. I agree that we should have the right to own a firearm for personal protection, but a thorough background check on a person before allowing them to purchase one wouldn't hurt matters.

[za gophar]

i dunno too much about it. how much poverty is there in the u.s. as compared to more socialist nations like in europe? but remember, the poverty was just part of the equation.

[Jerome Scuggs]

There are no rednecks in england

[Awesome]

I just recently watched this movie (yah I'm behind on the times) and I'd like to know what you guys think about this issue (for those of u that have seen it).

For those of you that haven't the issue that is brought up is simple, and the following facts are found out throughout the documentary:
Why is it that America has the highest death rate from guns than any other country?

Fact: America has over 11 thousand deaths a year from guns, the next closest country is Britain I believe with a about 250.

Q: Is it the amount of guns?
A: Canada has more guns per capita than the United States. Certainly it's not because of this

Q: Is it America's bloody history?
A: I'm sure you can name 3 countries just in Europe that have a bloodier history than America.

Q: Is it because of the large minorities?
A: When I visit other countries I see cities full of blacks, and asians. Hell minorities make up 15% of Canada's population.

My thoughts: I think it's based on America's fear aproach media. I remember traveling up to Canada for a couple of weeks and watching their almost FRIENDLY media. Our newscasters look like monsters compared to the rest of the world.

I want this to be semi-constructive. I know a lot of you hate America out there, but don't give stupid shit head answers like "America is dumb, therefore they kill each other." Be intelligent.

It seems like the military and guns in general are the best thing ever, in the states. No one else gives a rats ass about having guns or how many americans have. They like to show it off, but no ones listening/caring. They need to turn their culture around to not be so excited over guns.

I hate it when morons think a movie like bowling for columbine is "fiction." How the fuck is it fiction? Jesus if you are angry that the movie exposes the flaws in America its better to just admit it and try to improve then to just blatantly deny what the movie has said. Prove to everyone here that this movie is fiction. I want rock solid evidence, not opinion, and not bullshit american propaghanda.

Jesus, either you get idiots who cant handle how Michael Moore isn't afraid to say what needs to be said, and just because it isn't so politically correct they have to immediately bash it. Then you get pride filled morons who are too proud and must defend their country no matter how stupid their argument is.

i completely agree with you

larger population + poverty + easy access to guns even if you're poor (x) drugs = 11k deaths

thats just my guess.

wrong. canadians, british, and just about every 1st world country has easy access to guns just as easily or easier. and all countries have poor people, doesn't mean that they contribute to it. what is it america does differently than the rest? perhaps promote the idea that guns will save your life, instead of just relying on the cops to do their job?

[Vykromond]

I hate it when morons think a movie like bowling for columbine is "fiction." How the fuck is it fiction? Jesus if you are angry that the movie exposes the flaws in America its better to just admit it and try to improve then to just blatantly deny what the movie has said. Prove to everyone here that this movie is fiction. I want rock solid evidence, not opinion, and not bullshit american propaghanda.

Jesus, either you get idiots who cant handle how Michael Moore isn't afraid to say what needs to be said, and just because it isn't so politically correct they have to immediately bash it. Then you get pride filled morons who are too proud and must defend their country no matter how stupid their argument is.

Actually, I agree with most of what Moore talks about. I despise the current administration, and most of what America is doing these days- but that doesn't make Bowling for Columbine a documentary.

Here's why.

[Pressure Drop]

hmmm a while since i seen the movie.

i think alot of it has to do with the way the meida seems to breed fear over in America. They tend to sensationalise everything to try and get ratings and make everything sound extra exciting so people don't switch over the channel.

An example would be of the sniper in Washington (or whereever he was). I seen some newscasters interviewing people buying petrol from a petrol station and breeding an almost hysteria with some of them interviewed being absolutly terrified when buying petrol. Obviously it was bad because there was a whacko taking pot shots at people but i thought they completely over did it and made the situation worse.

For me media shouldn't be about selling papers or getting ratings it should be about the truth and somewhere along the way this fact has been lost. Not just in America but nearly all tabloids(newspapers) i've seen are filled with nonsence some off which is dangerous as alot of poeple believe it. In Europe there is growing "fear" from immigrants and the tabloids are feuling this and making it worse, as a result idiotic rightwing parties and parties like (UKIP or the one that wants UK to pull out of Europe) are actually getting more votes.

Much is to be said about having a free press but i think they need to be responcible and it should be all non-profit.

lol sorry went of topic and took a side swipe at the media but ahh hell they deserve it.

[Bioture]

There are certain truths to the film and certain embellishments. The last segment, where moore actually interviews Heston, there was a lot of scenes edited out as well as things Heston said in defense. It was never really single sided as it appeared. However, when he interviewed Manson (isnt this guy's name Mercury or some shit now?) a certain truth appeared about the fear in american society, and it is applicable to our every day lives. Manson's a smart guy. Horray for him.

[Jerome Scuggs]

I love how you guys argue so fieircely over this. Satisfied with the fact that Micheal Moore's film was in fact true,

nothing is going to happen.