Bowling for Columbine

[CathyBogart]

Has anyone else here seen this? It's a documentary by Michael Moore, who tried to figure out why there is so much more gun violence in the US than other countries.

Interestingly, most Americans blame it on things like "There's more poverty here" or violent music/video games, or a history of violence in the country. However, other countries have these things too! Canada's unemployment rate is what, twice ours? If we're to blame our past, look at Germany's. Why don't they have 11,000 gun murders every year?

In the movie he traveled to areas where gun murders had occurred and spoke to people who had been there. He went to Columbine, to the place where the six year old shot another six year old, and many other places.

He also spoke with the head of the NRA, and TRIED to speak with Dick Clark, who advocates the program that makes poor single mothers have to bus 40 miles everyday to and from work to make minimum wage. The responses were really interesting. Dick Clark slammed a car door on him and drove away, and the head of the NRA walked off when he was asked about the six year old who died at the hands of another.

If you haven't seen this, I highly recommend it. It's an interesting movie, and it really made me think. It also made me want to move to Canada.

[ticosmyham]

I have seen this....it is really well done and it, too, made me think. I also reccomend this documentary.

[2kitties]

Michael Moore is a visionary with very strong opinions. However, he is also an extremist. Most of his movies, IMHO, are edited to promote his extreme liberal views. Again, IMHO, Michael Moore is a socialist who should take his own advice and move to Canada if he likes it there so much.

Sorry, but I find that man repulsive. I've watched his movies. They are like train wrecks- you can't turn your head away. It is easy to agree with him while watching his films. But, before joining his group, I'd recommend doing your own research. There are two sides to all of MM's stories.

[wolfsoul]

I've seen it. I had to watch it in CAPP class last year. It was very interesting and I enjoyed watching it and learning about what goes on in this world. It was sad, but I've always been curious about he Columbine shooting.

That little cartoon was hilarious. My friend and I were laughing so hard because it was just so stupid lol.

It also made me want to move to Canada.

LOL, everyone move to Canada! Come visit me!!!

[krazywhitechick]

that movie made me cry when they showed actual footage of the columbine shooting. i had never seen actual footage from inside the building, like i remember when it was happening there were news cameras outside the building but to actually see inside was totally different. same with the war shots in the movie.

i found a really good site a while back about the columbine shootings, its sort of disturbing obviously. as for its authenticy ( i know i spelled that wrong! lol) im not too sure. if u cant read that word because i cant spell, i mean i dont know if the information on the site is very valid or true. they claim to have letters and recordings of the killers voices and stuff, but i dont know if they're real or not. so if u go to the site and find out its not valid or truthful info please dont yell at me

i wont post the link unless people want me to. cause i dont wanna seem like im forcing u guys to look at it or w/e. but if u would like to see the site just let me know.

[babolaypo65]

I enjoyed the film. I think he has a lot to say. I also think he has a good way of putting clips together so they have the best impact. That said.... something in the film made me suspicious of him, and now of everything he says.
There was a scene where he took the boy who uses the wheel chair to the government building in colorado (trying to get guns/ammo out of K-mar). The scene shows Moore and the other boy PULLING the boy who uses the chari UP the stairs. They focused on it. Every. Step. Drag. Up. bump. Drag. Up. bump. EVERY. step. While he narrated. We were supposed to be left thinking about how the simplest things for this boy are harder now....
It's true. They are. But that building has a big ole wheel chair ramp. Right next to the stairs. Why drag him up the stairs? for the effect. It made me wonder what else he did, or changed, just for the effect?? Now I question everything I see him do.

[Soledad]

Well said, Babolay. He's entertaining, has some good points, but is ultimately untrustable.

[Paul]

   I think the concept of "Bowling for Columbine" is a mistake. I think the issues it presents require a careful and serious investigation.

   David T. Hardy's website Documentary or Fiction? is worth reading.

      Paul

[Logan]

Whew! Thank you, Paul, for that enlightening article.

[babolaypo65]

Thanks paul! Looking forward to reading it!

[Lady's Human]

Bowling for Columbine is to documentary as Pravda/Tass are to journalism

[babolaypo65]

Wow, there you go. That's probably closer to the truth than not!

Originally posted by Lady's Human
Bowling for Columbine is to documentary as Pravda/Tass are to journalism

[ScantyNebula]

I saw it and thought it was a brilliant peice of work. And it made me glad to be living in Canada After living in a quiet place where I can leave my doors unlocked, I can't imagine moving to the states and having to bar my doors and carry a gun =/

I couldn't believe when he said it was a law to OWN a gun in Virginia =/

What really got to me was when people accused Marilyn Manson for causing these kids to kill people. I mean, I don't listen to the guy's music much and I think he's a sick man, but kids don't just go kill people because of the music they listen to...the media is another thing. Whenever I watch U.S. news .. its all about people getting killed, places getting bombed, robberies ... make no wonder so many people feel the need to carry a gun. When I watch news here in Newfoundland, its about the local fishery and heart warming stories about a surviving cancer patient.

[Lady's Human]

It's unbelievable because it's NOT the law. There is no state in the US that requires firearm ownership

[ScantyNebula]

Originally posted by Lady's Human
It's unbelievable because it's NOT the law. There is no state in the US that requires firearm ownership

ah..It did sound bizarre ... thats what he said in the film tho =/