Bowling for Columbine

[MrZero]

I know...I know, it isn't exactly current. It is like so last year. However, truth be told I just tried to ignore it being that I am bot a big fan of Micheal Moore's social commentary. Which is strange, I know, being that I really enjoy his documentaries. I think I can agree that there are major problems in this country and that I appreciate the way he exposes them but I don't agree to his soulutions....Anyway, enough of that....

Bowling for Columbine

For those who haven't seen it I would definately recommend it no matter what your feeling of Micheal Moore is as it it definately thought provoking. For those that have, I was curious on your opinion of a few things...

1. Do you think that as a whole it was Anti-Gun?
2. Do you think that he answered the question he set out to answer, namely, why do Americans kill each other at such an unprecidented rate?

My answers:

On the whole I don't think it was Anti-Gun though he mainly focused on the ill effects that guns have on American society. He picked a few choice wackoos to represent the Pro-Gun stance while those representing the Anti-Gun stance really pulled at your heart strings. Nonetheless, he never really came out and condemned gun ownership by private citizens.

As to why Americans kill each other at such an unprecidented rate? I have to admit that this is a very powerful and legitimate question to which I don't think he ever answered. I felt he took a couple swings at it but never really hit the nail on the head.

After having watched Bowling for Columbine about a week ago, I can't help but not think about it and wonder why.

Just curious about your thoughts for all who want to chime in about the film.

[DRMIZER]

It's a great film!

[cpwill]

Michael Moore later was forced to admit that he "was somewhat innacurate" (ie: he was caught in bald-faced lying); his excuse was that since it was "satire" it didnt' matter if he told the truth or not. i would question any of his statistics and run them through some pretty decent double checks before i would naively buy into anything he brought me.

[marie]

I have not seen the film yet, but plan to. Question: Is the film called a "documentary"? As cpwill has pointed out above there were innacuracies........I have a problem with satire being used in a "documentary". It's like a news story containing and editorial.

[MrZero]

I too have read about many of the innacuracies and how he twisted some words to suit his needs, but even with all the half truths, lies, bending of facts, there is still the undeniable question of why Americans are so violent.

Here is a good link that points out some of the innacuracies in the film...Clicky-Clicky (http://www.hardylaw.net/Truth_About_Bowling.html)

[stjohn]

If you click on that link, then take a look at his homepage you'll find this line:

My work now largely focuses on firearms and first and second amendment issues -- rights to free speech and to bear arms. Some of my scribblings can be found on the World Wide Web--

I think there may be a personal agenda at work here, just maybe....ah to find an unbiased source in these interesting times....

[cpwill]

certainly when taking in a piece, you must consider the source; to what degree this source is biased and to what degree this source is trustworthy.

however, i would point out to you that it seems wise to me to do it to michael moore just as you would do it to his detractors.

[Dave]

Originally posted by MrZero
I too have read about many of the innacuracies and how he twisted some words to suit his needs, but even with all the half truths, lies, bending of facts, there is still the undeniable question of why Americans are so violent.

Here is a good link that points out some of the innacuracies in the film...Clicky-Clicky (http://www.hardylaw.net/Truth_About_Bowling.html)


I'm not a Moore Fan.:mad: He tends to bore me.:sleep: But the facts are overwhelming, we kill with guns more than anyone. Why? Well some one else will need to answer that. I don't like or understand the need of them and would support any bill inorder to control them.

[Essendon]

Michael Moore denies claims his movie is false!

http://michaelmoore.com/words/wackoattacko/

[cpwill]

michael moore, apparently, can't make up his mind :rolleyes:

[Simon666]

And why is that?

[Animal]

Originally posted by Simon666
And why is that?

Uhh, because he's a liar, trying to peddle his puke to the masses?

[Vic]

if moore is a liar, and most things in his documentary are false, how come noone has sued him yet for publishing wrong facts of organisations like NRA, Martin Lockhead...etc???

i mean if all the things he´s published really are false, then he could be sued. but noone has sued him yet.

[Blueangel]

I'm just about to watch Bowling For Columbine for the first time. All my friends have seen it and strongly urged me to watch it.

Expect a diatribe ;)

[JD3]

I'll be waiting. I have it on my wish list to see. However, I have seen so many clips and so much discussion, I feel as if I have seen it.

Still, I'm writing Santa.;)

[ljromanoff]

Originally posted by Vic
things he´s published really are false, then he could be sued. but noone has sued him yet.

To sue, one needs to prove damages. While Moore's hacking and editing Charton Heston's speeches in order to make it seem Heston said things he didn't, and in a context other than the actual one, Heston would still have to prove his reputation was damaged in a significant manner and/or the damage caused him a financial loss.

The fact that no one has sued Moore doesn't therefore make his film accurate - especially since he can, as was mentioned earlier, argue in a court of law that the film is really satire and probably win the case.

[ukperspective]

I also have yet to see the film Bowling for Columbine but Im told its very thought provoking and regular readers may have seen me 'banging on' if you will pardon the pun about gun control which seems to an entirely sensible thing.

I was surprised to hear Moore say in the Uk that his book Stupid white men is the biggest selling book in the US in 2003.

My question is to the US people online is Moore that widely known in the States ?

[ljromanoff]

Originally posted by ukperspective

My question is to the US people online is Moore that widely known in the States ?

Widely known, yes. Widely respected is another matter entirely.

Incidentally, American bookseller Barnes & Noble lists his book at #57 for the year. I haven't found anywhere else that keeps a running bestseller list for the year, but like most things that come from Michael Moore I question the veracity of his claim.