Hi class,
We're writing about Bowling for Columbine, the film by Michael Moore. Add a new post, about a page long (250-300 words), and then read everyone else's posts. Comment on at least two of them. You may post comments on all of them, or post a number of comments on any of them. Enjoy yourselves.
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8 comments:
Bowling for Columbine-
The question asked throughout the movie was why does America have such a high murder rate with guns? One possible answer was poverty. Things like desperation, violent surrounding influences, and absent parents could contribute to the problem. Other countries have the same number of guns, similar control issues, and population numbers. So why is there so much violence and death here? Maybe we do not have the correct education and controls. Government influence was looked at as a reason but many other countries have had similar historical wars, plus the US has had wars since it was founded. Why the recent increase in deaths over the past few decades? I personally think one reason is the right to bear arms should have greater restrictions. For example I do not think there is any reason someone should need a semi-automatic weapon. Hand guns for protection and rifles/shotguns for hunting. I also think the black market should be cracked down on by authorities. Too many illegal guns are on the market and those are the ones that usually end up being used for illegal purposes. Not to say some children don’t just take their parents. Violent movies, media coverage, fear, music, even bowling class were other reasons examined. These violent crimes occur in all income brackets, geographic locations, different cultures and races, even the age range is large. I do not think there is one clear answer but what I do think is true is that children have become used to hearing about it which I think desensitizes them to violence.
Bowling For Columbine does not take a vehemently anti-gun position, which surprised me. Michael Moore correctly points out that these are merely a means of violent people's terrible behavior. What also shocked me, given his driven search to discover why America has so many more gun deaths than say, Canada or the United Kingdom, is that he fails to consider that we have 304 million people to their 33 and 60 million, respectively, according to such sites as nationmaster.com and nationsonline.org. If our population is 9 times higher than Canada's, it stands to reason our gun deaths would be many times higher as well. Moore seems merely to be laying the way to suggest that poverty and welfare to work programs are a huge factor in gun violence, which they probably are. However, the surest remedy to poverty is education and good jobs. Endless handouts and forced dependence on the government won’t work any better for our people than they did the USSR's. I agree with the film's sentiments that no one is well served by mothers spending long hours away from home on a welfare to work program, but they most definitely should be receiving valuable job training and actively seeking employment. The purpose of social welfare should be to elevate people above their present circumstances, not to keep them in low level jobs and dependent on taxpayers so that men like Michael Moore can feel they're being compassionate because they want to give them other people's money. Unfortunately, he seems horrified at the idea anybody be forced to work, again failing to consider that if the many Americans struggling to make ends meet, often without assistance, decide to claim their "human right" of public support, our economy would grind to a halt and there would be little means for any programs. Perhaps more consideration should be paid towards them than people only interested in what they can get out of the system. Instead of attacking companies for senseless tragedies, Michael Moore should have appealed to them to open more operations in the United States, and offer employees better education and training, so that not just more, but better jobs would open, and truly break the cycle of poverty for many Americans.
Gun control is the hard answer. The percentage of Americans will tell you to leave their guns alone, which we have our rights, but I am convinced with control and what weapons are to be considered reasonable or not. The crack down on black markets and government involvement is key.
i loved heston in planet of the apes but i think instead of damn dirty apes it should have been damn stupid humans. complete gun control and responsibility will never happen for 3 main reasons. people live in fear because the government knows fear rules not love. humans have to prove their stick is bigger than the next guys, not sure what that means for women but it applies to them as well and lastly guns have become a tremendous part of the human species culture. i personely have heard some people refer to their firearm as a family member. now the problem with that is obvious but the fact is weather it be in brooklyn,ny columbine or afghanstan the use of guns will always be defended with the excuse of prtection, freedom or no choice but never is responsibility ever mentioned till after a person gets killed. "its my responsibility to protect the country or mine to protect my family or even protect myself from the evil people that live in my area". whatever happen to sitting down at a table and talking things out?. even the mob had sit down meetings to try to come to a reasonable agreement before they decided to put a hit out on somebody, ahhhh the good old days.
Gun Control, Moore or Less
Michael Moore's, “Bowling for Columbine,” brought many issues revolving around guns to America's forefront. In the film, Moore emphasizes the difference between gun violence and owning a gun. However, two specific parts of the film stood out to me. The first being the interview with Marilyn Manson and the second being the difference in the way Canada is compared to the U.S.
The first part that stood out to me, was Moore confronting the issue of the media influencing gun violence. Specifically, Marilyn Manson's music was targeted as a possible reason for the Columbine high school shootings. I liked that Manson agreed to do the interview with Michael Moore. Moore and Manson discussed gun violence, children and media influence. Moore asked Marilyn Manson, what he would say to the community and kids of Columbine. He responded, by saying, he would not say anything, instead he would just listen. I felt this was a strong message, especially when talking about kids committing violent acts. There are lots of young people are out there who, just need someone one to listen to them. I think it is important to try to prevent tragedies before they happen. A good way of doing this is simply listening and keeping a lookout for signs that something might be wrong. At the same time, it is important to use common sense, and not overreact to a kid pointing a chicken finger at someone.
Moore caught a glimpse of the five o'clock five news in Canada. It was very different than the news we hear in America. Canada seemed more adept to listening, understanding and negotiating, rather than just reacting. This was apparent in their government, media and just talking with common Canadians. Moore interviewed several Canadians who had been robbed. These were some of the Canadians that left their doors unlocked. Even though the perpetrators stole from the homeowners, they were not out to seek revenge or pad lock their doors. They did not tell Moore, they wished they had a gun on hand, to shoot those bleeping low life robbers. Instead they were rational, and told Moore that the perpetrators were probably just kids, out to cause mischief and steal beer. If the same crime had been committed in the United states, would the homeowners reaction have been the same? Two reactions came to mind if an American had the same crime committed in their home. The first reaction that came to mind, involves a gun and the other involves going out and getting a maximum security alarm system installed. The Canadian government has a more communication and less annihilation approach to conflicts. There also seemed to be less media mania, an increased tolerance and of course health care for everyone. I feel Americans and the American government could learn a lot from Canada.
The old saying rang true throughout the film, “Guns don't kill people, people kill people.” I feel responsibility, is key when owning anything. You have to be responsible for what you own, whether it is a firearm or not.
the truth is simple just not human nature. i agree with you amanda. the entire situation revolves around having responsibility. being mature with that power. the truth of the matter is as human beings we need to be responsibly active with everything. balance is the key. guns, food, tv, alcohol, medicine,exercise all in balance, all with responsibility to not over or under do any of those things. if we were to learn true responsibility with the minor things in life then we might learn it with the huge matters such as the ownership of firearms. then maybe just maybe we wont exterminate ourselves all while loosing out on this beautiful gift called life.
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