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[DJ_Tet]

I'm conservative, in case you don't keep up with the political threads here at GA (can't blame ya).

I just watched Bowling, and thought at it's core it raised one crucial issue. Let's throw out the last interview with Heston, which was just kind of sad. Let's throw out the cartoon (which I can only assume was done by Trey Parker and Matt Stone) although it had some historical truths.

The main issue I took from the movie was the amount of murders by guns in the US compared to other countries in the world. Assuming he didn't fudge his numbers here, the order on which the murders ocurred was staggering. And who was primarily to blame? The media, in my eyes. I took to heart the media rushing to the next casualty, the media covering the murder, the fear-mongering in the US. What did the conservatives find so damning about this flick?

Was it the ties back to Lockheed Martin? The bullets sold at KMart? I understand there are websites out there dedicated to the inaccuracies of the film (the only one I was aware of was the "Cold Dead Hands" speech that was in Charlotte while the film purported it happened in Denver). I'm asking people to look at the whole point of the movie, which was to me that the media has made us scared to sleep in our own homes at night. Is that somehow a "conservative agenda?"

I know personally that I'll never watch the nightly news the same after watching this movie, and that's probably a good thing. Maybe I'm the rare conservative that doesn't own a weapon. I have to say this movie raised a damn good point, that we shouldn't fear our neighbor. We have to have more faith in each other than that. Hell he even slammed Clinton and Kosovo the first half of the movie. Before the montage leading from Contras to Osama (which Clinton had a hand in), it seemed to be a non-partisan flick.

What were the problems conservatives had with this movie? Do liberals think that people like me want them to be scared 24/7?

 

[Leon]

+1 you.

 

[xsarien]

What were the problems conservatives had with this movie?

Lacking anything substantial to argue against the movie, people who come out against BfC glom onto the Heston segments, and the obviously hyperbolic animated U.S. history as evidence of the movie's inaccuracies. People who actually see it, like you, tend to walk away realizing that the greater point of the movie has nothing to do with either, and you also hopefully realize that they're the result of Moore's desire to sometimes spell things out for you and/or make sure his tongue is firmly placed in his cheek.

 

[sc0la]

What were the problems conservatives had with this movie? Do liberals think that people like me want them to be scared 24/7?

No, though I do agree with the themes about a a culture of violence, fear, and media sensationalism. I don't think is on any common persons "agenda" to make me or the public afraid, but that it happens none the less, perhaps by some perception that that is what the people want their news to be.

What I saw on the news last night:
Fake Viagra from internet not real could be dangerous

Hostage taking.

West Nile Virus COULD BE NEAR YOU NOW.

A conservative commercial "commentary" lambasting Kerry (not that I care for him) disguised as part of the news program by having a paid lead in from the news anchors. (its not the content that bothers me, but the manner in which it was presented)

A special segment produced by courtTV and inserted into the local news program about a conspiracy to murder by poisoning with heavy metals from a bitter business partner.

A serious discussion on why "Dot" (the Zoloft mascot) made its creators so proud by convincing tens of thousands more people to ask their doctor to perscribe the anti-depressant to them.

Cute lost puppy saved from a well.

 

[GG-Duo]

I was extremely striked by the "Work for Welfare" footage, and the blurb about the child's painting on the police chief's wall.

That, to me, was the true heart of Bowling for Columbine. It's the launchpad from which Moore asks the questions - and it's very genuine.

 

[Mau_Mau]

Maybe I'm the rare conservative that doesn't own a weapon.

I'm much more conservative than liberal, and I simply cannot understand the notion of wanting to own a firearm. I know many like minded people as well, living in both rural and urban areas, that do not own firearms. And while the media does have a large effect on this society, I'm sick of people blaming everything else but themselves. I think thats the bottom line right there.

That said, the only thing that really annoyed me about that movie is when Michael Moore was checking people's front doors in Toronto to see if they were unlocked - in broad daylight. Thats quite different that having your doors unlocked at night. Though, I must say that I never lock my doors at night - and I'm about 10 miles west of Chicago, not in the middle of Kansas or whatever steretypical rural area people cite. And no, I'm not in a wealthy neighborhood either, but certainly not living in poverty.

 

[Wolfy]

Look, Moore wasn't opposing owning firearms in BFC.

He was just questioning why the US has higher crime rates, when other countries have just as many firearms per capita.

 

[Jim Bowie]

Because stating that the U.S. suffers more firearm fatalities than any other nation is completely false and unpatriotic and communist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Also, I don't think you want me to be afraid, DJ Tet... you don't tell me all the horror that's occurring throughout our country.

 

[Warm Machine]

To be fair here...

When I lived in smallish town Manitoba Canada we never locked the door of the house unless we went on vacation. Other than that anytime during the full 24 hour day anyone could have come in and done whatever.

Another note. Canada does have a lot of guns. Most of which are rifles of the .22 calibur to shot gun variety. Canada does not allow people easy access to hand guns and certainly not automatic weapons. As well, to own a weapon here I believe you need an FAC (firearms aquisition certificate)

http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/en/owners_users/fact_sheets/visitin.asp

BFC is a great movie. You are right that most people absolutely miss the point of the movie and that is that fear breeds more fear and that fear may breed violence.

When I lived in the praries we owned a simple bolt action .22 calibur rifle that was used for target practice. When I was younger I was really interested and excited about all types of weapons primarily because they were used in the movies I enjoyed. I now live in Vancouver and have absolutely no interest in owning or firing a gun. I certainly don't live in fear that the government is going to turn facist or communist and make me a slave like it seems so many US gun nuts believe.