blackrose4eva's Full Review: Bowling for Columbine
Strange. After 3 or 4 years of the releasing of this movie, I got bored and interested into watching Bowling for Columbine. I just came from a 12-hour shift working on a Black Friday (aka retail horror day. I didn't think it was THAT bad) and had nothing else to do. It was 2 a.m., my legs are tired but my mind convinced me to stay up and watch this old documentary.
Hmm, maybe old isn't the word. More like forgotten. As I turned my PS2 on--yes, I did not get the Xbox 360..I am a faithful PS fan!--I tried to remember what Moore was trying to achieve with this movie. The school shooting happened when I too was in highschool about miles away. I vaguely remember the tragedy, probably because I had 'survived' elementary and middle school of years of physical harassment and molestation. Not to say it wasn't a tragedy; I believed that no parent should be surprised in this time and age that generations of children can hurt other children.
Anyways, with that said, what was Moore's motive? I watched the movie from beginning to end. I was confused. In the start, I was led to believe that it was the guns. He did interviews with Lockweed Martin (hopefully I got that name right), clerks selling guns, and clips of the NRA. Then there's a memorable clip of Heston proudly holding his rifle to the air and said, "..They have to pry it from my cold dead hands!" Hmm. Gun control maybe? Is Moore trying to say that gun control is the solution to stop school shootings? So anyone who works for a manufacture and sells firearms is at fault? Shame on you, Kmart, for selling bullets at cheap prices! More shame on those clerks who sold the bullets!
Oh wait. Moore's not done yet. Suddenly, he felt the need to explain the American History to me. True, I cannot help but felt asleep in history class..but for the part I was awake, I know pretty much of the general history. But according to Moore, I did not know that I'm supposed to refer our founding fathers--the Pilgrims--"white people" throughout history. And then again, according to him, "white people" are cowards and uses shooting as the only means of solution. Hmm, if I remember right, those who fought the Revolution were poor. Ammo were expensive and although they had firearms, they were very much limited. That means there was other weapons to use, such as a pitchfork, etc (I'm just saying). I guess Moore believe portraying guns as the sole weapon of destruction would help him persuave his audience.
According to Moore, after the "white people" won the Revolution, they got very lazy and went to Africa to buy some slaves who he refer "black people." But hold on, I thought that slavery was not uncommon before America was created? Before the age of the Vikings who are the first to arrive to this New World, slavery was a common sight everywhere. African clans would slaughter the innocent villagers of another clan and makes slavery of those who are left alive. The British had slavery but they are called "servants" instead, because after an amount of years slaves at least earned their right of freedom. But that's not to say their earn equal humane rights. Then there's the Greeks, the Romans, the Spartans...throughout history of war, those that were conquered were either raped, killed, tortured, or sold as slaves. The "white people" in America must deserve special evil brand because they too joined the slavery ring.
Because all "black people" worked literally for their lives with no pay for their "white people" masters, I assume all "white people" must be a "black people" hating person. Another false portray, because there had been records and documents of "white people" helping, caring, and sometimes loving their "black people" slaves. The Civil Right War started mainly out of the debate of abolishing slavery. The "whites" from the northern states supported this idea, but the south hated because they are afraid. Hey, Moore, your cartoon is really confusing me!
So far, I think Moore is trying to say that is the "whites" fault that we have guns. You hear that, Americans, it is YOUR fault Columbine happened! Wait, what is this? Clips of the News Media and Cops? They are intentionally trying to stir fear in all of Americans' hearts and minds? Oh my! So the fault have now shifted to those who love to show and enjoy thrills and action. Bad broadcasts, Channel 7, bad!
I love me gun
To be fair, Moore had done this h.w. and shown clips of a different identity of Denver and Littleton. He opened some people's eyes--like me--that the firearms industry is never far and it is always there, making weapons daily to pass to the community and possible the whole world. I sympathise those who were victims of the tragedy and wish it had not happened. But please do not forget: after this tragedy, there was another but it was not in our land. Remember Russia? Remember how school children were trapped in a gymnasium, suffocating with lack of air, food, water, and ventilation? Many were killed senselessly by some terrorists--I will not say Muslim related terrorist although the newsmedia had declared so. I do not wish to be part of something that may convince people all Muslims are terrorists. No tragedy should happen, but as long as you live another day, your heart will mend.
With that said, Moore's documentary deserve one-star rating from me. I don't believe that in order to a solution that pleases you by harassing others would help. I don't think it was the NRA, Kmart, Heston..or anyone who sells, manufactures, or carries a firearms fault. Millions of people own at least one firearm one time or another, but does that mean they'll go nuts and shoot everyone on sight? Yes, if they need psychological help in the first place or parents who refuse to fulfill the duties of guardians. Why is it Dick Clark's fault because he opened a restaurant where a fulltime single mother choose to employ at? Why is it his fault that this woman's child shot his classmate during session?
Since we are talking about jobs, by taking away Lockweed Martin, do you know how many people will be unemployed? This would devastate the town and makes the situation even worse. Just because you have a job that you can choose to have, Moore, doesn't mean that every person are fortunate enough to have that option.
Even if America stops making and selling these firearms, is it truly the solution? The answer is no. People fear because it is in our nature to fear. To fear for rejection when asking for a date, to fear losing a beloved one to any natural and unnatural cause, and the strongest fear of all: survival. It lives within us. We want to protect our children, but would that make us safer? If people want to hurt, they will be persistent. Weapons can also be made by other materials, heck, your baseball bat is worse than your gun! It can crack your skull with a good amount of strength. I rather be shot at my limbs or shoulder than have my skull crushed by a bat. Should we take away that from all baseball games and the little leagues? Hey, what about lighters? Shoot, it is the main source to cause fire, so how about destroying all that too!
What about our country's defense? According to Moore, Lockweed Martin is guilty for making missiles for the Pentagon that is used to protect us. Sure, we bomb countries. We killed millions of innocent people which explain the number of angry neighbors around us. That is the wrong thing to do and my heart goes to all bombed victims. But our Asian neighbor (North Vietnam) across the Atlantic had been using that plutonium for something...if we dropped our guard, I'm sure they would LOVE for some payback. Then there's Russia, Pakistan...
I have no answer for you folks. The truth is, no one does. I believe limiting the amount of guns sold to the community and gun control would help, but then there's the black market so I may say too soon. The best alternative to ANY violence is education. Shielding our children never helps, as it is proven with the increasing sexual intercouse happening at earlier ages. Educate and explain with detailed reasons why your child should not do anything to harm someone. Yes, it is enticing to touch a gun for a 4 year-old, but to use it is another thing. Do not make them fear weapons, but instead understand its uses and dangers and the trouble they can be in for using it. If they want to vent their anger--who doesn't? Especially for children, they believe the world center around them =P--get them involved with martial arts. A good school would NEVER allow a child be accepted into weapon training until appropriate age and train them discipline for mind and body. Not to mention, self defense!
So screw you, Moore. Although I had enjoyed your Fahrenheit 911, this documentary is full of bull. The motive is all over the place with no exact destination to go to. I do not like guns, but I do respect what they can do when they are used for the right reasons. That's the same as I don't like Moore, but I respect him for his opinion.
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