Thoughts On "Bowling For Columbine"

Twl ... Americans consider politicians to be criminals in suits ? That's not what I see. From what I see the american people are being completely hoodwinked by a powerful political / industrial / media complex that is creating a powerful class system in what was supposed to be a meritocracy. I'd say the average european voter is much more skeptical of government, and rightly so.

If I really believed you then Nader would be president right now. The only guy who tells it like it is.

I think we'd better get back to hifi before fights break out !

Sean, alot more Americans know what is going on than many might think. The problem is that it is not really known what to do about it. It is a very sticky problem, and all the "normal" roads to the solution have been cleverly blocked or subverted by the people you refer to. It leaves only some very unsavory options, which most Americans seem unwilling to consider at this time. The cabal of power that you refer to, is real, and has consolidated itself deep into the governing structure, media, education, and industry, just as you say. When they are in that deep, just how do we get them out? They certainly are not going to give up willingly. This is a dilemma that ultimately will have to be dealt with, but it is not a pretty picture. Many of the "police state" measures being taken right now, are not intended to control terrorists, but are intended to control opposition to the inevitable "tightening of the grip" that is coming. Alot of us feel it, but how do you stop it? There is always a "plausible reason" accompanying these measures, in order to calm the fears of "the herd". But even "the herd" is starting to notice that no terrorists are being caught, and alot of rights are going out the window. Once the "security force" is in place, how will anyone oppose it? I'm sure that many Europeans recognize the dance, as the same one that was played in the 1930s. Heaven help us.

Sean,

I figured that you were a British citizen. So, let's see....you want open borders between Europe and the U.S.? You're also going back to the U.K. and later plan on living in mainland Europe. So, if people vote with their feet you'll have plenty of elbow room where you're going to live. Pretty self-serving.

Also, if you have lived in California for the last five years you have a left coast view of this nation. I urge you to visit the heartland before you go. Many of us do not take the gifts bestowed upon us by our founders for granted.

Twl is correct that the wickedness is deeply entrenched in our institutions. Rooting out the bad guys and turning this nation around will happen only when the government has gone too far. Ralph Nader was not the answer and a European ideal isn't either. This country belongs to we the people and I'm reasonably confident that we will prevail.

In a multiplex filled with remakes of remakes or stories based upon comics, "Bowling For Columbine" stood out as movie willing to tackle a serious socio-political issue. While I truly appreciate everyone's participation in this thread and find all of the positions and particularly the passion behind those postions most enlightening, I would prefer that we get back to the subject of politically oriented movies. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE POLITICAL OR ISSUE ORIENTED MOVIE? My vote goes to "The Godfather II". It's a searing indictment of the corroding effect of unrestrained capitalism on the family unit. As FFC said, "Micheal is America." My second place vote goes to "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance". The townspeople get together and vote for statehood while their representative questions the true price of law and order. It stars John Wayne, Jimmie Stewart and Lee Marvin.

The current Forbes magazine has a list of inaccurate things that are in that Michael Moore movie.