David:
As Curtis says, the Moore "documentary" is a travesty. Check out Spinsanity to read the whole
sorry story. Simply put, Michael Moore is a liar. Not only that, but he never really addresses the
issue of violence in the US in a way that's consonant with any of the *real* (non-junk) research
on the topic.
And as I've posted elsewhere, not only is "fear of the other" relatively unrelated to crime, but
it's lower in the US than in most of Europe, including the UK.
And, of course, the real bottom line is that property crimes, burglaries, home invasions, and the
like are significantly higher in the UK than in the US. It's true there are more homicides in the
US, but the gap is narrowing and it's not nearly as wide as what Moore depicts if you include all
homicides and not just gun homicides.
So, by all means, draw conclusions about the US from reputable data and research... but you'll get a
pretty distorted picture by assuming Michael Moore is a decent source for any of that.
--
--Scott
"david.poole" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm British so the idea of carrying a weapon of any sort is
> rather alien.
>
> I've both read and seen "Bowling for Columbine" and, bear in mind I am
> not American, my take on the America and guns thing is that
> a) Something that is part of the American constitution "the right to
> bare arms" has become an greater source of oppression than it is
> a freedom.
> b) American media creates an atmosphere of fear and paranoia in a
> heavily armed population. Not a good combination.
>
> One of the greatest American presidents said "You have nothing to fear
> but fear itself", which contrasts greatly from the attitude today.
>
> Try coming through US Customs as a foreigner and the difference between
> America now and America 10 years ago is astounding.
>
> Is it the first amendment that says something about "freedom of
> association"? You try walking through customs with an Asian man in
> traditional muslim dress! I never want to see a rubber glove again as
> long as I live!
>
> Freedom of speech doesn't mean that Freedom to agree with George Dubyaa
> and disagreeing with him doesn't mean that I dislike Americans.
>
> I think it is a great shame that in a nation of such great achievements
> and with a mostly friendly, optimistic and big hearted people you have
> felt a need to ask a question of this sort.
>
> If you need a weapon on a bike ride, change your route so you don't need
> one. In emergencies a swift wack with a 20" pump is a remarkable
> deterrent.
>
>
>
> --