Why is it that some people only know how to use force as an option?

[thermodynamic]

And why aren't we doing the same to fight back against their evil?

BTW: That's hypothetical, don't do anything rash!...

[DagmarK]

1. I saw Bowling for Columbine last night......

and my eyes have been opened. We are a fearful, freaked out bunch of people here in the USA..... (heck, just check out the antacid section of the pharmacy.....row and rows and rows of stomach aids)

I think Canada should be VERY careful with the immigration of so many Americans. They have a pretty nice little society over there. Very peaceful. They have like 10 murders there every year -- the WHOLE COUNTRY. The USA: Over 10,000.

And they have 7 million firearms in the hands of their citizens, but they don't shoot each other at the drop of a hat.

Mindboggling. I guess most everyone walks around in the daze I am in after they see the movie.........

[thermodynamic]

2. They recently had a murder...

gay guy, in Ontario I believe. I think www.planetout.com still has the article up...

It's probably more than 10 murders per year, but certainly less than US's 10,000...

All these problems in America yet born-again-cretin* is doing nothing except feed the corporate pigs.

[liberalmuse]

4. Eye-opening, for sure!

I'm now reading the book that inspired Michael Moore, 'Culture of Fear:...' I was sad for America after seeing 'Bowling for Columbine'. The Canadians seem so laid back. There is something really wrong with our society. We are not a happy people, even though we are the most privileged nation in the world.

[DagmarK]

6. Yeah,......Moore was interviewing him a bit in the movie.....

and I thought I should definitely read Culture of Fear.

I just don't understand it.

Another thing that baffles me is why so many people LOVE to come here (I am sure those numbers are diminishing ......these days), and why they LOVE "things American": our clothes, appetites, movies, etc. etc.

I wonder if America didn't just hit on some really base instinct and capitalize on it and grow it and feed it and coddle it..... Whatever that instinct is? And as a human instinct, it appeals to many, regardless of culture and experience. Is it GREED???? Or something more base?

It's baffling to me - because given what I know......I would do anything to live out my life in a completely and totally different culture. Diff food, language, dress, .....everything. I love this country, but it seems to lack a soul!

[DieboldMustDie]

10. "The total number of murders in Canada in 2001 was 554,

just eight more than in 2000, but 167 fewer than in 1975, the year before capital punishment was abolished... Murder rates are generally at least three times lower in Canada than in the United States."

http://canadaonline.about.com/library/weekly/aa072802a.htm

[liberalmuse]

3. It's a sign of immaturity...

Children use force and manipulation to get what they want, until they grow up and learn to communicate, cooperate and compromise with others in order to get what they want. Many people just don't grow up.

[Nambe]

5. I see it as a product of pure capitalism.

If a weaker entity has something that will perpetuate the wealth of your family, community, state, or nation and is unwilling to sell it to you; the option of violence is too appealing when the pressure of a rival entity appears to be threatening you and yours.

Those 'liberal' idealists embracing a world community vision are far less likely to violate the rights of others in the global community to advance their own interests. The battle of wills between the UN and warring nations is the ultimate example of this battle. Painting elements of global vision as evil communism spins the reality of violence and instills fear into the community of the capitalist.

IMO, the concept of promoting the rights of all entities and downplaying the rhetoric of political and theological ideals is the most effective way of bringing peace and justice on a global level.


Click to enter Human Rights Watch

[ForrestGump]

7. There's nothing wrong with force, in certain contexts

Sometimes it's what it takes to make things right. Sometimes the threat of force is what is takes.

Unfortunately, the present misadministration seems to have adopted outright force it as their only policy; whether this mirrors and further encourages a general (probably pop-culture-fueled) might-is-right blood thirst in the American public is a good question, one I suspect that is best answered with a 'yes.' One thing that 9/11 should have showed Americans is that errant application of force can sow the seeds of self-destruction. What happened on 9/11 surely showed us that violent death is infinitely more horrifying in reality than in even the goriest of films, but Afghanistan and Iraq stand as testimony in support of the idea that we're yet to 'get it.'

[Lady Freedom]

8. My question is...

why is the U.S so violent?:wtf:

[Nambe]

11. The Japanese culture pops up in my mind when I think of violence.

The concept of 'face' or respect is engrained in their language and culture. As parents, they are very liberal in disciplining their young children but they insist on respect being earned and given. Violence is rare in relatively rare in their culture.

[TXlib]

9. Many of my Repuke acquaintances seem to think it's OK...

to use our military might to TAKE what we want from other countries.

Provided we can provide the faintest veneer of legitimacy for it.