A|DT defense|NN of|IN Michael|NNP Moore|NNP and|CC "|'' Bowling|NNP for|IN Columbine|NNP "|'' (|( Op-Ed|NNP )|) By|IN Eloquence|NNP Wed|NNP Aug|NNP 13th|NN ,|, 2003|CD at|IN 09:00:09|NN AM|NNP EST|NNP This|DT is|VBZ an|DT open|JJ letter|NN to|TO David|NNP Hardy|NNP ,|, author|NN of|IN Bowling|NNP for|IN Columbine|NNP :|: Documentary|NNP or|CC Fiction|NNP ?|. 
,|, probably|RB the|DT most|RBS comprehensive|JJ among|IN many|JJ rebuttals|NNS of|IN the|DT Oscar-winning|NNP documentary|NN .|. 
Critics|NNS have|VBP now|RB gone|VBN so|RB far|RB as|IN to|TO call|VB for|IN the|DT revocation|NN of|IN the|DT award|NN .|. 
Their|PRP$ chances|NNS are|VBP small|JJ ,|, however|RB ,|, as|IN their|PRP$ arguments|NNS rely|VBP on|IN polemic|JJ ,|, exaggeration|NN and|CC misrepresentation|NN --|: in|IN other|JJ words|NNS ,|, on|IN the|DT same|JJ techniques|NNS which|WDT they|PRP accuse|VBP Moore|NNP of|IN using|VBG .|. 

Dear|RB David|NNP Hardy|NNP ,|, 
It|PRP is|VBZ fascinating|JJ to|TO watch|VB the|DT organized|VBN character|NN assassination|NN of|IN Michael|NNP Moore|NNP that|WDT has|VBZ been|VBN going|VBG on|IN in|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS since|IN the|DT release|NN of|IN his|PRP$ last|JJ documentary|NN .|. 
In|IN a|DT time|NN of|IN simple-minded|JJ patriotism|NN ,|, loud|JJ ,|, clear|JJ and|CC dissenting|JJ voices|NNS like|IN Mr.|NN Moore|NNP 's|POS are|NN perceived|VBN as|IN disturbing|JJ and|CC have|VBP to|TO be|VB silenced|VBN ,|, partially|RB through|IN well|RB funded|VBN public|JJ relations|NNS campaigns|NNS ,|, partially|RB through|IN conservative|JJ "|'' grass-roots|JJ "|'' propaganda|NN .|. 
Not|RB surprisingly|RB ,|, much|JJ of|IN the|DT criticism|NN of|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS film|NN is|VBZ misguided|VBN or|CC outright|JJ wrong|NN ,|, often|RB vastly|RB more|RBR inaccurate|JJ than|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS work|NN itself|PRP .|. 

Moore|NNP portrays|VBZ the|DT NRA|NNP as|IN an|DT unethical|JJ ,|, dishonest|JJ organization|NN ;|: he|PRP sees|VBZ the|DT paranoia|NN and|CC fear|NN in|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS as|IN a|DT primary|JJ cause|NN of|IN violence|NN ,|, and|CC he|PRP does|VBZ not|RB see|VB gun|NN ownership|NN itself|PRP as|IN a|DT problem|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ documentary|NN is|VBZ full|JJ of|IN subtle|JJ humor|NN ,|, jaw-dropping|JJ dialogue|NN and|CC dark|JJ contrasts|VBZ .|. 
All|DT in|IN all|DT ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ an|DT accurate|JJ portrayal|NN of|IN America|NNP 's|POS gun|NN and|CC violence|NN culture|NN .|. 
It|PRP also|RB raises|VBZ questions|NNS about|IN America|NNP 's|POS foreign|JJ policy|NN of|IN recent|JJ decades|NNS ,|, questions|NNS which|WDT have|VBP been|VBN all|DT but|CC ignored|VBN by|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS critics|NNS .|. 

On|IN your|PRP$ webpage|NN ,|, you|PRP state|VBP that|IN "|'' Moore|NNP 's|POS resolution|NN is|VBZ questionable|JJ .|. 
After|IN all|DT ,|, early|RB in|IN the|DT movie|NN he|PRP discards|NNS the|DT possibility|NN that|IN playing|VBG violent|JJ video|NN games|NNS and|CC watching|VBG violent|JJ flicks|NNS can|MD cause|VB violence|NN --|: because|IN Canadians|NNPS like|IN ,|, and|CC Japanese|JJ positively|RB love|NN ,|, those|DT .|. 
If|IN violent|JJ movies|NNS and|CC violent|JJ videogames|NNS cannot|NN cause|NN violence|NN --|: then|RB how|WRB can|MD newscasts|NNS about|IN violence|NN do|VBP so|RB ?|. "|'' 

This|DT is|VBZ a|DT faulty|JJ generalization|NN .|. 
If|IN ,|, as|IN Moore|NNP implies|VBZ (|( although|IN never|RB states|VBZ as|IN fact|NN )|) ,|, video|NN games|NNS and|CC violent|JJ movies|NNS are|VBP relatively|RB harmless|JJ ,|, it|PRP does|VBZ not|RB logically|RB follow|VB that|IN all|DT types|NNS of|IN media|NNS presentation|NN are|VBP harmless|JJ .|. 
There|EX is|VBZ a|DT huge|JJ difference|NN ,|, for|IN example|NN ,|, between|IN playing|VBG a|DT game|NN like|IN "|'' Quake|NN "|'' and|CC listening|VBG to|TO a|DT radio|NN broadcast|NN that|WDT tells|VBZ you|PRP that|IN your|PRP$ family|NN will|MD be|VB killed|VBN unless|IN you|PRP take|VBP action|NN to|TO kill|VB others|NNS now|RB .|. 
The|DT latter|NN is|VBZ the|DT kind|NN of|IN media|NNS propaganda|NN that|WDT was|VBD used|VBN to|TO unleash|VB a|DT genocide|NN in|IN Rwanda|NNP in|IN 1994|CD ,|, which|WDT killed|VBD 800,000|CD people|NNS .|. 
Similarly|RB ,|, the|DT main|JJ motivation|NN for|IN the|DT crusades|NNS (|( beyond|IN the|DT promise|NN of|IN wealth|NN )|) was|VBD that|IN Christians|NNS were|VBD supposedly|RB being|VBG slaughtered|VBN and|CC had|VBN to|TO be|VB saved|VBN .|. 

Obviously|RB ,|, media|NNS propaganda|NN can|MD incite|NN people|NNS to|TO kill|VB .|. 
Interactive|JJ fiction|NN like|IN video|NN games|NNS ,|, on|IN the|DT other|JJ hand|NN ,|, presents|VBZ violence|NN in|IN a|DT narrative|NN context|NN ,|, which|WDT may|MD very|RB well|RB desensitize|NN participants|NNS to|TO said|VBD violence|NN ,|, but|CC no|DT causative|JJ link|NN has|VBZ ever|RB been|VBN proven|VBN .|. 
Moore|NNP 's|POS hypothesis|NNS (|( which|WDT apparently|RB comes|VBZ at|IN least|JJS in|IN part|NN from|IN the|DT book|NN "|'' Culture|NNP of|IN Fear|NN "|'' by|IN Barry|NNP Glassner|NNP ,|, also|RB advertised|VBN on|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS website|NN )|) is|VBZ that|IN the|DT constant|JJ bombardment|NN with|IN messages|NNS of|IN fear|NN can|MD incite|NN paranoia|NN ,|, which|WDT itself|PRP can|MD lead|VB to|TO violent|JJ acts|NNS .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ consistent|JJ with|IN the|DT kind|NN of|IN media-incited|JJ violence|NN described|VBD above|IN ,|, and|CC in|IN no|DT relationship|NN whatsoever|RB to|TO the|DT theory|NN of|IN video|NN game|NN or|CC music|NN incited|JJ violence|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ no|DT surprise|NN ,|, however|RB ,|, that|IN US|NNP (|( and|CC European|JJ )|) media|NNS do|VBP not|RB question|VB their|PRP$ own|JJ propaganda|NN of|IN fear|NN .|. 

Moore|NNP 's|POS second|JJ hypothesis|NNS is|VBZ that|IN America|NNP 's|POS foreign|JJ policy|NN may|MD contribute|VB to|TO the|DT belief|NN that|DT violence|NN is|VBZ an|DT appropriate|JJ means|VBZ to|TO solve|VB conflicts|NNS ,|, a|DT hypothesis|NNS which|WDT is|VBZ shared|VBN by|IN many|JJ sociologists|NNS and|CC psychologists|NNS .|. 
Children|NNP who|WP grow|VBP up|RB in|IN war-torn|JJ regions|NNS are|VBP known|VBN for|IN having|VBG similar|JJ views|NNS --|: war|NN is|VBZ perceived|VBN as|IN a|DT normal|JJ part|NN of|IN existence|NN ,|, violence|NN as|IN a|DT natural|JJ way|NN to|TO solve|VB disputes|NNS .|. 
In|IN a|DT weaker|JJR sense|NN ,|, the|DT same|JJ message|NN is|VBZ projected|VBN to|TO American|JJ children|NNS ,|, who|WP grow|VBP up|RP being|VBG told|VBN that|IN it|PRP is|VBZ not|RB acceptable|JJ to|TO be|VB violent|JJ to|TO one|CD another|DT ,|, but|CC who|WP simultaneously|RB have|VBP to|TO endure|VB corporal|NN punishment|NN and|CC media|NNS messages|NNS about|IN how|WRB "|'' the|DT enemies|NNS of|IN freedom|NN "|'' are|VBP punished|VBN .|. 
Moore|NNP 's|POS film|NN was|VBD made|VBN before|IN the|DT dead|JJ bodies|NNS of|IN Qusay|NNP and|CC Uday|NNP Hussein|NNP were|VBD paraded|JJ on|IN national|JJ TV|NN .|. 
Americans|NNPS were|VBD gloating|VBG over|IN this|DT demented|JJ corpse|NN show|NN :|: 

"|'' They|PRP squealed|JJ like|IN little|JJ piggies|NNS too|RB ,|, so|IN you|PRP 'll|MD have|VB to|TO make|VB do|VBP with|IN '|POS oink|UH ,|, oink|UH ,|, squeeeeeeeallll|NN '|'' for|IN their|PRP$ last|JJ words|NNS .|. 
That|DT goes|VBZ for|IN your|PRP$ grandson|NN Mustafa|NNP too|RB ,|, by|IN the|DT way|NN .|. 
Still|RB think|VBP fucking|VBG with|IN the|DT U.S.|NNP was|VBD a|DT good|JJ idea|NN ,|, Sammy|NNP ?|. "|'' 

Mustafa|NNP was|VBD 14|CD years|NNS when|WRB he|PRP was|VBD killed|VBN .|. 
Americans|NNPS cheer|NN the|DT killing|NN of|IN children|NNS ,|, yet|RB wonder|VBP why|WRB their|PRP$ own|JJ children|NNS grow|VBP up|IN to|TO be|VB more|RBR violent|JJ than|IN those|DT in|IN other|JJ nations|NNS .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ paradoxical|JJ notions|NNS like|IN this|DT one|CD which|WDT Moore|NNP 's|POS film|NN seeks|VBZ to|TO address|VB .|. 

Inaccuracies|NNP 
Your|PRP$ webpage|NN list|NN a|DT number|NN of|IN alleged|VBN inaccuracies|NNS in|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS movies|NNS .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ true|JJ that|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS film|NN is|VBZ sometimes|RB unintentionally|RB deceptive|JJ ,|, but|CC to|TO call|VB it|PRP fraudulent|JJ is|VBZ hyperbole|NN to|TO the|DT extreme|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ no|DT more|RBR so|RB than|IN any|DT other|JJ successful|JJ documentary|NN of|IN the|DT last|JJ decades|NNS .|. 
Let|VB 's|PRP look|VB at|IN some|DT specific|JJ criticisms|NNS :|: 

1|CD )|) The|DT bank|NN scene|NN ,|, listed|VBN on|IN your|PRP$ website|NN on|IN a|DT separate|JJ page|NN .|. 
Critics|NNS have|VBP stated|VBN that|IN this|DT scene|NN was|VBD "|'' staged|VBD "|'' ,|, but|CC in|IN the|DT bank|NN interview|NN ,|, the|DT official|NN tells|VBZ Moore|NNP that|IN the|DT bank|NN has|VBZ its|PRP$ own|JJ vault|NN storing|VBG about|IN 500|CD weapons|NNS at|IN any|DT given|VBN time|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ also|RB a|DT licensed|VBN firearms|NNS dealer|NN which|WDT can|MD perform|VB its|PRP$ own|JJ background|NN checks|NNS .|. 
In|IN an|DT interview|NN with|IN the|DT Wall|NNP Street|NNP Journal|NNP ,|, linked|VBN from|IN your|PRP$ site|NN ,|, an|DT employee|NN claims|NNS that|IN the|DT gun|NN would|MD have|VB been|VBN "|'' normally|RB "|'' picked|VBD up|RB at|IN another|DT dealer|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ not|RB explained|VBN what|WP "|'' normally|RB "|'' is|VBZ supposed|VBN to|TO mean|VB ,|, but|CC that|DT claim|NN flatly|RB contradicts|VBZ the|DT statement|NN of|IN the|DT bank|NN official|NN in|IN the|DT film|NN .|. 
This|DT sounds|VBZ more|RBR like|IN a|DT later|JJ correction|NN for|IN public|JJ relations|NNS purposes|NNS ,|, but|CC of|IN course|NN nobody|NN questions|VBZ the|DT bank|NN claims|NNS when|WRB they|PRP can|MD be|VB used|VBN against|IN Moore|NNP .|. 

The|DT only|JJ thing|NN that|IN Moore|NNP compressed|VBN is|VBZ the|DT timeframe|NN .|. 
According|VBG to|TO the|DT same|JJ WSJ|NNP interview|NN ,|, "|'' Typically|RB ,|, you|PRP 're|VBP looking|VBG at|IN a|DT week|NN to|TO 10|CD days|NNS waiting|VBG period|NN .|. "|'' 
This|DT is|VBZ plausible|JJ --|: but|CC entirely|RB irrelevant|JJ for|IN the|DT movie|NN ,|, which|WDT already|RB makes|VBZ it|PRP quite|RB clear|JJ that|IN a|DT background|NN check|NN is|VBZ being|VBG performed|VBN .|. 
Moore|NNP 's|POS detractors|NNS have|VBP sometimes|RB extended|VBN those|DT 7|CD -|: 10|CD days|NNS to|TO several|JJ weeks|NNS ,|, contradicting|VBG the|DT bank|NN 's|POS own|JJ estimate|NN .|. 

There|EX is|VBZ nothing|NN inaccurate|JJ whatsoever|RB about|IN the|DT bank|NN scene|NN .|. 
The|DT bank|NN does|VBZ exactly|RB what|WP it|PRP advertises|VBZ :|: It|PRP hands|VBZ out|RP guns|NNS from|IN its|PRP$ vault|NN to|TO those|DT who|WP open|VB an|DT account|NN .|. 
The|DT silly|JJ criticisms|NNS of|IN the|DT scene|NN obscure|VB the|DT real|JJ obscenity|NN of|IN the|DT situation|NN :|: a|DT bank|NN handing|VBG out|RP guns|NNS to|TO its|PRP$ customers|NNS ,|, higlighting|VBG the|DT utter|JJ laxness|NNS of|IN how|WRB Americans|NNPS deal|NN with|IN deadly|JJ weapons|NNS and|CC a|DT love|NN of|IN firearms|NNS that|IN borders|NNS on|IN the|DT religious|JJ .|. 

2|CD )|) The|DT Lockheed-Martin|NNP interview|NN .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ perhaps|RB the|DT criticism|NN repeated|VBD the|DT most|RBS often|RB ,|, and|CC it|PRP also|RB the|DT most|RBS inaccurate|JJ .|. 
First|LS ,|, the|DT actual|JJ quotes|NNS from|IN the|DT film|NN are|VBP often|RB reproduced|VBD incorrectly|RB .|. 
The|DT dialogue|NN goes|VBZ as|IN follows|VBZ :|: 

Moore|NNP :|: "|'' So|IN you|PRP do|VBP n't|RB think|VB our|PRP$ kids|NNS say|VBP to|TO themselves|PRP ,|, gee|NN ,|, dad|NN goes|VBZ off|IN to|TO the|DT factory|NN every|DT day|NN -|: he|PRP builds|VBZ missiles|NNS .|. 
These|DT are|VBP weapons|NNS of|IN mass|NN destruction|NN .|. 
What|WP 's|VBZ the|DT difference|NN between|IN that|DT mass|NN destruction|NN and|CC the|DT mass|NN destruction|NN over|IN at|IN Columbine|NNP High|NNP School|NNP ?|. "|'' 

McCollum|NNP (|( PR|NNP person|NN )|) :|: "|'' I|PRP guess|VBP I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB see|VB that|IN specific|JJ connection|NN because|IN the|DT missiles|NNS that|IN you|PRP 're|VBP talking|VBG about|IN were|VBD built|VBN and|CC designed|VBN to|TO defend|VB us|PRP from|IN somebody|NN else|RB who|WP would|MD be|VB aggressors|NNS against|IN us|PRP .|. "|'' 

First|CD ,|, note|NN the|DT word|NN "|'' our|PRP$ "|'' in|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS question|NN .|. 
Moore|NNP is|VBZ not|RB from|IN Colorado|NNP --|: his|PRP$ question|NN is|VBZ generic|JJ ,|, not|RB meant|VBN to|TO refer|VB specifically|RB to|TO the|DT Lockheed|NNP Martin|NNP plant|NN in|IN question|NN .|. 
McCollum|NNP understands|VBZ it|PRP this|DT way|NN --|: otherwise|RB he|PRP would|MD protest|VB against|IN the|DT plant|NN being|VBG mischaracterized|JJ .|. 
However|RB ,|, critics|NNS of|IN Moore|NNP have|VBP cleverly|RB ignored|VBN McCollum|NNP 's|POS response|NN and|CC presented|VBN Moore|NNP as|IN spreading|VBG lies|VBZ about|IN the|DT Lockheed|NNP plant|NN .|. 

Even|RB Lockheed|NNP did|VBD not|RB believe|VB the|DT public|NN to|TO be|VB that|DT gullible|JJ .|. 
In|IN response|NN to|TO one|CD Moore|NNP detractor|NN ,|, McCollum|NNP wrote|VBD :|: "|'' Although|IN other|JJ units|NNS of|IN Lockheed|NNP Martin|NNP Corporation|NNP elsewhere|RB in|IN the|DT country|NN produce|NN weapons|NNS to|TO support|VB the|DT defense|NN of|IN the|DT U.S.|NNP ,|, we|PRP make|VBP no|DT weapons|NNS at|IN the|DT Littleton-area|NNP facility|NN Moore|NNP visited|VBD .|. "|'' 
Of|IN course|NN ,|, critics|NNS have|VBP conveniently|RB ignored|VBN the|DT fact|NN that|IN Lockheed|NNP Martin|NNP does|VBZ supply|NN weapons|NNS of|IN mass|NN destruction|NN to|TO the|DT US|NNP military|NN ,|, and|CC that|IN the|DT company|NN is|VBZ the|DT nation|NN 's|POS largest|JJS military|JJ contractor|NN .|. 
As|IN Moore|NNP correctly|RB points|VBZ out|IN ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ bizarre|JJ for|IN a|DT society|NN to|TO openly|RB embrace|VB the|DT production|NN of|IN destructive|JJ weapons|NNS ,|, but|CC on|IN the|DT other|JJ hand|NN see|VBP no|DT connection|NN of|IN this|DT to|TO everyday|JJ violence|NN --|: children|NNS learn|VBP by|IN imitating|VBG adults|NNS .|. 

Yes|UH ,|, Moore|NNP makes|VBZ this|DT point|NN through|IN slight|JJ exaggeration|NN by|IN moving|VBG with|IN the|DT camera|NN through|IN the|DT LM|NNP plant|NN --|: but|CC he|PRP makes|VBZ no|DT incorrect|JJ statement|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ typical|JJ for|IN his|PRP$ critics|NNS to|TO jump|VB on|IN what|WP is|VBZ at|IN most|JJS a|DT slightly|RB misleading|JJ implication|NN ,|, but|CC in|IN doing|VBG so|RB ,|, they|PRP themselves|PRP have|VBP ,|, unlike|IN Moore|NNP ,|, made|VBD many|JJ incorrect|JJ claims|NNS .|. 

3|CD )|) Denver|NNP NRA|NNP meeting|NN .|. 
Critics|NNS like|IN yourself|PRP claim|VBP that|IN Moore|NNP has|VBZ massively|RB distorted|JJ evidence|NN to|TO support|VB his|PRP$ point|NN that|IN Charlton|NNP Heston|NNP has|VBZ effectively|RB insulted|JJ the|DT victims|NNS of|IN the|DT Columbine|NNP tragedy|NN by|IN holding|VBG a|DT rally|NN in|IN Denver|NNP shortly|RB afterwards|RB .|. 

First|LS ,|, the|DT "|'' from|IN my|PRP$ cold|JJ ,|, dead|JJ hands|NNS "|'' part|NN :|: This|DT is|VBZ used|VBN by|IN Moore|NNP as|IN a|DT visual|JJ citation|NN to|TO introduce|VB Heston|NNP .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ perhaps|RB one|CD of|IN his|PRP$ most|RBS famous|JJ quotes|NNS ,|, shown|VBN on|IN national|JJ TV|NN even|RB here|RB in|IN Germany|NNP .|. 
It|PRP tells|VBZ viewers|NNS :|: Aha|NNP ,|, this|DT is|VBZ the|DT person|NN we|PRP are|VBP talking|VBG about|IN .|. 
Nowhere|RB does|VBZ Moore|NNP say|VB or|CC imply|VBP that|IN these|DT words|NNS were|VBD uttered|VBD at|IN the|DT rally|NN in|IN Denver|NNP ,|, and|CC in|IN fact|NN ,|, their|PRP$ reptition|NN later|RB in|IN the|DT movie|NN at|IN another|DT occasion|NN (|( oddly|RB claimed|VBN by|IN critics|NNS to|TO be|VB again|RB "|'' misattributed|JJ "|'' )|) is|VBZ simply|RB a|DT reminder|NN of|IN this|DT .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ Moore|NNP 's|POS way|NN to|TO say|VB :|: Viewers|NNS ,|, meet|VB Charlton|NNP Heston|NNP ,|, gun|NN nut|NN extraordinaire|NN .|. 

The|DT "|'' visual|JJ of|IN a|DT billboard|NN and|CC a|DT narration|NN "|'' is|VBZ viewed|VBN by|IN you|PRP as|IN evidence|NN that|IN Moore|NNP is|VBZ trying|VBG to|TO somehow|RB tie|VB the|DT two|CD events|NNS together|RB ,|, when|WRB in|IN reality|NN ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ quite|RB obvious|JJ that|IN he|PRP does|VBZ it|PRP to|TO separate|VB the|DT introduction|NN of|IN Heston|NNP from|IN his|PRP$ speech|NN in|IN Denver|NNP .|. 
Moore|NNP is|VBZ a|DT professional|JJ filmmaker|NN --|: he|PRP concentrates|VBZ on|IN maximum|NN impact|NN of|IN each|DT of|IN the|DT statements|NNS he|PRP cites|VBZ ,|, and|CC to|TO accomplish|VB that|DT effect|NN ,|, uses|VBZ subtle|JJ interludes|NNS instead|RB of|IN long-winded|JJ introductions|NNS .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ a|DT common|JJ technique|NN ,|, but|CC because|IN conservative|JJ readers|NNS are|VBP not|RB familiar|JJ with|IN the|DT basics|NNS of|IN filmmaking|VBG ,|, they|PRP believe|VBP critics|NNS who|WP claim|VBP that|IN he|PRP is|VBZ "|'' distorting|VBG "|'' the|DT interview|NN .|. 
What|WP he|PRP does|VBZ is|VBZ standard|JJ filmmaking|VBG practice|NN .|. 

The|DT same|JJ goes|VBZ for|IN the|DT interview|NN which|WDT follows|VBZ .|. 
Moore|NNP 's|POS critics|NNS would|MD expect|VB us|PRP to|TO have|VB him|PRP quote|VBP Heston|NNP in|IN his|PRP$ entirety|NN ,|, have|VBP him|PRP present|JJ fully|RB the|DT PR|NNP that|IN the|DT NRA|NNP has|VBZ used|VBN to|TO justify|VB its|PRP$ rally|NN in|IN Denver|NNP for|IN reasons|NNS of|IN "|'' balance|NN "|'' .|. 
The|DT NRA|NNP was|VBD fully|RB aware|JJ of|IN the|DT scandal|NN it|PRP would|MD cause|VB through|IN its|PRP$ rally|NN and|CC decided|VBD to|TO push|VB on|IN because|IN they|PRP believed|VBD to|TO have|VB enough|JJ media|NNS support|VBP to|TO successfully|RB do|VBP so|RB .|. 
They|PRP were|VBD right|JJ .|. 
You|PRP claim|VBP that|IN there|EX was|VBD "|'' no|DT way|NN to|TO change|VB location|NN ,|, since|IN you|PRP have|VBP to|TO give|VB advance|NN notice|NN of|IN that|DT to|TO the|DT members|NNS ,|, and|CC there|EX were|VBD upwards|NNS of|IN 4|CD ,|, 000,000|CD members|NNS .|. "|'' 
10|CD days|NNS are|VBP more|RBR than|IN enough|RB to|TO give|VB advance|NN warning|NN of|IN a|DT change|NN in|IN location|NN or|CC date|NN ,|, had|VBD the|DT NRA|NNP really|RB wanted|VBD to|TO .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ probably|RB correct|JJ that|IN their|PRP$ primary|JJ reason|NN for|IN not|RB doing|VBG so|RB was|VBD to|TO save|VB money|NN ,|, not|RB to|TO piss|NNS off|RP the|DT victims|NNS of|IN Colubmine|NNP .|. 
That|DT does|VBZ not|RB change|VB the|DT fact|NN that|IN they|PRP did|VBD just|RB that|DT .|. 
Moore|NNP presents|VBZ the|DT most|RBS important|JJ part|NN of|IN the|DT speech|NN to|TO back|VB up|RP this|DT point|NN and|CC ignores|VBZ the|DT fluff|NN .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ what|WP good|JJ documentary|NN filmmaking|VBG is|VBZ about|IN .|. 
And|CC here|RB the|DT critics|NNS again|RB ignore|VBP important|JJ evidence|NN :|: 

When|WRB Heston|NNP mentions|VBZ the|DT mayor|NN of|IN Denver|NNP ,|, the|DT crowd|NN boos|NNS loudly|RB .|. 
Heston|NNP maganimously|RB holds|VBZ up|RP a|DT hand|NN to|TO read|VB the|DT mayor|NN 's|POS letter|NN (|( only|RB to|TO explain|VB in|IN detail|NN why|WRB he|PRP chose|VBD to|TO ignore|VB the|DT request|NN --|: not|RB mentioning|VBG at|IN all|PDT the|DT reasons|NNS you|PRP have|VBP given|VBN !|. )|) 
.|. 
This|DT booing|VBG by|IN the|DT crowd|NN ,|, not|RB mentioned|VBN with|IN a|DT single|JJ word|NN in|IN your|PRP$ transcript|NN or|CC your|PRP$ article|NN ,|, shows|VBZ that|IN the|DT crowd|NN was|VBD fully|RB aware|JJ of|IN the|DT controversy|NN they|PRP would|MD cause|VB by|IN coming|VBG to|TO Littleton|NNP after|IN children|NNS were|VBD being|VBG killed|VBN there|EX --|: and|CC they|PRP effectively|RB said|VBD "|'' Fuck|NNP you|PRP "|'' .|. 
To|TO say|VB that|IN they|PRP could|MD not|RB have|VB done|VBN otherwise|RB is|VBZ a|DT bold|JJ lie|NN by|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS critics|NNS .|. 

4|CD )|) The|DT Kayla|NNP Rolland|NNP case|NN .|. 
Again|RB ,|, critics|NNS like|IN yourself|PRP charge|VBP Moore|NNP with|IN deception|NN .|. 
The|DT rally|NN took|VBD place|NN on|IN October|NNP 17|CD ,|, the|DT shooting|VBG on|IN February|NNP 29|CD .|. 
Again|RB ,|, standard|JJ filmmaking|VBG techniques|NNS are|VBP interpreted|VBN as|IN smooth|JJ distortion|NN :|: 
"|'' Moore|NNP works|VBZ by|IN depriving|VBG you|PRP of|IN context|NN and|CC guiding|VBG your|PRP$ mind|NN to|TO fill|VB the|DT vacuum|NN --|: with|IN completely|RB false|JJ ideas|NNS .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ brilliantly|RB ,|, if|IN unethically|RB ,|, done|VBN .|. "|'' 
As|IN noted|VBD above|IN ,|, the|DT "|'' from|IN my|PRP$ cold|JJ dead|JJ hands|NNS "|'' part|NN is|VBZ simply|RB Moore|NNP 's|POS way|NN to|TO introduce|VB Heston|NNP .|. 
Did|VBD anyone|NN but|CC Moore|NNP 's|POS critics|NNS view|VBP it|PRP as|IN anything|NN else|RB ?|. 
He|PRP certainly|RB does|VBZ not|RB "|'' attribute|VB it|PRP to|TO a|DT speech|NN where|WRB it|PRP was|VBD not|RB uttered|VBD "|'' and|CC ,|, as|IN noted|VBN above|IN ,|, doing|VBG so|IN twice|RB would|MD make|VB no|DT sense|NN whatsoever|RB if|IN Moore|NNP was|VBD the|DT mastermind|NN deceiver|NN that|IN his|PRP$ critics|NNS claim|VBP he|PRP is|VBZ .|. 

Concerning|VBG the|DT Georgetown|NNP Hoya|NNP interview|NN where|WRB Heston|NNP was|VBD asked|VBN about|IN Rolland|NNP ,|, you|PRP write|VBP :|: "|'' There|EX is|VBZ no|DT indication|NN that|DT [|NN Heston|NNP ]|NN recognized|VBD Kayla|NNP Rolland|NNP 's|POS case|NN .|. "|'' 
This|DT is|VBZ naive|JJ to|TO the|DT extreme|JJ --|: Heston|NNP would|MD not|RB be|VB president|NN of|IN the|DT NRA|NNP if|IN he|PRP was|VBD not|RB kept|VBN up|RP to|TO date|NN on|IN the|DT most|RBS prominent|JJ cases|NNS of|IN gun|NN violence|NN .|. 
Even|RB if|IN he|PRP did|VBD not|RB respond|VB to|TO that|DT part|NN of|IN the|DT interview|NN ,|, he|PRP certainly|RB knew|VBD about|IN the|DT case|NN at|IN that|DT point|NN .|. 

Regarding|VBG the|DT NRA|NNP website|NN excerpt|NN about|IN the|DT case|NN and|CC the|DT highlighting|VBG of|IN the|DT phrase|NN "|'' 48|CD hours|NNS after|IN Kayla|NNP Rolland|NNP is|VBZ pronounced|VBN dead|JJ "|'' :|: 
This|DT is|VBZ one|CD valid|JJ criticism|NN ,|, but|CC far|RB from|IN the|DT deliberate|JJ distortion|NN you|PRP make|VBP it|PRP out|IN to|TO be|VB ;|: rather|RB ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ an|DT example|NN for|IN how|WRB the|DT facts|NNS can|MD sometimes|RB be|VB easy|JJ to|TO miss|VB with|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS fast|RB pace|NN editing|NN .|. 
The|DT reason|NN the|DT sentence|NN is|VBZ highlighted|VBN is|VBZ not|RB to|TO deceive|VB the|DT viewer|NN into|IN believing|VBG that|IN Heston|NNP hurried|VBN to|TO Flint|NNP to|TO immediately|RB hold|VB a|DT rally|NN there|RB (|( as|IN will|MD become|VB quite|RB obvious|JJ )|) ,|, but|CC simply|RB to|TO highlight|VB the|DT first|JJ mention|NN of|IN the|DT name|NN "|'' Kayla|NNP Rolland|NNP "|'' in|IN the|DT text|NN ,|, which|WDT is|VBZ in|IN this|DT paragraph|NN .|. 

Unfortunately|RB ,|, because|IN the|DT zooming|VBG is|VBZ rather|RB fast|RB ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ easy|JJ to|TO miss|VB the|DT rest|NN of|IN the|DT sentence|NN ,|, so|RB as|IN you|PRP correctly|RB note|VBP ,|, some|DT viewers|NNS got|VBD an|DT incorrect|JJ impression|NN .|. 
It|PRP would|MD have|VB been|VBN fair|JJ for|IN Moore|NNP to|TO point|VB out|RP this|DT possible|JJ misinterpretation|NN on|IN his|PRP$ website|NN .|. 
However|RB ,|, the|DT claim|NN of|IN deliberate|JJ distortion|NN is|VBZ ludicrous|JJ for|IN several|JJ reasons|NNS :|: 

a|DT )|) Moore|NNP clearly|RB states|VBZ that|IN "|'' before|IN he|PRP came|VBD to|TO Flint|NNP "|'' ,|, Heston|NNP gave|VBD an|DT interview|NN .|. 
In|IN the|DT excerpt|NN from|IN said|VBD interview|NN ,|, we|PRP can|MD see|VB that|IN it|PRP is|VBZ from|IN March|NNP .|. 
If|IN Moore|NNP wanted|VBD to|TO deceive|VB his|PRP$ viewers|NNS ,|, why|WRB would|MD he|PRP say|VB this|DT ,|, and|CC show|VB the|DT month|NN the|DT interview|NN was|VBD published|VBN ?|. 

b|SYM )|) Why|WRB should|MD Moore|NNP leave|VB the|DT words|NNS "|'' Clinton|NNP is|VBZ on|IN the|DT Today|NNP Show|NNP "|'' visible|JJ in|IN the|DT text|NN ,|, which|WDT is|VBZ necessary|JJ to|TO correctly|RB interpret|VB the|DT highlighted|VBN part|NN ?|. 
I|PRP reviewed|VBD the|DT sequence|NN several|JJ times|NNS and|CC it|PRP is|VBZ perfectly|RB possible|JJ to|TO see|VB this|DT text|NN without|IN pausing|VBG .|. 

c|SYM )|) Both|DT the|DT "|'' soccer|NN mom|NN "|'' interview|NN and|CC the|DT sequences|NNS showing|VBG the|DT NRA|NNP rally|NN make|VBP no|DT effort|NN to|TO distort|VB the|DT fact|NN that|IN this|DT rally|NN happened|VBD months|NNS after|IN the|DT fact|NN .|. 
The|DT camera|NN lingers|VBZ on|IN Bush|NNP /|NN Cheney|NNP posters|NNS ,|, and|CC the|DT protestor|NN is|VBZ quoted|VBN as|IN saying|VBG that|IN "|'' we|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO let|VB the|DT NRA|NNP know|VB that|IN we|PRP have|VBP n't|RB forgotten|VBN about|IN Kayla|NNP Rolland|NNP "|'' .|. 
You|PRP make|VBP the|DT hysterical|JJ claim|NN that|IN the|DT interview|NN "|'' may|MD be|VB faked|VBN "|'' (|( on|IN the|DT basis|NN that|IN no|DT name|NN is|VBZ shown|VBN for|IN the|DT interviewee|NN )|) ,|, but|CC if|IN Moore|NNP had|VBD faked|VBN it|PRP ,|, why|WRB the|DT hell|NN should|MD he|PRP put|VB this|DT sentence|NN in|IN the|DT protestor|NN 's|POS mouth|NN ,|, which|WDT directly|RB contradicts|VBZ the|DT conclusion|NN that|IN the|DT rally|NN happened|VBD hours|NNS after|IN Kayla|NNP 's|POS death|NN ?|. 
Why|WRB did|VBD Moore|NNP ,|, the|DT masterful|JJ deveiver|NN ,|, not|RB edit|VB this|DT sequence|NN out|RP ?|. 
This|DT makes|VBZ no|DT sense|NN .|. 

Opinions|NNS may|MD vary|VB on|IN how|WRB tasteless|JJ it|PRP was|VBD for|IN Heston|NNP to|TO hold|VB a|DT pro|FW gun|NN rally|NN on|IN the|DT location|NN of|IN the|DT nation|NN 's|POS youngest|JJS school|NN shooting|VBG months|NNS after|IN the|DT fact|NN ,|, but|CC this|DT sequence|NN of|IN "|'' Bowling|NNP "|'' is|VBZ without|IN doubt|NN the|DT most|RBS unfair|JJ to|TO Heston|NNP .|. 
The|DT claims|NNS of|IN deliberate|JJ distortion|NN do|VBP n't|RB hold|VB up|RP when|WRB viewing|VBG the|DT whole|JJ scene|NN ,|, though|IN --|: as|IN "|'' Hanlon|NNP 's|POS Razor|NNP "|'' states|NNS ,|, one|PRP should|MD never|RB attribute|VB to|TO malice|NN what|WP can|MD be|VB attributed|VBN to|TO incompetence|NN .|. 
The|DT somewhat|RB inept|JJ editing|NN of|IN the|DT NRA|NNP press|NN release|NN has|VBZ led|VBN some|DT viewers|NNS to|TO wrong|JJ conclusions|NNS ,|, which|WDT is|VBZ unfortunate|JJ ,|, but|CC Moore|NNP 's|POS critics|NNS have|VBP no|DT interest|NN in|IN viewing|VBG the|DT matter|NN fairly|RB .|. 
Had|VBD they|PRP done|VBN so|RB ,|, Moore|NNP himself|PRP would|MD probably|RB have|VB apologized|VBD for|IN the|DT gaffe|NN .|. 
In|IN any|DT case|NN ,|, at|IN no|DT point|NN does|VBZ Moore|NNP make|VB a|DT false|JJ statement|NN ,|, in|IN contradiction|NN to|TO claims|NNS by|IN critics|NNS that|IN his|PRP$ documentary|NN is|VBZ "|'' full|JJ of|IN lies|NNS "|'' .|. 

5|CD )|) You|PRP write|VBP :|: "|'' Having|VBG created|VBD the|DT desired|VBN impression|NN ,|, Moore|NNP follows|VBZ with|IN his|PRP$ Heston|NNP interview|NN .|. "|'' 
No|DT ,|, he|PRP does|VBZ n't|RB .|. 
You|PRP accuse|VBP Moore|NNP so|RB often|RB of|IN changing|VBG the|DT chronology|NN ,|, yet|RB you|PRP have|VBP no|DT problems|NNS changing|VBG it|PRP yourself|PRP .|. 
The|DT Heston|NNP interview|NN is|VBZ at|IN the|DT very|JJ end|NN of|IN the|DT movie|NN .|. 
After|IN the|DT Flint|NNP rally|NN comes|VBZ a|DT brief|JJ TV|NN interview|NN with|IN Heston|NNP ,|, where|WRB he|PRP is|VBZ asked|VBN about|IN Kayla|NNP Rolland|NNP (|( again|RB ,|, clear|JJ evidence|NN that|IN the|DT local|JJ media|NNS in|IN Flint|NNP raised|VBD questions|NNS about|IN the|DT NRA|NNP 's|POS presence|NN )|) ,|, then|RB an|DT inteview|NN with|IN country|NN prosecutor|NN Arthur|NNP Busch|NNP ,|, entirely|RB ignored|VBN by|IN critics|NNS of|IN the|DT film|NN ,|, who|WP also|RB mentions|VBZ Heston|NNP 's|POS presence|NN as|IN notable|JJ ,|, and|CC refers|VBZ to|TO the|DT immediate|JJ reactions|NNS of|IN "|'' people|NNS from|IN all|DT over|IN America|NNP "|'' ,|, gun|NN owners|NNS /|NN groups|NNS who|WP ,|, according|VBG to|TO him|PRP ,|, reacted|VBD aggressively|RB to|TO warnings|NNS of|IN having|VBG guns|NNS accessible|JJ to|TO children|NNS ,|, much|RB like|IN spanking|JJ advocates|NNS react|VBP aggressively|RB when|WRB anti-spankers|JJ point|NN to|TO a|DT case|NN of|IN a|DT child|NN being|VBG killed|VBN or|CC severely|RB injured|VBN by|IN a|DT beating|NN .|. 
These|DT people|NNS do|VBP not|RB feel|VB the|DT need|NN to|TO express|VB sympathy|NN ,|, or|CC to|TO think|VB about|IN ways|NNS to|TO avoid|VB such|JJ incidents|NNS ,|, but|CC they|PRP feel|VBP the|DT need|NN to|TO assert|VB their|PRP$ "|'' rights|NNS "|'' and|CC to|TO look|VB for|IN quick|JJ ,|, simple|JJ answers|NNS --|: as|IN Busch|NNP states|NNS ,|, gun|NN owners|NNS wanted|VBD to|TO "|'' hang|VB [|NN the|DT child|NN ]|NN from|IN the|DT highest|JJS tree|NN "|'' .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ all|DT not|RB mentioned|VBN by|IN critics|NNS of|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS movie|NN ,|, who|WP claim|VBP to|TO be|VB objective|NN .|. 
Perhaps|RB the|DT best|JJS example|NN of|IN the|DT paranoia|NN surrounding|VBG Moore|NNP 's|POS film|NN is|VBZ your|PRP$ sub-essay|JJ "|'' Is|VBZ the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT Heston|NNP interview|NN itself|PRP faked|VBD ?|. 
"|'' 
Moore|NNP answers|VBZ a|DT simple|JJ question|NN --|: how|WRB could|MD the|DT scene|NN have|VB been|VBN filmed|VBN --|: with|IN a|DT simple|JJ answer|NN :|: two|CD cameras|NNS .|. 
From|IN this|DT ,|, you|PRP construct|VB an|DT obscure|JJ conspiracy|NN of|IN "|'' re-enactment|NN "|'' :|: "|'' For|IN all|DT we|PRP can|MD tell|VB ,|, Moore|NNP could|MD have|VB shouted|VBD '|POS Hey|NNP !|. '|POS to|TO make|NN Heston|NNP turn|VB around|RP and|CC then|RB remained|VBD silent|JJ as|IN Heston|NNP left|VBD .|. "|'' 
Even|RB if|IN your|PRP$ "|'' re-enactment|NN "|'' theory|NN is|VBZ true|JJ (|( and|CC I|PRP see|VBP no|DT evidence|NN that|IN you|PRP have|VBP actually|RB tried|VBN to|TO ask|VB the|DT people|NNS involved|VBN in|IN the|DT filmmaking|VBG for|IN their|PRP$ opinion|NN )|) ,|, this|DT itself|PRP is|VBZ not|RB unethical|JJ ,|, and|CC you|PRP have|VBP no|DT evidence|NN whatsoever|RB that|IN Moore|NNP has|VBZ done|VBN anything|NN unethical|JJ here|RB ,|, just|RB like|IN you|PRP have|VBP no|DT evidence|NN that|IN Moore|NNP has|VBZ unethically|RB removed|VBN parts|NNS of|IN the|DT interview|NN .|. 
You|PRP use|VBP standard|JJ filmmaking|VBG technique|NN as|IN a|DT basis|NN to|TO construct|VB bizarre|JJ conspiracies|NNS which|WDT sound|VBP plausible|JJ to|TO the|DT gullible|JJ reader|NN ,|, without|IN ever|RB providing|VBG any|DT evidence|NN for|IN the|DT implicit|JJ or|CC explicit|JJ claims|NNS of|IN fraud|NN and|CC distortion|NN .|. 

6|CD )|) Animated|JJ history|NN of|IN the|DT US|NNP .|. Of|IN course|NN the|DT cartoon|NN is|VBZ highly|RB oversimplified|VBN ,|, and|CC most|JJS critics|NNS consider|VBP it|PRP one|CD of|IN the|DT weakest|JJS parts|NNS of|IN the|DT film|NN .|. 
But|CC it|PRP makes|VBZ a|DT valid|JJ claim|NN which|WDT you|PRP ignore|VBP entirely|RB :|: That|DT the|DT strategy|NN to|TO promote|VB "|'' gun|NN rights|NNS "|'' for|IN white|JJ people|NNS and|CC to|TO outlaw|NN gun|NN possession|NN by|IN black|JJ people|NNS was|VBD a|DT way|NN to|TO uphold|VB racism|NN without|IN letting|VBG an|DT openly|RB terrorist|JJ organization|NN like|IN the|DT KKK|NNP flourish|VB .|. 
Did|VBD the|DT 19th|JJ century|NN NRA|NNP in|IN the|DT southern|JJ states|NNS promote|VBP gun|NN rights|NNS for|IN black|JJ people|NNS ?|. 
I|PRP highly|RB doubt|VBP it|PRP .|. 
But|CC if|IN they|PRP did|VBD n't|RB ,|, one|CD of|IN their|PRP$ functions|NNS was|VBD to|TO continue|VB the|DT racism|NN of|IN the|DT KKK|NNP .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ the|DT key|JJ message|NN of|IN this|DT part|NN of|IN the|DT animation|NN ,|, which|WDT is|VBZ again|RB being|VBG ignored|VBN by|IN its|PRP$ critics|NNS .|. 

7|CD )|) Buell|NNP shooting|VBG in|IN Flint|NNP .|. 
You|PRP write|VBP :|: "|'' Fact|NNP :|: The|DT little|JJ boy|NN was|VBD the|DT class|NN thug|NN ,|, already|RB suspended|VBN from|IN school|NN for|IN stabbing|VBG another|DT kid|NN with|IN a|DT pencil|NN ,|, and|CC had|VBD fought|VBN with|IN Kayla|NNP the|DT day|NN before|IN "|'' .|. 
This|DT characterization|NN of|IN a|DT six-year-old|JJ as|IN a|DT pencil-stabbing|JJ thug|NN is|VBZ exactly|RB the|DT kind|NN of|IN hysteria|NN that|IN Moore|NNP 's|POS film|NN warns|VBZ against|IN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ the|DT typical|JJ right-wing|JJ reaction|NN which|WDT looks|VBZ for|IN simple|JJ answers|NNS that|WDT do|VBP not|RB contradict|VB the|DT Republican|JJ mindset|NN .|. 
The|DT kid|NN was|VBD a|DT little|JJ bastard|NN ,|, and|CC the|DT parents|NNS were|VBD involved|VBN in|IN drugs|NNS --|: case|NN closed|VBD .|. 
But|CC why|WRB do|VBP people|NNS deal|VBP with|IN drugs|NNS ?|. 
Because|IN it|PRP 's|VBZ so|RB much|JJ fun|NN to|TO do|VB so|RB ?|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ by|IN now|RB well|RB documented|VBN that|IN the|DT CIA|NNP tolerated|JJ crack|NN sales|NNS in|IN US|NNP cities|NNS to|TO fund|VB the|DT operation|NN of|IN South|NNP American|NNP "|'' contras|NNS "|'' 

It|PRP is|VBZ equally|RB well|RB known|VBN that|IN the|DT so-called|JJ "|'' war|NN on|IN drugs|NNS "|'' begun|VBN under|IN the|DT Nixon|NNP administration|NN is|VBZ a|DT failure|NN which|WDT has|VBZ cost|VBN hundreds|NNS of|IN billions|NNS and|CC made|VBN America|NNP the|DT world|NN leader|NN in|IN prison|NN population|NN (|( both|DT in|IN relative|JJ and|CC absolute|JJ numbers|NNS )|) .|. 
In|IN poor|JJ areas|NNS ,|, the|DT highly|RB profitable|JJ drug|NN business|NN obviously|RB is|VBZ often|RB seen|VBN as|IN the|DT last|JJ resort|NN .|. 
But|CC the|DT real|JJ cause|NN here|RB are|VBP not|RB the|DT drugs|NNS themselves|PRP ,|, but|CC poverty|NN and|CC the|DT "|'' war|NN on|IN drugs|NNS "|'' .|. 

Had|VBD the|DT boy|NN 's|POS mother|NN not|RB been|VBN shipped|VBN to|TO a|DT "|'' welfare|NN to|TO work|VB "|'' program|NN ,|, she|PRP might|MD at|IN least|JJS have|VB had|VBN some|DT time|NN to|TO spend|VB with|IN her|PRP$ son|NN .|. 
Virtually|RB every|DT child|NN psychologist|NN knows|VBZ that|DT mother|NN /|NN child|NN bonding|NN is|VBZ essential|JJ for|IN the|DT development|NN of|IN empathy|NN and|CC social|JJ abilities|NNS ,|, the|DT awareness|NN of|IN the|DT consequences|NNS of|IN one|CD 's|POS actions|NNS ,|, and|CC the|DT learning|NN of|IN conflict|NN resolution|NN by|IN non-violent|JJ means|NNS .|. 
Even|RB the|DT official|NN quoted|VBN by|IN Moore|NNP blames|VBZ the|DT welfare|NN to|TO work|VB program|NN ,|, knowing|VBG full|JJ well|RB that|IN the|DT drug|NN issue|NN is|VBZ a|DT red|JJ herring|NN .|. 
Once|RB again|RB ,|, your|PRP$ emphasis|NN on|IN the|DT little|JJ boy|NN as|IN a|DT thug|NN confirms|VBZ Moore|NNP 's|POS (|( and|CC Busch|NNP 's|POS )|) assertion|NN that|IN people|NNS wanted|VBD to|TO hang|VB the|DT child|NN from|IN the|DT highest|JJS tree|NN instead|RB of|IN looking|VBG at|IN the|DT real|JJ causes|NNS .|. 
That|DT 's|VBZ because|IN while|IN there|EX is|VBZ a|DT so-called|JJ war|NN on|IN drugs|NNS ,|, there|EX is|VBZ no|DT war|NN on|IN poverty|NN .|. 
Poverty|NN is|VBZ frequently|RB portrayed|VBN as|IN natural|JJ ,|, and|CC the|DT poor|JJ in|IN America|NNP are|VBP seen|VBN by|IN conservatives|NNS as|IN VCR-owners|NNP who|WP are|VBP just|RB too|RB lazy|JJ to|TO work|VB .|. 

In|IN reality|NN ,|, what|WP Moore|NNP describes|VBZ here|RB is|VBZ the|DT most|RBS vivid|JJ example|NN of|IN what|WP can|MD only|RB be|VB called|VBN wage|NN slavery|NN I|PRP have|VBP ever|RB seen|VBN ,|, to|TO the|DT detriment|NN of|IN families|NNS .|. 

It|PRP is|VBZ notable|JJ that|IN the|DT Wall|NNP Street|NNP Journal|NNP 's|POS reaction|NN to|TO this|DT segment|NN of|IN the|DT film|NN was|VBD even|RB more|RBR dismissive|JJ than|IN yours|NNS :|: It|PRP called|VBD Moore|NNP 's|POS claim|NN "|'' preposterous|JJ "|'' .|. 
How|WRB could|MD he|PRP even|RB think|VB about|IN blaming|VBG poverty|NN and|CC forced|VBN labor|NN programs|NNS for|IN anything|NN bad|JJ that|DT happens|VBZ ?|. 

8|CD )|) Taliban|NNP and|CC American|JJ aid|NN .|. 
After|IN the|DT September|NNP 11|CD attacks|NNS ,|, it|PRP was|VBD necessary|JJ for|IN conservatives|NNS to|TO somehow|RB explain|VB away|RB the|DT fact|NN that|IN the|DT US|NNP government|NN gave|VBD 245|CD million|CD dollars|NNS to|TO the|DT new|JJ evildoers|NNS du|NNP jour|FW .|. 
Never|RB mind|NN the|DT fact|NN that|WDT authors|NNS such|JJ as|IN Robert|NNP Scheer|NNP warned|VBD of|IN aiding|VBG the|DT Taliban|NNP as|RB early|RB as|IN in|IN May|NNP 2001|CD .|. 
Never|RB mind|NN that|IN they|PRP did|VBD so|RB not|RB out|IN of|IN some|DT humanitarian|JJ motivation|NN ,|, but|CC because|IN of|IN the|DT Taliban|NNP 's|POS violent|JJ enforcement|NN of|IN the|DT ban|NN on|IN opium|NN poppies|NNS .|. 
Never|RB mind|NN that|IN in|IN a|DT regime|NN that|WDT is|VBZ controlled|VBN by|IN warlords|NNS ,|, it|PRP does|VBZ not|RB matter|VB who|WP is|VBZ authorized|VBN to|TO distribute|VB the|DT aid|NN --|: the|DT ruling|VBG regional|JJ warlords|NNS will|MD seize|VB control|NN of|IN it|PRP and|CC use|VB it|PRP to|TO their|PRP$ own|JJ advantage|NN .|. 
Never|RB mind|NN that|IN this|DT very|JJ argument|NN has|VBZ been|VBN used|VBN by|IN hawks|NNS in|IN opposition|NN to|TO sending|VBG humanitarian|JJ aid|NN to|TO Iraq|NNP 's|POS Saddam|NNP Hussein|NNP .|. 
Never|RB mind|NN that|IN the|DT Taliban|NNP continued|VBD selling|VBG opium|NN in|IN spite|NN of|IN the|DT deal|NN .|. 
Never|RB mind|NN that|IN this|DT is|VBZ all|DT documented|VBN on|IN Michael|NNP Moore|NNP 's|POS website|NN about|IN the|DT film|NN .|. 

9|CD )|) Gun|NNP homicides|NNS .|. 
Statistics|NNS are|VBP Moore|NNP 's|POS weakest|JJS point|NN ,|, and|CC it|PRP is|VBZ surprising|JJ that|IN his|PRP$ critics|NNS do|VBP n't|RB dwell|NN on|IN them|PRP longer|RBR .|. 
That|DT 's|VBZ because|IN they|PRP know|VBP all|DT too|RB well|RB that|IN Moore|NNP is|VBZ correct|JJ :|: The|DT United|NNP States|NNPS have|VBP a|DT far|RB greater|JJR homicide|NN rate|NN (|( both|DT gun-|NN and|CC non-gun|JJ )|) than|IN most|JJS other|JJ first|JJ world|NN countries|NNS .|. 
His|PRP$ main|JJ mistake|NN is|VBZ that|IN he|PRP does|VBZ not|RB use|VB population|NN corrected|VBD data|NNS ,|, his|PRP$ second|JJ mistake|NN is|VBZ that|IN he|PRP does|VBZ not|RB cite|VB his|PRP$ sources|NNS (|( and|CC ,|, as|IN you|PRP correctly|RB point|VBP out|IN ,|, he|PRP probably|RB uses|VBZ different|JJ reporting|NN methods|NNS for|IN the|DT different|JJ countries|NNS )|) .|. 
A|DT good|JJ comparison|NN of|IN international|JJ homicide|NN rates|NNS can|MD be|VB found|VBN on|IN the|DT relatively|RB neutral|JJ guncite|NN .|. com|NN website|NN .|. 

Not|RB surprisingly|RB ,|, guncite|NN ,|, too|RB ,|, compares|VBZ data|NNS from|IN different|JJ years|NNS --|: as|IN I|PRP know|VBP from|IN personal|JJ experience|NN ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ quite|RB difficult|JJ to|TO do|VB comparisons|NNS of|IN crime|NN statistics|NNS due|JJ to|TO differences|NNS in|IN reporting|VBG frequency|NN and|CC methodology|NN .|. 
The|DT gun|NN homicide|NN rates|NNS for|IN the|DT countries|NNS Moore|NNP mentioned|VBD ,|, according|VBG to|TO guncite|NN ,|, are|VBP :|: Japan|NNP :|: 0.02|CD per|IN 100,000|CD (|( 1994|CD )|) England|NNP /|NN Wales|NNP :|: 0.11|CD per|IN 100,000|CD (|( 1997|CD )|) Germany|NNP :|: 0.22|CD per|IN 100,000|CD (|( 1994|CD )|) Australia|NNP :|: 0.44|CD per|IN 100,000|CD (|( 1994|CD )|) United|NNP States|NNPS :|: 3.72|CD per|IN 100,000|CD (|( 1999|CD )|) 

Critics|NNS fail|VBP to|TO credit|VB Moore|NNP with|IN not|RB making|VBG the|DT same|JJ mistake|NN that|IN some|DT gun|NN control|NN advocates|NNS make|VBP --|: concluding|VBG that|DT gun|NN ownership|NN "|'' leads|VBZ "|'' to|TO violence|NN .|. 
In|IN fact|NN ,|, Moore|NNP mentions|VBZ several|JJ counter-examples|JJ ,|, and|CC more|RBR such|JJ counter-examples|JJ can|MD indeed|RB be|VB cited|VBN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ intuitively|RB obvious|JJ that|IN guns|NNS do|VBP not|RB actually|RB cause|VB violence|NN --|: but|CC it|PRP is|VBZ equally|RB intuitively|RB obvious|JJ that|IN they|PRP make|VBP the|DT violence|NN that|WDT is|VBZ committed|VBN more|RBR deadly|JJ .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ the|DT second|JJ intuition|NN which|WDT gun|NN rights|NNS groups|NNS like|IN the|DT NRA|NNP seek|VBP to|TO obscure|VB using|VBG fraudulent|JJ data|NNS by|IN the|DT likes|NNS of|IN John|NNP "|'' Mary|NNP "|'' Lott|NNP .|. 

The|DT gun|NN control|NN movement|NN ,|, on|IN the|DT other|JJ hand|NN ,|, distracts|NNS from|IN the|DT real|JJ causes|NNS of|IN violence|NN --|: poverty|NN ,|, paranoia|NN ,|, the|DT "|'' war|NN on|IN drugs|NNS "|'' and|CC antisexuality|NN .|. 
If|IN these|DT causes|NNS were|VBD addressed|VBN ,|, gun|NN ownership|NN in|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS would|MD not|RB be|VB a|DT problem|NN (|( but|CC also|RB unnecessary|JJ )|) ;|: just|RB like|IN it|PRP is|VBZ in|IN Switzerland|NNP .|. 

10|CD )|) Canada|NNP ammunition|NN purchase|NN .|. 
You|PRP write|VBP :|: 
Bowling|NNP shows|VBZ Moore|NNP casually|RB buying|VBG ammunition|NN at|IN an|DT Ontario|NNP Walmart|NNP .|. 
He|PRP asks|VBZ us|PRP to|TO "|'' look|VB at|IN what|WP I|PRP ,|, a|DT foreign|JJ citizen|NN ,|, was|VBD able|JJ to|TO do|VB at|IN a|DT local|JJ Canadian|NNP Wal-Mart|NNP .|. "|'' 
He|PRP buys|VBZ several|JJ boxes|NNS of|IN ammunition|NN without|IN a|DT question|NN being|VBG raised|VBN .|. 
"|'' That|DT 's|VBZ right|JJ .|. I|PRP could|MD buy|VB as|IN much|JJ ammunition|NN as|IN I|PRP wanted|VBD ,|, in|IN Canada|NNP .|. 
Canadian|JJ officials|NNS have|VBP pointed|VBN out|RP that|IN the|DT buy|NN is|VBZ faked|VBN or|CC illegal|JJ .|. 

Once|RB again|RB ,|, you|PRP fail|VBP to|TO distinguish|VB between|IN regular|JJ film|NN editing|NN and|CC "|'' faking|VBG "|'' (|( a|DT word|NN which|WDT "|'' Canadian|JJ officials|NNS "|'' have|VBP never|RB used|VBN ;|: for|IN such|JJ a|DT distortion|NN ,|, Moore|NNP would|MD have|VB been|VBN boiled|VBD alive|JJ by|IN his|PRP$ critics|NNS )|) .|. 
If|IN Moore|NNP simply|RB chose|VBD not|RB to|TO show|VB how|WRB he|PRP revealed|VBD his|PRP$ identification|NN to|TO the|DT salesperson|NN ,|, there|EX is|VBZ nothing|NN fraudulent|JJ about|IN that|DT .|. 
He|PRP made|VBD no|DT claims|NNS whatsoever|RB in|IN the|DT film|NN about|IN the|DT need|NN to|TO show|VB or|CC not|RB show|VB identification|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ claim|NN that|IN it|PRP is|VBZ possible|JJ to|TO purchase|VB ammunition|NN in|IN supermarkets|NNS is|VBZ independent|JJ from|IN that|DT claim|NN .|. 

11|CD )|) Heston|NNP 's|POS allegedly|RB implied|VBN racism|NN .|. 
You|PRP conclude|VBP from|IN Heston|NNP 's|POS own|JJ words|NNS that|IN Heston|NNP was|VBD somehow|RB portrayed|VBN as|IN racist|NN .|. 
If|IN anything|NN ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ his|PRP$ own|JJ failure|NN that|IN he|PRP did|VBD not|RB clarify|VB what|WP he|PRP meant|VBD with|IN "|'' having|VBG a|DT more|RBR mixed|JJ ethnicity|NN "|'' .|. 
Heston|NNP 's|POS answers|NNS in|IN the|DT interview|NN were|VBD evasive|JJ and|CC unhelpful|JJ .|. 
While|IN this|DT can|MD in|IN part|VB be|VB explained|VBN with|IN his|PRP$ age|NN and|CC mental|JJ condition|NN ,|, if|IN he|PRP is|VBZ unable|JJ to|TO defend|VB the|DT interests|NNS of|IN the|DT NRA|NNP ,|, he|PRP should|MD not|RB be|VB their|PRP$ spokesman|NN .|. 
In|IN this|DT case|NN ,|, Hanlon|NNP 's|POS Razor|NNP can|MD be|VB applied|VBN to|TO Heston|NNP --|: he|PRP is|VBZ probably|RB not|RB racist|JJ ,|, but|CC incompetent|JJ .|. 
Your|PRP$ accusations|NNS of|IN inappropriate|JJ cutting|NN are|VBP once|RB again|RB entirely|RB unsupported|JJ --|: in|IN fact|NN ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ quite|RB clear|JJ from|IN watching|VBG that|IN particular|JJ scene|NN that|IN there|EX is|VBZ not|RB a|DT single|JJ cut|NN from|IN the|DT point|NN at|IN which|WDT Moore|NNP asks|VBZ Heston|NNP a|DT second|JJ time|NN for|IN the|DT cause|NN of|IN the|DT higher|JJR violence|NN in|IN the|DT States|NNPS ,|, and|CC the|DT point|NN when|WRB he|PRP mentions|VBZ the|DT Kayla|NNP Rolland|NNP incident|NN .|. 
If|IN Heston|NNP makes|VBZ himself|PRP look|VBP like|IN a|DT fool|NN ,|, that|WDT should|MD hardly|RB be|VB blamed|VBN on|IN Michael|NNP Moore|NNP .|. 

Conclusion|NNP 
You|PRP write|VBP :|: "|'' Bowling|NNP for|IN Columbine|NNP is|VBZ dishonest|JJ .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ fraudulent|JJ .|. 
To|TO trash|VB Heston|NNP ,|, it|PRP even|RB uses|VBZ the|DT audio|JJ /|NN video|NN editor|NN to|TO assemble|VB a|DT Heston|NNP speech|NN that|IN Heston|NNP did|VBD not|RB give|VB ,|, and|CC sequences|NNS images|NNS and|CC carefully|RB highlighted|VBN text|NN to|TO spin|VB the|DT viewer|NN 's|POS mind|NN to|TO a|DT wrong|JJ conclusion|NN .|. "|'' 
None|NN of|IN this|DT is|VBZ true|JJ .|. 
What|WP is|VBZ true|JJ is|VBZ that|IN Bowling|NNP for|IN Columbine|NNP is|VBZ a|DT diamond|NN in|IN the|DT small|JJ world|NN of|IN big|JJ screen|NN documentaries|NNS ,|, one|CD that|IN shines|NNS brightly|RB and|CC illuminates|VBZ an|DT often|RB misunderstood|VBN aspect|NN of|IN American|JJ culture|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ not|RB a|DT flawless|JJ diamond|NN --|: the|DT "|'' 48|CD hours|NNS "|'' scene|NN in|IN particular|JJ suffers|VBZ from|IN bad|JJ editing|NN ,|, the|DT statistics|NNS are|VBP suboptimal|NN ,|, and|CC Heston|NNP gets|VBZ a|DT bit|NN more|JJR bashing|VBG than|IN he|PRP deserves|VBZ .|. 
Other|JJ than|IN towards|IN the|DT NRA|NNP ,|, the|DT movie|NN tries|VBZ hard|JJ to|TO avoid|VB simplistic|JJ conclusions|NNS ,|, and|CC comes|VBZ up|RB with|IN some|DT thoughtful|JJ answers|NNS .|. 
The|DT most|RBS shameful|JJ part|NN of|IN the|DT ongoing|JJ attacks|NNS against|IN Moore|NNP is|VBZ that|IN these|DT answers|NNS have|VBP been|VBN all|DT but|CC ignored|VBN by|IN his|PRP$ critics|NNS .|. 
Had|VBD Moore|NNP wanted|VBD to|TO make|VB a|DT propaganda|NN film|NN ,|, he|PRP would|MD have|VB used|VBN other|JJ material|NN :|: photos|NNS from|IN America|NNP 's|POS Emergency|NNP Rooms|NNP .|. 

Certainly|RB ,|, Moore|NNP is|VBZ one|CD of|IN the|DT most|RBS talented|JJ filmmakers|NNS in|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS today|NN ,|, and|CC his|PRP$ film|NN fully|RB deserved|VBD its|PRP$ Oscar|NNP .|. 
The|DT shrill|NN (|( and|CC remarkably|RB unsuccessful|JJ )|) Internet|NN campaign|NN to|TO "|'' revoke|VB "|'' his|PRP$ award|NN seems|VBZ to|TO be|VB motivated|VBN more|JJR by|IN jealousy|NN than|IN by|IN real|JJ concerns|NNS about|IN the|DT film|NN 's|POS accuracy|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ not|RB only|RB the|DT highest|JJS grossing|VBG non-music|JJ documentary|NN of|IN all|DT time|NN ,|, among|IN the|DT users|NNS of|IN the|DT largest|JJS Internet|NN film|NN database|NN ,|, IMDB|NNP ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ also|RB the|DT highest|RBS rated|VBN one|CD .|. 
According|VBG to|TO the|DT LA|NNP Times|NNP ,|, the|DT documentary|NN genre|NN "|'' owes|VBZ a|DT huge|JJ debt|NN to|TO Michael|NNP Moore|NNP "|'' --|: after|IN Bowling|NNP 's|POS success|NN ,|, films|NNS like|IN "|'' Spellbound|NNP "|'' and|CC "|'' Capturing|NNP the|DT Friedmans|NNP "|'' were|VBD taken|VBN seriously|RB and|CC shown|VBN in|IN many|JJ more|JJR theatres|NNS than|IN otherwise|RB likely|JJ .|. 

But|CC perhaps|RB the|DT campaign|NN against|IN Moore|NNP is|VBZ really|RB motivated|VBN by|IN another|DT reason|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ next|JJ project|NN has|VBZ the|DT working|VBG title|NN "|'' Fahrenheit|NN 9/11|CD :|: The|DT temperature|NN at|IN which|WDT freedom|NN burns|NNS "|'' ,|, and|CC he|PRP intends|VBZ to|TO launch|VB it|PRP shortly|RB before|IN the|DT next|JJ US|NNP presidential|JJ election|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ unlikely|JJ ,|, however|RB ,|, that|IN the|DT unfair|JJ attacks|NNS against|IN him|PRP will|MD have|VB much|JJ of|IN an|DT impact|NN .|. 
After|IN all|DT ,|, the|DT same|JJ kind|NN of|IN PR|NNP blitz|NN was|VBD started|VBN against|IN the|DT previous|JJ record-holding|JJ documentary|NN :|: "|'' Roger|NNP &|CC Me|PRP "|'' by|IN Michael|NNP Moore|NNP .|. 

Yours|NNP sincerely|RB ,|, Erik|NNP Möller|NNP This|DT text|NN is|VBZ in|IN the|DT public|JJ domain|NN .|. 
