Filmmaker Michael Moore: US Leaders 'Are a Violent People'
Man who produced 'Bowling for Columbine' over a decade ago says he is 'heartbroken' that film did so little to stem culture of gun violence
Filmmaker and progressive activist Michael Moore says that people concerned at the level of gun violence in the US--particularly in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre that claimed the lives of twenty young children less than a month ago--should recognize that US leaders, who willingly wage war on others across the globe, are among the most violent people in what is an extremely violent culture.
"We are a violent people," Moore said to reporters while attending a film event this week.
"We as Americans believe it's OK to kill people. We believe it's OK to invade a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. We think it's OK to invade a country where we think Osama Bin Laden is and he's in the other country. So we just go in and we just kill," he said.
"And we have the death penalty, we sanction it. Not talking about the insane people now. We're talking about out government which is of, by and for the people - says it's OK to kill people. So why is it a surprise when the unhinged, who live in the same society, go `I feel like killing some people today?' I think we need to take a look at ourselves."
Moore--who vowed not to make television appearances following the nation's previous mass shooting rampage in Aurora, Colorado last year and has not spoken widely about the Newtown shooting--expressed grief that for all his talk, and as maker of perhaps the best known documentary film on the subject, his 2002 'Bowling for Columbine,' nothing has been done to address the problem.
"I never thought I would have to, a decade later, stand here and say that that film of mine did no good. That to me is personally heartbreaking," Moore said. He added, however, that he wouldn't change any of it and that the film is as true today as the day it was released.
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Filmmaker and progressive activist Michael Moore says that people concerned at the level of gun violence in the US--particularly in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre that claimed the lives of twenty young children less than a month ago--should recognize that US leaders, who willingly wage war on others across the globe, are among the most violent people in what is an extremely violent culture.
"We are a violent people," Moore said to reporters while attending a film event this week.
"We as Americans believe it's OK to kill people. We believe it's OK to invade a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. We think it's OK to invade a country where we think Osama Bin Laden is and he's in the other country. So we just go in and we just kill," he said.
"And we have the death penalty, we sanction it. Not talking about the insane people now. We're talking about out government which is of, by and for the people - says it's OK to kill people. So why is it a surprise when the unhinged, who live in the same society, go `I feel like killing some people today?' I think we need to take a look at ourselves."
Moore--who vowed not to make television appearances following the nation's previous mass shooting rampage in Aurora, Colorado last year and has not spoken widely about the Newtown shooting--expressed grief that for all his talk, and as maker of perhaps the best known documentary film on the subject, his 2002 'Bowling for Columbine,' nothing has been done to address the problem.
"I never thought I would have to, a decade later, stand here and say that that film of mine did no good. That to me is personally heartbreaking," Moore said. He added, however, that he wouldn't change any of it and that the film is as true today as the day it was released.
Filmmaker and progressive activist Michael Moore says that people concerned at the level of gun violence in the US--particularly in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre that claimed the lives of twenty young children less than a month ago--should recognize that US leaders, who willingly wage war on others across the globe, are among the most violent people in what is an extremely violent culture.
"We are a violent people," Moore said to reporters while attending a film event this week.
"We as Americans believe it's OK to kill people. We believe it's OK to invade a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. We think it's OK to invade a country where we think Osama Bin Laden is and he's in the other country. So we just go in and we just kill," he said.
"And we have the death penalty, we sanction it. Not talking about the insane people now. We're talking about out government which is of, by and for the people - says it's OK to kill people. So why is it a surprise when the unhinged, who live in the same society, go `I feel like killing some people today?' I think we need to take a look at ourselves."
Moore--who vowed not to make television appearances following the nation's previous mass shooting rampage in Aurora, Colorado last year and has not spoken widely about the Newtown shooting--expressed grief that for all his talk, and as maker of perhaps the best known documentary film on the subject, his 2002 'Bowling for Columbine,' nothing has been done to address the problem.
"I never thought I would have to, a decade later, stand here and say that that film of mine did no good. That to me is personally heartbreaking," Moore said. He added, however, that he wouldn't change any of it and that the film is as true today as the day it was released.