Why America has more violence than Europe

I just figured it all out.

I was watching Bowling for Columbine, and I had before, but this time I came to a realization. A lot of people are under that the impression that the film's argument is for gun control. But as Michael Moore himself demonstrates, Canada allows everybody to have guns, and there's much less crime. In addition, other countries have a much larger welfare state that keeps people pacified (I don't mean that in a bad way, there's just no other way to say it). But the difference is historical.

Both Europe and the U.S. have had their share of violent times, but the American media has a tendency (intentional among some, but not all) to perpetuate a paranoid and distrustful environment in public discourse. Every night we hear, "What's in your (accessible, necessary household utility) may kill you!" Bowling for Columbine makes this painfully clear, especially with the rash of assorted scares that came after Columbine. These types of scares range from the reasonably worrisome (nuclear war) to the stupid (D&D suicides).

Europeans keep being told that there's a lot of crime in America, that it's very dangerous and that people are not to be trusted. That's ridiculous. But Americans hear this more than anyone, and a select few take it as a sign that their sociopathic behavior is acceptible.

Opinion media is often worse. The conservative media of the 20th century, personified by the calm, calculating Bill Buckley, is long gone, replaced by a veritable cadre of Howard Beale-wannabes who continually make shit up and shout down anyone who challenges them. Increasingly, these people are credited with inciting violence against our government and citizens alike.

Everybody knows this, and that's not the problem. This group is a tiny minority of the population, but they are justified by our media as being just another part of the world we live in. It's time to stand up for sitting down.
~MP~