[NevadaGhosts]

This may be a dumb question, but does anyone here think many of the American movies being released by Hollywood are giving foreigners the wrong impression about this country? By this I mean all of the violence. Mindless violence. I am amazed at how guns, violence, and killing are so glorified in American movies these days. It's actually embarrassing. No wonder many foreigners think we are a bunch of cowboy, gun-toting wreckless maniacs that will shoot anything that moves. I rented the movies SWAT and Bad Boys 2 the other day. Talk about wreckless violence. These are supposed to be police movies. Give me a break. They were also poorly written and not entertaining at all. Also the glorification of mindless gun killing was disturbing to say the least. The police in these movies acted so wreckless, it was totally unrealistic. I know these movies are only supposed to be entertainment, but I didn't enjoy them. I hope foreigners don't think Americans are really like what they see in the movies. These violent movies are so far from American reality. I also feel American movies are becoming more and more violent. Mindless violence. Makes us responsible, law-abiding gun owners look bad. Anyone here from other countries outside the US care to comment on this?

[rogerhb]

...and the question is asked by somebody holding a rifle?

I was born in the UK and the first time I saw a real armed policeman was when I went continental Europe and it was a shock.

I now live in New Zealand where also the police are normally unarmed.

The films don't need to tell me, the per-capita crime statistics will do that.

Roger

[Chicagoan]

Guns are not intrinsically evil. Only if you use them as a murder weapon.

[NevadaGhosts]

Uh, because I hold in rifle in my photo does not mean I am violent or dangerous. Stop stereotyping Americans.

[Licho]

Well the bare fact, that you choosed such avatar tells us something about you..

Some friends that were to USA told me their stories, and some stories were pretty amazing for me.. One was for example driving at higher speed and policemans got him out from car, pointing gun on him, screaming, and searched him! Well, this would never happen here Police here simply doesn't have reason for such behavior. They show you that you should stop, ask you politely if you know what was your speed and fine you, don't even have guns..

[Permanently_Baffled]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NevadaGhosts', 'U')h, because I hold in rifle in my photo does not mean I am violent or dangerous. Stop stereotyping Americans.

[NevadaGhosts]

Permanently_Baffled,

I will admit there are many Americans that own guns who shouldn't. And there is no excuse for all of the accidental shooting deaths in this country. Those accidental shooting deaths are a sign that many gun owners don't know how to properly handle or safely store their guns. That IS scary. *sigh*

[Terran]

"Guns don't kill people, people do"

Well as far as this go, you sure could blame violent video games for school shootings. We all remember Columbine High shootings right? Blame that on violent vidio games. BTW I was still in 7th grade when the whole thing with Columbine happand.

[Markos101]

Hi Nevada,

Younger people, yeah (under 18s), but above that, unlikely.

Having said that, when I was in the US last, the local news was constantly reporting on shootings, one was just down the street I was staying!

We don't get that in the UK much. In fact I can't remember the last time there was a shooting reported on National or regional news broadcasts (not that I watch TV much - it's bad for you!).

So gun crime is certainly a lot more prevalent in the US it seems than here. Having said that, when I used to go out into town bars and clubs when I was younger, I used to see fights all the time, so there's still a lot of violence here. In fact I don't go out to bars and clubs in city areas now because firstly it's too expensive for me to feel its worth bothering with, and generally the atmosphere's pretty hostile and crap.

Mark

[NevadaGhosts]

Hi Markos101,

I totally understand what you are saying about the US. There are many shooting deaths in the US, and many more shootings where the person survives. But in all actuality, the shooting deaths are low compared to the huge anount of guns in this country. And also, most crime happens in certain bad neighborhoods (usually ethnic ones). It is not a war zone in the US as many liberal Americans try to make people believe. When the local and national news focuses massive coverage on one or two high profile shootings, it causes unwarranted fear across the country. It makes people believe it is happening everywhere, which it is not. The television has a way of giving people false impressions on actual situations. The US is not as dangerous as many people are led to believe. Mass media is to blame for that false impression.

By the way, I really want to visit Europe. Especially Britain and Germany. Very fascinating and beautiful countries. I also really like castles. Maybe someday...

[Aaron]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') will admit there are many Americans that own guns who shouldn't.

[Yavicleus]

I've always thought things like "Friends", MTV, and now Fox News provide a far worse picture of America than our movies. In the eyes of the Islamic world, the latest Brittney Spears video probably does more harm to our image than say, "Terminator 3".

Then again, most of our movies suck too, so...meh.

[Guest]

I've been an American citizen all my life (almost 23 years now) and I haven't spent much time out of the country. But I've always been a bit disturbed by the amount of violence we have in this country. It's not all gun violence. Domestic violence is a huge problem. For the last two years of my life, I lived in what might be described as a "lower middle class" neighborhood for school. The neighbors argued constantly with each other. I don't understand how people can live their lives like that. And the neighborhood has had shootings as well.

Another negative stereotype I have found that non-Americans have about Americans is the belief that we are obnoxious and egotistic. Well, I really have a hard time arguing with that. I've known my share of people who have an exaggerated sense of their own importance. And back to the neighbors again, lots of loud music late at night, etc. as well.

I don't know how representative my experiences have been of American society, let alone how American society compares with the rest of the world in these regards. My guess is that every culture has its problems; are those who criticize Americans willing to take a good, hard look at their own societies? But in recent times I've been feeling more of a desire to visit Germany, maybe even permanently.

[Guest]

Germany!!!!!!!!!! A bit like fire to frying pan - look what they did to the last century!

[Cynic]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Terran', '"')Guns don't kill people, people do"

Well as far as this go, you sure could blame violent video games for school shootings. We all remember Columbine High shootings right? Blame that on violent vidio games. BTW I was still in 7th grade when the whole thing with Columbine happand.

[MonteQuest]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NevadaGhosts', 'H')i Markos101,

I totally understand what you are saying about the US. There are many shooting deaths in the US, and many more shootings where the person survives. But in all actuality, the shooting deaths are low compared to the huge anount of guns in this country.