[Utah]

I think you raise an interesting point.

I think the problem lies, not in the valid questions, but from the biased basis for that discussion, which severely corrupts the debate. I was trying to make a similiar point with Cyrus on the "20 stories" thread.

When you start a discussion from a biased and tainted starting point you rarely dismiss that starting point out of hand. Unfortunately, this leads to a frenzed battle trying to prove or disproved the provacators facts and conclusion. This is a hoplessly flawed approach.

For example, Moore hasn't been a catalyst for anything. IMHO. There have been discussions about Bowling for Columbine ad nauseam. However, I have yet to hear an interesting discussion about the central question you propose. That is because the discussions all start from Moore's slanted story.