Category: Culture of Violence

Coming to your local theater

On By scottpetersenIn Coming attractions, Culture of Violence1 Comment

On March 27, 2013, I discussed how Donna and I had gone to see a movie at a local theater. I lamented the fact that each one of the six or seven coming attractions was built around violence. Fast forward to last Saturday. Donna and I went to see “The Brutalist” (“brutalism” is a style of architecture – hence the name). An okay film though not as great as some trumpet (that’s my “take”). But first, there were the coming attractions . . . .

We sat through about 25 minutes of upcoming movies. The movies? “28 Years Later.” “Bring them Down.” “Captain America – Brave New World.” “Drop.” “Mission Impossible.” “Warfare.” “Death of a Unicorn.“ Every single coming attraction was smothered with violence, gunfire, car crashes and horror. I feel like saying “come on, people – don’t you know what you are doing to your children? To our society?” I have discussed in the past how America is a breeding ground for a “culture of violence” (see January 3, 2013).

Young people can watch movies that glorify horror and violence.  We provide them with violent and cruel video games.   There is the bloodlust of ultimate fighting and the degrading and debasing reality television shows where manipulation and back-stabbing win.  Hollywood sinks lower.  And lower.  But – hey – don’t you dare try and impose your values on anyone.   Don’t even think of mentioning the word “God” in school or a public place.   And heaven help you if you bring a Bible to school.

It seems to be a scalding inhumanity that society wreaks upon itself. I suspect the culture of violence and the disintegration of traditional values — joyfully invite it. . . .

A Warning – Some of the Images are Disturbing

On By scottpetersenIn Culture of Violence1 Comment

How often do we hear on the Nightly News the solemn offering “A warning to our viewers – some of the images are disturbing.” As if a little chaos, a dose of gunfire or a squeal of pain will cause great emotional agony to listeners. I’m not sure when this started but it seems to presume that American society is pretty fragile. Yet. . . .

Donna and I went to the movies a few weeks ago and saw “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” It was okay. Not as good as the first. Or second. But the prelude to the main feature was a series of perhaps ten “coming attractions” that . . . maybe I’m being too kind . . . . were little more than blood, gore, slaughter and carnage. On January 3, 2013, I posted on America’s culture of violence. Our numbing acceptance that young people can watch movies that glorify horror, death and fear.  Our children play (often for hours on end) the most violent, brutal, cruel and bloody video games.   There is the scalding inhumanity of and bloodlust for ultimate fighting and the degrading and debasing reality television shows where manipulation and back-stabbing win.  Hollywood sinks lower.  And lower.  But – hey – don’t you dare try and impose your values on anyone.   Don’t even think of mentioning the word “God” in school or a public place.   And heaven help you (pun intended) if you bring a Bible to school.   Certain people (who want to impose their values on you) will sue you and run you out of town under the guise of safeguarding liberty.  

And yet we hear “A warning to our viewers – some of the images are disturbing.” Really?

Gun Violence

On By scottpetersenIn Culture of Violence, Real Time with Bill Maher1 Comment

Why does America endure the agony of gun violence? Yes – we need gun control. Red flag laws. Assault weapons need to be banned (as was done until 2004). Yes – young men have mental health issues which need to be addressed. Yes – smart phones and social media have exacerbated the problem. But where should the crosshairs also rest (sorry for the pun) for much responsibility for gun violence? In my opinion Hollywood bears some responsibility. And what is done? Nothing.

On January 3, 2013, I posted on America’s “Culture of Violence.” For me, this post was so meaningful that I reposted on 10/8/17 and 4/20/22. Please check it out. Violent movies. Cruel and murderous video games. What do all the mass shooters have in common besides their guns, social media rants and mental instability? THEY ARE ADDICTED to the violence of our culture. They are addicted to the oceans of blood and guts and murder and hate and revenge that we POUR into their minds with violent games and movies.

On June 10, 2022, Bill Maher hit the nail on the head on “Real Time with Bill Maher.” Folks – this is 8 minutes and 29 seconds. I ask you – to watch this. Please. Because it is a clear and understandable explanation of cause, effect and potential cure — of the tragedy of gun violence. Watch this. . . . .

A Culture of Violence

On By scottpetersenIn Culture of ViolenceLeave a comment

[A repeat from January 3, 2013] On Saturday mornings when I was growing up, I could watch one hour of television.  I was not allowed to watch “Superman” (the old one with George Reeves) because my mother thought it was “too violent.”  So I usually picked “Mighty Mouse” and “Sky King.”  On Saturday nights, I could sometimes watch “Have Gun Will Travel” and “Gunsmoke” with my father.   In the old Westerns, if a bad guy was shot, he’d fall down.  Narry a drop of blood.  No coughing.  No twitching.  No movement.  And no gloating.   

In 1969, Sam Peckinpah ended that age of innocence with his iconic “The Wild Bunch” in which blood flowed in rivers and the carnage was suffocating.  I remember seeing the movie and going “whoa!” 

Today we accept that young people can watch movies that glorify horror, death and fear.  They play (often for hours on end) the most violent, brutal, cruel and bloody video games.   There is the scalding inhumanity of and bloodlust for ultimate fighting and the degrading and debasing reality television shows where manipulation and back-stabbing win.  Hollywood sinks lower.  And lower.  But – hey – don’t you dare try and impose your values on anyone.   Don’t even think of mentioning the word “God” in school or a public place.   And heaven help you if you bring a Bible to school.   The ACLU and secular “progressives” (who want to impose their values on you) will sue you and run you out of town under the guise of safeguarding liberty.   

When you see the horrific violence that we as a society wreak upon ourselves, I have to wonder if our culture of violence, the casual acceptance of it and the disintegration of traditional values — don’t invite it. . . .

A Culture of Violence

On By scottpetersenIn Culture of ViolenceLeave a comment

On Saturday mornings when I was growing up, I could watch one hour of television.  I was not allowed to watch “Superman” (the old one with George Reeves) because my mother thought it was “too violent.”  So I usually picked “Mighty Mouse” and “Sky King.”  On Saturday nights, I sometimes watched “Have Gun Will Travel” and “Gunsmoke” with my father.   In the old Westerns, if a bad guy was shot, he’d fall down.  Narry a drop of blood.  No coughing.  No twitching.  No movement.  And no gloating.   

In 1969, Sam Peckinpah ended that age of innocence with his iconic “The Wild Bunch” in which blood flowed in rivers and the carnage was suffocating.  I remember seeing the movie and going “whoa!” 

Today we accept that young people can watch movies that glorify horror, death, murder and fear.  They play (often for hours on end) the most violent, brutal, cruel and bloody video games.   Killing.  Burning.  Defiling.  Bombing.  There is the scalding inhumanity of and bloodlust for ultimate fighting and the degrading and debasing reality television shows where manipulation and back-stabbing win.  Hollywood sinks lower.  And lower.  And discourse more hateful.  But – hey – don’t you dare try and impose your values on anyone.   There is no “right” or “wrong.”  Don’t even think of mentioning the word “God” in school or a public place.   And heaven help you if you bring a Bible to school.   The ACLU and secular “progressives” (who want to impose their distorted values on you) will sue you, condemn you and run you out of town under the guise of safeguarding liberty.   

When you see the horrific violence that we as a Society wreak upon ourselves, I have to wonder if this new casual acceptance of violence and debasement of traditional values — doesn’t invite it. . . . .

A Culture of Violence

On By scottpetersenIn Culture of Violence, Violence1 Comment

On Saturday mornings when I was growing up, I could watch one hour of television.  I was not allowed to watch “Superman” (the old one with George Reeves) because my mother thought it was “too violent.”  So I usually picked “Mighty Mouse” and “Sky King.”  On Saturday nights, I could sometimes watch “Have Gun Will Travel” and “Gunsmoke” with my father.   In the old Westerns, if a bad guy was shot, he’d fall down.  Narry a drop of blood.  No coughing.  No twitching.  No movement.  And no gloating.   

In 1969, Sam Peckinpah ended that age of innocence with his iconic “The Wild Bunch” in which blood flowed in rivers and the carnage was suffocating.  I remember seeing the movie and going “whoa!” 

Today we accept that young people can watch movies that glorify horror, death and fear.  They play (often for hours on end) the most violent, brutal, cruel and bloody video games.   There is the scalding inhumanity of and bloodlust for ultimate fighting and the degrading and debasing reality television shows where manipulation and back-stabbing win.  Hollywood sinks lower.  And lower.  But – hey – don’t you dare try and impose your values on anyone.   Don’t even think of mentioning the word “God” in school or a public place.   And heaven help you if you bring a Bible to school.   The ACLU and secular “progressives” (who want to impose their values on you) will sue you and run you out of town under the guise of safeguarding liberty.   

When you see the horrific violence that we as a society wreak upon ourselves, I have to wonder if our culture of violence, the casual acceptance of it and the disintegration of traditional values — don’t invite it. . . .