Virginia Tech shooting documentary highlights gun issue

P.J. GLEASON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, September 17, 2010, 2:00 PM

Updated Friday, September 17, 2010, 2:16 PM

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Colin Goddard

Usually the matinee idol gets the part and then through the director’s magic miraculously survives to go on and have an impact on the story line.
In the recently completed, Breslin/Cuomo-Cole, documentary, Live for 32, which follows the events of the 2003 Virginia Tech shooting, survivor Colin Goddard juxtaposes that Hollywood formula.

Goddard, who could as easily, been cast as a male suitor in Gossip Girl, brings to this documentary a tough- as-nails survivor’s story. So much so that Goddard postponed surgery to remove pain inducing shrapnel until filming was concluded. The film’s director, Kevin Breslin was equally impressed. “Colin is a throw-back to an era when Americans refused to be victims. This is not the defining moment of this young man’s life but just a short chapter in what will certainly be an epic journey.”

The propelling force behind this documentary is Maria Cuomo-Cole, a tireless advocate for social change. Ms. Cuomo-Cole, a board member of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, quickly realized that Colin was the right person to put a face on senseless gun violence. Breslin has his own impressive resume both behind and in front of the camera; most recently he won the 2007, “Made in New York” Film and television award.

The journey that Live for 32 takes its viewers on is much more powerful then say a Bowling for Columbine. What Michael Moore, lost in his flair for the dramatic, this Breslin/Cuomo-Cole production makes up for in raw-nerve tingling emotion.

Most would agree that society’s modern-day philosophers are those who share their perspective through their art. As the debate on gun control in the U.S. rages, one of the most prophetic, balanced and unbiased perspectives on the right to bear arms was penned by the iconic singer songwriter, Johnny Cash.

"Guns have been a way of life in my family for eight generations. My people fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II and Vietnam. I have been a lover and collector of antique firearms for many years. A fine shooting piece, to me, is a treasured work of art. I abhor the murder and shooting of innocent people such as celebrities and politicians I have known. I treasure my firearms and keep them in various parts of my home simply because I love guns. I have never had any intention of using these pieces against any human being, but treasure the right to do so, should the occasion and necessity arise."

This is not a debate that will be resolved anytime soon.

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maloney | Sep 19, 2010, 04:55 PM EDT

The brady lame'os, clinton & obama are juggling for a way to disarm the American people. They love how it went in England & Canada. They are trying to bate the patriots into a confrontation in order to have a reason. So far only the progressive liberals(unions SEIU left wing radicals) have shown violence. Surprise. They think the military will support them in disarming the people. They are wrong. If they push it they will have all branches of the military against them not to mention 80,000,000 armed citizens of the USA. Obama, SEIU gays etc. GOOD LUCK

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Pourshot | Sep 19, 2010, 04:29 PM EDT

Asking the Brady Bunch, inclusive of Colin Goddard, about guns is very much like asking the devil how to get to Heaven. They probably know the answer, but would never share it as it does not meet with their agenda. He states he desires to close something that does not exist. Something he refers to as the ‘gun show loophole’. Something he refers to with the hypnotic mantra of an ancient shaman as he tries to bring everyone under his spell. However, he only succeeds with a few of the unknowledgeable and weak-minded. He sings a sirens song about the Virginia Tech shootings and false relationship between it and his ever elusive ‘loophole’. As he and the Brady Bunch define it, the loophole is the ability of a person to buy a gun from another person at a gun show. It is no different from the way I can buy a gun at a coffee shop, barber shop, or doughnut shop (Hey, it is the doughnut shop loophole!), or in my home. Do you really want to take self-defense advice from someone who would rather stay on the floor, bleeding, and playing dead? Someone who would rather be killed then take any opportunity to defend themselves? He has stated he would do so again rather than ever face the threat. Brave men and woman made this country strong and it was not because they were willing to stay on the floor while evil roamed maiming and killing. I certainly hope he and the Brady’s value their loved ones more than their stated principles and if they don't, then I hope and pray their loved ones never have to have an epiphany based on their ability or desire to protect them. Do you really want to take self defense advice from someone who would rather stay on the floor, bleeding, and playing dead that to face the threat? I ceartanly hope he values his loved ones more than his stated princaples and if he doesn't, then I hope and pray his loved ones never have to have an epiphany based on his ability or desire to protect them.

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maloney | Sep 17, 2010, 05:45 PM EDT

you will never take the guns away from criminals. If the teachers & students had been permitted to be armed this jerk, sick puppy would not have gone far. Cowards don't fight, they kill the unarmed & vunerable.

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