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.