Movie Review: Flyboys

I'm not sure how I let "Flyboys" pass me by for so long. This 2006 film, starring James Franco as Blaine Rawlings, tells the story of a group of Americans who went to fight for the French in World War I before the US joined the fray. The movie is loosely based on actual events...apparently very loosely if you believe wikipedia.

In the movie, Rawlings' family ranch is foreclosed on by the bank, so he goes to France to enlist as one of the first fighter pilots. Along with a group of other Americans, Rawlings flies several missions against the German fighter pilots, and eventually becomes a hero. Along the way, there is a love story subplot with a French woman, which breaks up the action nicely.

"Flyboys" got destroyed by the critics, but I liked it. I think it's a 4 star movie. The aerial dogfight scenes were outstanding. Some of the best aerial combat I've seen. The overall scenery was really well done. I'm not sure what the critics were watching...maybe it wasn't the same movie, or maybe I'm just not "sophisticated" enough. Anyway, I highly recommend "Flyboys."

The Evil Empire Strikes Again

I am not a major league baseball fan. When I watch baseball, I root for the Minnesota Twins. I also like the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies. I cannot stand the New York Yankees...or as many people call them, "The Evil Empire." In fact, the Yankees and their championship buying ways, are the biggest reason I don't watch baseball.

The Yankees just won their 27th World Series, beating the Philadelphia Phillies in 6 games. Even though I'm not a fan, the Yankees win makes me sick. The Yankees don't develop talent, they buy it. There's no savvy involved in paying the most money for the best players.

Here's a stat I heard...the Yankees have the highest paid Starting Pitcher, Relief Pitcher, Catcher, First Baseman, Shortstop and 3rd Baseman in baseball. A Yankees fan probably thinks their outfield is underpaid. But even those of us only peripherally interested in baseball end up thinking, how can my team ever compete regularly?

The Minnesota Twins have a team payroll of $67 million (23rd in baseball), while the Yankees have a team payroll of $208 million, nearly $63 million more than the next closest team and more than 3 times that of the Twins. With that payroll, the Twins are competitive for the playoffs every year because they are a well run organization that knows how to develop players. But, they are always 1 or 2 players short of being able to make a run to the World Series. And, they can't hope to sign that player in the offseason because the Yankees typically sign all the top talent.

Now I'm all for capitalism, but when a sport is setup so one team can have such an overwhelming advantage, there's no reason to watch it. It's as if the fix is in. The Twins can never hope to sign the caliber of players the Yankees can. And, if the Twins develop a good player, when his contract is up, they can't afford to keep him, because they can't compete with the Yankees on payroll.

Until baseball figures out a way to achieve a more competitive balance, I have no reason to watch it. Every other major sport, to one level or another has figured it out. In the other sports, the best run franchises, not necessarily the richest, win the championships. In football, the Patriots are good every year, even though the salary cap only allows them to spend the same or less than every other team. In basketball, the Lakers, Celtics and Spurs seem to have it figured out.

If these sports can make it work...baseball can too. And if they finally figure it out, I'll watch baseball again.

Participate in the Process

I sent the following letter to my Congressman today. I'm publishing as is...typos and all (hopefully there aren't any). I think it's important that we let our representatives know how we feel, especially on matters like Health Care Reform.

Please consider writing similar letters to your Representative. If they don't hear our voices, they can claim ignorance. At least this way they know how we feel. Also, I think we need to try to be respectful. If we are respectful, it's harder to dismiss us out of hand. I heard today that the house will vote Friday (11/6).

"I am writing you today to urge you to vote against the Health Care Reform Bill current making its way through Congress. My understanding is that the vote will be this Friday (11/6).

I'm going to be completely honest with you. I do not agree with you on much from a political standpoint. But you are my representative, and I want you to know my opinion.

I am an Engineer at a prominent company within your district, and this health care plan will negatively affect me and my family. But, I'm sure that, for every person I can name who will be negatively affected by this bill, supporters can name 1 person who will be positively effected. So I will not take this approach with you.

Instead, I'd like to discuss this as a matter of principle. I think you are a man of principle, so even though we disagree on many things, I believe you and I can agree on some things.

As a matter of principle, this health care bill is wrong. A recent Rasmussen poll shows that 54% of the American people oppose this health care reform bill, while only 42% favor it. While I understand that the Republic form of government allows for the government to go against the will of the people, that should only be used for matters of national security. If this were an election, it would be a landslide against this bill.

This health care bill is 2000 pages long. I understand that once the bill is finalized, 72 hours will be given to read it before the vote. I'm sure you are a better reader than me, but 72 hours to fully comprehend what you are voting on when it is 2000 pages long is not possible. As your constituent, I expect you to be fully informed on whatever you vote to support. Anything less would be wrong.

Finally, this health care bill helps no one until 2013. There are steps that could be taken today that would help countless Americans that don't have health insurance, and don't take 2000 pages to spell out. We can all agree that the pre-existing condition laws need to be changed. That could be addressed today. We can all agree that allowing insurance companies to sell across state lines needs to be changed. That could happen today. Rather than go for sweeping reform in 4 years, lets take steps today towards real reform, not another massive government bureaucracy that may or may not solve the problem

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please consider this when you cast your vote on this issue."