PLEASE GO SEE THIS MOVIE!

WOW. Capital Letters? He must be serious! Well amigos, I am.
I saw Why We Fight on Saturday night, and I must say it was one of the most thought provoking and intelligently done films I've seen in a good many years. This may be due in part to the fact that it was a well researched and well executed documentary, but please don't let the "D" word throw you off...
I think that perhaps another reason I'm gushing about this movie so much is the fact that I had no idea what it was about, I was just dragged along to see it, and I'm glad I went.
The basic premise of the film is about the Military Industrial Complex in the US, and how since the end of WWII, the US has pretty much maintained a standing army and a ridiculously large military aparatus. It also explores the fact that Capitalism has superceeded Democracy in the US, and that no longer do the elected representatives of Congress have the ability to make decisions. They are handcuffed by the fact that Corporations like Haliburton, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and so forth now hold so much influence over the government because they are the companies that build the instruments of war. Since war is such a good and profitable business now, there is no way in hell that it will ever stop, and some companies have gone so far as to ensure that parts of all their airplanes/tanks/etc are manufactured in all 50 different states, so that even if a Congressman wanted to stop supporting the war machine, it would be politically career-ending, since no one would vote for the guy who closed the plant that lost you 500 jobs in your state.

The other theme that comes across is that "independent" think-tanks are now responsible for drafting policy in the government and even in the Pentagon. People with no real military knowledge, or political knowledge perse, just smarty-pantses coming up with ideas in a bubble.
Not that I ever thought the US government functioned well, but that is even more scary.

The other interesting thing about the film is that it is very careful to show that historically this is something that at least 2 very popular and well-respected Presidents had warned of. Coincidentally, both George Washington and Dwight Eisenhower warned of the dangers ahead to the US if they were to stop being vigilant against armament, and both did so at the only time when they could not be silenced...in their farewell adresses to the nation. Washington warned of the danger of creating a standing army, and therefore becoming like the British, whose control they had just removed themselves from. Eisenhower was even more blunt, saying that if it was not checked, the escalation of the arms race would degenerate the quality of living for all and that someday when a president with no military knowledge (hmm...remind you of anyone?) was in charge, catastrophe would prevail. Eisenhower even went so far as to equate the costs of tanks and planes and guns into something very tangible for Americans: for every tank built, say goodbye to one hospital for 1000 people, for every airplane say goodbye to 25 schools in a large city, etc etc.

So before I bore you or come across as a polysci/military history paper, let me just urge you all to go see this. If you're hesitant due to the Michael Moore effect on documentaries, don't worry, there's no sensationalism or pandering to trickery or other sometimes debatable Moore filmmaking tactics. Why we Fight is pretty much the University Educated version of Farenheit 9/11's high school dropout version.

I'm not hopping on a bandwagon, since I already stated I liked them...but...

Let me just say, watching the Oilers the past few weeks, I've just been re-energized as to how exciting hockey can be. Yes, it was also worth it being up until 3am to watch triple OT in Game 3, which spelled the beginning of the end for San Jose. I didn't think Dwayne Roloson would be that good a goalie, but he did what he had to and was great when he needed to be. I also figured the Thorton-Cheechoo combo would be devastating, but then again, how good can you be when you line up across from Jason Smith (totally underrated) and Pronger (Who I thought was overrated and blew in the Olympics, but redeemed himself in my view for this series).

There's been plenty said about Ryan Smyth, and I needn't say too much more, but goddamn, how can't you love the guy? He embodies all that is good with hockey. Hustle, grit, toughness, determination, willingness to take a beating in front of the net, good speed, decent scorer, and not a defensive liability. When he took the puck in the face I was thinking oh shit there goes the series, not because of his scoring, but just because he seems to be all about what Edmonton is.

I think I should have written this entry right when the Oilers squeezed into the playoffs, but it applies just as much now, and I think I would have written this if they'd been eliminated anyhow, because for the last 4 games I really feel like I've been watching inspired hockey, not necessarily the best team there, the most skilled, or anything like that, but just seemed like they believed, and almost willed themselves to win. Mind you scoring 12 goals in 2 games don't hurt yer chances either.

Its the kind of hockey my Habs were playing for 2 games before they ran into Cam Ward and the rest of them, and the kind of hockey that fancy schmancy teams like Ottawa could learn a thing or three from. If you were to watch an Edmonton game (even during the regular season to some degree - because lets face it, they won't ever be a top seed) you really feel like they WANT to win, and they're not leaving anything on the table. Ottawa, and other teams just haven't looked like they wanted it. Calgary in Game 7 against Anaheim for instance,,,did they even CARE? I mean ya sure they did, but coulda fooled me.

I'd also like to attribute some of this to Craig MacTavish. Like most guys my age, I grew up and becoming aware of hockey, it was Gretzky, Moose, Coffey, Fuhr, Moog, Kurri, and all the rest of the mighty Oil machine. MacT was part of that team, and I think he carries some of that legacy onwards to the next generation of Oilers. In fact, I heard that MacT was the one who scored to put them into their last Conference Final in 92. Also seem to recall he was one of the last to not wear a helmet...not that this is an admirable trait, but it seems to personify some of what today's oilers are about. put the team first, damn the consequences. Also seems to adhere to what Gretzky said once about when they lost to the Islanders in the finals one year, and they were able to walk out onto the bus/plane whatever home, and they walked by the dressing room and see just how banged up and in pain the Islanders were, and it was then they realised what it meant to really play and put out your best.

Sorta like todays Oil, where I swear they must block on average 15 shots a GAME. They are fearless. They might not play gorgeous hockey like some teams, but they sure don't play boring hockey, and I think the 'new' Game benefits them more than just financially, it also lets them just go out there and Give'R.

THat might be enough rah rah now, so forgive me if you found it tedious, but I have to thank them for making me care enough to watch again.