Hotel Rwanda

"Hutus kill Tutsis, then Tutsis kill Hutus--if that's really all there is to it, then no wonder we can't be bothered with it." -- Philip Gourevitch

"We'll watch it on TV, say that it's terrible, and go right on eating our dinner." - Joaquin Phoenix as Jack, Hotel Rwanda

Went and saw Hotel Rwanda this past weekend, and words can't really describe how powerful a film it is, and sickening at the same time. Powerful, because it is based on the true story of hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, a Hutu who risked his life for his family and more than 1,000 other Tutsis, victims of the Hutu inspired genocide of 800,000 Tutsi in 1994. Powerful, because like the stories of people like Oskar Schindler, it demonstrates how "normal" people can perform incredible feats with ingenuity, moral conviction and some luck. Sickening, because it is another story of man's capacity for excessive inhumanity towards his fellow man, made even worse by the fact that the world stood by and watched. While the filmmakers took some liberties with the story, the bottom line is dead on -- Paul Rusesbagina was an African hotel manager who saved the lives of more than 1000 Tutsis, an unlikely hero who simply decided to stand up and say enough.

This is a film that should shame any person who watches it, because this situation was largely preventable with the intervention of the West and or other African nations, who simply turned their backs on mass murder. It should shame any person who's opinion on foreign policy is strictly based on what tangible benefit it has for one's country. It's not as simple as that, because intervention would require the use of the military, and would certainly lead to military deaths. It's not that simple, because maybe the U.S should not be the world's policeman. But when it comes down to it, some things are just right, and preventing genocide should be a staple, if not of U.S. policy, than NATO policy, because God knows the UN is toothless. I doubt that any film or book can change the way a nation thinks, or acts, or responds to crisis. But I think that this movie makes a difference, maybe one viewer at a time.

Two books discussing the genocide that I recommend:
"We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda" by Philip Gourevitch
"A Problem from Hell" : America and the Age of Genocide by Samantha Power

The Rites of Spring

Breathe that fresh air! While the NHL is imploding, hope springs eternal in baseball, as Cubs and Sox pitchers and catchers reported to spring training yesterday. Still skeptical about the Cubs' chances -- while I love the staff, assuming they stay healthy, and their hitting is okay (still missing one solid hitter I think), the team's bullpen, specifically the lack of a proven closer, will hurt their chances. One good thing is that the Astros and Cardinals lost a lot more than the Cubs did, which will hopefully even things out a bit. Nothing like spring training to make you feel good about a team that hasn't made it to the Series in 60 years...

Back From the DL

I've been sick the last couple of weeks, which is why I haven't blogged. The dirty little secret about having kids is dealing with the various illnesses they bring home that have vicious adult strains. In this case, it was a pretty nasty cold that led to pinkeye. Never had it before, and here's hoping I won't get it again, as the cold virus that brought it on is a nasty little bug that's still messing with my breathing. At any rate, feels good to blog on!

Cubs Sign Burnitz to Patrol RF

Goodbye Sammy, Hello Jeromy. Cubs signed Rockies RF Jeromy Burnitz to a 1 year deal with a second year mutual option. While Burnitz's numbers were inflated by playing in Colorado, he'll likely hit 30-35 HRs with 90-100 RBIs if healthy. If he can hit .275 and limit his Ks to 125, I think he'll be worth the $4.5M the Cubs paid. He should definitely help fill the void in the middle of the lineup, although it would be nice to see the Cubs have one more move up their sleeve to replace Alou's production.

Super Bowl Pick -- It's the Pats

Super Bowl XXXIX -- New England 27, Philadelphia 17

After picking both championship games right, my record stands at 6-4, with the big one to go. Believe me, I want to pick the Eagles. Not because I have any hatred for the Patriots, I just prefer to have new blood win the big ones every now and then. However, I just can't see the Eagles beating the Patriots with or without Terrell Owens. The Pats are too battle tested, too well coached, and too good of a team. While the Eagles are a good team, I don't think they're a great team as they struggled to beat AFC teams; they narrowly won at Cleveland (!) (34-31) and Baltimore (15-10), neither of whom made the playoffs, and they were pounded by Pittsburgh 27-3 and Cincinnati 38-10, although the Cincy loss was in the last two weeks of the season, when the Eagles starters were rested for the playoffs.

Bottom line, I think Brady, Dillon and the Pats' receivers will do more against Philly's defense than McNabb, Westbrook, TO (?), and the Eagles' receivers. Let the dynasty talk begin -- ugh.