Camp Michael McDonald

Coverage You Can Count On: BC vs. Windsor

Tonight BC opens up with Windsor Forest. Due to absences among our contributors (in addition to a general lack of anything better to do), I will be posting score updates every half-hour in the comments section.

You can find tonight's scouting report here. The teams are about evenly-matched so we should be able to tell a lot more about just how much BC has improved this past year. The game also presents a unique opportunity for the new headmaster to demonstrate he's ready to resurrect the Father John era by canceling school tomorrow should the Cadets emerge victorious.

Kickoff is slated for 7:30pm, Eastern Sandfly Time.

Katrina Revisited, Again

Just how much money has Big Brother thrown at New Orleans in the last 2 years? The White House says somewhere around $127 billion. If we divided that up among the 300,000 citizens of New Orleans, that would come out to $425,000 per person. The Big Easy is awash in federal dollars, yet it remains a concrete jungle. Poverty and crime rates are still among the highest in the country. Entitlement spending is out of control and is only serving to deepen the already entrenched problems that plagued New Orleans and Louisiana before the hurricane.

Larry Kudlow has a superb article on all of this and more over at Real Clear Politics. Read it. All of it.

Katrina highlights how Bush's repeated failures continue to discredit the irrational and defective nature of his governing strategy of "compassionate conservatism," which from day one we knew was a recipe for disaster. Hopefully a Romney, Guiliani, or Thompson will have enough sense to abandon this flawed ideology and replace it with the libertarian conservatism of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan.

Edwards: Americans must give up their SUV's

John Edwards gave a speech yesterday asking Americans to "give up their SUVs" for the good of the country. This photo of Edward's new 3.1 million dollar mansion, surrounded by SUVs, has surfaced on the internet in response. The "champion" of the poor's new residence has been described as follows:

The $3.1 million ritzy pad sports 10 rooms, 61/2 baths, two garages, a huge country kitchen with hardwood floors, and sweeping verandas to soak in the view of the verdant pasture.

Two other residences - one for 22-year-old daughter Cate and one for visiting friends and family - are already under way, according to Orange County, N.C., property records. A two-story, 6,366-square-foot mini-mansion is about 70 percent complete.

The $570,000 house will have two bedrooms, four bathrooms and a fireplace. A smaller, $193,000 building with 2,817 feet of space is about 95 percent complete. Edwards is also building a $30,000 pool house.

A "recreational building" is slated to be built on the property in the future.

This is one of many reasons I despise Edwards: the sheer hypocrisy that surrounds him and his left-wing economic populism. Edwards' philosophy, that it's only okay to make money if it involves suing doctors for hundreds of millions of dollars through junk science lawsuits, is convenient for him because it drives up insurance premiums and medical costs, which creates yet another issue for him to turn around and blame conservatives for.

As a conservative, I want you to make as much money as you can. I want you to have the freedom to buy as many damn SUVs as you please and as many swimming pools as you want. This country was founded on the basis that we as individuals should have the freedom to plan and live our own lives, not surrendering our decision-making to a small intellectual elite in a far-distant capital. There is no hypocrisy here.

Unfortunately, in the '08 debates, I doubt very seriously we're going to hear any serious discussion over things like what the role of government should be, whether governments or markets solve problems better, whether the federal government is too big or too small, etc. And this is the main reason why I think we're going to lose.

(HT: Professor Bainbridge)

'Bama Bound.

Well, it looks like the office at BMBS will be almost completely empty this weekend. I will also be out taking in some long awaited college football madness. My first stop this year is Auburn, AL to watch the Tigers (or War Eagles?) take on Kansas State. I'm not really a big fan of either team, but I will be supporting Auburn in this match-up because they're an SEC team and I don't want to get tobacco juice spit on me.

Have a good weekend. No Gems this week.

BMBS Takes Chicago

Several BMBS bloggers will be heading to the Windy City tonight for a weekend chock-full of yuppie debauchery. Our base camp will be in the "Little Vietnam" section of Chicago. Activities include the Navy Pier, Chicago hotdogs, deepdish pizza, Cubs day game, Notre Dame vs. Georgia Tech, and everything Ferris Bueller did on his day off.

A Day in the Life

This is a conversation I had online with a friend of ours today:

Friend: hey, listen to my day so far
me: ok
Friend: 1. I tripped and fell while running at 6 am this morning. I have many scapes and cuts
2. While I was getting into my car, a pigeon flew over me, and crapped on my head. no joke. I had to go back inside to wash the poo out. I was then late to work
me: w o w
hahahahah
Friend: 3. When I got to work, i printed my e ticket from United Airlines for the flight to Chicago. I've now realize that I have booked the wrong returning flight. Now I have to change it... which will cost $100
me: whaaaaaaaaaaaa
me: Jesus
Friend: 4. I'm behind on all my work because of this vacation, and so will have to maybe work on Labor day
awesome
shoot me
Friend: oh yeah, and the dog that I'm dog sitting has crapped all in my room

Lock of the Week: Week 1

Hey ya'll. Snuffy P. Smith here to give you the Lock of the Week for Week 1 of the college football season.

Georgia Tech @ Notre Dame (-2.5)

The Yellow Jackets have just about everyone coming back from last season's ACC runner-up squad, while the Fightin' Irish have question marks all over the depth chart. Tashard Choice's number will be called early and often as Tech utilizes their experienced O-Line to dominate the trenches.

Charlie Weis will try to establish the ground game in order to take pressure off his new QB. Tech's superior D-Line will exploit ND's inexperience on the offensive line as well, forcing the Irish into passing situations where Tenuta's blitz mastery will come into play. Of ND's three possible QB candidates, Demetrius Jones presents the only threat to the Jackets. Tech's D-Line and LBs will feast on a pocket passer but a QB with legs might cause some problems.

Prediction: Take Tech, not only to cover, but to win. The only reason Notre Dame is favored is because the game is in South Bend. I also predict that Notre Dame will come sport the green jerseys against Tech. Why? I just have a hunch.

Prepare For Glory

I know it's more like a Date Night T-shirt thing to do, but I was thinking that a 300 theme would be timely and appropriate for a Homecoming shirt this year. Leave "Prepare For Glory," use it as the main theme/motto, change "300" to "BC" or "Cadets," and then change the movie date to the Homecoming date. I'll probably get made fun of, but at least I'm trying.
Or we could go for the "edgier" version. Put a BC helmet on him or something. With either one you'd have to have someone good with Photoshop.

BC Football Calendar

Yes, I know this is pointless, but I'm excited about the season starting. I created a Google Calendar with all the dates and descriptions for the games. I also did this last year, but nobody had Gmail (and therefore, no Google Calendar) at the time. Even if you don't have Gmail (I should make some sort of Nick Burns, Your Company's Computer Guy comment about that), you can still use the second link's format for any online calendar.

For Google Calendar
For Other Online Calendars
As a regular website

"Is it too early for flapjacks?"

Early Monday morning, Bill Murray was pulled over in downtown Stockholm, Sweden... in a golf cart. Apparently, the cart belonged to the hotel and Mr. Murray borrowed it to drive himself to a night club down the street. Police pulled him over on his way home and noticed he smelled of alcohol. The best part is that Mr. Murray refused to take a breathalyzer, citing American legislation. He was not arrested and was let go after signing a document stating that he was driving under the influence and would allow a police officer to plead guilty for him if his blood test came back over the legal limit. It is not illegal to drive a golf cart in city traffic in Sweden.

I'm suprised the police got the jump on him, what with their wooden shoes and all. They must have made an awful racket trying to keep up.

Bill Murray is the best.

You can read the full story here on FoxNews.com.

You Got Listserved 8/22/07

"Looking for any recommendations for a Counselor for teenagers, preferably a
Christian and someone who takes our HMO insurance."

An Afternoon Treat

Here are some of my favorite comments under the AJC topic: "Can Vick Redeem Himself?"

By jimmy

mike doesn’t have to do a thing. sometime over the next few months it will all come out that this was one big set-up and then all of you so called fans will be sorry that you don’t have mike as your qb.

By yes he can

Yes, he can. I will not change the way I view Vick. It is not like those things was done to humans. I think he should donate money to PETA buy them however many pitbills they said he killed. Lose his so call friends and family. Move forward with his life doing positive things. There are people out there that has done worst and have moved on to be better and positive people.

By Alicia

I DO NOT GIVE A DAMN about dogs over Vick. You will see that game time when you see empty seats. Thats is my opinion and I am sticking to it. I do not give a f**k. He will still play even after serving time. Sorry that disappoints you. I believe people make mistakes as I am sure you dumb azzes have. I don’t give a damn and there is nothing you can say.

MICHAEL VICK SUPPORTER

By chasity nicole

Come on redeem himself from what and to whom…who made dog lovers GOD…Get a life people..There is poverty…there are illness…there are homeless people…don’t we have real problems to be concerned with..what have you gained from this..nothing…taking a youngs man life away from him…what a red neck society….

By Vick Fan

I don’t see people rallying around and protesting for the families of those who get mauled and killed by the same dogs Michael Vick is accused of killing.

By Georgia Peach to the Bone.

The person that said ” they hope he gets what he deserves in prison” needs to shut up. You do not know what all the circumstances are behind him pleading guilty. If yoiu were in his shoes and your so called buddies turned states witness on you, you would have no other choice but to plead guilty too. Think about it, MIKE VICK was the FALCONS. I don’t care no ones says all of you know it, the falcons are nothing without VICK.

By hoothoo of KC

Vick if you read these comments I would like to say “yes! I’m dissappointed in the fact that you have been made to tell the truth.” But I support you still because you have a lot of people judging you when they couldn’t walk 2 feet in your shoes.

By Sunshyne

I guess no one noticed that Arthur Blank and Rich McKay had just come from an African Safari… ISN’T THAT HUNTING AND KILLING ANIMALS??

By Nisha

He can redeem himself in the eyes of his family and GOD. He doesn’t owe his fans anything but a good game. For all of you who say he should be banned from football, What does Dog Fighting Have To Do With Football. When he serve his time the slate should be wiped clean. Remember he is very talanted. If he is banned from football he can play MLB.

Ookie officially going to the pokie....

Watch out for your cornhole...

Say "AHLALALALALALALALA!!"

Stolen from Boortz.

Vox Populi: Gems of the Week

Dishonorable Mention:
"Ricky Carmichael won his 150th professional motocross race - Give the man credit where credit is due."
- And you know what? No one cares.

Dishonorable Mention:
"Wonderful adult ballet classes are available at Islands Dance Academy at 115 Charlotte Road on Whitemarsh Island."
- Yeah, come on over and put on tights and prance around to music that people only pretend to like.

Dishonorable Mention:
"How sad to go by Grayson Stadium and see a hole where the outfield bleachers were. They could have been restored."
- What would be the point of restoring them? I’ll bet it’s been forty years since someone sat over there. The government doesn’t need suggestions of ways to waste taxpayers’ money; they’ve got plenty ideas of their own.

Dishonorable Mention:
"Regarding El Cheapo, keep the logo but change the name to "Not Quiteo as Cheapo as El Wal Marto."
- Give yourself a big pat on the back for that one.

Dishonorable Mention:
"I had eight Coy die in my fish pond after they sprayed for mosquitoes. It may not be related, but I was just wondering if anyone else had a similar situation."
- It’s spelled Koi. I don’t know if this was the contributor’s error or the editor’s. No culture.

Dishonorable Mention:
"I don't know why Savannah has a city council. The rich on Skidaway Island decides where and how the money will be spent. The bridge will take priority over everything else and Truman Parkway will be last, and years away from now."
- Skidaway Island is full of large, beautiful, and valuable homes. The more valuable a home is, the more the owner will pay in property taxes. I shudder to think of how much property tax is paid by Skidaway Island residents every year. I’ll bet we can afford to repair the bridge on their tax dollars alone. Cut them some slack.

Dishonorable Mention
"What is with the geese feces on the basketball courts at Lake Mayer? Could someone please clean it up so my chaps and I will have a decent place to play?"
- The geese feces come from the hundreds of geese that call Lake Mayer home. Why are you playing basketball in chaps anyway? Wouldn’t shorts be more practical?

First Runner-up:
"I wish the mayor and city aldermen would ride through the 800 block of East 32nd Street. The garbage needs to be picked up and the grass needs cutting."
- This one pretty much speaks for itself.

And your Gem of the Week:
"Three cheers to those who oppose the flat tax idea. This is just another scheme to take from the poor and give to the rich."
- It’s comments like these that make me hate doing the Gems.

Sid Slid

The professional guessers on ESPN have the Mets missing the playoffs altogether thanks to the newly crowned "most potent lineup in the National League", in Atlanta.

Bobby Cox should show this in the clubhouse before every game.

Race for the Prize

From ajc.com:

The early symptoms of pennant fever are being felt in Atlanta.

Suddenly, more people are watching Braves games on television – tens of thousands more, according to Nielsen Media Research – and talking baseball around the city's proverbial water coolers.

"It's a very noticeable change," said Buck Belue, a host on sports radio station 680 The Fan. "It almost had become ho-hum talking about the Braves, but now you've got a lot of people excited that this team could get into the playoffs and go to the World Series again."

The buzz began July 31, with trades for slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira and two relief pitchers, and has continued as the Braves have won three of four series since.

With the team 3-1/2 games behind the first-place New York Mets in the National League East, early-stage pennant fever could turn into a full-blown case if things go well during the six-game homestand that opens Tuesday night against San Francisco and new home-run king Barry Bonds.

"This is the most buzz around the team...in the last four years," said Derek Schiller, who monitors such things as the Braves' executive vice president of sales and marketing.

Perhaps amplifying the buzz is the contrast to the silence of last baseball season, the Braves' first since 1990 with a losing record, as well as the contrast to the subdued expectations for the approaching Falcons season with Michael Vick under federal indictment for dogfighting.

The strongest sign of pennant fever is the change in local TV viewership:

• Braves games televised on SportSouth and Fox Sports Net South have drawn an average Nielsen rating of 5.0 in metro Atlanta since July 31, up from 2.9 previously this season – an increase of 72 percent. That translates to an audience increase from an average of 64,000 per game before the Teixeira trade to 110,000 since.

• Games televised on TBS have drawn an average rating of 5.8 in metro Atlanta since July 31, up from 4.3 previously – a jump of 35 percent. That translates to an audience increase from an average of 95,000 to 128,000.

"Clearly, there is a spike in interest in the team," said Jeff Genthner, vice president and general manager of FSN South and SportSouth. "I think it's a function of the team investing in players like Teixeira to make a real run at the postseason. We've got a pennant race going."

Until the recent surge, the Braves' local television ratings were in a freefall. Last year, when the Braves' streak of 14 division titles ended, ratings dropped by about 30 percent on all networks carrying the games. In the first half of this season, they were down by another 30 percent on SportSouth and FSN South and 10 percent on TBS. Even with the recent surge, ratings remain below 2005 levels.

Attendance at Turner Field also increased after the Teixeira trade, although that could be partly coincidental – attendance often spikes just before schools reopen. The Braves have played six home games since the trade, averaging 37,329, about 4,000 more than previously.

Observers offer several reasons for the buzz about the Braves: a renewed appreciation for a pennant race after the team finished 18 games out of first place last year; a hunger for good news from a local sports team after the avalanche of bad news from the Falcons; and the "we're-going-for-it" message sent by the deadline deals for Teixeira and relief pitchers Ron Mahay and Octavio Dotel.

"I definitely think people had gotten to the point [before last season] where they would take the playoffs for granted," said Patrick Glory, 24, of Newnan, a lifelong Braves fan who co-hosts a podcast on new fan site Bravescast.com. "I think [enthusiasm about the Braves] is a combination of not making the playoffs last year, plus all the new people – Teixeira, [outfielder] Willie Harris, [infielder] Yunel Escobar."

The buzz extends beyond the fans, team president Terry McGuirk said recently.

"Not in my recent memory have I seen the general manager, the manager, the players, the national media and the fans as excited as they are," he said.

"Regressives"

Excellent article in the Pittsburgh Tribune last week.

Vox Populi: Gems of the whatever

I’ve accumulated these over the past few weeks. Reading dumb comments like these day in and day out has made me jaded with the idea of almost rewarding these morons for being dumber or more annoying than their fellow contributors. Here they are, your Gems of the whatever.

Dishonorable Mention:
"I just returned from vacation and learned how to Salsa dance. Is there a place here in Savannah where people could go and just have a fun time with their friends and dance?"
- Good for you. Now you can go to the ONE Salsa bar in town… if it’s still open.

Dishonorable Mention:
"For those fussing about Tybee moving the fireworks and decided to protest against it by not going, thank you. It made it that much nicer without the traffic jams and less parking issues for those of us loyal Tybee-goers and homeowners."
- Verb tense agreement: look it up.

Dishonorable Mention
"Michael Vick should be put in a pen and boxed until he falls down, and he should be given the death penalty."
- That’s a bit harsh. I’d settle for jail time and a permanent suspension or trade to the Arena Football League. Chin up, Ookie, there’s always pro wrestling.

Dishonorable Mention:
"I am so tired of seeing millionaires and billionaires get richer and we still have so many uninsured children in this country. Keep PeachCare. Make it better. People who do not need Social Security should quit taking it. Hooray for people like Bill Gates, but unfortunately most rich people aren't like him."
- If those “millionaires and billionaires” could make money by providing affordable health insurance to families, they’d be doing it. However, the same people who mandate and provide such programs as PeachCare and Social Security have created so much needless regulation that it’s impossible for private entities to provide affordable service. Mind-blowing stuff, isn’t it?

First Runner-up:
"I'm from Florida where the water is clear and the sand is beautiful. After six years of living in Savannah and hearing constant complaints, I took visiting friends to Tybee. I didn't see cigarette butts or trash while on the beach. It will never beat Florida beaches, but it isn't the landfill residents claim that it is, either."
- Thank you for your backhanded compliment of Tybee and your shameless plug for Florida beaches.

And your Gem of the Whatever:
"Farmers, would you like some cheese to go with your whine?"
- You are the worst kind of person.

You Got Listserved 8/10/07

After this particular email I received today, I realized how many ridiculous emails I get being on two different listservs for the University. If you've never had the displeasure of being on a listserv, it's just an email list that you're required to be a part of in order to receive announcements, but it's ripe for abuse by bored office drones desperately trying to be heard for once in their life. The two I am on are both basically the same thing - other UGA staff members complaining about anything and everything. So maybe if I can think to keep doing it, I'll post some more in the future.

Subject: "new watering schedule"

Today must be the University's day for watering. I saw a man at the stadium watering the bleachers. I don't see why I can't water my plants, that desperately need it, when the stadium isn't even alive. I know that they want to start the season off right, without any vomit on the seats, but really...

The Harrington Era

Obviously, I know as much about football as I do about tariffs and free trade. But it doesn't take a genius to know what a loser, in every sense, that Michael Vick is. Here are some cute statistics:

Total record as a starter (regular season): 38-28-1 (.575)
Total record as a starter (playoffs): 2-2 (.500)
Total record against playoffs-qualified teams (regular season): 4-19-1 (.173)

Wins:
Of his 38 wins during regular season:
34 were against teams not going to playoffs
4 were against teams going to playoffs

Records when trailing:
Career record when trailing at halftime as starter: 5-21-1
Career record when trailing at the end of 3rd quarter: 3-25-1

I'm sure Joey Harrington's numbers are worse, but there's no ridiculous pretense in how Harrington is perceived as an athlete like there is with Vick. So I'd like for you guys to join me in rooting for a very specific goal this year. In 2005, Vick led the team to an 8-8 record, and last year to a 7-9 record. For this season, I will root hard for Harrington to get 8 wins - no more, no less. As much crap as this guy gets, it would be irrefutable evidence that Vick is truly overrated and unnecessary. In fact, I will throw a big party if Joey Harrington reaches 8 wins. And by big party I mean Pat, since he's the only one who lives in Athens.

The Gathering Storm

Anyone who's been keeping up with politics lately knows the new Congress has all but declared a trade war on China. A storm of protectionism is gathering on Capitol Hill, and if enacted, this proposed legislation will deal a severe blow to the current economic expansion we've been enjoying the last 6 years.

The argument from the labor-backed Left is of course that higher trade barriers with China must be enacted because the Chinese government artificially undervalues its currency by something like 40%. They're not "playing by the rules" and so the trade is simply "not fair." "We want free trade, but on a level playing field," Pelosi & Co. quip. These kinds of statements are so chock-full of economic fallacy it's impossible to know where to start.

First of all, I'm not sure if the 40% figure is true, but let's go ahead and assume it is. In fact, let's take it even further and say they undervalue their currency by 100%. Hell, let's just go ahead and pretend their government fully subsidizes all Chinese factories, allowing them to sell their products to American consumers free of charge.

If someone gives you a gift, why turn it down? If you got a Playstation 3 for Christmas, would you refuse to accept it and complain to your parents that its "unfair" and that you'd rather them take it back so you can instead pay $300 for one? CNN commentators and hundreds of politicians are constantly bashing China, when in reality they should be thanking them and their taxpayers for propping up industries that are essentially giving away cheap goods to us. This frees up extra money that we as Americans can invest or spend on other things we otherwise wouldn't be able to, thus allowing more profitable ventures to be pursued and better jobs to be created.

So why are all these folks seeing things so backwards? What makes their claims so irrational? Is it because they're misinformed? Maybe; probably some of them are (hippies, college kids, WTO protestors, etc.). But the true force behind this movement know full well what is really going on: the high-paid lobbyists for big business and labor unions. This brings out a point well-worth mentioning: being in favor of free trade and being pro-"big business" are not the same thing; in fact, they usually mean the exact opposite, as the biggest threat to capitalism is not the interests of the poor (quite the contrary, as they are the ones that have by far the most to gain from capitalism), but is instead the interests of big business and labor unions who are in bed with the government and its regulators.

I find it humorous that self-proclaimed "progressives," who claim they're out to help the poor, are so hell-bent on abolishing free and voluntary exchange with poor countries and replacing it with the misnomered policy of "fair" trade, which is basically codeword for "we'll only trade with you if you're rich enough to afford First World environmental standards and working conditions."

756*

It's official. Fathead is the new homerun recordholder. The chase is finally over. I'm fairly certain that nobody outside of San Francisco genuinely cares about this achievement except that it means we won't have to hear about it any more.

I'll keep this editorial brutally short: Barry Bonds is a cheater, a liar, and he's an asshole to boot. I chose this picture because this is what I think of when I hear his name. Not him standing at the plate belting BALCO bombs into the cove; no, I picture him and his fat melon in front of a microphone speaking out in defiance of the truth.

It may not go down in the record books, but that asterisk will always be there in my mind.

Rebuttal

Tears for Fears responsible for the greatest 15 seconds in pop music history? I just hope these guys got a spot on the list somewhere.


The "15 seconds" would be the first few measures of this song, which was their first hit in the Spring of 1963 and which would change music for at least 1,000 years.

Totally

It occurred to me last week that whenever any of us are hanging out, you know, like in real life, that 64% of the time this blog comes up in conversation. I'm pretty sure that it's been around so long that no one even bats an eye at the word "blog" being used completely free of irony in a group that normally would rip such a term apart. And I'm sure everyone has had at least one occurrence where two blog members are discussing BMBS, when an outsider asks what you're talking about and you try to make it sound a lot cooler than it is. This can be embarrassing.

Well, why don't we own the embarrassment? Much as minorities now call themselves the same words that are meant to be insults when said by other ethnic groups.

See, I noticed that BMBS is really "bombs" without the O. And in the text message culture we live in, where everything is abbreviated as much as possible, I personally think it would be funny to refer to the blog as "Bombs" when out in a bar, tailgate, or wherever else. "Ryan, that is so f____ ___." Yeah, I know. That's the point. See, then we own the embarrassment of talking about an internet weblog out loud in a social setting.

I look forward to the comments for this one, fellow Bombers.

The Greatest 15 Seconds in Pop Music History

I firmly believe that the 15-second section of this one particular song is unbeatable on every level:

Tears for Fears - "Head Over Heels"
Begins at 1:25, ends at 1:40

It comes at the end of the first chorus, where he sings, "Don't take my heart, don't break my heart, don't, don't, don't throw it away." A new synthesizer line drops in and in a falsetto he sings, "Throw it away," a break, then "Throw it away" one more time before the second verse. He never does this again in the song.

Please challenge this with another 15 seconds of a pop song. Oh, and in advance: fake, silly answers are never funny in any context, ever. Just watch Letterman's Top 10 for proof.

Another reason to vote Fred...

Holy Crap

I am thieving this from Deadspin, but I think rightfully so. You have to watch this. How this guy gets up from this is really inexplicable.

Rick Schwarz Voicemail Archive Grab Bag

August 7th, 2006, 2:37 am:

"P, this is my fault. I'm sorry. I act up everything. But let me tell you something...I'm ready to rock and roll with you. Whatever you need, whatever you need, I'm ready to go with you. Whatever emotional support you need, I promise, I won't let you down."

To this day, I still have no idea what Rick is apologizing for.

The Greatest Action Movie Ever Made.

That's right, I said it. And I said it with confidence because this movie ousted my previous champion, Terminator 2.

Everything about this film was excellent. The action sequences were tight, seamless, and well paced. The parts in between were filled with interesting, natural and coherent dialogue. Comic relief is essential to a good action film and Transformers delivers with jokes and gags that are neither forced nor contrived. The love story between Sam and Mikaela is subtly woven into the story and not the focal point of it. As a bonus, Mikaela is played by the SMOKING hot Megan Fox. There was really no need for them to cast such a hottie, but that's icing on the cake.

Ironically enough, Transformers doesn't try to be something it's not. This is a movie about cars that turn into walking, talking, fighting robots. This film was made purely for the enjoyment of the viewers, which is what one would expect from a Bay-Spielberg combo.

In closing, I'd just like to reiterate that this is the best action movie ever made. If you haven't seen it, do youself a favor and go see it. If you have, go see it again. I know I will.

Fact.

The most overlooked and underrated development in American life from the past 5 years is the widespread switch to tagless T-shirts. Discuss.