Larry Horne Miller (1944-2009)

I originally posted this to my movie blog on Sunday, February 22, 2009:

The owner of the Utah Jazz basketball team passed away on February 20 at the age of 64, from a rare and deadly disease called calciphylaxis, a type of vascular calcification. He was born on April 26, 1944, as Lawrence Horne West, but his parents divorced in 1946 and he was adopted by his step-father Frank Soren Miller. Coach Jerry Sloan is two years older than Larry.

He owned many businesses including: a TV station, automobile dealerships, Miller Motorsports Park, a sports clothing store, restaurants, and movie theaters. He also used his wealth to donate to several charities. I think his greatest accomplishment was involved with his ownership of the Utah Jazz. He became co-owner in 1985 and one year later bought out the other partner. He built the arena the Jazz currently play in. The facility offers other activities throughout the year such as: concerts, comedians, the Monster Truck Jam, the circus, dinosaur displays, and Disney on Ice.

In 2006 he caused a controversy for refusing to allow the film Brokeback Mountain in his theaters. I wonder if he had to violate any contracts to do so, however it must have been a minor problem because his theaters continue to operate. Sometimes it is hard to stick to your beliefs, but I admire him for doing so knowing that it could cause him to lose revenue.

I enjoyed this statement from Salt Lake’s mayor:

I was saddened to hear the news of Larry Miller’s passing. On behalf of the residents of Salt Lake City, I extend my deepest sympathy to the Miller family during this difficult time. Salt Lake City has lost a dear friend and community leader. I have long admired Larry’s work ethic, charitable deeds and personal philosophy for doing good work in the community. His signature phrase, “Go about doing good until there is too much good in the world,” inspired us all. Larry was born and raised in Salt Lake City and truly helped shape the character of his home town.

I had a common ancestor with him through polygamist Joseph Horne (born 1812 in London), but I never met Larry.

I can understand how a franchise would want conformity at all of its stores, but I think theaters should have some flexibility in what they show to appeal to the local customers.  Christian movies do well in the South and Mormon movies do well in Utah.  In my book I suggest a new definition of property rights:

The right to own property.  Property owners shall choose whom they employ and who their customers are.  They shall choose which products to sell.  Congress and the States retain Eminent Domain powers, but must give property owners just compensation and cannot take land from one owner and give it to another owner.

Why I hate the post office

On February 11, 2009, someone posted a rant about the Post Office to a message board.

Someone else wrote:

While I miss the vending machines, the reasons for their removal are quite rational. Much pressure has been put on the USPS to contain costs. The vending machines were identified as a major cost loser, due to malfunctions, servicing, etc. So they went.

The USPS went through a major reorganization 2 years ago concerning how to recover costs and make the USPS pay for itself. Now annual increases are built in. In the free market, a business that raises fees and cuts services would be out of business in short order. But the USPS monopoly is protected by the Feds. They've lost most of their package business. It's a badly run organization. And, BTW, Obama wants to cut out Saturday mail deliveries, even though they get Federal holidays. It's crazy.

But, what alternatives are there? I want to send something to my sister, or my cousin in Singapore. How do I do it?

On the 13th I responded with this:

I think you made some good points, but I wanted to comment on this line. It wasn't Obama's idea, but why do you want to keep Saturday delivery?

I don't have much experience with shipping, but the USPS claims to have the lowest prices.

Would a private company be capable of delivering letters to every household?

Here is an article talking about some of the problems the USPS is facing:

The link to Iron Mountain Daily News is no longer active.  On the 22nd I wrote another comment:

My uncle is a mailman and I was talking to him today about the financial situation of the Post Office. He doesn't think the 5-day policy will be implemented and if it does the day off will not be Saturday. He said the real problem has to do with pre-funding healthcare benefits for future retirees. He said in 2006 a bill was passed that the fund had to be full within 8 years. He said the USPS is the only place that is required to pre-fund and he said the private companies that do it usually spread the cost over 30, 40 or 50 years. He said if the USPS was allowed to wait that long it would cut their costs by a few billion each year. He thinks the 5-day workweek is a smokescreen and this other plan is what the Post Office is really hoping for.