Hilarious stuff. (SEQUESTER DIARY—Issue: 3/2/13) How you are able to take such pathetic mismanagement of the federal government by the president and the Congress and put it into such personal terms? It is a talent. Not sure where you were going with it, but if I may, I interpret it as symbolism for how this affects more than just the media or the government or even agencies that say they’re going to assist people but perhaps don’t. It’s about us, the citizens, who are once again left to trust (and by trust I mean we still vote, right? They ask us to vote, guilt us into the thing, say people died for it and it defines our national character) and those we put in power to just jack around and then this happens.
How in the world they could do this when they knew it was likely to be the outcome; whether it is disastrous or merely an inconvenience, it is an embarrassment. We cannot accomplish a thing anymore.
And these assholes are going to tackle universal background checks, immigration reform and a budget?????
Keep making us laugh, James. You do a great service. Otherwise we’d be crying.
—Sarah5678xxx
Your “diary” was not funny. I don’t think children and the elderly and our veterans being denied essential programs due to the hubris, immaturity and the general political infighting going on in Washington is a joke. It is sad. It is infuriating. And it is expected at this point. The president screwed this one up. Why he would propose and sign onto this thing being a progressive Democrat is incredible. And this do-nothing Congress part two is certainly off on a predictable foot.
Bad. Very bad. Not a joke. By making it one you diminish its impact and it is wrong. Your outrage is usually placed in the right direction. This is not.
And who cares if the media is disappointed by it not being a complete horror show. It will slowly erode our way of life, like most things that are evil do. Very often it is these kinds of red-tape issues that tear down the fabric of America. Piece by piece. Little by little. So that we never notice, and argue and crack jokes and look pissed and say things, but it never amounts to anything.
—Fielding II
There is a real sense in this country now that we are indeed a leaderless, legislative-less nation. We are on the brink here. This sequester nonsense has brought it all home. Here you have the two main branches of government agreeing on what amounts to a suicide solution—get something done or the whole thing goes down—and not only do they not address the issue, but they fail to even attempt to stop it.
I don’t know what sequestration will do in the short term or the long term, but the plain fact that this monstrosity known as the federal government that cannot budget, cannot fight wars, cannot protect the borders, cannot create any meaningful bipartisan compromised legislation is enraging to me. I am so pissed right now reading your little goofy thing.
Thanks for that.
—Linda Jarco
Sir,
What you write is often amusing—at times nearly hilarious. That said, nothing you have ever typed, nor ever will, is funnier than this phrase from your most recent column: “I rarely write this kind of overreaching hyperbole…”
Regards,
—Peter G. S. Blasevick II
James,
I want to thank you for your beautifully framed and wonderfully presented recollection of the amazing 1983 NCAA Tournament run by the underdog Wolfpack. (NC STATE & THE BIRTH OF MARCH MADNESS—Issue: 3/27/13) You put it so succinctly; “There has quite simply never been nor has there ever been since a college team so completely overmatched, so irrevocably poised, so damned exciting as NC State winning game after game in such a concentrated period of time.” It brought back so many memories and made me realize just how rare something like that is, even in the world of sports where miracles can happen from time to time.
I was never a fan of college basketball before that tournament. I followed it, but it is so true, as someone who lived it as a fan, the entire story, the way it unfolded, was a thing to behold.
Great job.
—DD7821
I saw every single game of that run and I will never forget it.
—pastgone
Campion,
You’re a good sports writer. You should do more of this. You seem to settle into this world with a more comfortable charm than your political writing, which, while insightful and often times satirical, it fails to reach the personal heights you hit with the subject of sport. I loved your pieces on LeBron James and the Bucky Dent game and pro football rules and all that. It is a nice change and a breath of fresh air to see you enjoy the subject matter for once.
—Terri Z
This was about the last year I watched the NCAA somewhat religiously. The final was unbelievable. I’ll admit I was pulling for the underdog, but jeez, Hakeem and Clyde were magnificent. As was NC State.
The ending was probably the most absurd I’ve ever seen. I, and millions of others, was expecting OT, which would have been cool enough, and then bam.
You may have mentioned this, but when Valvano was questioned about how NCS managed to beat Houston, his answer was simple: “We played behind them.” His reasoning was that Houston broke the morale of their opponents by over-the-top jams, and so he had his guys stay inside, rather than try to block the pass in deep. It worked. Houston got plenty of short jumpers, but they never got the psychological edge. Brilliant coaching.
—Strangelet
That was a talented team. Three sharp shooting guards with Thurl Bailey and Lorenzo Charles down low.
If the three-point rule had been in effect, they’d have won by large margins.
The end of the game and ensuing celebration truly was such a special moment in sports history made all the more poignant by the illness and passing of Coach V. His legacy is one of inspiration, courage, and certainly gave new meaning to what being a champion is all about.
—Elizabeth L/Paredes
Do yourself no favors and “like” this idiot at www.facebook.com/jc.author
James Campion is the Managing Editor of the Reality Check News & Information Desk and the author of “Deep Tank Jersey”, “Fear No Art”, “Trailing Jesus” and “Midnight for Cinderella”
