Mr. Campion,
It takes a lot of guts to do what you do. (THEOLOGY OF SCIENCE – Issue: 2/26/14) Not sure what purpose it serves, other than to prod and poke (mostly fun) and confront. It is always an enjoyable read, this Reality Check. I have been a fan for a few years and this “space” as you like to call it never disappoints. It forces me to think, gives me pause or angers me in some way. And I think that’s a good thing.
I think misspent anger is too prevalent these days. People get outraged by every little thing that it fails to have any true relevance. It is good to be challenged by our beliefs and to have to gather up thought to defend them, and for that I am eternally grateful for people like yourself who put it out there, lay it on the line. Right? I mean, where would we be as a society if there were only two sides to opinion, only one black and one white and that’s it?
Apropos to that was your insightful quote at the beginning by Mr. Lenny Bruce, who in many ways paved the way to get real with ideas like religion, customs, accepted fact that was obviously false assertions about the human condition. In this tradition, your deconstruction of the Noah story was well positioned in the piece in the sense that we can only fully embrace the myth in order for it to live and breathe and matter, and sometimes to matter, it dumbs us down a little—little by little—and gives us the balls to sell Creationism as science.
Like you, I could not care how people would like to live their lives and believe and worship how they want, but it gets a little nuts to push this into the mainstream or in the legal arena, in the political arena. It does not belong there and when it gets in, it makes it harder for free thinkers to take those espousing it seriously. Then it gets dangerous when it passes for science and that is how people can rid themselves of the responsibility we have as inhabiters of this planet that we should care for it as mother to us all, instead of heaping the blame on a non-existent devil figure or hope for salivation from an equally as outlandish omnipotent god.
Keep doing what you’re doing. It makes more sense every day.
—THAD917POR
Easily one of your best columns—particularly the Noah comments—hilarious. But also the observation, which should be oft-repeated: It is interesting that despite overwhelming scientific data there continues to be a debate on whether humans have or will continue to fuck up the environment. There’s only a debate because chambers of commerce own politicians and there’s the dread—not that profits will end—but that obscene profits may slow down slightly.
Well done. Informative, funny, incredibly relevant.
—Vincent Czyz
Who doesn’t think humans are fucking up this planet? Michele Bachmann? Enough with these bible-humping simpletons. It is getting harder and harder to believe with all the technology and science and information at our disposal now that cretins continue to slither through shouting from the slag heap all this crazy shit about no climate change. Where is their proof? Like to see it. Please! I hope they are right, but I fear, and much of the data concludes this, they are painfully wrong.
—I-m-yak
Once again, we get nothing from Mr. Wise-Ass Campion on how to deal with climate control, just riddles and jokes and a lot of profanity and mockery of faith and tradition. What do you propose we do about this “global warming” or whatever the fascist environmentalists are screaming about to get us to pay more taxes and spend more money on research and to save the whales or whatever shit? We have a serious economic crisis in this country with entitlements and overpopulation and this is what will doom us, not the earth. The earth will be just fine. We’re fucked. And you’re fucked.
—Blah-ha
Sir,
Rob Astorino is a good man, and I am glad you call him friend, but he has no shot to win in NY. (MY FRIEND…THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK? – Issue: 3/12/13)
The state is actually doing all right. Sure taxes are high, but when aren’t they? Taxes boom in NJ and they have fat boy in charge. At least Cuomo set up the state exchange for the ACA and it works great. What is Astorino going to do? Close it down? I don’t trust Republicans, not that I have a love for Democrats, but the brand is damaged now. Your friend should run as an Independent and embrace different ideas than the party. How about legalizing pot or at least decriminalizing it! He’s out there saying the opposite, while Cuomo is smartly considering its advantages to our economy. Astorino is just another voice for the right wing. Boring.
—Janice S.
Great stuff. I saw Rob on his call in to Michael Kay the other day. It seems like perhaps he just wants to get his name out there. But like he said, “Bucky Dent hits a home run…”
—Kacey Morabito
Love it. I think he’ll win!
—Al Quagliata
James,
It is odd to hear that you have as close a friend in politics, but then again, having heard Rob on the stump, he has a genuineness about him. He is a good man, and having read your column for so long, it kind of makes sense. Of course I know you guys must have differences in opinion on many issues, but if you, who has a bug up your ass for nearly everyone that comes down the political pike, have such an affinity for him, it only bolsters my high opinion.
Go Astorino for Governor 2016!
—Danny Suvey
What is this sucking up to a Republican candidate? What’s next, a book about Dick Cheney’s face-shooting? I am sad.
—Eccho
As far as I can tell, Astorino has done a fine job in Westchester as our Country Exec. He has not kowtowed to the usual nonsense and I like that he stands up to the establishment. Many of your readers should get to know this man. I do not have a personal relationship with him, such as yourself, but I know Rob. I know him as not only a decent man, which his opponents (and I am sure the Cuomo machine will try this) continue to want to compromise with wholly false innuendo, but as someone who does his friggin’ job! He does it! He embraces challenge and is not merely another mouthpiece. I’m not even a Republican and I support Rob Astorino. And anyone who doesn’t see we need change around here is just not paying enough attention.
Bravo, Campion! Keep yelling from the rooftops! Save New York!
—Alison Brady
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”, “Midnight for Cinderella” and “Y”.
