If you haven?t already read the excerpt on John and Elizabeth Edwards from the new book Game Change, consider it your New Year?s assignment. But there?s an out ? if rough language and the exposure to public ridicule of two of the most self-centered, boorish people in the history of North Carolina would too much for you, then I guess you?re off the hook.

Seriously, the fact that John Edwards represented North Carolina in the U.S. Senate and became the political face of our state during two presidential campaign cycles should infuriate all patriotic North Carolinians. Yuck, double yuck, and triple yuck.