U.S. Rep. Brad Miller, who represents North Carolina's 13th district in the U.S. House of Representatives, is done being polite or impartial about the college basketball allegiances in his state.
After all, he's not seeking reelection.
So when contacted by the Associated Press, Miller, a North Carolina fan, pulled no punches when it came to rival Duke.
"I have said very publicly that if Duke was playing against the Taliban," Miller said very publicly again, "then I'd have to pull for the Taliban."
Yeah, good thing he's not seeking reelection because I don't see that happening.
Pulling for the Taliban in anything — even a game against Duke — a good way to get Homeland Security knocking on your door. Not to mention draw the ire of all Duke-loving constituents.
As for NC State, Miller said he has no problem cheering for the Wolfpack as long as they're not playing the Tar Heels.
"The way I deal with it is, I scream my lungs out for Carolina," Miller said. "I make no pretense that I am at all half-hearted in my support for Carolina. Nobody in North Carolina would trust a politician who claimed to be neutral on a matter as important as college basketball."
I hope North Carolina faithful appreciate Miller's devotion. The fact that he holds the Taliban in higher regard than the Blue Devils is quite a testament to the depth of that rivalry.