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We've always figured Merced doesn't look like much from the top floor of the Ivory Tower. But who knew UC Merced was viewed with the same downcast eyes?
The academic infighting became apparent Thursday when a letter surfaced written by UC San Diego sociology department chair Andrew Scull and a cadre of professors proposing to close our campus.
Merced County needs another set of abandoned buildings like it needs a nuclear waste storage site.
Comparing UC Merced to the Hummer brand, a foundering division of GM, the 23 department chairs proposed closing UCM, UC Santa Cruz or UC Riverside to save their paychecks. And we thought they were in it for the pursuit of knowledge.
Fortunately, that university is putting out such groundbreaking research as this: "High Carbon Dioxide Levels Cause Abnormally Large Fish Ear Bones."
If anything, Merced's campus is a small, economical model that's accessible to people who may otherwise be left without a set of wheels.
Scull's plan is probably headed for the wrecking yard, as the UC system Prez Mark Yudof quickly distanced himself from it and called for a unified approach to dealing with budget cuts.
The proposal touched off a fury of comment on the Sun-Star's Web site, reminding us of the fierce regionalism in this state. Scull was called a few unsavory names online.
Rather than get angry, Lips figures we get even. How about diverting some of the water flowing to SoCal back to the thirsty land on the Westside? Or maybe it's time to split this state in half.
Wait. In that case we'd still be stuck with Sacramento.
Shakin' hands, kissing babies
Speaking of state politics, Lips heard 12th Senate district candidate and Ceres Mayor Anthony Cannella was making the rounds Thursday in Merced, meeting with local Republicans to drum up support.
He's filed paperwork to run for the seat state Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, will leave vacant in 2010. Denham, meanwhile, is continuing to gear up for the lieutenant governor race.
His likely challenger is Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, D-Salinas. The thought at the Capitol is that it's going to be hard for the Dems to win the seat.
It's a thriller
In case you're not tired of the probing and comprehensive Michael Jackson coverage, we've got a little tidbit to pass along.
Balloon Samba, a ride that Jackson had at Neverland Ranch, will be at the Merced County Fair, according to CBS 47. The kid's ride, now owned by Butler Amusements, is similar to a merry-go-round only with balloons that rise and fall.
Jackson owned about half The Fab Four's catalogue, so it's only fitting that the fair also feature The Beatles Project, which includes Councilman Jim Sanders.
Maybe this is the perfect moment for the project to cover the Jackson-Paul McCartney duet -- "Say, Say, Say."
Loose Lips can be reached at editor@mercedsun-star.com.
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