What is it with California?

What is it about the state that seems to attract so many nutjobs, space cadets, creeps, and freaks? Why are so many radical, crazy ideas born and nurtured here? Is it the climate?

After all, having temps in the high 80's and 90's year 'round accompanied by hot dry winds, no rain, and no variety in season has to take a negative toll after awhile.

Is it the California earthquakes? Do those shakers shake all common sense out of the citizens?

Is it the movie business? We all know that if you plan on a career working in pictures you've got to be nuts. My father used to use that old joke line, "California is the land of the fruit and the nuts," a double entendre referencing both the agricultural importance of the state and the crazy weird people who populate it.

California agriculture may be diminished somewhat from what it once was, but fear not, the bizarre people element is as prevalent as ever.

The latest example has taken shape recently in the University of California educational system. Once again, liberal academia has shown itself to be common senseless and morally bankrupt.

Employing George Orwell Doublespeak with Saul Alinsky ethos, UC president and former Department of Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano has initiated seminar programs along with faculty training guides to combat what she calls "micro-aggressions."

According to the university's webpage, Napolitano touted the seminars as a place to talk about the "best way to build and nurture a productive academic climate" and help attendees meet their "responsibility" to do so.

And just what constitutes "micro-aggressions? Supposed "brief, subtle verbal or non-verbal exchanges that send denigrating messages to the recipient because of his or her group membership (such as race, gender, age or socio-economic status)."

In other words, any phrases, gestures, or other exchanges, which can lead to "a hostile leaning environment", will be considered a micro-aggression.

Now get this. This is the good part. Phrases such as "America is the land of opportunity" and "America is a melting pot" are considered "micro-aggressions" that could leave some students feeling discriminated against.

The guide, which says those phrases and others can be interpreted by minorities as "denying the significance of a person of color's racial/ethnic experience and history," or that they "assimilate to the dominant culture," is used across the vast, 200,000-student University of California system.

Specifically, it is for training professors in "faculty leadership seminars" that aim to "enhance department and campus climate toward inclusive excellence." Barf.

Some other "micro-aggressive" statements and phrases that UC faculty are encouraged to avoid using include:

"There is only one race, the human race." "I believe the most qualified person should get the job."

"Affirmative action is racist."

"Everyone can succeed in this society, if they work hard enough."

"When I look at you, I don't see color."

"I don't believe in race."

"Gender plays no part in who we hire."

"Men and women have equal opportunities for achievement."

Saying "America is the land of opportunity" is wrong in the eyes of Napolitano and her liberal ilk because it actually is a POSITIVE statement on America, and they can't have that.

These statements are verboten because they fly in the face of Progressive anti-American teachings.

The frightening part is the possibility that a faculty member using statements such as these could get disciplined or fired, especially if they aren't tenured.

For most clear-thinking normal people there is nothing wrong with any of those phrases.

The concept of "America as a melting pot" is a true statement; at least it was until liberal teaching embraced multiculturalism and tribal identity.

Every one of those statements above have noble and positive intentions to them, but turning words and phrases upside-down has long been the way Progressives operate.

If you believe that the California university system has gone off the deep end with this politically correct multicultural nonsense, you're not alone, there are still some professors with common sense who are speaking out against it.

One is Tim Groseclose, an economics professor at George Mason University, who said, "I don't think University of California realizes how crazy it's become."

Prof. Groseclose was a professor at UCLA until last year, when he resigned after he brought to light evidence that the university illegally admitted students on the basis of race.

The absurdity and danger of this convoluted thinking is bad enough, but add to that the disgusting fact that we California taxpayers are actually paying for it all.

What is there left to say except --- as ever, we have an unlimited bounty of fruit and nuts in this state.

And that includes we suckers who fund the lunacy that the other nuts come up with.

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JWR contributor Greg Crosby, former creative head for Walt Disney publications, has written thousands of comics, hundreds of children's books, dozens of essays, and a letter to his congressman. He's also a Southern California-based freelance writer.