Watching the latest gubernatorial ad campaigns reminds me of "The Simpsons" episode in which Bart joins a boy band whose songs repeat subliminal messages. The similarity between the episode and the ads isn't so much how the candidates for governor resemble the show's characters (although Steve Poizner does look somewhat like Milhouse). It's more that the lesson the episode teaches (and with "The Simpsons" there's always something educational) can be applied to the tactics of the ad campaigns currently running. Read more...

Every UCLA student has heard numerous boasts about UCLA's diversity, but few have seen concrete examples of intergroup communication and bonding. Read more...

As the year progresses, even more cuts are being made to UC programs. The most recent victim is the UC's Education Abroad Program, which will lose $3 million from general funds. Read more...