Ah, My Beloved (Adopted) Homeland

I don't live in Irvine, but I do live in Orange County, so this didn't make my jaw drop, other than in awe at its idiocy. The not-yet-nascent law school at UC/Irvine rescinded its offer to Erwin Chemerinsky to serve as Dean, because of his political views. The prevailing theories are that it was to keep local OC (read neo-nazi-level conservative) donors happy, more than any argument with Chemerinsky in specifics. The over-riding conclusion in the blogo-media-sphere is that UCI just blew its foot off; that no one of any merit will now want to take the job; that its credibility is gone; and that Donald Bren (THE money in Irvine) will gaily continue to contribute anyway. Good job, dudes!