Sacramento needs a new nickname. The whole “Sac” thing just isn?t working out for me. Sac State, Downtown Sac, Old Sac and South Sac are all local nicknames that have some really funny connotations.

First of all, Sac is not a pretty word. It?s really rough and unattractive sounding. Just say it to yourself, “Sac.” Now imagine the entire world thinking of our city by the name Sac. Not too cool for that image we have been trying so hard to change.

Secondly, as college students, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Sac, or better yet, Sac State? It?s almost as bad as Ball State! The image that comes to mind?too graphic to even write here?is most often the image that comes to everyone?s minds when they hear or think about our school.

Despite the sometimes pornographic nickname “Sac,” Sacramento can be a neat place. It?s just too bad that the best places to take your out-of-town visitors are over 90 minutes away. But considering that neither San Francisco and Lake Tahoe have as cool of a name as Old Sac, I guess it?s OK. Nothing is better than seeing the look on your aunt or uncle?s face when you tell them that you are taking them to a place called “Old Sac.” ? Apparently many students who exit the campus via the front entrance have no idea of what a yield sign means. (And if you have no idea what a yield sign looks like, just pick up a copy of Pearl Jam?s album entitled Yield.)

Strangely enough, yield does not mean stop, but judging by the amount of morons who stop instead of merging into the traffic, our campus is in need of driving classes. Stopping instead of merging creates a multitude of problems, including an increased opportunity for accidents because some think it’s a stop sign. Traffic then gets backed up into campus?all because someone was too afraid to merge. Merging is an intregal part of driving, and if you are unable to engage in this simple act, I suggest you walk or ride a bike to school.

And to those of you stuck behind a non-merging driver: Honk!

Brendan D. Wonnacott is a Government & History major and is opinion editor of The State Hornet. He can be reached by email at [email protected].