There ya go, the more things change the samer they are.

The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the vomit of college students and hooligans.

Insert reference to The Life of Brian here…

Hey, a beach without drunken idiots is like an election without Republicans.

I’ve never seen either, and would love to try both.

I lived in SD for over 2 decades, and 2 or 3 times was diverted from going to a beach area where the police were controlling some situation or other.

First, I don’t think the SD police need to be as anti-public as they are – I’ve been treated rudely for just asking questions, I’ve been filmed by the cops when at the beach with my family (”Officer, why are you filming us?” “Just practicing, there’s no film in the video camera”), and more.

Second, the ban of drinking is an over-reaction. If you turn all open parks and beaches to non-drinking only, then you are essentially making public lands available to “family friendly” only. No kids, no access. Limit some parks, some beaches, but not all.

Third, there are bars right at those beaches. Is this just a pro-bar regulation? Most (IIRC) problems reported to the police, in PB and MB are not on the beaches, but surrounding the beach bars.

And fourth, this wouldn’t be a “riot” anywhere but San Diego – the injury toll for this huge violent riot involving hundreds? “One beachgoer was treated for minor injuries. One police officer suffered a twisted knee.” Sounds no worse than any beach volleyball game. (ok, that’s snark, but just look at any party after a major sports event, and much worse happens, without calls for riot squads and global alcohol bans).

This is from a 50-something family guy who likes to have a 6-pack on the beach, without the cops busting me for – what? – being part of “a floodgate of drunken college students”?

- Bill

I see our transformation to Oceania is proceeding apace.

You know, I was on the beach in Venezuela a couple of years ago, and there were beer vendors all over the place. It was nice to sit there on a hot day and drink a crisp Polar Negra.

And you know what? No apocalypse occurred. Everyone continued what they were doing, oblivious to the fact that actual beer was being consumed on a beach. Astonishing, isn’t it?

Personally, I think we should make frat boys illegal. That way, the rest of us who want to have a couple of beers when we’re on the beach won’t have to suffer for the juvenile stupidity of a handful of poorly socialized, rich, white kids.

Just a thought.

I guess RefreshingtheTreeofLibertywithMGD.org wasn’t available…

It’s Cindy McCain’s website. I hear it’s a hit with the boys at the local “Deke” House–especially those Thursday nite “bar review” value coupons.

Remember, we must unite against the common enemy?

The Judean People’s Front?

No, no, no. The Romans.

On the side of keeping the ban in place is Safe Beaches San Diego.org. On the side of repealing the ban and re-opening the floodgates of drunken college students is a new group called…ready for it? :

I don’t care what the fucking name is. That ban is unnecessary BS, enacted by a reactionary element in an homage to san diego’s fascist past. I’d be okay with a ban on holiday weekends, but this is ridiculous.

Hoping cooler heads prevail at the polls in Nov and the ban is struck down.

Yet, oddly, America has survived the fact that almost all the other beaches in California have been alcohol-free for years.

Whether it is fascist or not is a question best put to Jonah Goldberg who seems to be an expert in such matters.

Hi all – First time, Long time -

Same demo and pov as PascoBill above though I haven’t spent much time in SD and respect the fact that you live with it.

To his Point #2, it does just seems to be overkill with suspect motivation, though I do enjoy the illegal thrill back East of drinking on the beach anyway — it’s my way of sticking it to The Man

Is it a bad thing that the only posts that motivate me to comment are this, 1 of Digby’s around-the-bend-with-PETA posts, and the Poor Man’s Patriots entries ?

I’d be okay with a ban on holiday weekends, but this is ridiculous.

I second your call to ban holiday weekends!