Spring Break
'The Kyo Protocol'
San Diego City Council
breaks up beach parties
Sarah Kyo
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Opinion
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Wrong.
Before you go all "Girls Gone Wild," you better beware. If you had planned on boozing on the sandy shores down in San Diego next week, then you might be slapped with a $250 fine faster than you can say "Corona" - the beer, not the Southern California city.
Last November, San Diego's City Council voted for a one-year ban on drinking alcohol at Pacific, Mission and Ocean beaches, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. This was a response to a melee at Pacific during another popular vacation period - Labor Day weekend - during which riot-geared police officers had to break up the ruckus.
This rule, which will still be in effect during this spring break, has inspired state officials to issue a similar ban at Torrey Pines State Beach, starting April 1.
Reading a sample of the online comments to these articles, I've noticed that some people are against the ban due to concerns about the government taking away rights.
Hey, it could be worse.
You could party like it's 1920 … or not.
1920: It was the year that the Babe cursed the Red Sox, the United States didn't join the League of Nations amid the aftermath of what is now known as World War I and, thanks to the 19th Amendment, women were finally recognized with the right to vote.
Speaking of the U.S. Amendments, the 18th one was also added to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, beginning the Prohibition era, which officially made it illegal to sell and consume alcoholic beverages.
Not surprisingly, some people found their ways around that ban by selling and consuming these illegal beverages (aka moonshine) through underground means and locales (aka speakeasys). Mobsters and gangsters during that time period made their cash through this and other crimes.
Needless to say, Prohibition was unsuccessful. In fact, it was repealed in 1933, thanks to the 21st Amendment.
San Diego's ban is different, though. The ban doesn't mean you shouldn't drink alcoholic beverages. You just can't do it in those particular areas.
Besides, booze and beaches aren't a necessary combination for a good time.
Just transpose the first and third digits of San Diego's 619 area code, and you'll figure out where I'll be spending my week.
I'll be heading back to my home - the one that's not the International House or the Spartan Daily newsroom - which is in a suburban area called Elk Grove, just south of Sacramento. With its inland location in the Central Valley, Sacramento isn't and shouldn't be known for sandy beaches. However, it is near its share of bodies of water, such as the American and Sacramento rivers.
Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a ban against consuming alcohol in the American River Parkway, as well as on the river itself.
According to The Sacramento Bee, he signed it before the Fourth of July, another holiday that encourages outdoor activities. This ban was also in response to drunken brawls.
Although people who partake in debauchery should be held accountable for their actions, whether they're being one with nature or otherwise, alcohol is known for lowering inhibitions.
Inhibitions prevent you from doing things you wouldn't normally do or know you shouldn't do, such as getting into fights - or flashing camera crews for a lousy tank top.
This spring break, stay safe and sober (well, at least sober enough that you won't do anything you'll regret later).
Don't drink and drive. Just don't.
Oh, and keep your clothes on.
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