Float My Boat

Okay, it's Labor Day. What's on television? Booze ban. Some time ago, most San Diego beaches banned alcohol from their shores. Those who are in favor of this action say that the atmosphere is now more family-friendly, and that it has solved the problem of large parties getting out of control. Those who oppose it wonder why, oh why, they can no longer just sip a cold one on the sand.
Here's the thing. The authorities don't really care about alcohol, per se, just the wild partying and fights. So, why can't they just do their job and arrest people who create a disturbance? Why do we need one more law, one more rule to tell us what we can't do?
We don't. In this case, the rule is particularly inappropriate because it targets everyone instead of only the offenders. On the surface, it appears to "work". Remember Prohibition? Granted, it never even appeared to work, but the principle is the same. Take away their alcohol, and they will hate you. Whether they deserve to have it taken away (because they are the minority who will start rowdy fights on the beach) or not (because they are like most people who just want to enjoy a cold beer on a hot day), they will hate you, and they will take action. Just wait.
Bottom line: if the ban doesn't come down, the time might soon come for organized protest. Government, off my toes.