What the . . .

OK - so what do you think about this:

(This is a partial copy of article found here on October 22, 2004:)

"Boston Fan's Death May Prompt Alcohol Ban

October 22, 2004 11:58 AM EDT

BOSTON - Mayor Thomas Menino said he was considering banning alcohol sales near Fenway Park during the World Series, following rowdy celebrations of the Red Sox's league championship that turned deadly when a police officer shot a projectile into a crowd.

Menino planned to meet with bar and nightclub owners Friday and also said he would press colleges to expel students found guilty of criminal conduct in the melee.

"Since people won't accept responsibility, I, as mayor, will take it into my own hands," Menino said.

Emerson College student Victoria Snelgrove, 21, died Thursday, hours after being hit in the eye with what was designed to be a non-lethal projectile that would douse the target with a pepper-like spray. Her father expressed outrage at the city's response to her death.

Witnesses said Snelgrove was standing outside the ballpark when a reveler threw a bottle at a mounted police officer. Another officer fired the plastic, pepper-spray filled balls into the crowd, hitting Snelgrove."

First of all, let me say that this young lady's death is tragic. But to ban alcohol sales at bars near Fenway park because of it? That simply does not make any sense. Instead of punishing the business owners in the area, why not try to target the root of the problem (why was this 'projectile' fired in such a manner as to hit someone in the eye?)




UPDATE: Reason has prevailed:

Mayor Thomas Menino decided against invoking a rarely used state law to ban the sale of alcohol "in cases of riot or great public excitement" after meeting with about two dozen bar and restaurant owners Friday.

Instead, the city and bar owners agreed to limit the number of people lining up to enter Fenway-area clubs and to prevent live television coverage inside the bars so patrons do not get rowdy as they play to the cameras.

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