Grogan Continues Wars On Beach Tags, Reasonable Debate

On Friday, Inquirer columnist John Grogan finally discovered that some New Jersey beaches charge people a few bucks to sit on the sandy shores.

Apparently believing that beach tags, like abortion or capital punishment, is one of those issues where everyone has made up his mind and there’s no sense trying to convince anyone, Grogan name-checked every historical figure except Jesus who he thought would be opposed to beach tags.

Sub, a friend of mine and a frequent-ish commenter here, noted these words from Grogan’s column as particularly grating: “Yeah, I’m a little grumpy. … Maybe it’s the fact that a beach tag should fit any self-respecting American about as comfortably as a tight swimming suit filled with wet sand.”

He wrote:

That’s good writing… if you like tortured, stretched metaphors and fake indignation over the plight of the working class. You’re right, John, let’s abolish property rights, starting with intellectual property: specifically the copyrights to annoying, heartwarming books about dogs.

Ba-zing! Grogan continues his beach tag fun today, calling them an “un-American and undemocratic tradition” and quoting from reader mail on both sides of this issue. As if the “un-American” comparison wasn’t over the top enough, here’s his response to a reader:

“This is one of the ‘fair’ taxes, a true user fee,” wrote Brian Young Jr., who owns a home in Avalon. “Believe me when I say the property owners pay more than enough. How about I buy your beach tags and you pay my property taxes?”

How about you give me your beach house, Brian, and I’ll give you my metered parking space?

Hey, I have an idea! How about I give you five dollars and you agree to never argue like that again?

John Grogan: Taking sides on beach tags [Inquirer]
July 21: WWJD (About Beach Tags)?