September 18, 2008
Neighbors Blame Microblogging for Wild Partying at Loyola Marymount
Twitter, a service that lets users blast messages to cellphones, is the latest way for college students to learn about parties. Neighbors of at least one college are saying it’s contributing to out-of-control student gatherings.
Residents of Westchester, the neighborhood surrounding Loyola Marymount University, in Los Angeles, say microblogging services like Twitter are not only allowing students to find out where their classmates are partying, but also when the gatherings are about to be shut down by the police.
Residents have blogged about their concerns, saying microblogging is creating a situation in which “students move from party to party fed by today’s technology” and can easily avoid getting caught for underage drinking. A local news station quoted a Los Angeles police officer describing “100 or 150 kids” filing out of a house with “all the things lighting up in their hands” — presumably in response to a microblogged warning.
But not everyone is convinced that microblogging leads to nonstop partying in college neighborhoods. Kelly Sutton, a Loyola Marymount student who co-founded the blog Hack College, says “LMU is pretty slim when it comes to parties” and that “Twitter has nothing to do with the party scene.” Either way, it sure beats a brightly colored flier. —Caitlin Moran
Posted on Thursday September 18, 2008 | Permalink |Comments
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I went to lots of parties when I was in college back in the stone ages, and I have no idea how we heard about them…all I remember is word of mouth…the old fashioned way actually worked.
— deborah Sep 18, 05:44 PM #
Dang rampscallions! Gettin all hopped up on their tweets and their mytubes! Get ‘em offa my lawn!
(deborah, I guess you could call Twitter “word of thumb.”)
— Bonnie Sep 18, 06:05 PM #
It seems far more likely that they are just using regular text messaging not twitter….
— tony Sep 18, 06:41 PM #
First, I am very impressed with the fact not everyone is buying into this Obama-Messiah mentality.
I really think people should vote what they believe in. I have no doubt that McCain/Palin will win. But, I have studied the issues, and my vote is not an “uninformed” one. I have sound and logical arguments (though, others might disagree) why I think McCain/Palin are the best choice.
But, this is no longer the point. Anyone with a brain has already made up their mind and that is that. You’re either for Obama or for McCain.
I just hope that people vote. And, to the idiot #13..perhaps the Secret Service should get to know you personally since you are predicting when people are going to die! How much of an idiot can you be?
And, for those who smear McCain’s service, his experience as an officer I say this:
When did you (of course, there will be those that post lies) lift a finger to defend this nation? It’s OK to disagree with McCain…I will vote for him….you vote for your “lost cause” Obama.
Many here know nothing of combat. Know nothing of leadership except standig in front of a classroom. Well, guess what, all you liberal fools, it’s not the 1960’s anymore. You proudly walk the mighty halls of academe and think that your “in touch” with the American people.1.) Most people don’t care what a paper “doctor” thinks.
2.) When you serve and defend this nation and actually “command” something other than a class of students, then you’ll have some foundation to base your liberal/socialist arguments upon.
Oh, how liberals hate the FACT that McCain/Palin are doing so well right now. I Bet you thought your Messiah Obama would, by now, have victory ensured…
It’s NOT. And you hate this fact. And facts are the most stubborn things.
So, “doctors,” have your tissue paper close by on Nov.4 when you see McCain/Palin win.
It will be so funny…your “community organizer” that has spent most of his brief time in the Senate AWAY from his job can take solace that VP Palin is now, possibly, a strong presidential candidate in 2012.
Obama was a complete idiot for not choosing Hillary. But, again, you’ll see….
There is change coming. It goes by the names of President John McCain and Vice President Palin.
Now…sweet dreams to all liberals since your worst fears are about to come true…
McCain/Palin 2008
And…you’ll have all the “change” you ever dreamed of.
McCain/Palin 2008.
— Madison Sep 18, 07:23 PM #
Madison, Madison, Madison! This topic is about partying not parties. You have to remember, McCain loves to bong. Palin is definitely using something. I hope that if these two end up in the executive branch, that I will halluncinate through their term…but I digress.
Students will use technology to party, to avoid work, to entertain themselves, and occasionally to learn.
— mnh Sep 18, 11:57 PM #
Now I am less concerned about the college parties than I am about the kinds of people who are allowed to participate in the political process. Scary!
— SB Sep 19, 03:53 AM #
So why is the Chronicle getting hit by indiscriminate right wing spam? Is “Madison” a real person (one of Zoolander’s kids “who can’t read too good”) or a computer program set to patrol the site’s blogs?
— paper doctor Sep 19, 08:19 AM #
Maybe Madison’s psychic. Let’s see if #13 is an idiot when that one rolls around.
— DJH Sep 19, 08:50 AM #
There are paper doctors? Where was this service when I was a student? Dang!
— BertW Sep 19, 08:53 AM #
Troll alert!
— Liz Sep 19, 09:22 AM #
Does Twitter deliver sports scores — like who won the last game of beer pong?
— Mike Sep 19, 09:45 AM #
Don’t forget about Cindy, mnh!!
— Sm Sep 19, 10:02 AM #
So, looks like I am #13… Guess I’m the idiot.
— Patricia Sep 19, 10:11 AM #
I kind of like Madison, as for #5 it was Hussen Obama who was the crack head,and grandma basher. Patty you are not an idiot, just make sure you vote. yeah #12 cindy did like her pain killers, that was when they where going for the hollywood vote, but the prefer coke like there party guy, should we drug test the prez., after all the last two dems liked their fun drugs. enjoy the weekend….
— remember the Alamo Sep 19, 11:37 AM #
I have to sympathize with the Westchesterites and the cops somewhat. Westchester, although not Retirement Village, used to be a farily quiet middle class neighborhood (I lived there years ago; not sure if it’s exactly like that now). The part of Westchester nearest the University isn’t very large and the roads within the neighborhood are rather narrow; so I can see how the place could become easily congested/“overrun” and a problem for residents. A real concern might be that it’s no place for people to be driving drunk or lost or both. The two busy main drags that border Westchester lead north to the L.A. Int’l. Airport (LAX), almost always a crowded area (what with car rental places galore and hotels and people trying to get into and out of the airport or onto and off the freeway). The main drag that runs along the west side of Westchester also leads south, down into Marina del Rey, a very crowded, tricky to navigate place. I don’t know if the means of communicating party news iis terribly important. I do think people need to exercise caution and common sense—and maybe a little tolerance, too—on both “sides.”. (Years ago I did encounter a Westchester resident or two who could be a tad overly staid. I’ve got a couple of good stories about that, but I won’t bore you. . . .)
— morgan67 Sep 19, 01:49 PM #
The Libertarian Case for Obama
For those who recognize that “libertarian Democrat” is no more oxymoronic than “libertarian Republican,” a solid case can be made for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) as a Leader of the Free World who won’t take that American Exceptionalism conceit as seriously as “Country First” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).Seven potential upsides to a hope-monger presidency
Terry Michael | September 19, 2008
Sure, we’ll have to endure four or even eight years of warbling by Barbra Streisand at White House dinners. And I am under no illusions: Obama has more Populist-Progressive than Madisonian inclinations. But, guys and gals, Ms. Wasilla is no less stomach-churning than Babs. And the actual Republican presidential candidate is even more authoritarian than his Progressive hero, Teddy Roosevelt. John McCain is no friend of Friedman.
Thus, seven reasons libertarians can hope for the best from Obama.
1. Sen. Obama has met at least one war he doesn’t love. His early pronouncements against the criminal enterprise in Iraq are enough reason, in themselves, to vote his way on November 4. Anyone paying the least attention must conclude that Lt. McCain’s “cause greater than self” always involves the Army, the Navy, and the United States Marines (not necessarily in that order.)
2. The election of an African-American will end liberal racism as we know it. If an overwhelmingly white nation chooses a black leader, the Jesse Jacksons and other Mau Mauers for identity-based group preferences will be put out of business, as I explained here.
3. One word: Osmosis. You couldn’t live in Hyde Park or teach at the University of Chicago with the intellectual curiosity of a Barack Obama without gaining at least some understanding of libertarian economics. That can’t be said for most of the reactionary left-liberal wing of the Democratic Party dominating Capitol Hill. But I believe Obama is educable on free markets and I’m convinced that Democrats are ripe for a return in the next decade to the liberalism of our party’s founder, Thomas Jefferson (I made this case two years ago in my libertarian Democrat manifesto.)
4. Obama is the best hope for keeping government out of your bedroom and away from your body. As would any Democratic standard-bearer, the senator from Illinois represents the pro-choice, pro-gay rights side of the cultural divide. And he has at least made interesting soundings about reducing America’s status as the world’s number one jailer, much of which is tied to drug offenses and other crimes without victims. No libertarian can feel comfortable with a Republican candidate who doesn’t echo the personal choices demanded by his supposed hero, Barry Goldwater.
5. The hidden hand did well this month punishing stupidity. But libertarians committed to free markets, not corporate oligarchs, must pause to consider the need for field-leveling regulation. More precisely, we should ask whether there was sufficient enforcement of reasonable restraints already in place. We need Republicans to stand against excessive tinkering in markets, of course. But my modest retirement fund may be safer with Democratic regulators in charge than rogue elephants.
6. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Yes, we need to restore America’s reputation around the world. Anybody who’s traveled beyond the Atlantic and Pacific in the past eight years knows America needs a makeover. Whatever you think of Barack Obama—unless, like the mindless U!S!A! crowd, you don’t care what the world thinks—he will restore much of the goodwill we have lost when he raises his hand on January 20, 2009. That’s significant for libertarians who believe in the importance of the nation most committed to free markets and free minds—ours—leading by example. More-of-the-McSame in foreign policy is something we can’t afford.
7. Finally, Barack Obama is smart enough to follow the aspirations of the Gen Y, Millenials, and Echo Boomers next up on the American political stage. They want choices in both their bank accounts and their bedrooms. I don’t have much empirical evidence for that, though the college students I teach suggest that such libertarian leanings are on the rise. After all, a generation growing up with an explosion of mega-data-informed choices literally at its keyboard fingertips will resemble the self-sufficient, liberty-loving founders of the Agrarian Age more than they’ll resemble the social welfare liberals of the Industrial Era who gave us one-size-fits-all central authority mandates.
The oldest candidate in American history won’t inspire such potentially libertarian change—but the senator from Illinois can. It’s change in which you and I can believe, whether or not we believe in any candidate, including Barack Obama.
— Spambot Sep 20, 03:17 PM #
When I read a post in a forum, I sometimes try to get a picture in my mind of the writer saying the words aloud. In Madison’s case I can’t help but see a female version of Mr. Wilson screaming at Dennis to get off his lawn. But I would add that she’s screaming in righteous glee as she picks them off like those metal bears in a shooting gallery. Seething with so much hate, and impertinent too!
— Grumpy Sep 20, 05:34 PM #
TWO things…First: the blogger “Madison” who wrote a very long email on political parties etc is a writebot hired to surf blogs looking for entry to post messages aboot who hired them…this blog simply needs to install a letter verification system i.e. u must write a few letters before posting…example: please write the following letters as they appear in the dialog box below…spambots err writebots cannot perform this function…hence the spam on the message board will be filtered out…Second kids today are a bit boring…or the youth culture is overrated…meaning running around @ night sneaking beers is the same as in my day…Twitter or IM is used to alert the underage
undergraduate crowd to parties…STOP the Madness…LOWER the drinking age back to 18…if u are old enough to tote a M-16 u are old enough to consume alcohol…the return to 18 as the legal limit will end the need for all these parties…LMAO…Also I find most students who drink a lot and use drugs are usually on the lower-end-of-the-food chain when it comes to academics…I suggest Students not be enrolled in school until there is one year off between high school and college: Admission standards will include 40% of what these kids did during that year off…man oh man that would change everything…
— deadmonz Sep 24, 07:12 AM #
Um, #15, LAX is south of Westchester and LMU.
— Bill Sep 30, 09:43 AM #