Progress in the war on fun

Downtown Iowa City, IA is starting to fold under relentless pressure from the city council and police. "Local" activists, backed by the prohibitionist Robert Wood Foundation, are succeeding in their war on fun that will probably continue until the city is "dry". A Press-Citizen report says city icons The Union and Fitzpatrick's are calling it quits due to legal problems related to increased enforcement of alcohol laws. Several other bars in the city, including alumni favorite the Airliner, are facing similar issues. Residents are left wondering what will happen to the downtown when its economic anchor, the bars catering to college students, close in large numbers. City leaders, weary of taxes related to the profitable nightlife, are sure the downtown will survive on over priced coffee, book stores and shoe shops. Mean while, entrepreneurs are planning to bus students and their money to bars outside the city limits.