Posted on 03/22/2006 10:40:15 AM PST by Daytyn71
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission sent a message to bar patrons last week.
TABC agents and Irving police swept through 36 Irving bars and arrested about 30 people on charges of public intoxication. Agency representatives say the move came as a proactive measure to curtail drunken driving.
North Texans interviewed by NBC 5, however, worried that the sweep went too far.
At one location, for example, agents and police arrested patrons of a hotel bar. Some of the suspects said they were registered at the hotel and had no intention of driving. Arresting authorities said the patrons were a danger to themselves and others.
"Going to a bar is not an opportunity to go get drunk," TABC Capt. David Alexander said. "It's to have a good time but not to get drunk."
Dallas comedian Steve Harvey agreed with the Texas residents who said the arrests infringed on individual rights.
"If a guy's got a designated driver, go ahead and let him get toasted," Harvey told NBC 5.
Texas law states that inebriated individuals could be subjected to arrest anywhere for public intoxication. Harvey and other North Texans called the measure extreme.
"That seems to be an extreme case," one man said. "You are self-contained, in the hotel, you're not going in the streets, it seems a little ridiculous."
TABC officials said the sweep concerned saving lives, not individual rights. Harvey and others interviewed by NBC 5 said they believe drunken driving to be unacceptable, although Harvey wanted to confirm that the United States remains a free country.
"Freedom of drinking should always be allowed, and it is only American to let a guy get drunk where he wants to get drunk," Harvey said.
bigs doesn't need a zot just for having differant beliefs.....that's what freeping is all about.....conversation and critique.....
I tried a shot of whiskey, but I didn't swallow...
It's funny, I was just searching for an article on the story and realized it was back in December 2002 that this happened.
Too many nights at the pub must have made all that time fly by.
I'm looking forward to checking out the new Ned Devine's in Sterling when I'm not pregnant or nursing. Friend of mine manages it and I hear it's an amazing place.
But it's for the chill'run! LOL
It wasn't too long ago when a Texan could buy a plastic sleeve that would slip over a beer can, authentically relabeling it as a Pepsi.
I've never seen it, but I read about it.
Yes.
He's right, it's about the revenue that will be generated by increases in DUI fines and convictions.
I think the operative word is "public" intoxication. If the patron is in a bar, he is on private property and not in "public."
That's too cool!
Bigs from Michigan (Freeper since 2006/03/07)
....Troll or Prohibitionist?
A bar or hotel is not "public" -- unless the government owns it.
In this case, I refuse to limit myself with the word "or."
....Troll and Prohibitionist?
I give, why?
The bars raided where not paying the weekly bump.....
This is the TABC who is out of control here. Irving PD "reluctently" assisted according to local new reports. I don't think the Irving PD chief is crazy about the idea either. The Dallas area TABC folks have always been a pain in the a**. Ask anyone who has to deal with them to get a liquor license.
Recently, a routine police patrol was parked outside a local neighborhood bar in Minnesota.
Late in the evening, the officer noticed a man leaving the bar so intoxicated that he could barely walk. The man stumbled around the parking lot for a few minutes with the officer quietly watching.
After what seemed an eternity and trying his keys on five different vehicles, the man managed to find his own car which he fell into. He was there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off. Finally, he started his car, switched the wipers on and off (it was a dry night), flicked the hazard flasher on and off, tooted the horn and then switched on the lights. He moved the vehicle forward a few inches, reversed a little and then remained stationary for a few more minutes as more patrons left in their vehicles.
At last he pulled out of the parking lot and started to drive slowly down the street.
The police officer having patiently waited all this time, now started up his patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and carried out a breathalyser test.
To his amazement the breathalyser indicated no evidence that the man consumed alcohol at all!
Dumbfounded, the officer said "I'll have to ask you to accompany me to the police station. This breathalyser equipment must be broken."
"I doubt it," said the man. "Tonight I'm the designated decoy."
I'm well aware of it - but no, I don't think it's alright.
Except for the Volunteer Fire departments, Elks, Moose, Vets clubs, all Bingos in Delware are hurting if not closed because of the ban there.
A few weeks ago Virginia tried to do it, and while it wuoldn't have covered the members only areas of the private clubs, it would cover the bingo/rental halls which are open to the public..........needless to say, I went through nearly 200 slips of paper with contact information for the committee meeting of the legislature about it at Bingo at my local Moose Lodge.
I still lived in Delware when they did it (before NY) so I have seen first hand the economic destruction these bans do.
Most likely you are correct.
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