Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bar Sweep Sparks Controversy (Drunk People Arrested in Bars!!)
NBC5i.com ^ | March 23, 2006

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: bars; beer; brownshirts; dallas; donutwatch; drunkdriving; fourthamendment; houston; leoabuse; liqour; policestate; revenueenhancement; sanantonio; spelling; texas; theman
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 221-239 next last
To: EBH
What did they do...make everybody take a breathalyzer test?

Yes, IMO that's what they should've done. They should make every driver take a breathalyzer test as they leave the parking lot. IMO they should do this at all establishments that serve alcoholic beverages, 24/7/365, and jail anyone found DUI on the first offense.Speaking as a teetotaller who is sick of hearing of innocent citizens being killed by all of these addicts' irresponsible behavior, that is.
61 posted on 03/22/2006 11:27:10 AM PST by BMIC (I'm so bad...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: EBH
Confused...how is being inside a bar public, unless it is owned by the government. I mean most bars are owned by an entity other than the government...so how could the charges stand up in court?

Not according to the nanny statists....many of whom reside here at Free Republic. Just take a look at smoking bans in "public places".........bars, restaurants, pool halls, etc.........the definition has been changed. And so-called conservatives agree with it.

62 posted on 03/22/2006 11:27:37 AM PST by Gabz (Smokers are the beta version)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Daytyn71
TABC officials said the sweep concerned saving lives, not individual rights.

I have a feeling that TABC are more concerned that they haven't been receiving monthly unmarked envelopes from bar owners.

And while they are playing Carrie Nation in the lobby bars, why not bash down hotel room doors and make sure someone hasn't overdone it in the mini-bar?

63 posted on 03/22/2006 11:27:50 AM PST by Ditto
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Daytyn71

Hmm...I'm supposed to believe that one guy in each of 30 of the 36 bars they visited was drunk enough to constitute a danger to the public? Well, it is Texas...


64 posted on 03/22/2006 11:27:59 AM PST by Billthedrill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RHINO369

Yeah, cops suck. THey let each other off when they get caught DWI.


65 posted on 03/22/2006 11:28:44 AM PST by Flavius Josephus (War today is always cheaper than war tomorrow.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Daytyn71

Another example that the Founding Fathers would be pleased with, not.
Their dream of a limited government, by the people, getting trounced again.


66 posted on 03/22/2006 11:29:39 AM PST by HereInTheHeartland (Never bring a knife to a gun fight, or a Democrat to do serious work...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: shempy

.08, down from .10 which is where it was until Washington threatened to cut off highway funding if they didn't lower it. FTR, .10 is not particularly drunk. .08 is low enough to getcha on 2 beers.


67 posted on 03/22/2006 11:31:41 AM PST by Flavius Josephus (War today is always cheaper than war tomorrow.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: scory

Ha! So did he let you sleep 'til noon, or get you up at the crack of dawn for some yard work?


68 posted on 03/22/2006 11:33:44 AM PST by Sax (Ahmagonnadoajihad - His name says it all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: Gabz; EBH

Damn Right. Bout time they gott off the smokers back and stopped winking at these people who drink like fish and can't stay out from behind the wheel.

See, they made me quit drinking, then they came for the tobacco. I may die of the tobacco, many ex-drunks do. But I won't by God be taking anybody with me.


69 posted on 03/22/2006 11:36:07 AM PST by Flavius Josephus (War today is always cheaper than war tomorrow.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: BMIC
I am sorry you feel that way, but a cop coming into a bar or restaurant with a Breathalyzer and ordering me to take a test is unreasonable search. Note these cops were IN the bars doing this...not in the parking lot or street. Me and my friends use a designated driver.
70 posted on 03/22/2006 11:36:21 AM PST by EBH (We're too PC to understand WAR has been declared upon us and the enemy is within.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Osage Orange

I knew a guy who got a ticket for speeding on a bike when I was in high school. I think the ticket said motor-peddling. He was going about 35mph (down hill) in a 25 zone. No BS, that guy had bad luck.

I also read a news article about a guy getting a DUI on a riding lawn mower he was using to get more beer!


71 posted on 03/22/2006 11:36:29 AM PST by Sax (Ahmagonnadoajihad - His name says it all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: BMIC
Yes, IMO that's what they should've done. They should make every driver take a breathalyzer test as they leave the parking lot. IMO they should do this at all establishments that serve alcoholic beverages, 24/7/365, and jail anyone found DUI on the first offense.Speaking as a teetotaller who is sick of hearing of innocent citizens being killed by all of these addicts' irresponsible behavior, that is.

Leaving the parking lot is one thing (I don't agree, but that is neither here nor there) but these people were INSIDE the bar and NOT behind the wheel of a car. For pete's sake some of these busts took place in hotel bars and the people busted had rooms in the hotels.

Nope - this was JUST PLAIN WRONG.

72 posted on 03/22/2006 11:37:24 AM PST by Gabz (Smokers are the beta version)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Sax

bttt


73 posted on 03/22/2006 11:37:25 AM PST by get'emall (Harry Wittington is a tough guy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: EBH

I'd be damned if I would blow for them if I was in the bar. Let them take me in on observation if they think they can make it stick.

BTW, I imagine most of these people were let go later on that night after they sobered up. I got hauled off PI at a Texas football game once, they let me out about 4:00, no notice to appear, no nuthin. Never heard from them again. Last time I've had to look at a cop too -- that was 1990.


74 posted on 03/22/2006 11:39:08 AM PST by Flavius Josephus (War today is always cheaper than war tomorrow.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: Daytyn71

"Going to a bar is not an opportunity to go get drunk"


I was misinformed.


75 posted on 03/22/2006 11:40:21 AM PST by dynachrome ("Where am I? Where am I going? Why am I in a handbasket?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Daytyn71

Isn't Texas the state where until recently (hell may still be) you could ride around in a car with an open container as long as you weren't the driver?


76 posted on 03/22/2006 11:42:04 AM PST by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Vote for true conservatives!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dynachrome

Yeah I thought it was to just look at all the interesting bottles on the wall. That Frangelico one reminds me of a Mrs. Buttersworth bottle.


77 posted on 03/22/2006 11:42:26 AM PST by Sax (Ahmagonnadoajihad - His name says it all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies]

To: Daytyn71
TABC officials said the sweep concerned saving lives, not individual rights.

Yea, of course, if it saves just one life, it's worth it. Why not confiscate all firearms and ban all left turns while you're at it.

78 posted on 03/22/2006 11:42:53 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Now is the time for all good customes agents in Tiajunna to come to the aid of their stuned beebers!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Daytyn71

Another example that the Founding Fathers would be pleased with, not.
Their dream of a limited government, by the people, getting trounced again.


79 posted on 03/22/2006 11:43:43 AM PST by HereInTheHeartland (Never bring a knife to a gun fight, or a Democrat to do serious work...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bikers4Bush

"Isn't Texas the state where until recently (hell may still be) you could ride around in a car with an open container as long as you weren't the driver?"



If that's the case I'd like to see someone request a ride along with a cop and (pcchhhht!) open a can of beer right there in the passenger seat - "OK, Let's do this!"


80 posted on 03/22/2006 11:44:40 AM PST by Sax (Ahmagonnadoajihad - His name says it all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 221-239 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson