[stacytec]

What next, arrest smokers at the cigar shop?

[EricT.]

Drunks?!? In a bar?!? I'm shocked...shocked I tell ya...

[Lunatic Fringe]

Yes, apparently it is technically illegal to be drunk anywhere in Texas, except for your own home.

[LongElegantLegs]

UNfrikkin' believable.
I'm going to call these crackheads on public stupidity.

[freepatriot32]

The goal, she said, was to detain drunks before they leave a bar and go do something dangerous like drive a car.

"We feel that the only way we're going to get at the drunk driving problem and the problem of people hurting each other while drunk is by crackdowns like this," she said.

From the mouth of a fascist nannystater

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[Tai_Chung]

When I lived in North Carolina, I got a ticket from the DMV clerk for an expired tag when I was at the DMV to renew my car tag. She told me I had to pay the fine because it was expired. There were no exceptions.

[elkfersupper]

This happened in Irving, TX.

Home of the national headquarters of.....................

MADD

What a coinky-dink.

[microgood]

Step1: Cut the funding of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission by 50%

Step2: Check behaviour. If no improvement, repeat Step1.

[DoughtyOne]

"We feel that the only way we're going to get at the drunk driving problem and the problem of people hurting each other while drunk is by crackdowns like this," she said.

A woman with this logic should just turn in her D/L and surrender at the local asylem.

I an alternate universe...

Who knows, that driver might speed later. If they have gas in the car it could lead to a serious motor infraction. That's why we took the car!

This busdriver had girls on the bus. It's clear that he had the opportunity to molest those girls. We've put him behind bars where he belongs.

That woman walking down the street had shoes on. She was in a position to J-Walk which is very dangerous. We had to put her behind bars for her own safety. A driver could get hurt too.

That homeowner was in a perfect position to stiff the bank for payments. We decided to confiscate the house to prevent that. Preventing crime is our job.

The idiotic justifications are limitless, when it comes to breaking the law, even if you're a police officer.

Well officers, we thought you might abuse your power, so we cold cocked you with this ball-bat. I'm sure you understand.

[Sonar5]

Isn't a Bar private property and not public. I would ask to see a warrant and call the police to have the cops tossed out.

If they can do this in a bar what is to stop them from doing it in your home?

[vigilante2]

I got two parking tickets in Boston one week even though I had a parking permit displayed on the windshield of my truck

I contested them

They told me they couldn't overturn a parking violation but I could appeal it if I wanted

[philetus]

How much is the public intoxication in Irvine now?
$100.00 $500.00? x 30 for 1 night?

[Khurkris]

This brings to light a dirty little secret about the state of Texas.

They have this political organization down there named the TABC - Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. It is a group of ploitically appointed goons - usualy the stupid nephew, ignorant brother-in-law and retarded sons & daughters of local county uppity ups who get a badge, a causual "uniform" and a big flashlight. They go into bars and harrass people who just happen to be drinking...in the bar.

They have no power or authority inside the bar, thats private property. But they always ask their victim to please "Just step outside so we can be sure that you are OK" Once outside, they roust, cuff and call the waiting local PD car to come over and take the person to jail. There the charges, or no charges if you don't blow a violation, are made.

Pure political BS. Nothing more than legallized extortion. They split revenues with the local PD and keep the balance to fund their local office.

Answer is...Refuse to go outside with them. They cannot force you to do so. NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY. Their mandate only covers public areas.

Its a damn shame that the people of the fine state of Texas allow this to go on.

I have an interesting story or two about these gooners and their meeting several armed and non-co-operative DEA folks.

[TADSLOS]

[Squawk 8888]

We feel that the only way we're going to get at the drunk driving problem and the problem of people hurting each other while drunk is by crackdowns like this

What a maroon. Ever heard of breathalyzer checkpoints outside bars? Works wonders in my neck of the woods.

[185JHP]

This was done in Houston in the 80s. At that time they arrested people for being drunk in the club (customers) and also arrested club employees they observed selling drinks to drunk people. I liked it then and I like it now...

[KarinG1]

They haven't started arresting us for being drunk at home yet. Or at least if they have, they missed one. LOL

[deport]

The Law

Public Intoxication Statute of Texas

49.02 Public Intoxication

"Public Intoxication" means:

A person commits an offense if the person appears in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger the person or another.

"Intoxicated" is defined as:

1. not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body; or

2. having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.

An offence under this section is a Class C Misdemeanor. An individual adjudged guilty of a Class C misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00. However, for a minor, the punishment terms are in the same manner as if he committed the offense of Possession of Alcohol by a Minor.

[lewislynn]

The goal, she said, was to detain drunks before they leave a bar and go do something dangerous like drive a car.

I'd be more worried they might have guns when they're drunk.

[Arrowhead1952]

The head of the TABC was on KLBJ during the ride home this afternoon. He said their job is to "keep people from hurting themselves or someone else" after they had been at a bar.

The host, Jeff Ward, did ask some pertinent questions. One thing in particular was the answer about the 1/3 of the patrons at bars were over the legal .08 limit, had keys in their pocket and cars in the parking lot of the establishment.

That includes people that were at bars in hotels. Just where in the #e!! does this agent think people park their cars?

The one question Jeff should have asked is, "Why are you arresting people at hotel bars that are intending to go upstairs and go to sleep?"