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.
"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."
LOL
Hi TABC Capt. David Alexander! Nanny state jack-boot thugs like yourself are one of the primary reasons I advocate gun ownership!
Paging Ron White.
Its really none of your dammed business what I might do cop.
Oh the inanity!
Motion made and seconded by the senior Senator from Massachusetts.
I think this lacks sober judgment.
It's all right there.
Is their an officer, problem?
I swear to drunk that I'm not God.
I think I just need a coff of cuppee.
Ah Yes. The Social Inforcers. It takes a special breed of
do-gooders for that type of work.(Read Oppression)
I'll bet you can find lots of cops drunk in public at the local cop watering hole on any given night. Safe to say there won't be any arrests made there, I'll bet.
what make you drink i've been thinking?
I was drunk in a private bar, the bouncer through me out in public.
Obviously, we have defeated our crime problem. Half the police in Texas are either running radar traps to catch people doing five miles over the speed limit or seeking to give someone a criminal record for no good reason.
"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."
If this clown drinks, he's toast. Some local editor will keep an eye on him and get a good story out of it if he's ever seen drunk somewhere.
I'm just glad I was driving...
I couldn't walk worth a damn!
It's more dangerous to be drunk in your home than in a hotel bar as there are sharp objects in the kitchen that could poke your eye out.
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