They call me...Tator...Tator Salad
You caught the tator! lol
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.
Legal drunkeness starts at .08 BAC in most states. Happiness begins right around .09 to .10 BAC. I have to go against the Cops on this one and side with God and Ben Franklin.
We have far too many cops in this country when they have the time and inclination to judge.
Totally disgusting, aren't they! ugh!
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?
What did they do...make everybody take a breathalyzer test?
Saving lives, cop code for "do whatever the $#$% we want". And amazingly some, even here on FR, will give these jackboot, totalitarians, a pass.
Rapidly approaching the point where stretching their necks will be necessary to preserve freedom.
Well that should pay the staff a living wage.
All your rights as an American are hereby revoked. Please move to communist china where you belong chained to a wall in a dungeon filled with other cockroaches like yourself...at least you will be safe from the rest of us.
It's all right there.
You hit the nail on the head. Every tyrant has uses the "public good" as an excuse to slowly eliminate freedom and liberty. The trouble is far too many people want a nanny government rather than the risks involved in living in a free society. They welcome the thugs like this TABC Capt. and readily relinquish freedom for the illusion of safety.
It's sad that there are so many who hold freedom and liberty in such low regard.
There are a kazillion lawyers in and around the metro-plex..whatcha wanna bet that at least one of 'em is getting a list of names and addresses together as we speak and will be sending letters out prior to any ones's court date?
Jawohl, herr gruppenfürher.
And that they are never caught in civies.
It is getting to the point that taking a sudafed would be impaired driving.
"One may drink unto the point of hilarity." - Thomas Aquinas
And you're right, that starts somewhere slightly north of .08
If it saves the live of ONE CHILD!
Incahol and Gasoloon jusht don't mix occifer.
When I was about 17 I went out with some friends and got plastered. When I came home my dad confronted me and asked me if I had been drinking. I of course denied that I had. He then asked me that if that was the case why was a slurring my words and staggering? I replied: "I never stir my words or slagger." He couldn't help himself, he started to laugh then told me to go to bed. True story.
True story.
The guy was an idiot...and I laughed when I heard about it.
Ah've wanted to be TABC since ah wuz 8 years old.
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