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.
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.
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?
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...
Yeah, cops suck. THey let each other off when they get caught DWI.
Another example that the Founding Fathers would be pleased with, not.
Their dream of a limited government, by the people, getting trounced again.
.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.
Ha! So did he let you sleep 'til noon, or get you up at the crack of dawn for some yard work?
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.
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!
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.
bttt
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.
"Going to a bar is not an opportunity to go get drunk"
I was misinformed.
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?
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.
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.
Another example that the Founding Fathers would be pleased with, not.
Their dream of a limited government, by the people, getting trounced again.
"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!"
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