March 22, 2006
Irving, TX a Safe Place to Live
Because apparently they’ve solved all the real crimes…
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.”
Texas used to be the sort of place where walking into a bar looking to arrest someone randomly would be met with the sound of firearms being cocked (or so the legend goes, anyway). What the hell happened? It’s times like this that I just want to head for Montana and become a hermit. I’ve already learned to make my own beer, so all I need to do is figure out how to grow food and hunt, and I’ll be ready!
At least a stand-up comedian knows the score:
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.
Damn right. Buy that guy a beer. Or, more accurately, serve him a beer in a private club where the federali’s can’t get ya.
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If you are not drunk then they shouldn’t be arresting you for drinking, especially since you aren’t driving at the time.