Good evening, ossifer!

March 22, 2006 5:58 PM

Don't Drink and Drive.
posted by I Love Tacos (70 comments total)

I'm particularly interested in how "public intoxication" is defined under Texas law.

I'm a bit concerned, because I like to have some tequila with my tacos.
posted by I Love Tacos at 6:02 PM on March 22, 2006

posted "Don't Drink"

Correction: Do Drink. At home. Alone with your shame.
posted by mr_roboto at 6:04 PM on March 22, 2006

This concerns me, too, because from time to time I like to have some tacos with my tequila.
posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 6:04 PM on March 22, 2006

“There are a lot of dangerous and stupid things people do when they're intoxicated"

I always thought that was the point.
posted by philcliff at 6:04 PM on March 22, 2006

Fuck you, Texas.
posted by beerbajay at 6:07 PM on March 22, 2006

Arresting people for DUI is fine, car is quite a dangerous object to control when drunk, both for the driver and for others, plus driver can get a taxi or public transport.

I would extend arrest to possesion of firearms while drunk, but arresting people for being drunk seems just pure repression of a behavior ; by analogy people should be arrested for being idiots, because people do stupid things when they are idiots.

Repression doesn't work, as war on drugs and prohibitionism prove abundantly. Moral suasion, education would work better imho.

On a tangential rant, yeah fuck Texas.
posted by elpapacito at 6:09 PM on March 22, 2006

Statute. Looks like in Texas "Intoxicated" means:
(A) not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body; or
(B) having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.

Gentlemen, be sure to check this handy chart before you buy that lovely lady a second drink... unless you want her to get arrested!
posted by I Love Tacos at 6:09 PM on March 22, 2006

They could at least wait outside the bars, watching to see if drunkards get behind the wheel when they come out, or stumble into traffic. Why can't Joe Blow get drunk in a bar and have the bartender call his wife to come safely pick him up? Stupid.

The bar owners and bartenders should be up in arms about this, it's gotta be hurting business.
posted by Gator at 6:09 PM on March 22, 2006

Well - you know it's all about preemption these days!

Get them before they get you! Fight them there, not here.

Next up -- Minority Report.
posted by ericb at 6:10 PM on March 22, 2006

Yet another reason to stay the hell away from Texas.
posted by fenriq at 6:10 PM on March 22, 2006

This is bullshit. I'm not surprised this happening up in Irving. People are very uptight in the Dallas suburbs.

I don't think it would fly in the People's Republic of Austin though. If it does, then fuck you Texas.
posted by birdherder at 6:12 PM on March 22, 2006

hmmm... looks like I need to visit the doctor:

It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the alcohol or other substance was administered for therapeutic purposes and as a part of the person’s professional medical treatment by a licensed physician

I need a prescription for single malt scotch. neat. water back.
posted by I Love Tacos at 6:12 PM on March 22, 2006

FACT: Over 90% of murders are committed by people who are alive

CONCLUSION: If all living people are arrested, no murders will be committed.
posted by b1tr0t at 6:13 PM on March 22, 2006

Next up -- Minority Report.

Reading that, I had a vision of three hat-and-booted rednecks floating in a pool of oil, making predictions of the future based on nothing but prejudice ...
posted by aeschenkarnos at 6:16 PM on March 22, 2006

i grew up in texas, they have the harshest liquor laws in the country.. as a server i could go to jail for serving someone to the point of being drunk, in fact you have to take an 8 hour course every 2 years just to be ABLE to sell alcohol in texas. you are not allowed to be drunk ANYWHERE! only in the safety of your own home, but make sure there are no children or underage people anywhere NEAR the house. you will go to jail.

and Austin is no exception. its just a matter of not getting caught.

this is nothing new to texas... but the drunken accidents is on the decline in texas so yeah..
posted by trishthedish at 6:16 PM on March 22, 2006

Zombie murders are up to 10%... Geez. I thought we had that problem under better control -- it's like an epidemic out there!
posted by zpousman at 6:19 PM on March 22, 2006

“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."



Or, I dunno, maybe....just throwing something out here...instead of using tax dollars for cops we could use them to, uhhhh, provide alternate transportation for people?

Does a taxi ride really cost more than an arrest?
posted by furiousxgeorge at 6:27 PM on March 22, 2006

They were doing the same thing out in Northern Virginia a year or two ago. I mean, what the Hell?!
posted by Heminator at 6:29 PM on March 22, 2006

furious: actually that excuse is made even more laughable, by the fact that one of the bars was a hotel bar.

Odds are good that most of those arrested were businessmen who miss their families, and just wanted to have a few beers before they headed to bed.
posted by I Love Tacos at 6:30 PM on March 22, 2006

Sucks to live in City 17 America.

But I guess you must know that by now.
posted by fire&wings at 6:32 PM on March 22, 2006

In other news, you can buy beer in almost every grocery store in my town now! And wine! You still have to drive out to buy liquor, though. You know you've hit Plano city limits by the line of liquor stores along the highway.
posted by MadamM at 6:33 PM on March 22, 2006

Officers, arrest this man!
posted by furtive at 6:36 PM on March 22, 2006

I was in Austin a few months ago on business and the only thing that y'all had more of than tattoo parlors were bars (and that is saying something). That, and if you wanted to buy the cheap beer at a convenience store, it came in tall boy size only.

In other words, I used to have a favorable impression of TX.
posted by Rawhide at 6:41 PM on March 22, 2006

Wait a minute... Texas cops can't even recognize drunkeness when their own colleagues ride their motorcycles into bars, burn through the floor with their tires, then crash their cycles with an obscenely high BAC... and we are supposed to believe that they can determine the sobriety of perfect strangers?
posted by Operation Afterglow at 6:44 PM on March 22, 2006

ya know... I'm not sure I have a problem with arresting someone who is drunk in public..... I've yet to see someone publicly drunk do something of value, contribute to the arts, or look like anything but an idiot...

but i'm getting old and crabby and pretty much stopped drinking years ago....
posted by HuronBob at 6:47 PM on March 22, 2006

Texas should secede and save all of us the hassle of thinking about Texans.
There. I said it.
posted by disclaimer at 6:48 PM on March 22, 2006

When you let sissy Democrats run your state, you get this type of nanny-regime. Why, if Tom Delay were in power. . . .

Yeah, fuck Texas.
posted by bardic at 6:49 PM on March 22, 2006

(As for me, I stick to punk in drublic.)
posted by bardic at 6:50 PM on March 22, 2006

So, where are they going to hold the next SXSW, then?

'Cause 6th street is like the world's biggest zoo for public drunkeness, SXSW or not.

When I briefly lived in Austin I was pretty sure that being drunk in public on or around 6th street was an official Texas law.

That, and all those single cans of beer iced up and ready to go at the register at every single gas station in the states.

/me misses $12 fifths of the world-class, micro-distilled Tito's Vodka and cheap 12 packs of Shiner Bock, but not enough to move back to fuckin' Texas.
posted by loquacious at 6:57 PM on March 22, 2006

WTF^infinity
posted by HTuttle at 7:02 PM on March 22, 2006

This is not to (just) prevent drunk driving. This is to prevent stupidity.

“There are a lot of dangerous and stupid things people do when they’re intoxicated, other than get behind the wheel of a car,” Beck said. “People walk out into traffic and get run over, people jump off of balconies trying to reach a swimming pool and miss.”

Of course this is stupid law enforcement. So if they really wanted to reduce stupidity, they'd arrest themselves.

BTW - who the hell is really behind this? What kind of meeting took place where this was decided? Was it ultra-conservative moralists from dry counties? Was it liberal anti-libertarians who think no smoking laws should be extended to every substance?
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:02 PM on March 22, 2006

I'm fine if drunk people are arrested. Fuck 'em. If I can't legally have my marijuana, then by gawd throw everyone else in jail.
posted by melt away at 7:05 PM on March 22, 2006

how breathtakingly asinine.
posted by visit beautiful mount weather! at 7:06 PM on March 22, 2006

*directed at post, not 'melt away'*
posted by visit beautiful mount weather! at 7:07 PM on March 22, 2006

"Republic. I like the sound of that word. It means people can live free, talk free, go or come, buy or sell, be drunk or sober, however they choose. Some words give you a feeling. Republic is one of those words that makes me tight in the throat."
John Wayne as Davy Crockett (The Alamo, 1960)
posted by hangashore at 7:28 PM on March 22, 2006

I have no problem with this. [ducks] (duck? Why would I have to duck?)
posted by tomplus2 at 7:29 PM on March 22, 2006

"preventitve arrest"
posted by Timberman at 7:34 PM on March 22, 2006

It's like the Department of Precrime without the 3 miracle precogs! Hooray! The future is now! And the future is TEXAS!
posted by scarabic at 7:36 PM on March 22, 2006

Was it ultra-conservative moralists from dry counties? Was it liberal anti-libertarians who think no smoking laws should be extended to every substance?

Texas is a lot of the former, not much of the latter. The only liberal real enclaves are in Austin and like one neighborhood in Houston.

(former Texan, still can't believe I grew up there)
posted by fungible at 7:38 PM on March 22, 2006

Now you all understand why I drink alone in my bunker.
posted by Gamblor at 7:50 PM on March 22, 2006

Can we give Texas back to Mexico now? Please?
posted by c13 at 7:52 PM on March 22, 2006

The bar owners and bartenders should be up in arms about this, it's gotta be hurting business.

Sorry to disagree, but I'm a former bartender, and all of the bar owners and bartenders I know hate drunks. In fact, drunks are bad for business. The guy belly up to the bar ordering the as much of the cheapest swill he can find drives off the cognac-drinking, steak and shrimp eating customers that all upscale bar owners want to have. I regularly cut off my regulars when they'd had too much to drink in order to clear out some seats at my bar for TIPPING customers. And as pissed as they were at me at the time, every single one of them came in the next day with an apology, a thank-you for sparing them an even worse hangover, and a better tip than I'd seen from them in quite awhile.
posted by Roger Dodger at 7:54 PM on March 22, 2006

I once ordered a scotch at an upscale Houston hotel bar around 1 in the afternoon. The blonde bartender served me with shame, regret, and Texas-sized self righteousness. I wondered what trailer she would later watch cable tv in, before her ex-boyfriend returned to beat her again.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 8:07 PM on March 22, 2006

She was just pissed because it was only 1 in the afternoon and she figured she shouldn't have to work until at least 2:30.
posted by Roger Dodger at 8:20 PM on March 22, 2006

somehow when that guy from texas i knew said, "drink lone star, you'll go far", i don't think this is what he had in mind
posted by pyramid termite at 8:23 PM on March 22, 2006

Roger Dodger: I agree. The problem, which the article does not address, is the definition of "public drunkedness". In theory, my 120 lb. hottie who has had 2 glasses of wine over dinner would have a BAL over 0.08, and could therefore be arrested. How strictly will this law be enforced?
posted by Nquire at 8:42 PM on March 22, 2006

That's a good question, Nquire. And what would allow the police to breathalyze someone to determine if they're over .08? Is an undercover officer seeing them drinking enough probable cause to search their bodies and determine if they've been drinking too much (as defined by the law)? I wouldn't have much of a problem with drunk folks who are making a scene and/or endangering others being picked up, but this has pretty much always been the way it's done. No reason for your hottie to get hauled away after you bought her dinner and everything.
posted by PhatLobley at 9:06 PM on March 22, 2006

Roger Dodger -- sure the owners hate drunks, but I would think that they'd hate the loss of business from people who don't like to go to a bar for a drink or two and get hassled by the cops.

It isn't that I hate cops, I just seem to have a better time when they're not around.

I just hope that Kinky gets elected governor and this tyranny can end.
posted by birdherder at 9:55 PM on March 22, 2006

So, when a certain famous Texan starts frothing at the mouth about 'freedom', this is what he means?

Jeezus, give me the Dutch version any day....
posted by pompomtom at 10:22 PM on March 22, 2006

I've read several stories on this today, and none of them provided any more information than what the linked story does, which isn't much at all. We have no idea if the people who got busted were having a "drink or two" or were having far too much, obviously wasted, stumbling around, puking, and/or acting like idiots or asses. I have been in clubs in all the major cities in Texas, and I can tell you ... the number of people getting obscenely drunk and being stupid in bars is legion.

It seems that everyone here would rather just assume that Texas is becoming a fascist state where people can't go out for a drink after dinner without being tested for drunkenness, when we really know nothing at all about the condition of the people who got busted.
posted by Orb at 10:30 PM on March 22, 2006

My bet is they are arresting obviously wasted people. There is no shortage of them. Of course, one story of the cops making a mistake will be taken as the rule rather than the exception.

Maybe they should expand this sting and start arresting people for public stupidity.
posted by Roger Dodger at 11:05 PM on March 22, 2006

Man, drinking is the only thing I enjoy about Texas.
posted by nadawi at 11:08 PM on March 22, 2006

So when are the Bush twins going to be arrested?
posted by nyxxxx at 11:35 PM on March 22, 2006

I went to the mall today. No one was selling burkas. Should I panic yet?
posted by sourwookie at 12:05 AM on March 23, 2006

Why is the country that advocates free will/speech/expression most vigorously of all countries simultaneously the one that inhibits these things more than any other western/civilized country?

That's what it looks like from over here, anyway.

I hugs Norway.
posted by Haarball at 1:42 AM on March 23, 2006

I hugs Norway.

What, the country with the government wine monopoly and the highest alcohol prices in Europe?

You need to get around more, Haarball.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:58 AM on March 23, 2006

The Jesse Helms's comment flagged as fantastic. The concept of a 'pub lunch' must seem somewhat foreign.
posted by slimepuppy at 2:53 AM on March 23, 2006

“There are a lot of dangerous and stupid things people do when they’re intoxicated, other than get behind the wheel of a car,” Beck said. “People walk out into traffic and get run over, people jump off of balconies trying to reach a swimming pool and miss.”

Sounds like nanny-state overreach to me, Hoss.

I AM A GOLDEN GOD!!!

/splat
posted by psmealey at 3:22 AM on March 23, 2006

Peter, I didn't mean in general, but rather in this spesific context.

I'm aware that we're just about the most expensive country in Europe and that we've got fairly restricive alcohol laws.

I should mention that the article you linked to isn't entirely correct. Paying with credit cards is very possible, the Vinmonopolet shops aren't especially "intimidating" and a lot of shops don't keep the merchandise behind the counter.

That said, taxes here are OUTRAGEOUS, and alcoholic beverage isn't a one-off in that regard. An example: The price of a liter of gas was about 11.55 NKR a few days ago (can't be arsed to search for a currency calculator, but I'd guess that's about 18-20 US dollars).

Back on topic: I hugs Norway for not having an entirely batshit insane government (they're just a bit greedy).
posted by Haarball at 3:46 AM on March 23, 2006

I hugs Norway for not having an entirely batshit insane government (they're just a bit greedy).

And on reflection, Haarball, I'd be more than happy to live there myself (particularly as I don't drink alcohol) so forgive my quibbles.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:01 AM on March 23, 2006

Mind you, it's prefferable to have a liking for huge piles of snow, slippery roads, an average winter temperature of, ooh, -15C, extremely expensive petrol and, most importantly, beautiful scenery and breathtaking fjords.

You're most welcome.
posted by Haarball at 4:18 AM on March 23, 2006

a litre of petrol would cost you round about 2 USD (not 20). Sort of like it does in Britain (Premium unleaded anyway).
posted by trol at 5:59 AM on March 23, 2006

Ron White just died a little inside.

"Hey,hey,HEY! I was drunk in a BAR. They THREW me into PUB-LIC. I don't want to drunk in public, I want to be drunk in a bar...which is perfectly legal...arrest THEM!"
Retrieved from "http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ron_White"
posted by Cyrano at 7:05 AM on March 23, 2006

Yeah, trol, that's what I meant. 1,8-2.
posted by Haarball at 7:10 AM on March 23, 2006

Will they arrest me if I logon to teh intarwebs drunk? because, you know, there's a lot of bad things a drunk poster can do to a site...

PS: I'm sober now.
posted by qvantamon at 7:15 AM on March 23, 2006

I was going to post this in the dupe of this:

----
Yeah, Texas is a police state. They'll arrest you and your parents for skipping school. They have curfews for kids. Very authoritarian. They have Year round schooling yet one of the worst educational systems in the country.

They view the solution to every problem as punishing the population even more.
posted by delmoi at 7:58 AM on March 23, 2006

ya know... I'm not sure I have a problem with arresting someone who is drunk in public..... I've yet to see someone publicly drunk do something of value, contribute to the arts, or look like anything but an idiot...
posted by HuronBob at 6:47 PM PST on March 22

So you would advocate the arrest of someone at any time they're not actively contributing to society and also looking like an idiot? In that case, you should be thrown in jail for that comment.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 7:59 AM on March 23, 2006

Why does being in a bar mean that you are drinking in public? Would you be considered 'drinking in public' if you were in a private club? How about a private country club? How about a private country club with wealthy politicians? How about a private country club with wealthy and influential, republican politicians? Nah, I didn't think so.
posted by JJ86 at 8:23 AM on March 23, 2006

What if you're hunting with Dick Cheney?
posted by bigbigdog at 9:07 AM on March 23, 2006

"No wonder you're so skinny, when you scream you scare the shit out of them, when you jump on them you knock all the wind out of them, Dammit boy, only thing left of a Texan after that is boots and beltbuckles."
posted by Divine_Wino at 9:45 AM on March 23, 2006