First SMU-now the entire state of Texas.
That’s the motto of the Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission as it embarks on its latest plan to make Texas safe for you.
TABC officials have begun enforcing a new policy that allows their officers to arrest people for public intoxication in bars. This can happen even when the person has a designated driver, or in the case of some poor guy in Irving, when you’re drinking in the hotel bar and your room is just an elevator ride away.
Officials say that being drunk is clear cut-even if you are in a bar, it’s still a public place.
And unlike driving under the influence, where a breathalyzer is used, officers make arrests based on observations of slurred speech or bloodshot eyes.
If that isn’t creepy enough, undercover officers make the arrests.
That’s right — the person you strike up a conversation with at a bar could really be working for the TABC and is just waiting for you to get sloshed.
Needless to say, reaction hasn’t been good.
People who want to get hammered without being harassed have been hammering the TABC. Media coverage has been, well, negative. But that hasn’t discouraged TABC officials, who vow to continue on their crusade.
None of this should surprise SMU students though.
We are all too familiar with the work of the Shiner Bach Stasis.
The boulevard was a true oasis in the desert that SMU football has been the past few years. However, in 2004 the TABC ended the party and things really haven’t been the same since.
It seems as if ruining the boulevard wasn’t enough for the TABC. It is now spreading its love statewide. And frankly, enough is enough.
There is no good reason to go around arresting and fining people for drinking in a bar. If you can’t drink in a bar, then where can you drink?
No one wants drunk drivers on the road, but this policy crosses the line.
TABC officials need to reconsider their plans and tone down their heavy enforcement of public intoxication rules.
That said, enjoy your drink-while hiding in your room, with the door locked and a blanket over your head.