Wednesday, April 30, 2014

"Step away from the elevator button, Sir!"

Several years ago, in a hotel ballroom on Long Island, I was privileged to be emceeing an evening of convention frivolity and awards for a large organization.  When the major part of the program was over, I walked over to one of the bars and asked for two double Beefeater's Martinis, explaining that I was two hours behind the crowd. 

The bartender shook his head, smiled, and apologized but pointed out that local DWI laws prevent bars from serving doubles because they can be held responsible for any accidents incurred by the imbibers.  I pulled out the key to my comped  hotel room on the 12th Floor and pointed out that the only thing I would be driving is the elevator, when I pushed the button.  He grinned -- and served me my drinks. 

NOT ANY MORE!  Apparently, there is a new trend now that allows law enforcement officers enter a hotel, their bars, public and private, and shake down citizens to see if they have had too much to drink.  Excuse me?  No, not for intoxication in a public place -- for potential DWI/DUI!!

Is this the same country that claims that there are not enough law enforcement funds to arrest and detain ILLEGAL ALIENS that cross our borders and break the law just by being here? Yet there is enough money and motivation to go into these private establishments and arrest folks for crimes which they have neither committed, nor intend to commit?  

Down the slippery slope we continue to slide.........   Oh, and by the way - this isn't just a Blue State law back east.... it's latest incarnation is happening in Fort Worth Texas.   Which used to be known as where West Texas begins.... but morphing into where Old Texas is ending.

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