TABC Officers Try To Stop Activist From Taking Pictures
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Sun, 10/07/2007 - 14:40.
If you live anywhere near Lower Greenville, the name Avi Adelman probably invokes strong emotions.
Avi has, for years, worked to bring about more code enforcement and law enforcement in the area. He publishes lists of miscreants who have been arrested in the area for a plethora of charges.
Some like his style, some don't--but everyone has something to say about it.
On Texas-OU weekend, Avi was out and saw an arrest taking place after an apparent failed hit-and-run. He whipped out his camera phones and began to take video.
Only this time, several officers from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission decided to try and prevent it. It seems the female officer was concerned about the arrested female's right to "freedom from embarassment."
It seems someone hasn't talked to these guys about Freedom of the Press... yet.
TABC Needs to be Reined In
The TABC in Texas has long been known as the "Enforcers" for the large breweries. Why do you think that there are almost no microbreweries in Texas? Why do you think that there are almost no brew pubs in Texas? Don't you think this is odd for state that's widely known for loving it's beer? Particularly in state that has nearly ideal water for brewing, which is a major deciding factor when deciding where to locate a brewery.
This is just further proof that they need to be reined in or better yet, disbanded. I don't see why we need a seperate agency just to oversee the production, distribution, and sale of booze, tobacco, and firearms. I'm quite certain that the State Highway Patrol, Texas Rangers (ones with badges not baseball bats), and various county health departments could be empowered to handle everything that the TABC is doing now and probably with less of a budget.
2 cents,
RecentCoin
TABC serves a purpose
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission serves a good purpose. They make sure that State level alcohol related laws are enforced.
What Avi caught on his cell phone is sad, as it negates the image of enforcement in the spririt of stopping drinking related fatalities.
When I worked in restaurants, clubs and what all, the TABC were ALWAYS professional and helpful, never with a strong arm or condescending attitude. Maybe the officers Avi filmed need to be looked at and given a refresher course on civil rights.
The reason we don't have a lot of micro-breweries is more because idiots think Bud Light or Coors is beer.
[Ed Note: You know, words of wisdom abound from our readers from time to time! That last quote it priceless!
The TABC woman, a rookie as it turned out, reported the incident herself--so the supervisor was already aware of it. However, the other guys involved didn't. So now there's a full investigation going on.
There was also a memo circulated addressing the issue of non-interference with photography.]