What an evil example for us all - a politician having a Guinness in public:
Texas gubernatorial hopeful Kinky Friedman says there was an open beer in his hand as he rode in a parade car in Dallas with his trademark black hat and burning cigar. Friedman appeared to violate the state's open container law by drinking from a can of Guinness while seated in a convertible during a St. Patrick's Day parade. Texas law prohibits opened alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of a motor vehicle.Dallas police Lieutenant Rick Watson says Friedman can't be cited after the fact because it wasn't witnessed at the time by an officer.While this would be the state of the law here in my Ontario, it was a small delight to find myself at a parade in the nearest bit of the USA - Cape Vincent NY - at a parade a few years ago and ask the nearest police officer how it was he was not arresting all these people walking around with beer cans as a round about way of asking if I might follow their example. He explained that the law of that town was that open containers were OK but don't get behind the wheel. Civility itself.
No wonder 5000 came to that small village of 500 to enjoy the parade, the hundred of craft booths, the restaurants - the day. The local law was written to protect against the dangers of drinking and driving without imposing and demonizing the can of Guinness or whatever else you might want in hand. In the madness of the moment, I had one beer.
Comments
Todd - March 13, 2006 10:33 AM
In Syracuse NY we also have open container laws, but during the St. Patricks day parade and festivities, you need not worry about having an open containers along the parade route. Heck, Clark's Ale House does a very brisque business selling 1/2 gallon to-go beers that weekend.
Todd
blork - March 14, 2006 1:23 PM
That was a crime! What kind of a dope drinks Guiness straight from the can? Put it in glass!