Freedom to Enjoy Oneself in Public Act (Law'd)

[Fritz]

As a person in recovery from alcoholism, I have a difficult time supporting this.  Really people, we have establishments where people are free to drink- they are called bars.  And the bar will tell you to leave when you have had too much.  I should know, it has happened to me more than a few times.

Alcohol is a dangerous substance, which should be used responsibly by those who consume it.  This bill encourages irresponsible use, and I think does our citizens a disservice.  This bill would arguably benefit homeless alcoholics who have no place to go to do their drinking, and could turn DC into a mecca for such.  On the other hand, it would prevent them from being taken to detox or jail, where they might get a meal and a warm place to sleep.

[Fritz]

The last time I rode on Amtrak, I had several drinks in the bar car.

[Fritz]

The last time I rode on Amtrak, I had several drinks in the bar car.

I really don't understand.

My point was, drinking on a train is legal, as far as I know.

[Fritz]

If you had to spend the night outside, you might think differently.  But that's not even the point.  The point is, this protects the rights of homeless alcoholics to get drunk in public.  Is that really something we want to protect?

You have to be pretty hammered to get arrested for public drunkenness.  I've been arrested for driving drunk, but never just for being drunk, despite weaving my way down sidewalks, riding buses, and even talking to police.  I suppose I would have gotten arrested if I had an open bottle in my hand, and was drinking from it, but why would I need to do that?  That's what the bar is there for.  Most jurisdictions don't have a problem with beer in the park, I suppose it depends on the jurisdiction, and the park.

[Fritz]

I think I already spoke to your point, Snowguy...I have been that drunk person on the bus, and I got in no legal trouble for it.  But I did my drinking in the bar, not on the street, or on the bus.  I have no problem with anyone having a beer by the river, and in most cases, neither does the law.  I think the restrictions that the law does place on where alcohol may be consumed, and how drunk a person may be in public, are reasonable.  They are certainly not excessive.