Comments on: TABC clears agents of excessive force, says they didn’t target Rainbow Lounge

By: bill farquhar

bill farquhar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:52:28 +0000

Now that ALL the facts are becoming known, it is apparent that the policy violations for which the agents were fired had little if anything to do with the events leading up to the arrests. Should those poiciies be reviewed and/or modified? Possibly. Its likely that few, if any, of the officers involved were aware of the significance of the date, but when that is factored in, there is reason to suspect that there were some customers present that night who harbored latent animosities and bias toward the police. If this incident is going to be examined from EVERY angle, that is certainly a fair and relevant issue to address. Bottom line: In this country everyone is entitled to fair and equal treatment under the law (both the police and the public). We get the facts before passing judgement. Fact: The arrests and injuries that occurred that night were directly attributable to the actions and intoxicated conditions of those arrested. It is regrettable but inevitable that incidents like this will occur from time to time. When that happens ALL the facts and contributing factors should be made public. Perhaps by doing so we can at least minimize their frequency. No one should get a “free pass.”

By: Michael Ismoe

Michael Ismoe — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:35:47 +0000

If this is the way you’all treat your bar patrons, then maybe I better stay away from texas. I was supposed to attend a convention there but this made me change my mind. Good Luck.

By: kelli Busey

kelli Busey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:03:35 +0000

John, thanks for your level headed and responsible reporting. My reaction is this, when I visit Fort Worth GLBT bars am I to expect to be thrown to the ground and physically assaulted by the Ft Worth police should they enter the establishment? B/S. I am a entitled to all the rights and privileges as the person drinking there favorite beverage at the 19th hole. This is BS and we need to stand up and protest LOUDLY or we may find ourselves face down like the patrons of the Eagle in Atlanta and told to ‘Shut the F### up.