S.I.D.: Sorry, Impossible Demeanor

The S.I.D. (Special Investigations Division) Agents were working overtime at the tailgating scene in Las Cruces, New Mexico this weekend. I was tailgating with family and friends there prior to the New Mexico State University/University of New Mexico game when I witnessed and became part of some unfortunate encounters.

Tailgaters next to us were approached by a couple of agents who simply announced, "you look young, how old are you? If you don't tell me, I can have you arrested." The kids told them their ages and the agents made them pour out their beer --two 30-packs of Bud Light --and then they cited them. I walked over to see what was going on, and one of the agents turned his attention to me. I couldn't help but notice that he had a pierced tongue --how many times the metal detector goes off back at the station due to it, I don't know. But it did remind me of what Chris Rock said and it was a precursor to predictable poor behavior on his part. He raised his voice at me and put on an aggressive stance and "ordered" me to produce proof of my age. He marveled at the tremendous power he had for the duration of our two-minute conversation. After having a good time with him, I decided to show him my license and watched him walk away.

For those of you that I talked to at the tailgate party: There was no reason for the S.I.D. Agents to approach you in the first place. It is not illegal to look younger than 21 years old. In addition, one doesn't possess alcohol that is in their system, and does not necessarily possess alcohol that is ten feet from them in a cooler. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution still exists --even at tailgate parties. Be sure to get a lawyer and fight those citations.