Cracker Barrel bans Poulan, Ga. man for life

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution

Cracker Barrel restaurants has banned Troy Dale West Jr., accused of beating a woman in front of her child, saying he cannot go into any of their establishments for the rest of his life, the company said Friday.

The restaurant chain is based in Lebanon, Tenn. The assault happened last Wednesday in Morrow.

"Cracker Barrel believes that what happened is reprehensible. It could have happened anywhere, and we are dismayed that it happened in the entrance of our building," the company said in a statement.

The restaurant gave police a surveillance video. The company said its policy is to give surveillance video to police and other law enforcement agencies only.



Read more: http://www.ajc.com/news/clayton/cracker-barrel-bans-poulan-140459.html

[derby378]

1. But other than that, he's a free man...

I damn well better see some felony charges arise out of this. West called his victim a "nigger bitch" no less than two times while raining blows upon her while her poor daughter watched.

[napi21]

4. Don't hold your breath! A few weeks ago some guy in a

grocery store told a small child's mother if you don't shut that kid up, I will, and he precedded to hit the child in the face 4 times. My husband just told me this AM that there will be no charges agains HIM because Ga. has no law prohibiting that behavior!

[derby378]

8. Okay, now I need a drink

So it's legal to beat up someone else's child in Georgia for no reason? Damn.

[MineralMan]

9. Ah...no law in Georgia against assault and battery on a child?

Really?

Oh...wait...was the child not white? Oh...never mind. :sarcasm:

[napi21]

14. Aparently my hubby misunderstood the news report. Here

is a link that explains that he hasn't been CHARGED yet, & not granted bondf, but he's still in jail pending the DA's decision on what to do.

http://www.ajc.com/news/no-bond-set-for-140008.html

It does make me question Ga. DA and what the hold up is!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

23. It could well be they're doing this so he will be processed through the system faster

If he doesn't get his bail hearing he has to go to court within 90 days. Rather than be let out on bail and wait up to 2-years for his trial date.

[MineralMan]

24. Ah, OK. Good to hear.

[paulsby]

56. posts like this show astounding ignorance of the criminal justice system

and we see them all the time.

once the prosecutor charges somebody, the "clock starts" in regards to all sorts of speedy trial motions, etc.

discovery kicks in.

etc.

people who do not have INTIMATE knowledge of ALL the case facts are remiss in criticizing PA's for this. PA's should act prudently, and have ethical considerations also about when to charge.

i've had similar delays in regards to people i've arrested. and in every case, there was VERY good reason for that.

due process is important. and sometimes it means things don't happen as quickly as people would like.

so what? what's important is that the prosecutor does it right. not expediently

[robo50]

60. I, too, wish we could get rid of ignorance in posts on the DU, but

unfortunately, many people post here BEFORE they read both sides of a story, or before they learn how prosecuting attorneys work, or before they graduate from high school, with a basic knowledge of the way our nation of laws is set up, and how it works.

They just post to see a post showing their personal outrage on the internet.

Some people expect all problems to be solved by the time the 60 minute law and order episode has been aired, results after a two minute commercial break.

[paulsby]

62. yes, if they don't get instant gratification

then there must be some sort of scandal or double standard or injustice or whatnot (as long as the victim/suspect relationship fits the preferred metanarrative).

law enforcement should be bold in execution, but not reckless.

the last thing we need is more nifongs out there.

[robo50]

64. I think we seem to have a lot of Nifongs, here, unfortunately.

Being a progressive or liberal doesn't give one license to pre-judge, to exhibit prejudice, to show bias before careful consideration of facts.

Unfortunately, some people who post here seem to the think being a liberal or progressive gives them that right.. no more facts needed.

[paulsby]

66. well, in the broadest sense

they have the right to post reactionary, illogical, factless drivel.

but we have the right to call them on it

thank god.

or at least we do contingent on DU admin acceptance, since it's their board.

the nifong case is a good example, because even a CURSORY look at the case facts from practically the beginning cast serious doubts on the "victim" credibility.

but that didn't MATTER because the metanarrative was compelling - poor black single mother workin' her way up vs. (allegedly) rich privileged white jocks.

[robo50]

67. well, again, I agree, we all have a right to post here, whether it's

clear analysis of fact, or, as you describe, sometimes, "reactionary, illogical, factless drivel"

I think we should call them out on it, on both ends, when it's "reactionary, illogical, factless drivel" OR when it's clear insightful analysis of all the facts.

I want to compliment SO MANY DU'ers here who post reasonable material, facts, links, entertainment, and insight.

I want to thank moderators for letting that happen so often here.

By the way, MOST of the time, the extremely emotional thoughtless reactions come from the right wingers, and MOST liberals and progressives are smart enough, (like me when I'm wrong) to admit it, give it another think, evaluate the evidence.

My last BLOOPER here on DU? I thought some folks were talking about Rep. King from NY state, evidently there's another from Iowa... OOOOPS!

[paulsby]

68. i agree with everythingexcept one thing

that liberals and progressives (at least here) are any more likely to simply admit they are wrong than anybody else.

but that;s a think a factor of the internet, where simply admitting one is wrong seems for most to be some sort of thing they can't do lest the entire edifice of their existence come crashing down on their head.

it really frigging amazes me.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

20. edit.

I missed your post with the same link as this below. :)

[hugo_from_TN]

52. Right, those terrible Southerners have no laws against beating children.

:eyes:

[Poll_Blind]

6. See, the world I like to live in (the one I try to force on the rest of the world) is one where...

...that kind of behavior from a human is so far beyond the pale that it should warrant an instant no-brainer response.

It makes me sad that I live in a world where, sometimes, I feel I have to sell the idea that that is heinous and utterly reprehensible.

Not here, but out in the real world. It's tiring. But I keep doing it so I guess I still feel, deep down, that it's worth it.

PB

[pattmarty]

40. I think it's just the "country", not necessarily the "world".

[robo50]

61. "Instant no-brainer response"...defines George W Bush to a T!

Let's try to be a bit above that level of base human behavior.

[Ian David]

2. Wow. If you're too racist for The Cracker Barrel, you're REALLY racist.

You hear THAT, racists?

If you're a customer of The Cracker Barrel, you are not allowed to be mean to the brown people.

THAT privilege is reserved for the STAFF of The Cracker Barrel.

[KyleA]

13. No crackers in the cracker barrel?

Is that really a punishment or a reward?

[Bette Noir]

18. Why the hate?

Where else can I get blackened catfish for breakfast? I love Cracker Barrel. For the record, I'm Puerto Rican, my husband is Jewish (and looks it), and we have always gotten great service at Cracker Barrel.

[MineralMan]

27. Cracker Barrel has a long history of discrimination.

It has paid out millions over incidents of discriminatory treatment of blacks. Now, they have non-discrimination signs visible when you enter the places, but that doesn't mean that subtle discrimination does not take place there.

Learn more at the Wikipedia article on this chain:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_Barrel

[AlbertCat]

29. Where else can I get blackened catfish for breakfast?

Well, you could make it yourself, y'know.


Cracker Barrel is the pit's, unless you need to buy some tacky oil lamps.

[haydukelives]

37. I would never

go in a Cracker Barrel Restaurant.
ever

[hugo_from_TN]

50. I love Cracker Barrel

I'll go twice as often to offset you!

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[KyleA]

69. blackened catfish for breakfast?

you must have a cast iron stomach LOL

[Crzyrussell]

22. I don't

think what haapened makes the employees of the cracker barrel racist.

Why do you label them as such?

[Ian David]

26. The Google is your friend.

Taking the "Cracker" out of Cracker Barrel
http://law.richmond.edu/jurispub/1999/11/Nov99-Cecil2.html


See also:

http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/boycotts,3.html

http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/teamsters-boycott-cracker-barrel-ruby-tuesday-and-outback

http://www.blackvoices.com/boards/entertainment/entertainmnt/entertainment/sister-gets-beat-up-at-cracker-barrel/274266/printDisc/181/20

What do yinz think of Cracker Barrel?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5306029#5306057



That should get you started.

Google the rest on your own.

[Hosnon]

25. Wow - uncalled for. nt.

[Ian David]

30. No, it's not. Fuck the Cracker Barrel.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4066528&mesg_id=4066677


See also:

Supreme court: anti-bias laws cover reprisal claims
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=3327263

[Hosnon]

31. Hey genius, you attacked the employees as well as the company. nt.

[Ian David]

33. I sure as hell did. n/t

[Hosnon]

34. Right. Because you know every single employee (or even most; or even many; or even...any?)

The irony surrounding race on DU blows my fucking mind.

[Ian David]

38. You're right. There are absolutely no racists at Cracker Barrel.

:sarcasm:

[Hosnon]

41. You're not very good at this are you? I never said that. nt.

[Ian David]

42. You stole my sweater. n/t

[MineralMan]

35. The company has an official policy of non-discrimination now,

after paying out millions in damages for that very thing. That does not mean that local stores and employees do not engage in such discrimination. It is not the company that discriminates, in any case. It is the management and employees of the individual places of business.

If you are maintaining that no racial discrimination occurs in Cracker Barrel restaurants and stores, then you are, quite simply, either naive or saying the thing that is not.

[Hosnon]

36. I'm not maintaining that at all. Ian David labeled every employee a racist. nt.

[Ian David]

39. Not ALL. n/t

[Hosnon]

43. Okay. "Most"? "Many"? "Some"? nt.

[Ian David]

44. Enough of them. Because it's condoned by the ownership. n/t

[Hosnon]

47. You're doing nothing more than attributing the faults of some to others.

Again, which is extremely ironic on a racism thread.

[Ian David]

49. I didn't realize Cracker Barrel Employees were an ethnic group. Crackerbarrelians? n/t

[Hosnon]

51. Who said they were an ethnic group? nt.

[Ian David]

53. When will you give me back my sweater? n/t

[MineralMan]

45. No, he did not. Again, you have said the thing which is not.

Before and after the 2004 discrimination suits, I have visited Cracker Barrels in Florida and Tennessee because relatives chose that chain. Now, in both cities where I ate at them, there is a large black population. In neither restaurant did I see a single black diner...at any time I was there. I know it's a small sample...just four visits.

I went there for breakfast, and have to admit that I enjoy their biscuits, which are among the best I have found.

Now, in places where there is a large black population, you would expect to encounter some black families eating in a busy restaurant. Not at Cracker Barrel. Why do you suppose that is?

These days, when I visit those relatives, I insist on going to Wawful House, where you will see many black workers and diners. I dislike Wawful House food, but they don't seem to discriminate on the basis of race. They will even tolerate Yankees who ask that they hold the grits.

[Hosnon]

46. Ian David:

"If you're a customer of The Cracker Barrel, you are not allowed to be mean to the brown people.

THAT privilege is reserved for the STAFF of The Cracker Barrel."

There is no qualifier on "STAFF" to indicate anything less than all. Using broad brushes is never justified, and particularly amusing in racism threads.

[MineralMan]

55. 'The Staff' is an group noun. It does not imply that the

ENTIRE staff acts as one. You see this in restaurant reviews all the time, as in "The staff seems poorly trained in food service." What that means, in a review, is that the reviewer found that to be the case with the staff who served the reviewer.

Any time there is discrimination against customers in a Cracker Barrel, it is the staff that does it. It's not some guy on the street, but the employees and management in the place where the discrimination took place. The staff.

There is absolutely no denying that Cracker Barrel has been discriminatory. The corporation has paid out millions of dollars to deal with incidents. It discriminated against GLBT employees. It discriminated against black customers. Does it still? I do not know. I do know that it's not all that popular with the black population in most areas it serves.

While you play semantic games, the issue is something else. That most Cracker Barrels are in the South is irrelevant. Most Wawful Houses are too.

[Hosnon]

57. No, you're playing semantic games.

If I say, "DUers are stupid", clearly I mean all of them. If I meant otherwise, I would so indicate.

[MineralMan]

32. Not necessarily

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_Barrel

[lapfog_1]

3. Well, that'l learn him!! - sarcasm - n/t

[bigworld]

5. Good for them

As a private company there is little else they can really do.

[Ian David]

16. Now there is no place else where he can sleep in his mobile home except for Wal-Mart. n/t

[47of74]

7. What a....

What a nice, upstanding gentleman we've got here.




NOT!

[mopinko]

10. how come this woman doesn't have a couple of army buddies

that could pay this clown a visit?

[robo50]

65. Nice fantasy, if life were really like what it was in cartoons!

No, we are beyond that now, the man will go to jail for this, lose his lifelong, (non) fortune, and Cracker Barrel will dance away from this without a dime in fines, penalties, or any payment.....perhaps they can do something for this woman/soldier out of just plain gratitude to our armed forces.

I bet they will give her free meals for life.... costs very little to do that.

[Downwinder]

11. Sounds great, how do you enforce it?

Are they going to post a picture at every Cracker Barrel locations? or just wait until check out and get a name from the credit card and say "Sorry you are not allowed in here."

They an always require a picture ID for admittance.

[mbperrin]

12. 86'd from the Cracker Barrel. His mom must be proud.

I'm willing to be she's had many other times as well.

But banned from the Cracker Barrel. He should be required to put that on a bumper sticker on his car.

AFTER he gets out of prison.

In like, 20 years.

[Gedankenaustausch]

15. Specifics about hate crime

Can anybody quote or discuss what has to happen in order to prosecute someone with a hate crime? I've always been a little fuzzy about this. Can just the words you say during a fight be used to effectively prosecute someone for hate crime?

[Beacool]

17. Good for them!!!

I'll be sure to give them my business next time I'm on the road (there are none near me).

:thumbsup:

[liberal N proud]

19. And they call that punishment?

Maybe the moron was forced to eat there that day and was angry to start with.

Banning (although the right thing to do) may be just what he wants.

[NoSheep]

21. My goodness! That's strong medicine for a racist! Banned from Cracker Barrel for life!

I wonder if he'll throw himself in the path of an oncoming train...with nothing more to live for and all.....


:eyes:

[Uncle Joe]

28. Kicked and recommended, this isn't over yet but it's a good move by Cracker Barrel.

Thanks for the thread, RamboLiberal.

[JustAnotherGen]

48. How about his mother's comments

She's a liar. She raised the monster and she can't even fess up to what a nothing loser he is???

[Cha]

54. No more Cracker Barrel to look forward to after

he gets out of prison for beating up on a woman with rage that smacks of a hate crime.

[AngryOldDem]

58. Not much of a punishment, IMHO. n/t

[marshall]

59. How are they going to enforce that?

Will every Cracker Barrel employee across the country have to learn this man's name and face, as well as however many others are "banned for life"?

[provis99]

70. well, he beat a black woman. He'll be welcome at Denny's.

The only restaurant more "cracker" than the Cracker Barrel.