By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Former U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino was reportedly asked to leave a Las Vegas bar due to safety concerns for its customers. A representative from the Bottled Blonde establishment stated that Bovino was escorted out in accordance with venue policy to maintain a safe environment. This incident occurred days after Bovino was removed from his post in Minneapolis, where federal officers had recently fatally shot protesters. The report coincides with President Trump’s acknowledgment that a “softer touch” might be needed in Minnesota, as public opinion increasingly suggests federal agents have overstepped their authority.
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The news about Border Patrol boss Gregory Bovino being tossed from a Las Vegas bar has certainly sparked a lot of commentary, and frankly, it’s a story with layers of irony and public sentiment that are hard to ignore. When you hear that someone in a position of authority, tasked with enforcing certain rules, finds themselves on the receiving end of a business’s “we reserve the right to refuse service” policy, it’s understandable why people find it noteworthy. The fact that this happened in Las Vegas, a city synonymous with entertainment and a certain level of public expectation, just adds to the intrigue.
The venue’s official statement, that the patron was asked to leave and escorted out “in accordance with venue policy to maintain a safe and orderly environment for all patrons,” is a rather diplomatic way of saying they wanted him gone. It’s a standard business practice, of course, but in this particular instance, it feels like a public repudiation, and many are finding that quite satisfying. The idea of the person who, in a figurative sense, has been telling others to “show me your papers” being the one asked to produce his exit papers from a bar is a narrative many are enjoying.
The parallels drawn to a story about a crustpunk bar refusing service to someone with Nazi insignia are striking. That anecdote highlights a proactive approach to preventing a negative environment from developing, emphasizing the idea of “nipping it in the bud.” The bartender’s reasoning – that welcoming seemingly polite individuals can lead to a gradual entrenchment of problematic groups – resonates with a sentiment that businesses have a responsibility to curate their clientele to ensure a welcoming space for everyone. This principle, when applied to Bovino, suggests that his presence was deemed undesirable for similar reasons of maintaining a certain atmosphere.
There’s a strong current of opinion that people like Bovino should face public disapproval and be denied access to public accommodations. The sentiment expressed is that if individuals are perceived to have acted in ways that harm others, then society has the right to withdraw its services and welcome. This idea extends beyond just bars, encompassing restaurants, grocery stores, and any place offering public service. The desire for him to be “jettisoned” from public life, as one comment put it, underscores a deep dissatisfaction with certain actions attributed to him or his role.
Some are openly hoping for a severe and lasting consequence for Bovino, wishing him no peace and suggesting extreme measures for his future. The mention of a stadium-wide “Fuck ICE” chant in Las Vegas from a recent wrestling event brings up the broader anti-ICE sentiment that seems to be at play here. For some, Bovino’s experience in the bar is not an isolated incident but part of a larger public reckoning with the actions and perceived injustices associated with border enforcement.
The comparison to certain characters in popular culture, like being “tossed like jazz from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” injects a bit of humor into the situation, albeit a dark humor. Similarly, the references to failure montages in Adam Sandler comedies and the “oompa loompa” comparison, while lighthearted, reflect a feeling that Bovino is experiencing a moment of public downfall or indignity. The idea of him being “tossed out of the bar, into a van, deported, and never seen again” speaks to a desire for ultimate removal and accountability.
The notion that it takes a significant level of perceived negative behavior to be kicked out of a Las Vegas bar is a point many are latching onto. It suggests that Bovino’s ejection wasn’t a minor incident but a reflection of a strong negative reaction from the establishment. The hope that more businesses would adopt similar policies towards individuals perceived as belonging to a “regime” highlights a desire for widespread social consequence and ostracization as a form of protest.
There’s also an interesting, albeit brief, discussion about Bovino’s choice of drink – wine – with some finding it an amusing detail given his perceived persona. This small observation highlights how even minor details can be scrutinized and used to fuel commentary when public figures are involved in controversial events. The idea that he’s a “Border boy drinks wine and not beer? How elitist” adds a touch of derision to the ongoing discourse.
The idea that this should happen everywhere he goes suggests a desire for consistent public disapproval. The comment about society seeing and judging individuals accordingly for their actions is a recurring theme. While acknowledging that replicating the harm is not the goal, the sentiment is that withholding service and kindness is a legitimate form of social consequence. The phrase “Fuck em. He shouldn’t be able to show his nazi ass face in public without people shouting him down” is a stark example of the strong emotional reactions this situation has evoked.
The notion that it’s impressive he wasn’t shot multiple times for disregarding his authority brings up a grim, but perhaps relevant, commentary on the perceived power dynamics and potential for violence associated with figures of authority. The contrast between his authority and the bar staff’s ability to eject him without incident is seen by some as a positive outcome, a demonstration that authority doesn’t always equate to unquestioned control in every social setting. The quickness with which some commenters jump to the idea of him being a “little Nazi” or a “racist-nazi-gnome” indicates that the public perception of Bovino is already deeply negative, associating him with ideologies they strongly oppose.
Finally, the idea that “Conservatives set the stage for this years ago by refusing to bake cakes for gay people and having the Supreme Court uphold that decision” is a provocative assertion, suggesting a mirroring of actions and a call for a form of societal pushback. This complex interplay of public sentiment, perceived injustice, and a desire for accountability is what makes the story of Gregory Bovino being tossed from a Las Vegas bar more than just a simple anecdote; it’s a reflection of deeper societal currents and a public’s reaction to authority figures.