The Drinking Age

[warhawk]

Guys I think Tyler wanted this discussion to be a calm discussion. I know we feel strongly about certain things but there is no need for this to get heated

I KNOW THAT'S RIGHT!!!  heck...i'm just glad that i'm over 21 and legal.  as i am hoisting an ice cold heineken.

WARHAWK

[nomad]

I'm sorry guys. Got to keep it check can't stoop

[BaldInKC]

Im confused...you think that JUST because theyre in the armed services, they should be able to drink, but not the rest of the 18-21 year olds...?

No dice on that one...I do believe its ridiculous that you can be drafted to war but cant drink, and I do believe the drinking age needs to be lowered, because I really believe if its legal it will be less of a "thing"...breaking the rules, sticking it to the man. When most people I know turned 21 the novelty wore off real quick.

However, lowering it for a part of the population and note the whole population...i dont think so

I lived in Germany when I turned 16 and was legal to drink but unable to drive.  I think having the drinking age set to 16 and the driving age at 18 makes a lot of sense.  I guess the way I look at it is that we're trusting 16yrolds with fast moving 2 ton automobiles with which they could all too easily kill themselves and others.

I completely agree with the idea that at the very minimum, the drinking age should be lowered at least down to 18.  We trust an 18yrold to VOTE, why can't he/she be trusted to drink responsibly?  And it offends me that there are people dying for this country overseas that were never allowed to drink or see the inside of a bar.  It should extend to all Americans, however--we cannot create different classes of citizens.  Besides, as stated above, any 18yrold could be drafted and sent off to die. 

I joined the military at 18 and was stationed in Germany.  It really bothered me to go home to Las Vegas on leave and not be allowed the freedom to drink or gamble.  I can legally drink/gamble in some country thousands of miles away that my government is occupying, but cannot in my own hometown?

It was a long time ago and no longer directly affects me, but I still think it's wrong.  Just my hundred bucks (two cents adjusted for the rampant inflation caused by the Federal Reserve).

[Tyler]

thanks for keeping it civil guys. 

I can see the argument on both sides, but I also think they should lower it to 18.  The reason being is the novelty factor.  In my family we were able to drink when we felt we were old enough to drink, but we had to be at our own house to do so.  I believe this made us much more responsible around alcohol than many of my friends and my siblings' friends.  We were often known as the designated drivers because we knew we didn't have to get trashed at the party because it was the only time we could drink.  Though, we also knew that if we EVER got caught driving after drinking, we wouldn't be driving until we could afford to move out.

[Mikekoz13]

With the current drinking age at 21 in many states you still have 18 -20 year olds buying beer, etc.. If you lower the age to 18 then you'll have 16 and 17 year olds buying. The drinking age in Maryland when I grew up was 18 and believe me, at 16 i was buying beer and going into bars.

i say leave it alone...... although the irony of handing an 18 year old kid a machine gun but not letting him have a beer is a mystery to me.

And by the way.... someone mentioned a military draft..... hasn't been one since VietNam.... at this point we're a volunteer Armed Forces.

[Timmay]

With the current drinking age at 21 in many states you still have 18 -20 year olds buying beer, etc.. If you lower the age to 18 then you'll have 16 and 17 year olds buying. The drinking age in Maryland when I grew up was 18 and believe me, at 16 i was buying beer and going into bars.

i say leave it alone...... although the irony of handing an 18 year old kid a machine gun but not letting him have a beer is a mystery to me.

And by the way.... someone mentioned a military draft..... hasn't been one since VietNam.... at this point we're a volunteer Armed Forces.

Thats true but you have to look at it this way.  If you raise the driving age to 18, and lower the drinking age to 18....you will still have a good thumb on your kids when they are still 16 and 17.  Because after they get a car its like freedom to them.  You wont be able to have complete control over what they do.  But the main issue here...sorry Tyler but im gonna hijack for a second....It is HOW WELL YOU RAISE YOUR KIDS!....Thats teh biggest statement in this whole thread.  My parents...allowed me to drink as long as I was at home under their supervision or if I was at another friends house whose parents allowed them to drink while under their supervision.  I respected my parents when I was growing up and I really never did anythign to dissappoint them. Not that I was a good kid...we all have our faults....but I am one who doesnt take advantage of them giving me an inch and I take a foot.
Also someone said something about 18 year old service men being able to drink and not the general population?  Well join the service...then your arguement will be solved.....
Timmay!

[Deb_T]

handing an 18 year old kid a machine gun but not letting him have a beer is a mystery to me.

My boyfriend definitely looks his age now - and more!

[PianoMan]

I think it's unrealistic to believe that 18 year olds are not drinking, and lowering the age to 18 is not going to change things that much.  It was no problem for me to find a buyer at 16/17 and had a fake ID at 18. 

Hell I turned out OK 

[D.A.L.U.I.]

This, "21 for 21" cr_p, is the cultural problem that needs to be dealt w/, getting wasted for wasted's sake, no sips of single malts, or well made martinis--w/ gin is my preference, or any other civilized practice, just 21 drinks to get wasted to be 21!  And you can die to top it off.  What's wrong w/ this picture.  21 obviously is too old and not old enough.  The real problem is that American "culture" is perverting an otherwise natural activity.

Take a look at this, it's nearly obscene what these "adults" are doing.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24004376/

[Koaa2]

I think all drugs should be made legal at 18, yes alcohol is a drug. Education of what happens when one abuses drugs should be increased along with it and those that become addicted should be offered treatment. I beleive our crime rate would decrease dramatically and many lives would be saved.

[Timmay]

You know what I think.....I think we all should just sh*t down shut up and drink some beer.  Get so wasted we will actually forget about what this post is all about. LOL....
its one of those "The Chicken or the Egg" debates...lol
But its all good..makes for good conversation...Right?

Timmmay!!!!!!

[jusbnme]

I think all drugs should be made legal at 18, yes alcohol is a drug. Education of what happens when one abuses drugs should be increased along with it and those that become addicted should be offered treatment. I beleive our crime rate would decrease dramatically and many lives would be saved.

I agree with you on this one. 

[Scott]

You know what I think.....I think we all should just sh*t down shut up and drink some beer.  Get so wasted we will actually forget about what this post is all about. LOL....
its one of those "The Chicken or the Egg" debates...lol
But its all good..makes for good conversation...Right?

Timmmay!!!!!!

Ditto... what is with everybody today? 

[Timmay]

Its OK Scott...I think they all dropped their marble bags today....LOL....

[mojim]

You know what I think.....I think we all should just sh*t down shut up and drink some beer.  Get so wasted we will actually forget about what this post is all about. LOL....
its one of those "The Chicken or the Egg" debates...lol
But its all good..makes for good conversation...Right?

Timmmay!!!!!!

Ditto... what is with everybody today? 

This is a great topic with spirited posts...Is that not the way it should be?...I mean we got to talk about something besides headshaving, family values,ect...I think topics like these add something to the site...Everyone has their opinions, but hell that's ok I repsect that..So more topics like this....Now I will go drink a beer...