Drinking Age Laws - Do They Need To Change?

[Al Swearengen]

I say, if you're old enough to vote, and more importantly, DIE for your country, then you're sure as hell old enough to drink!

[howela]

Originally Posted by Al Swearengen

I say, if you're old enough to vote, and more importantly, DIE for your country, then you're sure as hell old enough to drink!

I agree. I remember my early years in the military. I couldn't legally buy a beer in Georgia before I shipped out to Vietnam. Al is right... mature enough to die for your country is mature enough to decide how to drink.

[LateNight]

Originally Posted by howela

I agree. I remember my early years in the military. I couldn't legally buy a beer in Georgia before I shipped out to Vietnam. Al is right... mature enough to die for your country is mature enough to decide how to drink.
Attachment 1424

Hard to argue with that kind of logic.. old enough to be issued a weapon, old enough to fight and die for your country.. but uh.. sorry son, can't sell you a beer.. that's @#$#@$@

[piemaker720]

You know I agree if you are old enough to defend your country you should be allowed to drink. On the other hand that should only apply to the military, why would I want some lazy young person who thinks they are too good to join or bad mouths our soldiers to benefit.

[AnimeSpirit]

I was in the military myself. Some commands have cool commanders who feel the same way as most of you. When they pull into a country where the drinking age is lower, they can authorize servicemen under 21 to drink if they want. In some countries, you're old enough to drink if you can see over the bar.

[joepole]

"In 2005, 25 percent of 16-20-year-old passenger vehicle drivers fatally injured in crashes had high BACs."

I can't find numbers for LA, but Colorado (a state with a similar population to LA) had 62 total automobile fatalities for 16-20 year olds in 2006. Assuming 25% are drunk that's about 16 fatalities due to teen drinking and driving. Not exactly an epidemic.

[joepole]

>I say, if you're old enough to vote, and more importantly, DIE for your country, then you're sure as hell old enough to drink!

I've heard that a lot, but it doesn't really make sense. What does drinking have to do with voting or serving in the military? Why not "if you're old enough to drive on public roadways you're sure as hell old enough to drink!" or "if you're old enough to attend public school you're sure as hell old enough to drink!"

On the flip side why is your statement valid but "if you're not old enough to collect social security you're sure as hell not old enough to drink!" isn't?

[AnimeSpirit]

Originally Posted by joepole

>I say, if you're old enough to vote, and more importantly, DIE for your country, then you're sure as hell old enough to drink!

I've heard that a lot, but it doesn't really make sense. What does drinking have to do with voting or serving in the military? Why not "if you're old enough to drive on public roadways you're sure as hell old enough to drink!" or "if you're old enough to attend public school you're sure as hell old enough to drink!"

On the flip side why is your statement valid but "if you're not old enough to collect social security you're sure as hell not old enough to drink!" isn't?

The validity of their statement is this, Joe. The government wants alcohol to be for adults only. The definition of what one would consider an adult is what is in question here. Just when is a person "adult enough" to have a drink? Some people believe that age is the same age in which a person can die for their country. If you believe that age is when you're old enough to drive, then I suppose that would be a valid opinion to some people as well.

As far as your statement about social security, the age at which someone collects social security does not, in any way, mark the beginning of adulthood, thus making it an inappropriate comparison.

[Pocahontas]

Originally Posted by Al Swearengen

I say, if you're old enough to vote, and more importantly, DIE for your country, then you're sure as hell old enough to drink!

Makes sense to me!