oh yes and drown ourselves in drinking liquor and alcohol. these types of behaviors lead to an unhealthy society.

Quite the slippery slope (not to mention false dichotomy) you've painted there. Maybe if parents would raise their kids they wouldn't have to worry about them acting like fools "drowning themselves in liquor" (as if it doesn't happen today). Sorry, I'm not buying that.

I had taken several drinks of alcohol before I turned 21 (albeit never having gotten 'plastered' or anything). The reason I never got wasted or completely drunk was because I was raised to spend my time doing things other than to go out and act like that. This is yet another example of American society trying to blame a substance or tool on something that is clearly a failure on society/parents part, i.e. a lack of responsibility. Poor school behavior, an attitude with guns that screams from a lack of education and discipline, overweight children, teen drinking -- Blame the schools! Blame the guns! Blame the Trans Fat! Blame the alcohol! People clearly are doing what they find to be the easy route from taking responsibility of their actions as individuals and parents.

__________________
"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom."
Isaac Asimov

We just started a drinking age-related thread?

For starters, I'm not sure why the politicians and such can't grasp the fact that no matter what they do or how many laws they pass people will find a way to drink liquor, legally or illegally.

And poor parenting, poverty and lack of a good education haven't lead to unhealthy society?

I think that we should allow the enlisted to use a military I.D. to be legally served in taverns. If we, as a society, say that these legal adults are perfectly capable of killing on behalf of the U.S. government, then these legal adults should be able to enjoy the same sort of privileges that those who are 21 and up can.

Think of the recruitment advertisements: "Be all You Can Be--and Have a Toast on Uncle Sam!"

Our declining enlistment rates in our all-volunteer military would surely see a big boost.

I think it's ridiculous that a man can serve 18 months in Iraq, kill for his country, risk his life in battle, see the horrors of war, come home, and be barred from entering a tavern simply because he's only 20 yrs. old.

As to the moral or ethical question of whether people should drink or not, I don't really care about that--we are supposed to be a 'free' people, able to engage in legal activities. Imbibing alcohol is a legal pastime in our society. I see no reason why those who protect our freedoms should be banned from participating in pastime they've fought to protect.

If anything, they have 'earned' the right to engage in those activities far more than the 21 yr.old mechanic, waiter/waitress, college student, etc. And in all likliehood, after dedicating themselves to the discipline it takes to be a "good soldier"--they are far more competent to engage in those activities than the Jane or John who have barely left Mommy and Daddy's nest.

A military I.D. or 21 being the legal means to purchase a brewsky at the local sports bar and grill works just fine for me.

It's so easy when you're a lousy parent, to blame everybody other than yourself.

What I don't understand is, if you are old enough to elect your political representatives and drive a motor vehicle, why aren't you old enough to decide on other aspects of life. 18 is a good age to accept responsibility for yourself. We've always had 18 as the legal age for drinking. Hasn't turned us into a country of alcoholics there are other reasons for that which I won't go into here.

You make an excellent point--one that I've been mulling over.

Here are my thoughts:

I know that there were studies conducted about the deaths of young people where alcohol was involved, hence the reason that the drinking age was raised to 21. (Or at least, I think know this, it's nothing I've researched so I don't trust my knowledge on this as it could be based on little more than the MSM--a very unreliable source.)

I also know that the MSM has had story after story about binge drinking (especially on college campuses) citing the lack of experience, education and a sort of crazy "I'm free to drink!" idiotic euphoria that seems more powerful than common sense. (Though not in those words ) (But again, this is something I haven't researched either.)

On the news here, a few days ago, I heard about a father that teaches his underage children how to drink sociably, at home, during meals, events, etc. He's some sort of expert (I forget which) and cited his research that proclaims the way to combat the "binge drinking" scenario above, is to take the mystique out of drinking and make it mundane. (My words, not his.)

The next thought I had was that if we expect 18 yr. olds to be adults--as we recognize them as adults in our justice system, expect them to manage their finances as adults, hold a job like adults, to provide for themselves as adults--it's really rather odd that we don't expect them to participate in social situations as adults when you truly think about it.

So in the end, I can only conclude that you're right here. There's no logical reason that people who are considered adults shouldn't be granted the same responsibilities and avenues of entertainment that all other adults enjoy.

As to the driving issue--we give driver's licenses (on average) to 16 year olds, yet we still (societally and legally) consider them minors, so I'm not sure that particular argument applies here.

One last thought though: I think that we can't say "you're an adult at 18" in one circumstance, but not another. Once that citizen has reached his or her majority--that should be the end of any distinctions. If we're talking about at what age has an individual reached the maturity level necessary to be responsible enough to be able to consume alchohol--I'd say 30.

I don't want a law that says 18 year olds can drink. If an 18 year old Marine walks into my house and wants a beer, it's his.

I'd really (sincerely) be interested in what your arguments are against an 18 yr. old being served liquor.

Just this morning, I would have said the same thing, but after some careful consideration, I've come to a different conclusion, mostly because I couldn't find a logical response to the question I'm asking you. It's very possible I'm just not thinking of one (or more) so I'd like to hear your thoughts on this and get out of my own head, if you know what I mean.

Thanks.
MikeT