5 Comments

  • 18-year-old citizens should have full civil rights

    and .08 whole blood alcohol equals .10 blood serum alcohol. All the research was done with blood serum.

  • When I was young, NY state had a minimum drinking age of 18. After I entered college, Fordham at Rose Hill in the Bronx, it appeared the out of state students, the ones from states with 21 as the minimum, had the most trouble with drinking, because they were like kids set free in a candy store, whereas the NY residents were used to the availability of alcohol, and could handle it more maturely (in most instances.)
    Not a scientific survey by any means, but it has stuck with me over the decades.
    Banning young members of the Armed Services from alcohol was, is, and will continue to be asinine. We trust these young people with our lives, with deadly weapons, but mandate that they are “too immature” for the so called “adult” beverages. Illogical to all but the bluenoses behind the laws.

  • Banning young members of the Armed Services from alcohol was, is, and will continue to be asinine. We trust these young people with our lives, with deadly weapons, but mandate that they are “too immature” for the so called “adult” beverages. Illogical to all but the bluenoses behind the laws.

    At 18, if you’re old enough to fight and die for the flag, you’re old enough to have a beer.

    I never have understood why a person at 18 is considered an adult in all respects save that one.

  • As a veteran, I can say that the drinking age was never an issue at the enlisted clubs on base. I was carded, but as long as you had a military ID you could drink regardless of your age.

  • As I have written before (eg here in 2012), driving licences offer a model for *gradual* acquisition of drinking rights. Allow 18-20-year-olds to drink under the supervision of parents or other adults in reputable establishments, but don’t allow them to buy sealed packages that they can pass on to their brothers in high school.