Underage Drinking

[treblah]

The insidious thing is that your ability to choose well diminishes as you partake, including the choice whether to have another.

Thats funny, I thought insidious meant it was a bad thing.

Alcohol = social lubricant. Almost every social outing is more fun when buzzed.
(I await the outrage this statement will cause. )

Also, Christianity has nothing to do with drinking or not drinking.

 

[OutThere]

I could drink if I wanted to....if I so chose I could have as much alcohol as I wanted. But I don't drink. Many of my friends get drunk on the weekends.

The idea of not knowing where I am or what I'm doing does not appeal to me, and because of that I don't feel the need to drink alcohol. Just my principle. Much as a vegetarian doesn't eat meat, I don't drink.

Anyway, I figure I can always be counted on as a designated driver.

 

[cantthinkofone]

It's not a bad thing, but I'm surprised that he would drink. All the pasters and religious leaders I have met never drink. I don't know. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and there is a mixed bag of feelings.

The last priest we had at my church(haven't gone for a long time, to sick of all the BS that is involved with religion) would drink beer at the Octoberfest we would have every year. Probably the coolest Catholic priest i have ever met. I'm 19 and have been drunk once,back when i was 17. It was a lot of fun for about the first 3-4 hours, but after that, the next 6-8 sucked. I cant stand the taste of beer, much less hard liquor, so i probably wont drink for a long time.

 

[ITASOR]

I think the driving age of 16 is ridiculous. That should at least be 18, at 16 most people are nowhere near the maturity level needed in order to properly and safely operate a vehicle. We all pay for it too, in our insurance rates going up...

I don't agree with you. While you did say most people, I think the age has nothing to do with it. I can see a minimum age obviously, but if you can pass the test, you should be able to drive.

I'm 16, drive, and have absolutely no trouble safely operating a vehicle. I've avoided accidents, been courteous to other drivers, etc.

 

[Warbrain]

I don't agree with you. While you did say most people, I think the age has nothing to do with it. I can see a minimum age obviously, but if you can pass the test, you should be able to drive.

I'm 16, drive, and have absolutely no trouble safely operating a vehicle. I've avoided accidents, been courteous to other drivers, etc.

Exactly. The driving age should remain to be 16 in most states in the U.S. Part of it is that the kids need to experience being independent of their parents and make their own decisions with something as important - even when it shouldn't be - as an automobile. Also, you can't just throw a bunch of legal things at fresh 18-year-olds since all hell would break out. And think about how much harder it would be for the kids to get to high school - no matter how much they hate it - if they couldn't drive a car. I wouldn't have even been able to get to school for my junior and senior years if it wasn't for my car.

The problem, though, is that there are parents who are dumb enough to buy their kids new cars when they turn 16. Buy them a POS car like my parents did. If it gets banged, it gets banged. No harm done.


Now onto the drinking age...

It is too high in the United States. And it doesn't stop anyone from drinking anyway. Underage drinking still happens and some little law such as the one here in the U.S. won't stop anyone. It's another mundane, puritanical law that exists in the U.S. because of how stupid the majority is. Lower the drinking age to 18, and a whole lot of the drinking and driving deaths that occur wouldn't ever happen.

Mind you, I don't drink and don't plan on it. I've seen what it can do and I don't want to do that to myself or anyone I care about. But I understand the issue at hand here and know that the law should be lowered. Drinking is a problem with youth only because it's illegal until they're 21.

 

[e²Studios]

I don't agree with you. While you did say most people, I think the age has nothing to do with it. I can see a minimum age obviously, but if you can pass the test, you should be able to drive.

I'm 16, drive, and have absolutely no trouble safely operating a vehicle. I've avoided accidents, been courteous to other drivers, etc.

I would tend to think that you are the exception to the rule. Most of the 16 year olds ive had the displeasure of driving around or with have left me with red hands from grasping to the "oh Sh*t" handle for my life. There is a reason why the insurance companies charge more if you start driving at 16 vs starting at 18, and i would tend to believe that maturity has something to do with it. There is no way to properly judge this (other than those really factual insurance accident reports), but in general i think MOST 16 year olds have no business behind the wheel of a 3000 + lbs lethal weapon.

I also disagree with giving the written part of the drivers test in any language other than english. All our signs are in english you should have to have a basic level of english comprehension to drive imo.

The drinking age is fine, leave it at 21. Though i am sure if it would change to 18 the legal age of gambling in Nevada would quickly change to match it. Drinking responsibly is the key, and i just don't see responsibility or maturity in most teenagers nowadays. (key word is MOST)

Ed

 

[rickvanr]

The last priest we had at my church(haven't gone for a long time, to sick of all the BS that is involved with religion) would drink beer at the Octoberfest we would have every year. Probably the coolest Catholic priest i have ever met. I'm 19 and have been drunk once,back when i was 17. It was a lot of fun for about the first 3-4 hours, but after that, the next 6-8 sucked. I cant stand the taste of beer, much less hard liquor, so i probably wont drink for a long time.

It's an acquired taste really. Most of my friends love beer, I don't really enjoy it at all. There are some hard liquors I just don't want to drink, and others that I really enjoy. I used to like mixing Vodka with coke, but one night ruined that. I also used to love doing shooters of Sambuca, but again, one or two sour nights and now I can't even eat black licorice. Always be responsible, never get so drunk you don't remember things and you'll be fine.

Why Don't We Get Drunk by Jimmy Buffet - http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=95207&s=143455&i=95195 - hehehe This song kills me.

 

[Platform]

We really need to bump that up to 21, same with the driving licence.

Drinking...well, ok...but driving.....hell no

 

[OutThere]

never get so drunk you don't remember things and you'll be fine.

This is what basically turned me off drinking forever...talking with friends on Monday mornings and hearing "yeah I woke up next to random_girl_x Sunday morning....no idea what happened that night but I bet it was fun!"

Don't want any part in that.

 

[PlaceofDis]

when i was younger than 18 i kept myself away from all alochol. it just wasnt for me then. my parents had no problems with me drinking though. i started drinking when i was 18, and the key is to just not lose yourself and get out of hand. it happens occaionally yes. i will admit going way to far drinking. but as long as you learn from that experience its what matters. i've had some good times drinking. some bad. its not something that i do often. (mainly at family gatherings now because its so tedious) and its not something i plan on having be a big part in my life. this is the problem about it in the US, there is way too much pressure and emphasis on drinking than there should be.

 

[2nyRiggz]

drinking....humans favorite past time. i think 18 is ripe age for it....although my friends been drinking from 12.


Bless

 

[MacEffects]

Also, you must think that if your 18, then good odds if you did lose your self, you would not have to (most likely) have to much responsibility, like a Family, Your life Career, Etc... But, there are many reasons, why I think it should be put back to 18.

 

[cantthinkofone]

It's an acquired taste really. Most of my friends love beer, I don't really enjoy it at all. There are some hard liquors I just don't want to drink, and others that I really enjoy. I used to like mixing Vodka with coke, but one night ruined that. I also used to love doing shooters of Sambuca, but again, one or two sour nights and now I can't even eat black licorice. Always be responsible, never get so drunk you don't remember things and you'll be fine.

Agreed.I have been told by a lot of people that it is. I just havent acquired it yet. And same here, my friends drink beer all the time. I made the mistake of trying russain water straight one time just to see what it tasted like and nearly fell over I did find out that 1/2 crainbarry juice and 1/2 vodka tastes alright. And like i said, been drunk once, it was fun for a while, but i wont be doing it for a long time to come.

 

[latergator116]

I live in Kutztown, where MacFan attends college. From our house, we can watch the packs of plastered college kids walk from Briar Cliff (a housing complex used by university students) to the bars in town, leaving a trail of broken bottles, vandalised property, and cigarette packs in their wake. (Which are swept and cleaned up every morning by the residents of the houses on that street.)
To me, it doesnt matter if you drink. Just make sure you're responsible and control your consumption. I think a reason that our university has such a drinking problem is that the 'charming rural campus' is in the middle of nowhere with nothing for bored college kids to do.

I'd be pretty pissed if I were a resident of that area and had college kids vandalizing my property/neighrborhood, ecspecially if it happened on a regular basis (which it sounds like it does). A good old fashoined ass-kicking sounds like it would do the trick for the perpetrators. Seriously.

 

[~Shard~]

Everything in moderation is a great motto to follow for your entire life. No matter what age you are, drinking stupid amounts of alcohol, is, well, stupid. It shows you have no respect for your body, your mind, your health. Without your health you have nothing, and I have a tough time respecting anyone who can't even respect themselves.

As for underage drinking specifically, I don't think you should drink if you're really young, but around 18 it greys - after all, in Alberta the legal drinking age is 18, and here in Saskatchewan it's 19, so, well, close enough.

I did a lot of underage drinking and binge drinking, so I'm speaking from experience. And now that I look back on it, I was an idiot. I am glad I am wiser now and care more about my health and well-being. I understand you don't think about these things as much when you're younger, perhaps it's a "phase", and I appreciate that, but it still doesn't make it right or a good overall choice. And anyone who thinks it's cool is simply kidding themselves and quite frankly is immature.

 

[sushi]

I think the driving age of 16 is ridiculous.

I would disagree with you on this. Maturity and training are key.

Granted there is a higher probability of having an accident -- based on insurance rates. But that is to be expected.

I've known many who expertly operated vehicles in their teens. When you grow up on the farm, that is to be expected. And these vehicles where much bigger and heavier than a typical car/pickup/SUV.

I've also known a few folks who lost their lives needlessly through careless driving (high speed usually) or inconjunction with alcohol intake. Sad. Especially when you see a friend's head ground to a pulp after a roll over on a county (gravel) road. He wasn't wearing his seat belt.

Most of the good drivers that I know had good parents who taught them well, and they attended driving class such as Drivers Education.

Sushi
Learners permit and farm permit at 14.
Driver's license and solo (plane) permit at 16.
Pilot's license at 17.

 

[eRondeau]

Hipocracy?

It just makes me think-- MOST of these cops drank in college too. My parents, and I'm sure my professors drank underage too. How do you justify getting somebody else in trouble when you did the same thing...hipocracy?

No, it's not hipocracy. It's their job. Of course cops drank underage, and drove faster than the posted speed limit, and probably even illegally copied Commodore-64 games in their misspent youth. But now they have a job to do, and Sergeants and Chiefs to impress, etc etc etc. Trust me, if they give you a ticket it's nothing personal (unless you spit in their eye or throw a beer bottle at them or try to set their house on fire -- then you'll be their own little hobby for the rest of their policing career.) Society has set the rules, the police have the very tough job of enforcing them, and 99% of the time they do it fairly.

 

[Bubbasteve]

Just be responsible and make good decisions... what am I saying, I'm 18 too

 

[greatdevourer]

Personally, I think they should reduce the drinking age if around a legal guardian or such. The problem is that far too often, you have kids who've never touched alcohol becoming 18 and the first thing they want to do is get hammered. Why? Because it was always a carrot dangled just in front of your nose - close enough to see, but not enough to take a bite. It's why my parents are comparitivly lax about alcohol, because alcohol is nothing new for me. It's not the forbidden fruit to me. I'm not quite given a key to the liquor cabinet (partly because it's more of a liquor shelf ), but it annoys me even now when you go to parties where the parents have left stuff out and everyone goes "OOH! ALCOHOL! LET'S GET PISSED!".

And, as to the general American hatred of beer, no wonder. What you lot think is beer is lager - ie, crap Come over here and get a few pints of bitter. Much nicer

 

[mariahlullaby]

I think the driving age of 16 is ridiculous. That should at least be 18, at 16 most people are nowhere near the maturity level needed in order to properly and safely operate a vehicle. We all pay for it too, in our insurance rates going up...

Drinking age of 21 is to match the gambling age of 21 in most major gambling cities NJ/NV gaming commissions. I believe they should keep it at 21, heck raise the age to buy cigarettes to 21 too.

Years ago i seem to remember the states being able to set the minimum age for drinking, but i could be wrong, i know its a federal thing now that applies to all 50 states.

Ed

I agree that the legal driving age to drive should NOT be 16; I know many states have it at 18. I know at least here in Georgia, that law was made so young boys could legally operate TRACTORS on farms. 16 year olds are not mature enough to operate vehicles. I'm 18 and don't have a license yet -- I dont think I'm a safe enough driver yet. There were just a couple of juniors at my school in intensive care because they were racing.

I think the drinking age should be lower than the driving age; the social taboo of drinking coupled with inexperienced drivers getting drunk make for lots of accidents. If the US -- especially in the south where I live -- wouldn't make SUCH a big deal about drinking alcohol, then teenagers wouldn't be in such a rush to make an idiot of themselves getting drunk. Drinking can be an enjoyable experience, but instead, it's because just a way to get high quickly and legally. Make the drinking age 16 and driving age 18, and you'll see drunk driving accidents go down because drivers will know by the time they're 18 how alcohol affects them -- and drinking won't be such a 'forbidden fruit.'

Like I said, I'm 18. I don't drink (except in family situations, and even then it's only a half of glass of wine at dinner on occasion).

 

[takao]

It's not the forbidden fruit to me. I'm not quite given a key to the liquor cabinet (partly because it's more of a liquor shelf ), but it annoys me even now when you go to parties where the parents have left stuff out and everyone goes "OOH! ALCOHOL! LET'S GET PISSED!".

your liquor cabinet has a key/lock ?

And, as to the general American hatred of beer, no wonder. What you lot think is beer is lager - ie, crap Come over here and get a few pints of bitter. Much nicer

well personally ithink it still takes getting used to beer.. i actually have problems to drink more than 3 by myself as well without drinking something else in between

 

[iEdd]

It's the morons that binge drink that push the legal age up. You can handle it when you're 16, but most people are too dumb to control it. 18 in Australia is a good age I guess.

 

[MarkCollette]

Drinking in moderation should start at home with your family, so that you're safe, and get used to doing it in a responsible way. Most likely that person will not binge drink.

People want to get a little messed up. Having high age requirements for access to alcohol will only create black markets. Black markets create problems, because individuals participating in them have to remove themselves from existing safety mechanisms.

Examples:

- Kids trying to get someone to boot alcohol will probably have to sneak it, and drink in public. They also risk getting ripped off.
- People unable to access alcohol can then try getting other illicit substances, like drugs.
- Smuggling form factor encourages getting harder alcohol, which inexperienced user are less likely to be able to drink in moderation.
- Notice the rise in cannabis use after smoking age restrictions were put in place?

 

[jdechko]

Underage - overage - doesn't matter.

Drinking to the point of intoxication is a dumbass idea.

I completely agree with you and with iGary and those who say that the age is too high. I really think it should be 18. If you can vote, and you can go to war and fight for the country, then you ought to be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage (in moderation, of course).

 

[mrfrosty]

I wasn't aware that Christians are not allowed to drink alcohol.

yeah your right.....neither was I......whats with all the water into wine business ?