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By hooher tod

September 6, 2011 6:13 PM | Link to this

Yes there should realize the reader to RSS my feed to RSS commentary, quite simply

By Flynnyrd

November 20, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

I agree. Being 21 now, there is NOTHING that can stop me from visiting most establishments (as far as age goes). The thrill is here— when I have waaay more responsibilities than I did at 18. I don’t think that helps when you’re a fulltime student, father, and laborer. Also, for those as young as 17 who enlist and get a military ID, liquor stores are happy to let you buy all the booze you want. Isn’t there something wrong with that?

By Acai Berry Power

September 4, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Nice bog you have here. I pretty much lurk the internet when I’m bored and read all I can about the organic lifestyle, but I really liked you view on things. I’ll bookmark the site and subscribe to the feed!

By Shelly

September 2, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

My son 22 who purchased his first home was arrested and cited for the Keg Law he had three people 20 & 19 at his new housewarming party. Four out of the five friends there are home owners. These young people have full time jobs, own their own homes, hunt, fish, vote farm but cannot have beer??

By david

August 24, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

When I was 18 you could drink 3.2 % beer and 19 year old could drink 6 % and 21 year old hard liquor. It was set up almost as a gradual controlled stepping stone to where by the time I was 21 , I was done with the bar seen and moving on to bigger & better things in life and as I recall, there was no such thing as binge drinking back then. Maybe we should revisit that sensible legislation.

By Anthony

August 24, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

We can vote at 18, we are considered an adult at 18, and some of us give our lives and join the military at 18… if we are old enough to fight for our damn country and die doin it than we are old enough to drink.

By Erasmus

August 24, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

Americans think they are so progressive, but compared with Europeans, at least socially, we are extremely puritanical. You are a legal citizen at 18. You vote at 18. You drive at 16. You sign up for Selective Servie at 18. Maybe change the driving age instead. It is a conspiracy of MADD, the insurance industry, and the Right- Wing religious nuts that won’t allow us to change the laws. I doubt that there are any politicians with the cajones to actually propose this, especially in SW Ohio.

By Marian

August 23, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

I’m not surprised college presidents would be in favor of this effort. If their students can legally drink, they needn’t hire public safety officials to catch underage drinkers and enforce consequences.
If I honestly thought that these young adults could responsibly drink in moderation to avoid negative consequences, I might support this effort. But I work with youth of all ages (including college students 18-20), and I can’t describe the majority of them as responsible.

By higasz

August 23, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

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By Hamilton High Student

August 23, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Age has nothing to do with binge drinking rather the maturity of the person drinking. If we lower the drinking age to 18 and require teens to have a parent or grandparent or someone with them, they are more likely learn moderation. There can also be a net clause that if they don’t have a parent or someone they can only order 2 beers that night at the bar.

By Ray

August 23, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

The drinking age is only and sub-part of the real problem: Too much tax revenue precludes sound judgement of legislators; Whimps as judges and parole boards yields weak sentences for those who jeopardise their own life while possibly taking a innocent life by vehicular homicide…should be murder; SERIOUS penalties are needed to slow repeat affenders; Shelfish drinkers’ choices should not trump the legal rights of society in general.

By Ray

August 23, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

The drinking age is only and sub-part of the real problem: Too much tax revenue precludes sound judgement of legislators; Whimps as judges and parole boards yields weak sentences for those who jeopardise their own life while possibly taking a innocent life by vehicular homicide…should murder; Shelfish drinkers’ rights do not trump the legal rights of society in general.

By me

August 23, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

this is crazy!! i say don’t lower the drinking age to 18, of course!! i have a 14,12,6,& 4 year old, and i definitely wouldn’t want them drinking at 18, and especially walking to a store any time they want to buy them a beer!! college kids want this more than others! just because we can buy a house get a credit card, or lease a car when we’re 18 doesn’t meen that we can get in that car we just bought, and go to a bar, and leave drunk, wreck kill ourselves, or someone else, this is just crazy!!

By Jim

August 23, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

All that is wrong with our society can be traced back to decisions that say that what we know to be wrong is actually right because we are tired of fighting with those who choose to violate the rules. If these colleges would provide severe consequences for being caught intoxicated, it might lessen the problem on their campuses. If they offered diversion, it might help, but that would seem educational. Stop enabling adolescent behaviors. Start teaching proper social behaviors.

By Len

August 23, 2008 3:00 AM | Link to this

If parents, like me, would just really make their children feel like we heard what they were saying then not jump all over them but REALLY try to hear them, things would be better. My kid is out of hand at this point but it’s with BMX, Motocross, girls, math, txt’s, yada, yada. 16, silly hair style, lanky, great at being a doofis….but we trust him. We talk to him. Maybe we are lucky but he listens because we listen. We do not like some of the things he says but we do our best.

By Len

August 23, 2008 2:45 AM | Link to this

I had my permit in Idaho at 14. I drove at 15 by myself. I went to Miami of Ohio, the G clause let us drink beer and wine at 18 and cocktails at 21. My PARENTS taught me several things. They said if I EVER felt I could not drive for any reason, not to. Call them NO MATTER WHAT. I never had to do that because they trusted me and I respected them enough to never let them down. The drinking age does not matter. Parents matter. I’m 40 now, no DUI’s, etc…

By Anthony

August 21, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

If you tell kids not to do something they are gurenteed to do it anyway becouse it makes them feel rebeliouse, im 17 i drank before becouse iit was the cool thing to do and i did it becouse ur not suppose to, thtas how kids look at it, but i have older friends to that said that when they finally turned 21 and were able to drink publicly that it wasnt as fun and they dont even drink that much or none at all, so if it was lowerd to 18 im just guessing that it will be the same way.

By David

August 21, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand why people look to the government to parent your kids. They are YOUR kids, If you don’t want them to drink then teach them your values and that you don’t think it is appropriate for them to drink untill they have turned 21. The problem is not that we don’t have enough restrictions. The problem is that we don’t have enough GOOD parents. Our “statistics” would be much better if we passed a law that required all mothers to be take a class on being a parent.

By Tony

August 21, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

Ok if they really want to drink beer let 18yr be allowed to buy old dools and theres no harm in no one.:)

By Rachael

August 20, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

I am 19 and i have been drinking for 4 years. I have been very fortunate because i have driven drunk ,because i couldn’t call my parents or someone else, and i have not killed anyone or myself. I’m not proud but it’s the truth. I soon gave up drinking and turned to rx drugs. They are easier to get and are just as good of a high. I am in favor of them lowering the drinking age to 18. By doing so it will be more “acceptable” and people won’t be ashamed and hide it at any cost including drunk drivn

By angie

August 20, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this

Recent debate regarding lowering the legal drinking age to 18 has been mostly full of reasoning that is illogical and not taking into account several medical, psychological and societal facts surrounding the issue.

The frontal cortex of the brain is the part which causes us to take a second look at what our first impulse is and to soberly question whether it is a good idea. This part of the brain is still immature in the teenage years. If a body part is still immature, it is a good bet that it will not function at the performance level that is expected of a mature adult. This means that quite simply, many kids sometimes truly cannot stop themselves from doing impulsive things. Why does it then seem logical to expect individuals of a group that is known to have difficulty in containing their impulses to make mature decisions about the amount of and behavior after the consumption of alcohol products? Because we will be expecting them to behave as though they are fully capable of understanding and obeying all the laws regarding this privilege, and will be held accountable to the law, right?

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24. Do you know what the first is??? Accidental death. This is a group of people that have a problem staying out of accidents….so let’s give them some Jack and Coke! Suicide is problem with teens because, referring to the previous paragraph, their brains are immature and the stress of life (you know, those cruel teachers in high school, the weekly he-said-she-said crises and the like) is often too much for them to bear. Many of these kids seek solace in alcohol as it is today, and do you know what happens? They wind up alcoholics or dead if something doesn’t happen to turn things around.

31 percent of teen drivers killed in 2006 had been drinking, according to NHTSA. Look, it’s hard enough being on the road with sober teens. Here is a stat the proves 1) even though kids know they aren’t supposed to drink and drive, they do it anyway and 2) their inexperience driving coupled with their inexperience drinking leads to death.

I can certainly understand that when a child is raised to view a certain thing in a certain way, the mystery is removed and the desire to binge is lessened. However, we in America do not drink wine with our dinners as part of our culture like the French. The vast majority of our kids see alcohol consumed by either an alcoholic in an excessive fashion or in a party “this is such a fun thing to do” fashion. When we grown up Americans stop treating alcohol like we might not ever get any again, then we can start teach our kids from way in the beginning how to act around it and then we can lower the drinking age.

Simply letting kids drink because they want to and because they sneak around doing it anyway is not a logical reason to change the law. We don’t decide to take murder off the books because people do that all the time. If that were logical, marijuana would have been legalized a long time ago because you and I both know half of America smokes pot. They can keep right on sneaking around, because at least that in itself serves to lessen the amount that they are able to do it. When the 16 year olds complain enough, which they do about everything anyway, are we going to change the law again?

The bottom line here people is that 18 year olds are still kids. They may be able to go off to Iraq but they are expertly supervised, trained to do what they are doing and too scared too mess it up. Kids who would be allowed to drink will not be under supervision, will not be trained by an expert on how to properly consume alcohol and are completely fearless. There are certainly some kids who can handle more mature responsibilities, but you cannot change the law based on those few kids.

Wake up people!

By Shelbitha

August 20, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

All the lowered age has done is forced the drinking underground. That way, kids are forced to drink in/around their cars, and then to get home they drive drunk. That’s real smart. Go USA. If we were allowed to drink at home, then we wouldn’t have to hide it and we wouldn’t be afraid to call our parents for help. I will ALWAYS be glad my parents told me if I ever get drunk, I should call them and get a ride home. They’d rather I was drunk and safe at home than dead.

By Shelbitha

August 20, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

Ok I AM a kid under the age of 21 and I HAVE had hard liquor. It was disgusting. But I didn’t stop drinking it. It was cool, it made me rebellious. If it were no big deal, I can honestly say that it wouldn’t matter as much. Just because I can buy cigarettes that doesn’t mean I will, and just because I can buy alcohol that doesn’t mean I will. I have the right to join the military, I have the right to drive, I have the right to vote. I’m responsible enough to handle those things but not drinking?

By Deb

August 20, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

If someone is in the armed services they don’t have to wait till they are 21. Anyone in the services can drink whether they are 18 or whatever. So it’s not a case of if they are old enough to defend their country if they actually sign up they are allowed the privilege of drinking.

By Zaxl

August 20, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

back to the original question: would lowering the age to 18 curb binge drinking? no. did Prohibition curb binge drinking? no. has anything ever curbed binge drinking? well, yes. Islam. but binge drinking is fun- that’s why it’s popular. it’s older than the bible, older than law, older than recorded history. but there will always be some arrogant fools who think they’re the most uniquely qualified people in the history of mankind to tackle an issue like this. good luck with that!

By Jeff

August 20, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

Or find the kid in your dorm with a fake ID. I knew this kid who had a fake ID but no car, I had a car but no fake ID, we used to team up and go buy $150 worth of beer at a time for people in our dorms. We made 20 bucks each per trip easily sometimes. That money was the money we used to buy our own beer, thus drinking for free. Point is, they are going to do it anyways. And if not, like someone else said, they can go downtown and score pot, coke, acid, etc since those are all easier to get

By Jeff

August 20, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Do any of you realize how easy it is for college kids to get beer? Why not just let them go out and buy it. I have been out of college for 3 years now and back when I was under 21 all you had to do was make friends with an upperclassman, then give him 10 bucks to buy you a couple cases. Go to a party, every school has their “party neighborhoods” and no one checked IDs at my school.

By Carla Anderkin

August 20, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Alcoholism is rampid in this country—why in the world would we want to make it easier for younger people to get their hands on it? Sounds like the makers of beer & hard liquor are in the back of this one.

The Bible says we should not put anything into our bodies that is harmful. Alcohol in moderation may not be harmful, but some people don’t know when to quit.

By Dick

August 20, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Lower it to 18 for 3.2 beer only, like it used to be; 21 for liquor.

By neelyO

August 20, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

I’m seriously wondering who is behind this initiative to lower the drinking age. I’m willing to bet that if you follow the money trail it all goes back to the beer and alcohol distributors and manufacturers.

By neelyO

August 20, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

In England, you can buy beer at sixteen. Britain is having a terrible problem with both binge drinking and knife violence (like the U.S. has with drunk driving) among teenagers. Due to the lower drinking age, binge drinking commonly occurs among thirteen and fourteen year olds. Just last month, health ministers were calling for the price of alcohol to be raised to combat this problem. Others want to raise the drinking age to 21. Surprised?

By Cheers

August 20, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

The government has no right to tell you what you can and cannot put in your body. Just keep it under the radar. It’s a much better lifestyle. Trust me.

By Chris

August 20, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

The drinking age should be lowered to 18. But on certain days and certain times one can drink at 18. Or buy beer on certain days and at certain time. Don’t make beer available for teenagers 18 and up to buy beer almost 24/7. Maybe Monday thru Friday 6-8pm you can buy beer at 18+. Or if you were for the government which could be firefighter, state worker, volunteer, you should also be allowed to at least have a beer.

By LaRocca

August 20, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Why is this a headline topic? Reporting on Natl. news, China’s pro-active state level approach and belief of education and opportunities for their youth. Then imediately following this report, U.S. colledges addressing the drinking age. What an embarrassment.

By Chuck Jones

August 20, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Let’s keep it 21. I like my federal highway funds just the way they are, thank you. And while we’re at it, let’s return the age of majority to 21 as well. To be an adult at 18 is only a recent phenomenon.

By dumbhickohioians

August 20, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

You stupid rednecks who think that your kid does not drink in college or even in high school are dumb. I think that it should be lowered for military members. Furnish your military I.D yes they have your birthdate on them get a beer at 18 it is that simple. MADD is out of control and if it were up to them prohibition would be reinstated lol. Look people the reason 18yr olds drink is because they feel like rebels, take away that feeling then you take away the thrill!

By Jon

August 20, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Hey, while we’re at it…let’s legalize marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and every other narcotic out there. If it’s not illegal, people will use it responsibly. Come on people…that logic (or lack of logic) is ridiculous. We have worked extremely hard to reduce alcohol related traffic deaths. lowering the drinking age will raise these deaths exponentially. There are still a great number of underage people who will not drink simply because it is illegal. Crack down!!

By Sharon

August 20, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

There is no way the drinking age should be lowered. At Ohio State the students don’t need anymore chances to get drunk and destroy property. This is so DUMB.

By don

August 20, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

why not 18 you can die for your country my son brought a friend home Thanksgiving he was 19 they were leaving for iraq i give him a beer lock me up “get real” look at what you can buy on the streets

By ECP

August 20, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this

Having grown up in a country where there is no legal drinking age, I am fully in favor of dropping the age to 18. If it isn’t a “big deal” to have a beer or two, then I think young people will see it as just one more thing to do…the intrigue or the rush of breaking the law will not be there.

By Bo

August 20, 2008 3:08 AM | Link to this

You can’t shelter your kids. It seems like “Generation School Shootings” might have some pent-up frustrations they need to let out. Crack a brew, blaze a fatty and chill-out kids. Life ain’t that bad.

By Denise

August 20, 2008 2:27 AM | Link to this

I fail to see the logic in saying that lowering the drinking age would put a stop to binge drinking. My daughter’s friends teased her because when she turned 21 she didn’t want to celebrate by going out to drink 21 shots at a bar. Her 21 year old college friends binge all the time to the point that large amounts of them miss classes because of the drinking. It’s legal for them and it hasn’t stopped the binge drinking why make it legal earlier and encourage even more problems.

By Denise

August 20, 2008 2:26 AM | Link to this

I fail to see the logic in saying that lowering the drinking age would put a stop to binge drinking. My daughter’s friends teased her because when she turned 21 she didn’t want to celebrate by going out to drink 21 shots at a bar. Her 21 year old college friends binge all the time to the point that large amounts of them miss classes because of the drinking. It’s legal for them and it hasn’t stopped the binge drinking why make it legal earlier and encourage even more problems.

By Chelsea

August 20, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this

If an 18 year old can die for their country and can can also be tried as an adult in a court of law then they should have all of the responsibilities of an adult. We have the highest drinking age of any country. We also have one of the highest death rates due to alcohol consumption compared to other countries. If we make teens feel more comfortable and open about such subjects then we can teach them to do the responsible thing, such as call a parent to pick them up instead of driving drunk.

By Chelsea

August 20, 2008 1:27 AM | Link to this

If an 18 year old can die for their country and can can also be tried as an adult in a court of law then they should have all of the responsibilities of an adult. We have the highest drinking age of any country. We also have one of the highest death rates due to alcohol consumption compared to other countries. If we make teens feel more comfortable and open about such subjects then we can teach them to do the responsible thing, such as call a parent to pick them up instead of driving drunk.

By underage consumer

August 20, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this

Furthermore, the youngest person to ever be executed was only 17 at the time of his execution. Hell maybe we should just start executing those who consume alcohol under the age of 21, that’d teach those sinners a lesson. Ha

By Gracie

August 20, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

Lower it to 18, bring back 3.2 beer. No one under the age of 21 should drink liquor. Lets face it, we all tried it at one time or another, or at least most of us did. I’m not condoning it, but, they are going to do it anyway.

By underage consumer

August 20, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this

Since the death penalty has been reinstated in 1976 (after the drinking age had been raised to 21) twenty-two people have been executed for crimes that they had committed when they were under the age of 18, one of which was only 16 at the time he committed the crime. So according to the laws of this country a person is of sound enough mind at sixteen to make a decision that will lead to their execution, but not to make a choice about whether or not to have a drink.

By Republic Rebel Scum

August 20, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this

Ok so how do you increase the Stupid things drunken college teenagers do. LOWER the drinking age. If the president of OSU should actually pull this off and get the age lowered then I can almost guarentee that the schools GPA will drop and there will be more drunken fights and acts of stupidity committed on that campus. I can almost assure that the rate of drunken sexual assults will increase.

By LeGaTTiS

August 20, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

(Overheard from a group of 16, 17, and 18 year olds) Hey man, it’s too hard to buy liquor….let’s go get some crack!

By Terry

August 19, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

I think it is ridiculous to expect people to “be adults” at 18…why not RAISE the age to drive, vote, smoke, military service to 21? I mean think about it…a car is more deadly than a GUN and how they vote effects the WHOLE country. If they are still a child when it comes to booze for Gods sake don’t give them MORE important things to do. Let them grow up.

And one more thing…responsibility comes from EDUCATION not LAWS. Laws are only there to punish you AFTER you’ve done something STUPID

By Wordell

August 19, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this

God gave whiskey to the Irish so they wouldn’t rule the world. So far, so good. The Germans lost at Stalingrad due to being hammered on Jagermeister, also, “Oktoberfest” is celebrated in September…alcoholic confusion on a yearly/monthly scale. Lower the age to 18 for one year, then check your stats and death rates. Decide then if this planned/suggested debacle was worth it. Who will live? Who will die? Blow the deaths off as “collateral damage”. After all, we want to feel good, don’t we?

By BigJack

August 19, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

I’m actually not sure to be offended or amused at those who snidely dismiss the fact that at 18 a person can be called upon to die for his country (males are required to register for selective service), can drop out of High School, consent to sex, leave home without being considered a runaway and be bound to signed contracts but somehow can’t handle a Long Island Iced Tea?

The irresponsible among us should be dealt with accordingly, but let’s just do away with this smug nanny-statism.

By Brittanie

August 19, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

In my opinion I think its nuts that I can go to war and die at 18 but I can’t drink. I am also fed up with the mothers against drunk driving saying that it will raise the fatality rate, if we lower legal drinking age. If you raised your kids correctly in the beggining you wouldn’t have to worry about them drinking and driving. I am 19 and I ileagaly drink all the time and I never drink and drive. You need to worry about the under 18 people drinkin.

By Michelle

August 19, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure what the logic is in trying to prevent binge drinking by lowering the drinking age. I don’t see how it’s going to make young people drink more responsibly. But there’s definitely some hypocrisy in the fact that people can vote and serve in the military at 18, but aren’t old enough to drink.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Yes, we can agree to disagree and also learn from each other. Awesome.

G’night.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

The basis for my perspective: I was raised in a family where all the drinkers were “underground” - they didn’t go to bars and they hid their bottle or had a separate refrigerator for their beer. I grew up knowing that even social and societal prohibitions didn’t keep anyone from drinking. I think it’s better to do it legally and in essentially “the light of day.” These closet drinkers often seemed to drink more and in a scarier way than those who drank openly.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

Well we will have to agree to disagree but let me leave you with this thought. At one time in certain places of the world it was legal for a person to keep children as slaves. Since then we have evolved enough to create laws to protect children. I sure would hate for my kid to become a slave to alcohol because if you ever seen an alcoholic you would know what I mean. Science has proven the younger a kid starts drinking the more likely they will become an alcoholic.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

When I turned 18 in 1976, perhaps the world was a kinder and gentler place. But even though there will always be abusers, any time people do something they are going to do anyway in the “dark,” it isn’t the same as being allowed to do it in public. And I seriously think it would be unconstitutional to raise the drinking age above the current “implied” legal age of 21. As I have said, it isn’t going to stop anyone I’ve ever known.

By Jim

August 19, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

Since we seem to want to debate the drinking age, maybe we should consider a higher number. Maybe 25 years old would be a better minimum age? Maybe we should return to 21 as the age of majority. We only changed that to accommodate the feelings that some people who were dying deserved to use alcohol as well as bullets. Now, there’s a logical combination. I think it is time to stop letting adolescents of all ages run the show.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

I can agree that with or without the law that kids are going to drink but to say it will lower binge drinking or drunk driving is just absurd. If you think they will do it in more adult supervised area well that can be even more scary then them going underground so to speak. The bottom line is that the only thing this will accomplish is to send the wrong message to kids.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

Just because we let them drink at an earlier age will not stop them from getting in trouble. If they drink and drive they will get in more trouble than just underage driving and by allowing them to drink earlier increases the chances of them making that mistake. Younger people will always take more chances than older people its just the way its is. When your young you think nothing can hurt you everybody knows that.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

Thats my point exactly Martha. Kids are to immature to learn from other peoples mistakes even there parents. How can you say that the younger they are able to drink the safer they will be? I have a hard time believing you are a parent without knowing that but hey I’ve seen people turn their 4 year olds on to drugs and alcohol its like I said before the only people I’ve seen that want younger kids drinking are the ones that want to exploit them.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this

Tkidding, I empathize with you. It is painful watching your kids do dumb things. But the current age limit doesn’t help - just makes legal problems for those unfortunate enough to get caught. Did you know one of the original MADD members quit it because she never wanted it to be a witch hunt for drinkers - by lowering the blood limits etc. She just wanted to get the bad drivers off the road, and they aren’t even the people who are at 1.0. Fanaticism has overruled logical thinking once again.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

The law of science is the faster you drive the harder it is to stop. Thus more accidents occur at higher rates of speed. Im sorry but if you trying to convince me that drinking at that age is going to lower binge drinking or people killed by under age drunk drivers you are wrong. I have drank enough to know that one drink your fine the next you can be blacked out and be in jail before you know what hit you. Been there done that and had no intention of getting that smashed.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

Tkidding - I have kids, too. But they can’t learn from my mistakes any more than you or I could learn from our parents. I wish they could. But I would rather see them drinking legally in more controlled circumstances than sneaking around illegally. I am pretty sure they are going to do it. I come from a long line of drinkers and a shorter line of teetotalers. But I don’t want them to have the added risk of getting in trouble for something that is being done and is always going to be done.

By S. Vienna

August 19, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

I have to agree that if they can vote and die for our country, then they should be able to drink. It is scary, but I do believe if it was available at that age, the drinking and driving rate would go down because they could drink at home. Parents face many issues, I think that allowing the drinking would solve problems with the statistics. MADD is a great organization, but really needs to face the facts, kids drink alcohol regardless of the law. Half the fun is knowing you can’t.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

Analogy: Go to your local police department and complain that people are driving too fast on your 35 MPH street. A traffic study may be ordered. If it reveals people are actually traveling safely at 45 MPH, they will raise instead of lower the speed limit. Kids are already drinking at 18 or so. Not so long ago, drinking at 18 was legal in most states. The age limit was raised to enable states to receive federal tax dollars. It was all about money.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

My point is Martha is that I would rather not have my kid become one of those a statistics that get addicted or killed by alcohol. As far as me saying it was a gateway drug I didn’t. I have been down that road I smoked weed drank and did everything that I was told by my parents that would get me in trouble. Guess what? It did and I wasted allot of money doing it. Am I an addict? No but nothing good ever came from my actions. I would just like my kids to learn from my mistakes.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

“Addictive substances.” This is that “gateway drug” argument - and as it is seldom what really happens to someone who just tries drinking, smoking or marijuana, kids realize that if only a few actually become deathly addicted, they feel like they have been lied to and misdirected and then they really rebel. I grew up with this ideology but there were so much conflicting information. But 18-year-olds are adults and they have to start making their own decisions in all directions.

By PB

August 19, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

They can get the beer or whatever anyways at 18, they just have someone buy it for them. At college they get it regardless of their age. Just lower the age and yes my son has fought for our country and yes if they can strap 2 to 4 guns on them to protect us then yes they can enjoy a beer. They have deserved it by then. There are underage drinkers driving anyway so whats the difference it would just be legal for them to drink. Why not do something about the smoking, they can buy smokes at 18

By Martha

August 19, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

Tjkidding, you did not fail. But the late teens are an age of experimentation and exploration. Even the Amish kids have their “rumspringa.” 21 is not a magic number. It’s true that most kids today are far from grown-up at that age, even. Kids in their late teens are better off drinking in controlled situations (at least some of the time) rather than in “illicit” and unsupervised circumstances. They are going to do it anyway.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

Tjkidding, your figures may be right. But I don’t think that lowering the drinking age has anything to do with young drunk drivers. They are already obtaining alcohol and drinking to excess. I fail to see how it would create more drunk drivers. Once kids are out of high school, drinking is a rite of passage for many and they don’t wait till it’s legal just because they are under 21.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

I have tried to teach my kids that any time you try an addictive substance like alcohol you can become addicted and you can die from it. They tried it anyways. I never said NO you cant I always said you shouldn’t do I think they are bad kids for doing it? No but how responsible does that make them? I really don’t want anybody telling my kid that it is OK for them to take such risk at that age. Not even the goverment

By Bob

August 19, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this

I think if you have the right to go across the world and die in war, you should be allowed to drink a beer

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

Martha the last time I checked more people die each year from alcohol realated accidents from under age drinkers than people who are murdered every year so your argument kinda loses its luster

By Tom

August 19, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

I grew up in the 60’s. We could “die for our country” and also drink 3.2 beer. I feel this didn’t hurt our generation. It made me a more responsible person I think. People will go overboard at first because it is a new thing but, in the long run the kids will find out once you can obtain your preference of drinks it will be old hat and become the current practice. Drink, Protect Your Country, and Vote at 18 years of age.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

Here’s another weird result of the current law, the constitutionality of which I would love to explore if I were a lawyer. If it’s found that an an over-21 person has provided alcohol to a person between 18 and 20 (or even if your kids have a party when you aren’t home) even though the drinkers are not minors, the over 21-parties are responsible. Responsible for the actions of adults, who should be responsible for themselves! Absurd.

By Truth is...

August 19, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

Parents…A 15-17 year old is more likely to listen to their parents about alcohol. Parents still have authority in their homes hopefully. An 18yr old college bound student sees this as a getaway to drink and cut loose. If they are taught earlier about alcohol while allowed to have some with the “adults” it’ll take away the mystique and cut the binging down. Teach limits and watch how kids grow. Prohibit and watch how they retaliate. Simply the truth.

By Truth is...

August 19, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Parents…A 15-17 year old is more likely to listen to their parents about alcohol. Parents still have authority in their homes hopefully. An 18yr old college bound student sees this as a getaway to drink and cut loose. If they are taught earlier about alcohol while allowed to have some with the “adults” it’ll take away the mystique and cut the binging down. Teach limits.

By Truth is...

August 19, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Parents…A 15-17 year old is more likely to listen to their parents about alcohol. Parents still have authority in their homes hopefully. An 18yr old college bound student sees this as a getaway to drink and cut loose. If they are taught earlier about alcohol while allowed to have some with the “adults” it’ll take away the mystique and cut the binging down. Teach limits.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

Tjkidding - you are comparing apples with elephants. Murder is not constantly flagrantly committed nor is it an accepted rite of passage.

Like Bob said, the law regarding purchase and use of alcohol under 21 is not stopping anyone who wants to drink. I don’t think there will be a rise in drinkers of that age if the age limit is reduced.

By Truth is...

August 19, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

Dropping the age limit might move the “Binge Drinking” from underground. I believe as others that we put all of the duties and expectations on an 18 year old that are expected of a 21 year old except the ability to drink alcohol. We want that age group to vote, pay taxes, volunteer for military service, hold a job or go to school in order to be a contributing member of a community. But, you can not drink beer until you are “really grown up” at 21 years of age. Education is the key to prevention.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

Just because a law cant stop it from happening doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be a law. Thats like saying since murder is against the law but it doesn’t stop it from happening then it shouldn’t be against the law any more.

By Mark

August 19, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

The United States are one of very few countries with a drinking age over 18. However, the U.S. has more alcohol-related deaths, per capita, than any other country in the world. Why? because the high drinking age actually encourages younger individuals to drink and feel like they are not giving in to the “system”. All privileges should be given to the individual at age 18. If one cannot handle those privileges, they can be revoked. The chance to handle this privilege should be given.

By me

August 19, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

As far as I’m concerned, make it illegal for any age! Enjoy life without alcohol! Alcohol kills innocent people!!

By Tang wanted

August 19, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

If it opens up a whole new age range (18-20) of drunk chicks at the bars I am all for it. Is this something that Obama is pushing/promising to get more votes? Sounds like something he would do.

By Martha

August 19, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Second reason the drinking age should be lowered to 18:

1. When a law is unenforcible i.e. is only being selectively enforced, cannot adequately be enforced across the board or is flagrantly broken, it is not a good law. All raising the drinking age has done is push it underground, like a Prohibition for young adults. I cannot believe this law has had any real quantitative or qualitative actual success. I don’t believe it has actually kept people under 21 from drinking.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

In my experience the only people that want to give younger kids alcohol are the ones that want to exploit them. I think they are exploited enough as one poster has pointed out with the short sighted belief that its ok for a kid to be in a porno or smoke or be killed in a war. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

By Zaxl

August 19, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Other things (besides armed service) you can do when you’re 18: 1)buy cigarettes 2)appear in pornography 3)gamble

well, at least those aren’t as destructive as drinking. gotta keep the kids safe!

By ron

August 19, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

Well I believe the drinking age should be lowered to 18. If society feels they are mature enough to vote, mature enouogh to go into teh service and fight for their country, then hell yes let them buy liquor. Some older persons I know aren’t mature enough to drink, so we can’t place that argument on the 18 year olds. Most of them know persons 21 or over who will buy it for them, and most parents know.

So let’s get it on the ballot and move forward.

By Jerry Jamieson

August 19, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

They need to bring back 3.2 beer and allow the 18 year olds to drink. They find a way to get stronger beer and whiskey. If we allow them to have 3.2 they will be OK with that. I was.

By roger

August 19, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Only with a military I.D.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

Im glad to see people are ignorant enough to believe that if a parent teaches there kid right from wrong that the kid will listen to there parents. Wake up and smell the coffee I didn’t listen to everything my mom and dad said and my kids don’t listen to everything I have said. Life is a learning lesson it takes age and experience to master.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

I have read the posts about serving your country at that age so they should be able to drink at that age is just absurd. Thats like saying just because a kids body is ready to make babies as early as 10 years old in some cases that its ok for them to do. The point is that they aren’t ready to do either.

By momof3

August 19, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

My parents grew up when the age of legal drinking was 18.They always told me that even though I wasn’t old enough to buy it if I did drink or if I was with friends who chose to drink that I should never drive or let them drive!I thank my parents for answering my phone calls at 3 am to come and pick us up from parties and never questioning me.It doesn’t matter how old you are, it matters how responsible you are. I hope my kids will call me at 3 am if they need a ride. Thanks MOM & DAD!

By phil

August 19, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

heck yes,old enough to get your butt blown off for fossil fuel// old enough to quaff a brewskie.

By HMMMM

August 19, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

I think it all starts with how parents raise their children. If we teach our children about alcohol and what kind of affects it could have on the body if misused or if we show them how to respect it. I believe in the ole saying of “the nut don’t fall to far from the tree.” If a parent misuses it so will the children. As far as lowering the age, well… it could have mixed outcomes. It all bases on how we teach our children.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Anyone who thinks if they allow a kid to do something they wont want to do it has never been a parent. If they lower the age to 18 as soon as the kids reach 18 they will rush out to do it just because it makes them feel like a grown up. I do agree that the law has had little to no effect I could score alcohol by the time I was 13 but just because it doesn’t work doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to teach the kids right from wrong

By larry

August 19, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Do we really think any of these kids are waiting until 18 to drink. I know guys who drank in the 8th grade. The problem is the parents and society. It is accepted and the parents do it so the kids do it. I would better 80% of the people in Ohio had a drink before the age of 18.

By Alan

August 19, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Lowering the drinking age will lower the interest in drinking. Kids will be more likely to wait until out of high school. Drinking also doesnt look as exciting to most kids when your allowed to do it. Part of it is just that rebellious thought process. Look just about anywhere in Europe. What is the drinking age? 18. What is their death rate, DUI rate, etc. compared to ours. A heck of a lot lower. It just makes sense.

By TKidding

August 19, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

As a parent of 3 girls I would say no way would I trust my oldest 19 year old to drink she is way to irresponsible but my middle one maybe. It should be up to the parent. The only problem with this is that if they are allowed to buy it at 18 it takes it out of the parents hands but has anyone thought of how much more money the state will make in taxes if they let 18 year olds drink? Not to mention how much money they will make with the one that get in trouble because they cant handle it.

By Bob

August 19, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

I have been in law enforcement at a local university for 42 years. The deal is people convicted of DUI and have their license revoked still drive. Just look at the citation number in ohio for driving under suspension due to a DUI. Making the purchase an use of alcohol illegal until age 21 does not stop the 18 to 21 group from drinking. The real issue to look at is both are violation of law and are enforcable. Otherwise we go back to traffic control at death scenes.

By Bob

August 19, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

I have been in law enforcement at a local university for 42 years. The deal is people convicted of DUI and have their license revoked still drive. Just look at the citation number in ohio for driving under suspension due to a DUI. Making the purchase an use of alcohol illegal until age 21 does not stop the 18 to 21 group from drinking. The real issue to look at is both are violation of law and are enforcable. Otherwise we go back to traffic control at death scenes.

By L Blair

August 19, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Lower the drinking age? Crazy. Just adding more temptation to drink and drive for those in the age bracket who already think they’re invincible. There’s more than enough auto accidents already involving young drivers.

By larry

August 19, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Amen to Mike. I know a gentleman who’s 40+ year old son just got his 6th DUI here in Ohio and he has yet to go to court (almost 5 months now) and just got his driving privileges back. I guess we are waiting for him to kill someone then we can put him behind bars. DUI jail…..1st time…

By larry

August 19, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Amen to Mike. I know a gentleman who’s 40+ year old son just got his 6th DUI here in Ohio and he has yet to go to court (almost 5 months now) and just got his driving privileges back. I guess we are waiting for him to kill someone then we can put him behind bars. DUI jail…..1st time…

By Moody >^..^<

August 19, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

First: a drunk is a drunk is a drunk. Age has nothing, and I repeat, NOTHING to do with it.

Second: Alcoholics are in recovery, and having admitted to God and themselves that they are powerless over alcohol, they ally themselves with the likes of Alcoholics Anonymous and, day by day, hour by hour, sometimes minute by minute, forgo the consumption of alcohol.

Third: Lower the drinking age? Sure. See if the National Association of Undertakers offers VOLUME DISCOUNTS, too.

By Lisa

August 19, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

There is already enough people drinking in the world. I think lowering the age will just make more problems for the colleges and the parents. If the colleges are that concerned with lowering something why don’t they lower their tution so that more people can afford to go college.

By Mike

August 19, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Okay I have read thru several of these comments.. and I see both points of view. I believe that we should go back to the original law before the 18 was passed. 18 to buy beer (They get it anyway why not let them do it leagaly and in a controlled enviorment) and 21 for wine and liqor. BUT, INCREASE the Fines for Bar Owners, Liqor Stores or Resturants, etc that serve/sell an underage liqour. And Streghten the Laws against Public Intoxication, and DUI. Mandatory Jail for DUI

By larry

August 19, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

What is lowering the drinking age going to solve. The 20 something generation has grown up watching all these baby boomers smoke weed, do drugs and drink in access. The problem is not the age it is the fact that 90% of our leaders and business owners in this country are daily drinkers. I am 40 and I have found that the businesses I have worked for my owners and co-workers drink and society accepts it. The problem is not the age its the parents.

By Gina

August 19, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

Lowering the drinking age is pure insanity. My mother is a terrible alcoholic. Depending on alcohol almost her entire life has completely ravaged her mind, body and soul. She has drank as long as I can remember. She started as a “weekend drinker” when she was younger and it grew from there. Everyone is operating under the assumption that kids today can be trusted with drinking alcohol in a mature fashion. They can’t be. The age should be upped if anything.

By sentinel

August 19, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

Another concern is that alcohol related deaths in teens will rise. It’s just another example of too many laws keeping the stupid people from eliminating themselves. If people’s kids aren’t smart enough to figure it out after a couple times, why should we have to shoulder the burden of putting up with them?

By Toni

August 19, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

18 or 21? Kids get a hold of hooch any way, you make things harder to get a hold of it is more of a challenge anyway, and they want it more. At 18 there could be restrictions more so than at 21. I don’t know just throwing it out there. Just beer for 18 and then the hard stuff for 21 and up? Just an idea. It is a hard subject to comment on, there really is just more pressing things in the world happening, than lowering the age limit on drinking to me. Dont ya think?

By JW

August 19, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

All is well and good with lowering the drinking age to 18, as long as there is a corresponding raise in the driving age to 21.

By sentinel

August 19, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Guess who… I’ll remember your comment the next time i’m on a scene where some kid is being scraped off the road with a snow shovel because they got high on marijauna and decided to drive. Marijuana is a hallucinogen. As far as drinking problems in other countries, they have it just as bad as us if not worse, they just cover it up. It really doesn’t matter what the legal drinking age is. People are concerned if it’s lowered. I don’t care either way, I learned moderation at a young age.

By KAF

August 19, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

“If we lower the age at which young adults are legally allowed to purchase alcohol, we are lowering the age of those who have easy access to alcohol and shifting responsibility to high school educators. The science simply does not support lowering the drinking age.” - Ronald M. Davis, President of the American Medical Association

By Lea

August 19, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Drinking is just dumb, but after my 21st birthday… Well, I rarely even touch it just because I don’t like it much. Wine, maybe, every so often (I’m 35). Here, for the sake of the argument, make it like driving. Make them take a course and pass a test to drink between 18 and 21 like driving between 16 and 18.

And women (myself included) should be either required to sign up for selective service or refused entry into the military.

By Frank

August 19, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

You people are all talking like serving in the military is mandatory by law. Nobody forces these kids to sign up and fight on the front lines. Its a CHOICE they decided to make. Now we have to lower the drinking age because these kids now want to have a beer because they decided to join the military?

The level of maturity and sense it takes to sign yourself up for the Army has nothing to do with the level of maturity it takes to make proper decisions about alcohol. STOP RELATING THE TWO!!!!

By Martha

August 19, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

I grew up in the era of 3.2 beer at 18, although of course, people obtained higher-proof beer and other alcoholic beverages. Many good thoughts here - let me add another two.

1. When it was legal to drink at 18, kids went to many bars where they had to behave. At The She, the dress code was far more stringent than at any of the area high schools. Instead of being totally unsupervised, they were drinking where older adults were watching.

The second reason is in the next post.

By craig

August 19, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

people who can serve our country should be able to have a drink. lower the drinking age to 16 and raise the driving age to 18. america needs to learn from other countries that this does work.

By Ben

August 19, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

I don’t think it matters if the age is 18 or 21 when it comes to drinking related deaths, crimes, etc - the key lies with the parents not the gov’t. If parents that drink teach their teenagers responsible drinking habits, it wouldn’t be a big deal. The state should do a 6 month or 1 year pilot program and assess the results to see if dropping the age long-term is feasible. Give them a little bit of responsibility and see if they can handle it. If so, give them more; if not, take it away.

By Anne

August 19, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

The drinking age should not be lowered. Maybe we should have harsher punishments like they do in other countries for drinking and driving. Even thought I am a young person, I have witness many others being stupid when drinking no matter what their age is. I don’t think it will curve bindge drinking. Your either responsible or your not, those who aren’t should suffer the conciquences.

By Jim 5

August 19, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

Only males are required to register with Selective Service. By the “if I have to serve…” line of reasoning, only males should be legal drinkers at age 18.

By Michael

August 19, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Whats with the “If I can die for my country then I should be able to…” arguments. There are age restrictions over 18 other than drinking as well. Many car rental places wont rent to people under 21 or 25. Many companies wont hire drivers under 21. Just to name a couple.

Maybe we should raise the age in which someone can enlist. Perhaps more people will go to college then. And Recruiters won’t be preying on high school seniors.

By Pearl

August 19, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

Well then going by those arguements… If a person is not of the age of 35, which is the minimum age to be President, then they shouldn’t be drinking. I mean, if they are not as responsible as the president - then they shouldn’t be allowed to drink. Let raise the drinking age to 35!

(snickers at all the ‘If you can fight in war you should be able to drink’ comments)

By Amysoung

August 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

I think that if you can go and fight on the front line in a war at 18 you should be able to go and buy a beer!!!. At this age you are condsidered a adult, you should have the right. It is really sad to have person that is 18 in war and have to have a fellow friend that is 21 or so go and get him a beer because he or she is only 18 ( but he or she are fighting in a war).

By Amysoung

August 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

I think that if you can go and fight on the front line in a war at 18 you should be able to go and buy a beer!!!. At this age you are condsidered a adult, you should have the right. It is really sad to have person that is 18 in war and have to have a fellow friend that is 21 or so go and get him a beer because he or she is only 18 ( but he or she are fighting in a war).

By KAF

August 19, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

The only reason why 18 is the age for military service is because the older people get the less willing they are to become cannon fodder. You have to get them while they are young and naive. Raise the age of military service to 21. It will make wars of aggression, such as those being waged by Russia in Georgia and the United States in Iraq, much less likely.

By Nate

August 19, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

I think that moving the drinking age to 18 can go both ways, some for the better and some for the worse. I could see this bring alcohol into the high school age group, i.e. 18 yr olds, buying boos’ for their underage friends, who of which are just learning to drive. And I see it cutting back on the ‘binge’ drinking that takes place in college. I know I was drinking at 17, but I never got drunk and drove or took part in it, I guess I was responsible when it came to that aspect.

By dreamscape

August 19, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

If we can serve (and die for) our country at age 18, then we should have the right to legally drink a beer at 18! We can buy cigarettes at 18, why not alcohol?

By ?

August 19, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Is dkjfaklsf drunk?

By Mark

August 19, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe how blind some of you are to the goings-on, especially in Dayton, of high school kids. I started drinking when I was 14 and underage kids were the ones buying for us. Dropping to 18 WILL curb the binge drinking b/c it won’t be so “cool” to go to the bars underage or they won’t be sneaking around taking shots right before they go out knowing they won’t be able to drink while they are out or that they can’t be “too drunk” when they come home to their parents.

By gene baker

August 19, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

after having 4 children the youngest now 26 i can say positivaly that no!!!!!!!!!!! to the age of 18 yr. 21 yr. was not that much better it relates to the frame of mind as to how we will handle ourselves not the age 18 willl make it easier to fall into the temtations that are presented to us.

By mcb

August 19, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

What about those 18 year olds who are still in high school? They’ll be hanging out with their 15-17 year old friends and you are telling me that they aren’t going to want to drink along with their legal friends. It may help the college issue but it will worsen the high school drinking.

By Mark

August 19, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

To all those against this, how about this rule: In order to drink before 21 (at 18) a person must finish high school with a diploma or receive a comparable GED. This takes away the high school drinking and lets students have a 3 month buffer in to college… Don’t be nieve, your kids drink in college and its true you don’t drink as much when you turn 21 as you did when you were underage and trying to get drunk before you even went out…

By Bob540

August 19, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

My two cents: In a counter-intuitive way, I think lowering the drinking age could actually help prevent young people from getting so drunk. As it is now, its a bit harder to drink, so there is a mystique and the plan to “really get ripped”. Whereas if they can drink whenever they want it stops being such a big deal. Maybe, for safety, the age for beer should be lowered, but kept 21 for hard liquor.

By db

August 19, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

When I was in college, I knew a lot of people with the mentality of “if I am going to risk getting caught, I might as well get trashed.” I respect what MADD is trying to do, however they will not stop adults from drinking. I age should be lowered to 18….even if only for 3.2 beer again. Let adults make their own choices.

By Anon

August 19, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

To Jim: Personally I think weed SHOULD be legalized. You can get it easily and if you don’t have that much you can get away with having it (a slap on a wrist and a fine…that’s more than DRINKING while driving a car!) We need to reshift the burden on police to track stuff more important and harmful.

Where my husband works, 80% of the staff smokes weed and one of the guys has gotten pulled over several times for possession but always gets just a fine.

By Heather

August 19, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

I believe it’s the person’s decision if they want to drink or not. If they are old enough to serve our country, then you’re old enough to drink.

By Jim Jones

August 19, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

In this case then why dont we just legalize weed and require an age limit on that too that you have to be at least 18 or 21 to smoke it! last time i checked I have not seen any car accidents lately caused by smoking weed! But I have saw drunk driving accidents killing other people an endagering other lives! Just leave it where it is at 21 drinking is already a problem no matter what the age is and youngsters still gon drink and party no matter what and still get hammered drunk!

By dkjfaklsf

August 19, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

i think you should lower the drinking age because in other countrys you can drink at young age like in canda you can at 18 france is dosent matter how hold you are you can drink when ever if you want but if you lower the dirking age to 18 raise driving age to 21 and SMOKING SHOULD BE BANNED FROM EVER WERE BECAUS I LOSE MY GRANDPA FROM BY STAGE OF CANCER AND DIED AT A YOUNG AGE SO NO MORE SMOKING YOU KILL YOURSELF CAUSE YOU CAN GET CANCER FROM SMOKING THAT IT SHOULD BD BANNED

THANKS DKJFAKLSF

By bill

August 19, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Christi:

Are you advocating raising the drinking age to 23/24? Why not let adults (those over the age of 18) make an informed decision whether to drink or not.

Bill

By PAT

August 19, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

If an eighteen year old wants to drink they will find a resource who is old enough to buy it for them. We are the only country in the world with a drinking age of 21. If people think that an 18 year old is not mature enough to handle alcohol, why does the government allow them to vote and enlist in the military at this age?

By Fee

August 19, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

I remember a time when the drinking age was 18. It was raised to 21 during the 80s. I was too young to drink then, but whatever happened to raise the age should be considered now. Personally, I’m for lowering the age to 18. I think it’s ridiculous. Most people drink after 18-even if they’ve never drank prior to that age. Drink responsibly. My father took the mischief out of it for his kids by giving us just a taste of alcohol at an early age IN HIS PRESENCE. Lower it & educate all.

By Christi

August 19, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

Alcohol changes the way nutrients are absorbed, stored and used. Drinkers may not reach their full growth potential (this means that drinking can stunt the growth of not only your maturity but your organs too: your brain, your heart, your liver, etc.) if they choose to drink before the age of 23/24 (depending on their gender). Because of the way our brain develops, individuals under the age of 23/24 think with their pleasure-seeking, risk- taking, adventure-wanting part of the brain; the reasoning section of the brain has not yet developed- if you add a drug that lowers inhibitions, which alcohol does, to a risk- taking brain you lower self-control and greatly impair judgment. In addition, people who begin drinking by age 15 are five times more likely to abuse or become dependent on alcohol than those who begin drinking after age 20.

By hakko936

August 19, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

I bet MADD is having a fit over this proposal.

By Josh

August 19, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Here’s my problem. You are an ADULT when you are 18 in this country. You are now responsible for your own actions and have additional freedoms such as voting. As a male you are forced to register for selective service.

Either raise the age of an adult to 21 or drop the drinking age to 18 because saying someone is responsible enough to vote or be drafted (if it’s reinstated), means they are responsible enough to choose to drink.

By DB

August 19, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

I was raised by alcoholic parents so I kept alcohol out of my home when I raised my children and never spoke to my children about it. But I think parents now days need to be more open and communicate w/ their children. However I have to agree that if they are old enough to fight for our country then they should be old enough to drink responsibly, But with stiffer penalty if they drink and drive. I see no difference w/ buying cigarettes or beer @ age 18. A drug is a drug! Education is the key!

By John

August 19, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

College presidents seek to lower drinking age to 18 - Would this help curb binge drinking?

Sure. Just spread it out over the entire week! This idea is right down there with legal drugs and abortion - some academic leadership! How about putting out fires with gasoline? Sheeeesch!!

By Melinda

August 19, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

As said below…. there is more younger ones under the age of 18 that are killed in car accidents… raise the age of getting a license. When you turn 18 ADULT.. you should be able to enjoy a cold one and not have to worry about being arrested!! It is called RESPONSIBILTY and most of them under the age of 18 dont have.

By Ziggy

August 19, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Just make driving illegal.

No car accidents/deaths. Healtier habits like walking/riding bike. Closer communities because everyone lives REALLY close by. No pollution. More quality time with parents and family. No car loans & stupid debts. Buses will finally be full. Most cities will need rail transit then.

By Kjc99

August 19, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

I say lower the drinking age but raise the driving age. Too many kids are killed in high school from driving stupidly. Let them buy it, let them learn at home and not be able to drive. That way they will learn how crappy you feel just from the alcohol. I say 16 for drinking, 18 for driving! Make them learn responsibility before putting them out on the road.

By Kjc99

August 19, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

I say lower the drinking age but raise the driving age. Too many kids are killed in high school from driving stupidly. Let them buy it, let them learn at home and not be able to drive. That way they will learn how crappy you feel just from the alcohol. I say 16 for drinking, 18 for driving! Make them learn responsibility before putting them out on the road.

By Kjc99

August 19, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

I say lower the drinking age but raise the driving age. Too many kids are killed in high school from driving stupidly. Let them buy it, let them learn at home and not be able to drive. That way they will learn how crappy you feel just from the alcohol. I say 16 for drinking, 18 for driving! Make them learn responsibility before putting them out on the road.

By Erasmus

August 19, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

While they are at it, they need to abolish laws that don’t allow me to buy wine and liquor on Sunday morning. It is UNCONSITUTIONAL!!! The Religious Right hijacked this country in the 19th century with “Blue Laws” and mandated (Protestant) prayers in Public Schools. Then in the 20th century they gave us Prohibition. Another failure. Let me drink in peace and keep your religion out of it. No religion has a monopoly on the truth. In vino veritas!

By TC

August 19, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

So many have said it already. It is about responsibility. Lower the age but stiffen the penalties for drinking and driving and such. Also think about our Military. Young Men and Women can go out and fight in combat but they come home on leave and they cannot even sit down and drink a beer. You can volunteer to fight and possibly get killed but can’t relax with a cold one. Something definitely wrong with that. Nothing wrong with Drinking as long as it is done responsibly!!!

By Cait

August 19, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

It’s about responsibility, not age. In much of Europe, the drinking age is under 18, 16 in countries I’ve visited. Alcohol is not a big deal over there. It’s common for kids to have wine with dinner (in small amounts) when they aren’t even in their teens. They are taught young how to handle it and the “big thrill” is taken out of it. Sure, they have alcoholics and problem drinkers, but at a lower rate than we have. And they are VERY harsh on drunk drivers. We could learn from them.

By Edy Lynn

August 19, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter what age people are. If they are predisposed to alcoholism they will be subject to all the law breaking incidents that go with the “disease”. I work for lawyers and I find it amazing that the courts are so lenient on these people, even after the 2nd or 3rd time. But then, as long as they keep screwing up, lawyers have work! And if it’s legal for them to vote, and all the other adult rights of passage,then they should also be subject to the same consequences if they abuse it.

By wakeup

August 19, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Nothing is going to end binge drinking. Even if someone wasn’t a heavy drinker before going to college once they get there I can guarantee you that they will be doing some hardcore drinking. The main difference is that a kid that hasn’t been taught about the effects of alcohol and how to know when to stop is the kid that usually ends up getting alcohol poisoning, crashing a car, or any number of stupid things that can happen. The people who have sense enough to know when to quit are fine.

By Dan Duncan

August 19, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

A more rational approach to the issue would involve “learner’s permits” allowing an individual of perhaps 16 to consume a small amount in the company of their parents or guardian with heavy penalties on the parent or guardian if the minor individual were to consume more than a specified amount. After a period of “supervised” drinking the child could graduate at age 18 to ability to buy and use. It would not end binge drinking but it could help. Schools could then monitor activities easier.

By April

August 19, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

To mom of six: My sister-in-law’s husband died from liver failure at 27 due to excessive drinking (hard stuff). There were deeper seated problems that were unaddressed (such as depression). I think anything can become an addiction. I agree there has to be respect for understanding alcohol. I wonder how many kids pick up smoking because at 18 that’s the only thing that they can do that just became legal for them.

By Shelby County

August 19, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Yeah Rob heard you the first time…. But compare the number of us under age drinkers who become responsible adults, finish college, and get good paying jobs to the underage down in Montgomery county who usually end up washing out and roaming the streets trying to keep out of jail. The age when you drink means nothing, its the parenting (or lack of), and the amount of common sense you have. (Currently living and working in Montgomery County originally from Shelby County)

By rob

August 19, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Isn’t the drinking age in Mercer and Shelby county 15 right now?

By Christine

August 19, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Lisa, you are an idiot. Why do you think your son has been arrested 4 times??? Maybe b/c he is getting into trouble that make the police pay attention to him in the first place. Also, your son must be an idiot to for apparently not learning his lesson the first 1, 2, or 3 times.

By tc

August 19, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree more, I’m simply letting the people who try to make the arguement about “being old enough” to fight for our country, they should be able to drink. I’m saying don’t use that arguement unless they are actually fighting for our country. I agree it’s all about responsibility, but we all know that the majority of 18 year olds are not responsible enough to drink. I also agree with your comment about the 40 year olds…this would never stop binge drinking, only encourage it..

By rob

August 19, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Isn’t the drinking age in Mercer and Shelby county 15 right now?

By TEXASbuckI

August 19, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

No disrespect intended to the military servicemen, but enlisting at 18 isn’t a solid reason for lowering the drinking age. 18 is the age when all are legally responsible for their own actions. I was allowed to drink at home when I was 17. I still enjoy an occasional drink. I also know people that are well over 40 that are still too immature to “handle” alcohol.

By TC

August 19, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Lisa, first of all you son probably is one of the irresponsible ones who will be going from underages into DUIs soon. From my experience (heavy drinking in college towns) you’ve gotta be screwing up pretty bad to get an underage. Simply getting caught at the bar underage gets you kicked out, at an innocent party usually the host gets busted. But if someone is out being an idiot vandalizing things, driving around, starting fights at bars or parties, etc… then they’ll be getting an underage.

By tc

August 19, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Ridiculous arguement!!! Also, the one about my son or daughter can fight for our country…are they? I got an idea…let’s say that if you are 18 AND you join the Military for 4 years, then you can legally drink at 18. There we’ve solved our low recruiting numbers, increased our Military, allow our youth the opportunity to grow up a little bit before they go into school, and given them a chance to make some money and raise some money for college through the Military benefits.

By Barry

August 19, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

why would anyone want the government to control their actions after they turned 18? if you can buy a house, or rent an apartment, you ought to be able to have a beer when you get home from work.

By Lisa

August 19, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

I have a son that will be 21 in January. He has been arrested 4 times for “underage consumption”. All the money he has spent on attorneys, court cost, fines, and the time he has missed work to appear in court, could have been avoided if he was allowed to drink at the age of 18. When he turned 18, he is consider an adult! He should be able to make his own decision whether he wants a beer or not. With the drinking age being 21, I have worried about him more now then I did when he lived with me.

By tc

August 19, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

I think that our priorities in the U.S. are so out of whack anymore. Why is this even a topic for discussion? Seems to me that “Presidents” of Universities, our learning institutions should be a little more concerned with other issues, like maybe lowering the costs of college, teaching students to be financially literate…seems to me that our “give in” attitude has put us behind the rest of the world. Lowering the age to 18 gives more hope to the 16 years olds…strange thing to hope for???

By Mike Holly

August 19, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

i think the drinking age should be raised to 25. I believe alcohol is a number 1 killer among young people under 25 and that most young people under 25 are too irresponsible with alcohol.

By guess who

August 19, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

If marijuana were legal, the drinking age wouldn’t be an issue……most young adults would opt for pot over alcohol - and it’s much safer anyway.

By CM

August 19, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

Changing the age to 18 isn’t really the problem. Having a drink in moderation isn’t the problem. Drinking until you can’t speak, drinking until you need assistance to walk, drinking until you can’t see who you went home with, drinking until you don’t remember what you drank, or worse, drinking until you don’t remember driving home or how many cars you missed, if you missed any. Drinking until the others with you are in danger. Addiction. Be a Responsible adult,that’s the anwser.

By Carlos

August 19, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

The drinking age debate is part of an overall problem in American culture. There is an overall tendency to have a bubble grown about young people to “shield” them from harm, and prevent their youthful and immature behavior from affecting the lives of others.

Laws that impose an artificial limit on accepted society standards yield only rebellion and immaturity.

If you are old enough to die for your country, you should be considered old enough to drink.

By lisa

August 19, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Why so we can lose our children early to alcohol before we lose them to liver related disease from it later in life.

By jacksquatt

August 19, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Hmmm. Wonder why the college presidents would be supporting this issue. Could it be that companies like Anheuser-Busch and SABMiller may be offering money to these schools?

By Rick Millward

August 19, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Drinking is a social event; when I was 17 as a new Marine I couldn’t drink offbase with my friends because of the law. I think binge drinking is a minority mindset of future alcoholics.

By flightisoverrated

August 19, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

When I was a student at Ohio State ten years ago I witnessed quite a few out of control parties brought on by novice drinkers. See enough cars flipped over, and couches and stop signs set on fire and you get the idea that something isn’t working with the current system. Additionally sexual assaults are often the results of one or both parties being inexperienced with alcohol. As with anything of this nature, we need better education not prohibition.

By Fred

August 19, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

I also feel that if someone is able to enlist in the military, and risk their live for this country, then they should be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage. Kids will drink anyway wether it is legal or not, so why not just make it legal? This will not change much, some kids just drink for the rush because they know it is illegal. The DWI and DUI laws should be more strict, if you think you’re “responsibe” enough to drink you should be able to face harsher punisments.

By Jay Otto

August 19, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

I think there should be a comprimise. I think that the drinking age for beer should be 19 and 21 for everything else. That way, young ADULTS could learn to drink relatively safely. Kids will always binge drink with beer, but that is far less dangerous than hard alcohol. We need to keep alcohol out of high schools to make it less accessible to the younger kids who are not 18. Post high shcool, most everyone has reached the age of maturity, and should be able to drink without breaking the law.

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

If people want to drink they are going to. How many people in college really say “well I’m not 21 so I can’t drink.”

By Ryan

August 19, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

If people want to drink they are going to. How many people in college really say “well I’m not 21 so I can’t drink.” Come on!

By A real Mom of six boys

August 19, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Another point added…those of you who say alcohol is not addicting should live with an alcoholic. I watched alcohol slowly kill my father. Although he was a great father and a great man…it was something he battled most his life and by the time he conquered it, it had already destroyed his liver and other organs. I am not much of a drinker myself but I have taught my boys to respect alcohol and I have never had a problem with them binge drinking or getting behind the wheel of a car.

By me

August 19, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this

this is really a stupid idea. it would totally lead to more alcohol related accidents/deaths. if they think about putting this into effect then no one on campus should be allowed to have a car. 18? seriously? they’ve only had driver’s licenses for two years!?!?! most people over the age of 21 still dont know how to handle alcohol!!! this is such a stupid idea. they only want to do this so it “looks ok” that their students are drinking. Horrible idea!!

By me

August 19, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this

this is really a stupid idea. it would totally lead to more alcohol related accidents/deaths. if they think about putting this into effect then no one on campus should be allowed to have a car. 18? seriously? they’ve only had driver’s licenses for two years!?!?! most people over the age of 21 still dont know how to handle alcohol!!! this is such a stupid idea. they only want to do htis so it “looks ok” that their students are drinking. Horrible idea!!

By Die for my country

August 19, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

If I, at 18 yrs old, can go to war and die for a cause, I should be allowed to drink a beer. They should have NEVER done away with 3.2% beer. MAD is over reacting to this subject. Teach teen the proper way to address this matter, as Former Buckeye has stated.

By Ann

August 19, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

If an eighteen year old can die for our country he or she should be able to have a beer.

By April

August 19, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

If you experience it younger, it takes all the nuances out of it and curbs the desire of curiosity. If you can buy cigarettes at 18 which is by far more damaging to the human body, I see no reason why you shouldn’t be able to buy alcohol (red wine is very beneficial).

I didn’t drink until I was 22 though beer was readily available in my house. I drink socially now and only occasionally (I’ve never been drunk). If I was able to drink when I was younger, I don’t think I’d be any different.

By Bob

August 19, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

When you turn 18 you can: buy a house, buy a gun, get married, buy tobacco products, buy porn, sign up for the military, get a full-time job, buy a car, get a credit card, get a loan, and several other things. Yet, you can’t get a beer in a bar?

It’s amazing how hardly any other foreign country has an issue with binge drinking and alcohol problems… yet, America… once again, close-minded to different social standards, does.

By Ann

August 19, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

I think if an eighteen year old can die for our country he should be able to have a beer too.

Ann

By Ann

August 19, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

I think if an eighteen year old can die for our country he should be able to have a beer too.

Ann

By Sonia Kermaz

August 19, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Binge drinking has little to do with age limits. It’s the exclusive product of an American middle class culture of over-consumption and over-indulgence. Parents should let their 16 year-olds have a beer but they should take away their cars, credit cards, and 4-year vacations in a campus condo.

By A real Mom of six boys

August 19, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

I have two sons ages 19 and 17, and four stepsons ages 24, 20, 18, and 16. The three oldest are a senior, a sophomore, and a freshman in college and the other three are in high school. They have all drank alcohol at some point in their lives. It is teaching your children responsiblity that matters the most. Kids are gonna drink whether it’s legal or not. I would be totally nieve and stupid to think my boys are not going to drink until they are “legal”. I did it!

By Former Buckeye

August 19, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this

I was fortunate to grow up in a home where both parents were able to enjoy a before-dinner drink or a beer on a hot day and never abuse the privilege. In my later teens I was invited to join them if I wished. Perhaps because of this “leniency,” drinking excessivly at college was not appealing to me. I preferred the example my parents had set to the example set by some of my peers. Our 3 grandchildren now see me enjoy my glass of wine with dinner. When they are older, I hope they join me.

By thought

August 19, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

I think that people are looking at this the same way they do about sex education. If we talk about it, they will start to do it. So let’s just teach them abstinence and that will work…obviously this doesn’t work.

We need to treat our 18 year olds with enough respect to believe that if we allow them to drink, and teach them the right way to do it, that they will be responsible enough to do it right. We are being very short sighted if we think that we are doing any favors by hiding it.

By AliveUD

August 19, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

Having attended UD a few years back, I can agree with Sabrena. Age has little to do with maturity. Changing the age will not curb binge drinking. It wouldn’t surprise me if the majority of those ‘responsible’ with alcohol are that way because they or someone they know had problems or accidents with alcohol. You shouldn’t need to make a big mistake or lose a loved one to become responsible… just watch all the other idiots mess up and learn from them.

By Peggy

August 19, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this

I am a mother of three teens 16, 18 and 19. I agree the drinking age should be lowered to 18. It shouldn’t be such a big deal for our youngsters to get a drink if they choose. The more we make it sound so wonderful, the more they will sneak and binge. If a young man can go into the armed forces he should be allowed to order a beer. Come on, what do you actually think that raising the age to 21 did, make the sales on campus go higher, maybe. They are going to get it regardless in school.

By constitutionCat

August 19, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

I started drinking when I was 13. I was an idiot then. By the time I was 21 I knew how much to drink and how much not to. Listen soldiers are dying for our country right now and they all should be able to drink. And damn it after a hard day at college they should be able to drink a beer. And then all the upperclass men could not pick on them. So the argument that it was good enough for me is BS. I was a child when the beer age was 18 and it was fine then. People are control freaks and stupid.

By Scott Hyder

August 19, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

As a veteran of this great country I personally feel that if you can give your life then you should be able to have a drink if you so chose. I do however think that there should be much harsher penalties for drinking and driving, regardless of the age. With all the crap going on in this country today and we are making a big deal out of this. Come on! What about the fact that we have homeless vets walking the streets, or freeloading adults that abuse the system just to get more money out of the government each month? PEOPLE WAKE UP, THIS COUNTRY IS IN A DOWNWARD SPIRAL

By Ray

August 19, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

Well, it’s obvious that stupidity runs in all walks of life, teenagers, criminals, politicians, college presidents, etc. Why not lower the drinking age to 15 or 12 it would be just as wise as 18. Many parents wouldn’t care and it would be still more job security for the police, courts and medical profession. After all, with USA hemorrhaging jobs to overseas, we better keep crimes’ economy going! Yep, the nuts are running the asylum.

By Ray

August 19, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this

Well, it’s obvious that stupidity runs in all walks of life, teenagers, criminals, politicians, college presidents, etc. Why not lower the drinking age to 15 or 12 it would be just as wise as 18. Many parents wouldn’t care and it would be still more job security for the police, courts and medical profession. After all, with USA hemorrhaging jobs to overseas, we’d keep crimes’ economy going! Yep, the nuts are running the assylum.

By Gabriel Robbins

August 19, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this

I’m 25 we should not lowerthe drinking

age I had to wait until I was 21.If we

lower the age limit there will be more

accidendts then what is currently on

record.If I would have had the chance

to drink when I was 18 then my life

would have been pretty screwed up.

By ArnieC

August 19, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this

I drank an occasional glass of beer at home with a meal when I was a young teenager. When I dated I might have a mild drink. Never did I drink for acceptance, nor did I ever drink more than one in an evening. If a person holds themself responsible for their own actions they will drink responsibly. There is no reason for anyone to drink a 6-pack of beer in an evening or take more than one drink of hard liquor. Age does not always bestow maturity on an individual.

By Paul

August 19, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this

I think that if they do change the drinking limit to 18 than teens would get to learn not to drink that much because they would have to worry about filling out college forms. If anyone can answer is will they make it legal to go to bars or stores and buy beer legally for eighhteen year olds if the limit turns to eighteen ?

By MGOOTEE

August 19, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.. AND WHO PAYS FOR ALL THIS MON AND DAD.YES SOME PEOPLE DRINK TO MUCH AT ANY AGE FROM 18 TO 90 . NOW HOW R U GOING TO STOP THAT DRINKING POLICE.SAME WAY WITH SEAT BELTS.OH THAT RIGHT DON,T WEAR ONE OF THOSE AND TICKET. MORE MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET..LETS LET PEOPLE GROW UP AS THEY HAVE FOR MANY MOONS..THE SMART ONE WILL FIGURE IT OUT.. AND SOME WILL NOT.. WE NEED LESS GOVERMENT AND POLICE..GOD PLEASE HELP US.

By MGOOTEE

August 19, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.. AND WHO PAYS FOR ALL THIS MON AND DAD.YES SOME PEOPLE DRINK TO MUCH AT ANY AGE FROM 18 TO 90 . NOW HOW R U GOING TO STOP THAT DRINKING POLICE.SAME WAY WITH SEAT BELTS.OH THAT RIGHT DON,T WEAR ONE OF THOSE AND TICKET. MORE MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET..LETS LET PEOPLE GROW UP AS THEY HAVE FOR MANY MOONS..THE SMART ONE WILL FIGURE IT OUT.. AND SOME WILL NOT.. WE NEED LESS GOVERMENT AND POLICE..GOD PLEASE HELP USE.

By MGOOTEE

August 19, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.. AND WHO PAYS FOR ALL THIS MON AND DAD.YES SOME PEOPLE DRINK TO MUCH AT ANY AGE FROM 18 TO 90 . NOW HOW R U GOING TO STOP THAT DRINKING POLICE.SAME WAY WITH SEAT BELTS.OH THAT RIGHT DON,T WEAR ONE OF THOSE AND TICKET. MORE MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET..LETS LET PEOPLE GROW UP AS THEY HAVE FOR MANY MOONS..THE SMART ONE WILL FIGURE IT OUT.. AND SOME WILL NOT.. WE NEED LESS GOVERMENT AND POLICE..GOD PLEASE HELP USE.

By Sabrena

August 19, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this

I have a best friend who lost her 19 year old daughter in an accident due to her 19 year old boyfriend drinking & driving…Sure, they are going to get it somehow someway..BUT i personally think they should BAN all alcohol !! as you can tell im NOT a drinker & never have in my 52 years…drinking doesn’t make you cool…makes you sick & could cost you your life early…they don’t need to lower the age, they need to raise the age..

By College Guy

August 19, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this

The only thing that should stop the drinking age from being lowered is drunk driving. Unlike many European countires, most of our teens drive and end up combining the two.

By CS

August 19, 2008 7:03 AM | Link to this

It’s total hypocrisy to single out 21 as a drinking age. If 21 is so much better than 18 why not make it 29? Wouldn’t we all be even “safer” if it were 35? Let’s just ban it all together. Wait they all ready tried that Prohibition really worked well too.

By Mr Obvious

August 19, 2008 6:32 AM | Link to this

18 year old high school senior dates a 16 year old soph tried for statutory rape when parent gets @#!. Goes to war for his country. Can sign a binding contract. If you can make decisions of those magnitudes and be held responsible for them then why not let them drink. I know of no college student that if they want to drink that can not get it. Laws do not stop criminals being responsible does.

By Concerned

August 19, 2008 6:05 AM | Link to this

Lower the drinking age to 18 - if you’re old enough to fight, you’re old enough to drink - and put the money spent on policing and prosecuting the under-age drinkers to better use catching real criminals.

By a real mom

August 19, 2008 6:03 AM | Link to this

This is ridiculous because more accidents and deaths are caused by intoxicated individuals. Lowering the drinking age will only cause more people to lose their lives. Every one know alcohol impairs your senses. 18 year olds need clear focus to make good decisions. Let them drink and get drunk legally, come on give me break!!!!

By John S.

August 19, 2008 6:00 AM | Link to this

The idea of driving or voting or fighting is not ligically connected to the age of drinking.

Alcohol effects the prefrontal cortex of the brain - which does not fully develope until the early twenties.

In a give it all to me now society, good physical care must be legislated…

By JJ

August 19, 2008 5:14 AM | Link to this

There will always be binge drinking-college or no college-adult or minor-you cannot legislate common sense. What did’nt make sense in the 1st place was raising the drinking age to 21-if you can drive,vote, etc., you ought to be able to drink legally-they will do it anyway.

By Matt

August 19, 2008 2:03 AM | Link to this

I totally agree with “You can vote, go to war, buy a house, get married,BUY A GUN,but you cant drink.” That just totally blows my mind. You can do everything but drink legally. It is shocking, and if they did lower the drinking age i bet there wouldnt be that many younger people dying in wrecks cause they are afraid to call there parents for a ride cause they are drunk , so they get a ride from a friend thats drunk or drive themselves when they could have got it themselves and stayed home safe.

By underage consumer

August 19, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this

I started drinking when i was in high school not because it tasted good or to be social because my friends and i thought it was the adult thing to do and because it was forbidden. However, since it was illegal and obviously frowned upon by most of our parents we often would resort to driving around drinking,even getting drunk, in the car. This is something that never would have happened had the drinking age been lower and we had been taught to drink responsibly from a young age.

By Greg

August 19, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this

Who didn’t drink before they were of legal age? It’s a time honored tradition - my grandfather did it in 1930’s, my father did it in the 50’s, I did it in the late 70’s, and now my 19 year old son is doing it. He goes to a Christian college where ALL student’s no matter what age are prohibited from drinking - THEY STILL DO IT!

Point is - they are going to do it no matter what the law is so if 100 college Presidents think lowering the age may prevent binge drinking give it a try!

By Robert M Kraus Sr

August 19, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

Lowering the drinking age for college students is an asinine idea … . promulgated by a muddleheaded OSU president, Gordon Gee. He talks too much.

By College Kid

August 19, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this

From what I’ve seen in the past few years, college students drink a lot early on because (a) it’s forbidden and (b) it’s the thing to do to unwind. Things taper off quite a bit towards the end. This will happen no matter what the drinking age is. It also sucks that I’m 20, but when I try to go to the Fox and Hound with my of-age friends AS THEIR DD, they pub won’t let me in. I’m not there to drink, I’m there to see friends! That’s B.S. Am I supposed to wait on the curb to take them home?

By Heather

August 19, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this

When you are 18 you are old enough to join the military, vote ect.. but you can’t drink? What is wrong with this picture? 18 is old enough to die for our country but not to have a beer!!! What is wrong with this country!!

By Heather

August 19, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this

When you are 18 you are old enough to join the military, vote ect.. but you can’t drink? What is wrong with this picture? 18 is old enough to die for our country but not to have a beer!!! What is wrong with this country!!

By TDP

August 18, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

Oh, by the way, in addition to my two other statements, how many of you know that Colleges & Universities in the State of Ohio are not Places of Education but are Places of Business. In the State of Ohio, Kindergarden through 12th Grade is mandatory & therofore are considered to PLACES of EDUCATION. This might put a different spin on the drinking age argument for many folks. Could be these 100 Presidents figure the law is hurting their businesses.

By Jim

August 18, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

The whole antique concept of “legal drinking age” is balony. All it has ever done is provide job security for members of the Legal and Law Enforcement Establishments. Get rid of the “legal drinking age” stupidity altogether.

By TDP

August 18, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

At 57 years old, recently retired from a State University working in Public Safety, I have seen much in my 30 year career. The mandatory drinking age of 21 defeats the ADULT age of responsibility at 18. The 18 year olds need to accept the responsibility of their actions, like I did when I turned 18 some 40 years ago! Binge drinking at any age (aside from being stupid)can kill you!

By TDP

August 18, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

According to the Uniform Commercial Code (accepted in all States except Louisiana) individuals become 18 years of age, they are an ADULT. They are able to enter into & be held accountable to a legal contract, they can VOTE, volunteer in the military & possibly die, be elected into some political offices, have all the rights & priviledges of an ADULT, but they cannot consume alcoholic beverages because they are immature? What is wrong with this picture?

By Mary

August 18, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

Ok so drinking and driving is a bad thing, we all know that, but come on folks, those 18 year old Freshman in college have older kids that can buy it for them, if they can’t. I like some others could bye 3.2% beer at 18 and had no problem. I say they should not only make 18 the legal drinking age, but hell get rid of the pot dealers making 1000’s of dollars off our kids and make pot legal. That will stop the drug wars, cause the government will be selling it then. I am sure they can tax that too

By Nik

August 18, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

I think it should be lowered. I agree with some of the other posts. I am 27 and I still drink but when I was under 21 I drank a lot more. The worst years were from 18-21 because I felt like I was grown.

By Charley

August 18, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

Lower the age to 18 for low alcohol beer by the drink. This way kids will be able to go to bars like the rest of the college kids do. There they will have a better chance of somebody inteceding if they have too much. This will also give them an opportunity to learn what alcohol is all about and have a better chance of learing how to handle it.

By Josh

August 18, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

I agree with it.

When I was younger I drank more when I was under 21 than when I turned 21. I think it was more of a thrill doing it when I was underage. I don’t know. I just know once I could buy it on my own, the thrill was gone.

Either way, if someone is considered responsible enough to fight a war for this country and/or place a vote that affects the outcome of this country, they are certainly responsible enough to make the choice to drink alcohol.

By Josh

August 18, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

I agree with it.

When I was younger I drank more when I was under 21 than when I turned 21. I think it was more of a thrill doing it when I was underage. I don’t know. I just don’t know once I could buy it on my own, the thrill was gone.

Either way, if someone is considered responsible enough to fight a war for this country and/or place a vote that affects the outcome of this country, they are certainly responsible enough to make the choice to drink alcohol.

By doug robinson

August 18, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this

how foolish would one be to entrust their child’s educational and cultural development to an educator of such low and foolish standards?

By Spenser

August 18, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Lowering the age will not curb binge drinking and not stop the drinking problem, alot of my friends that I went to school with, drank beer/alcohol. And, the age limit of 21 didn’t stop them. Lowering the age to 18 will not stop the problem at all. People start at a young age because of peer pressure and they like the taste and getting drunk.

By By Toby

August 18, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

This whole topic is just wrong. Where does it end? Why not let 16 yr olds drink, but not get a license til they are 18. Or make the drinking age 25 and then they should be out of college all together. Still you would have problems with kids sneaking around, it wont change, but I beleive that if you can die for the country, have a shot on me!!!

By Kayla

August 18, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

I dont exactly agree with lowering the legal drinking age.You can vote, go to war, buy a house, get married,BUY A GUN,but you cant drink.Whether you lower the drinking age or not kids will still drink.Many times the more you arent allowed to do things the more people want to do them. Who knows maybe letting them will make it a little less appealing, not only that then the kids wont always be sneaking around as much trying to cover it all up. Drinking isnt the problem, lack of responsiblity is!!

By thinkaboutit

August 18, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Wake up people, alcohol not addictive, we should make it illegal. Are you kidding me everyone has their addiction whether its smoking,chocolate,drugs or alcohol. Yes I agree it’s not 100% addictive like crack but come on. To make it totally illegal we tried that once with miserable results. Look what drugs has done with the courts/jails it’s a revolving door, violator is out before the ink dries on my report(that is not an exageration). I wonder if some of you think before you talk/write.

By WHAT!!

August 18, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

Saying alcohol kills people,ruins families, causes health problems and addictions is ridiculous!! Alcohol doesn’t kill any one any more then a gun. People who are irresponsible with alcohol is what kills them!! People who need their government to hold their hand through life because their too ignorant to walk away and see they obviously can’t handle themselves is what causes families to be torn apart,addiction and health problems.

By painfultruth

August 18, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

The tighter society makes rules, the more attractive they become to breaking. The US is turning into a nanny-state, and the slippery slope is getting steeper. Blame the anti-smokers for the first loss of freedom. The overreaction of do-gooders is invading YOUR life, and you simplistic fools allow it as you don’t LIKE something. People will always drink if that’s what they want to do. Illegal? So? Laws don’t stop the problem, it goes underground! WAKE UP!!!

By thinkaboutit

August 18, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

One more point, in the State of Ohio, you can drink beer, even in a bar if your with your parents or husband or wife if they are 21. Ok two more points, no mater what laws or restrictions are in place you will always have violaters, whether it 18 or 21 you will have either everyone under 21 violating or everyone under 18 violating pick your line and stick with it. Remember what the right wing said about ccw laws,”it will be like the ok coral”well we see that didn’t happen. put it to the voters.

By thinkaboutit

August 18, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

Let me put a law enforcement spin on this topic, 9 out of 10 calls we receive with juveniles with alcohol it involves ages far younger than eighteen. although there is not a huge problem outside of colleges, it does come down to responsibility. if you are irresponsible in your daily life than you will do the same only magnified due to the alcohol. i would agree with those who say i can defend my country, marry, buy a house, get a cc, sign a contract serve on a jury and vote, but can’t buy a beer

By Erasmus

August 18, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

Being from a European background where children are taught from a young age to drink responsibly, I think it makes total sense. The problem in America is with all the right wing holy rollers who advocated the old “Blue Laws” in the 19th century, and forced Prohibition on us. I am sick of Christian fanatics who have warped the message of Jesus telling me what to do. Newsflash: Kings David and Solomon PARTIED HARD, and guess what? Jesus turned water into WINE not grape juice. In vino veritas!

By karon

August 18, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

In germany kids as young as 5 drink beer with there big macs!

By just me

August 18, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

Let’s what you can do under 21: have a full time job - yes; get married - yes have children - yes buy a house - yes drink a beer on your front porch? not responsible enough.

By Bob L

August 18, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

a freind of mine recently returned home from a tour of duty in iraq, his second tour actually. naturaly we took him out to have a good time. he is 20 years old but got into the bars with his military id of course. we were stopped by the police later that night because our designated was speeding 47 in a 40. the cop said he smelled alcohal and my freind said yea its me, he received an underage concumption.- willing to die for a country that charges you for a b.s. crime. sad huh

By Oldtimer

August 18, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

Ban alcohol altogether? Don’t make me laugh. When I worked in Oklahoma it was a dry state, yet every time I visited someone I was asked if I would like a drink. Bootlegging was a major industry. You could go to the local pharmacy and get your “prescription” filled. The medicine bottles contained bourbon or scotch, your choice. Prohibition didn’t work in the 1920s and it wouldn’t now.

By Mike Davis

August 18, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

I was in college in the 1960’s when 18 yr olds had the right to drink “low beer”, which is about the same as “light” beer. I don’t remember any problems at all! When you know that you can drink legally, whenever you want, it isn’t such a big deal. All of my friends and I went out drinking on the weekend, and sometimes we got drunk, but we weren’t driving our cars. We walked about a half mile to the college bar district. I think 18 years old is old enough to drink alcohol!

By sams friend

August 18, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

i see sam. i think you are right. we should make it illegal. just like drugs because now that they are illegal nobody does them. Thank you for stating that.

By sam

August 18, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

Not going to happen. Alcohol in general should be illegal. Why have something around that ruins peoples lives,kills people,tears apart families, and leads to disease,death, and addiction. That sounds like something we need in society……

By chandler

August 18, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

M.A.D.D like the A.C.L.U has lost it’s way!!!! Underage drinking will never go away. 18 years of age is considered a legal adult and should be treated across the board as such,if an 18 yr old can go to war in the name of his or her country they damn well deserve to be able to drink alcohol. Grow up America!!!!!!

By Joaniesgarden

August 18, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Drinking is a learned behavior. Research the drinking age limits of the entire world and the U.S. has one of the highest age limits, yet our media glorifies alcohol to entice the young they are missing out on something ‘wonderful’ . Whether, when and how to drink originates in the home, our culture, media.Countries that have made alcohol illegal, like Iran, Kuwait, Pakistan have strict Islamic laws that prohibit it. Other tolerant countries teach that it’s alright to drink, but don’t get drunk.

By jsc

August 18, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Alochol is not an addictive substance. If it was, then everyone who drank would be alcoholic. It’s not heroin. Not everyone who drinks is a drunk. There are irresponsible drinkers of every age just like irresponsibel voters (2 terms of Bush/Cheney!). I support the one age thing. If you can vote or die serving your country then you are certainly entitled to drink whatever and wherever you want

By the drunk says

August 18, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

pease don’t the price of my licker wil go up cause all deese kids be buying it. and I like mad cus i aint have a car and keep mine licker low cost. i now kiddys will clear off the shelfs let them have thar fun racing and yaking on thar portable fones. don’t let mad folks now dat tho. cus i cee mor wecks cus of dat stuff. just dont tell any kiddys dat i say this cus thay may beat me up an put it on da puter thing. gotta go an i lik talking to ya but my library time is up

By john

August 18, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

What the Madd group doesnt tell you is the number of driving deaths due to drugs ( pot, pills, etc..) rose once the the drinking age was raised to 21. In this day in age its almost as easy to get a bag a weed as it is to buy a six pak of beer. Which one is worse is another argument.In other counties (France) where the legal age is lower they do not the same degree of problems we do here.

By joe

August 18, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

I think no matter what the age limit is. the students/underage kids will drink. If the legal age is made at 18, they’ll still sneak around an drink at 16 or 17 years of age.this problem will continue just like the drug problems.And the reason for this is. the laws that are in place isn’t strict enough to help prevent such behavior.So lowering the legal drinking age will not solve anything.

By HuberTucky

August 18, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

The right to own property, marry, have children, serve in the military, vote, drink…all should have the same age requirement. All of these are adult activities and should be legally treated the same age-wise. It’s very unfair to say 18 to die serving your country or marry or vote or own a house but 21 to drink? That is absurd! End the double standard. It’s descriminatory. Period!

By Alky holic

August 18, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

I think they should ban alcohol period! No more for nobody, too many wrecks, too many domestic breakups, too many shootings, too many dumb college kids. It’s funny how society has placed such a taboo on cigarettes but drinking is such an acceptable thing. If you can’t live life without alcohol maybe you got a problem.

By Teach

August 18, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

Make the drinking age 19. That keeps drinking out of High Schools (theoretically). High Schools already have enough discipline issues because parents allow their kids to rule the roost. If kids are legally allowed to drink, many will show up drunk to dances, football games, etc. Even worse than it is already.

By Chris

August 18, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

There is no arguement, if you can die for your country, and be competent for your actions in court, you should be able to drink. Lower the legal age, or raise the legal age to join the army and be charged as an adult

By Wordell

August 18, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

Lower the age to 18 for all alcohol consumption? Good idea! Darwinian theory will become a hypothesis, then statistics appear that a few more 18 year olds are in trouble with booze, or dying due to alcohol related trouble. Knowing the head-on collision I hopefully survive was caused by politicians/psycho babble sociologists/psychologists, that yearn to study what “happens”, makes me feel all “touchy feely”. Issue handguns to chimps, let them loose, see what happens…just flesh wounds! Correct?

By Chase

August 18, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

157 people drank themselves to death in 6 years?? 6 years people…more people die a year just walking across the street sober, or how many die a year in non alcohol related traffic accidents a year? wow, I think MADD has a tough argument here.

By Frank

August 18, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

Most of these comments don’t even make sense. Where did you people learn English? Or are you drunk right now? Changing the drinking age isn’t going to stop anything at all. You could lower it to 12 and college kids are still going to get wasted and hook up with fat chicks and hope that nobody found out. Most bars don’t check IDs and the ones that do simply mark your hands (chap stick takes care of that), there’s no point to changing the drinking age. Changing the legal age wont effect DUI rates

By ohio teach

August 18, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

When I was a student at the University of Nebraska in the 70s, 18 was the legal drinking age. Sometimes we drank too much; sometimes not. Most of us came through the experience unscathed.

If they’re old enough to fight in a war, they’re old enough to drink.

By Joan

August 18, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

How naive!!!! We need our good minds in today’s world, enough drink without this. How about saving the college money and just buy them booze and tv. Colleges would lose a lot of money. Huh???

By lou

August 18, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

If an 18 year old enough to be legally resposible for all their actions and can go to prison then they are old enough to take the responsibility of drinking. Maybe we should raise the age of adulthood back to 21?

By william

August 18, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

How many people die each year from drunken driving? Now how many people die each year from driving while smoking pot? The point is we make pot illegal, but alcohol causes more societal problems by far. Either legalize pot or go back to some sort of prohibition.

By Bill

August 18, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

I think MADD was a good idea at first but they are victim of their own success. MADD has gone from preventing drunk driving (a reasonable goal) to being anti-alcohol and unreasonable.

The college presidents have the right idea. While were at it, we should also raise the DUI limit back to .10.

Bill

By Happy-not-madd

August 18, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

I think they should lower it. age limit never stopped me from drinking. just made me come up with other ways to get it. If MADD people want to say it changes things then why don’t they just make illegal until people turn 41. What makes 21 so special? If anything at 21 I was on my own so driving after drinking happened more because I wasn’t afraid to face the parents.

18 is the age of becoming an adult. You must face consequences for the decisions you make.

By Carrie

August 18, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

No way this this stop the binge drinking.