MyFox
 

Executivemom's Blog

by Executivemom from St Louis

Last Post 82 days, 23 hours Ago


If you can vote then why not?
Apr 8, 2008 | 5:20 PM
Category: Political
Report This Post

Organizers were trying to get enough votes on a petition to add a change to Missouri's drinking age to the November Ballot. They will be falling short of their 100,000 needed by May for this November's ballot so they are setting their sites on 2010. The following is a report in USA Today on Missouri's efforts:

By Judy Keen, USA TODAY

Debate over lowering the drinking age is heating up in several states, fueled in part by legislators who contend that men and women who are old enough to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan are responsible enough to buy alcohol legally.

Legislation introduced in Kentucky, Wisconsin and South Carolina would lower the drinking age for military personnel only. A planned ballot initiative in Missouri would apply to everyone 18 and older. An initiative in the works in South Dakota would allow all 19- and 20-year-olds to buy low-alcohol beer.

Vermont’s legislature is considering a task force to study the issue. A Minnesota bill would allow anyone 18 and older to buy alcohol in bars or restaurants, but not in liquor stores until they’re 21.

Then today, I read a sad story about a 15 year old who is now in the ER at Children's Hospital because she had a blood alcohol level of .389 - five times the legal limit. She is lucky to be alive.
I remember when I was 18, Illinois and Florida both had 18 as their drinking age (just remember this because it made for a fun spring break)...did it make any difference? Honestly have to admit i started drinking at the age 0f 14 - never stopped or slowed us down. But, today, I don't drink...actually drank less AFTER 21 and yes, I paid a couple tickets for my choice.
So, would the change in drinking age have made any difference for this 15 year old now struggling for her life? Or was it just an immature choice she chose to make? Would this put more drunk drivers on our roads? Younger drivers are a greater risk on the roads the way it is? Do you really think the age limit slows the number of drinkers down? I'm not sure.

So, what do you think? Should we take a vote and consider lowering the drinking age?

Be SAFE out there....




16 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 16
Page 1 of 1
mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Apr 8, 2008 | 5:26 PM

They are going to get it anyways..... One of the reasons I prefer to be at the grade schools or jr high is because it's more and more common to encounter hung over students and even sometimes they are still drunk.....

Most of the kids that drink to excess will get it whenever they want...... They have their ways and sources.........
sarcasticdragon
Apr 8, 2008 | 5:43 PM

Actually, I think 18 is too young to fight in a war but thats a topic for another time.

As far as drinking goes, sure they may still do it anyway regardless of their age, but thats no reason to make it easier for them to do it by lowering the age limit.

Its like giving up on them.

21 is fine. It should stay that way.
If they cant wait til then then let them suffer the concequences of their actions. Thats part of growing up isnt it?
kurkel read my blog view my photos
Apr 8, 2008 | 6:18 PM

OK sarcasticdragon....remember to mark this one down too...lol...I agree with you..

I think it should be 21...jmo

I also think 18 is too young to go to Iraq as well. Sometimes they really want to go then if they pass psych. testing etc...then they should be able to go. I just think that just out of high school they shoud be doing anything else but fighting a war and giving up their lives for our freedom when they have not even had a chance to live themselves....

Oh sorry...I took it off the path didnt I..
OK...yeah 21 for drinking...its a drug and it kills in more ways than one. IS there really a good age? dont know...but 18 just seems way too young...jmo....
junonia read my blog view my photos
Apr 8, 2008 | 7:01 PM

I say, keep it at 21. My daughter is 18 and in her last year in high school. I couldn't imagine her being able to go to a bar after school and downing a few cocktails.
I remember the drinking age being 19 in Illinois and that's where I spent a good part of my life until I was 21. We always had a designated driver and I can remember always coming across the JB bridge and there was always an accident on it. Funny thing is, when I turned 21, like you Executivemom, drinking wasn't that much fun anymore.
Chickenkiller read my blog
Apr 8, 2008 | 9:22 PM

Go ahead, make it 18 if you like. I'd suggest putting a condition on it. One (1) DUI and the drivers license is revoked until age 21. No hardships, no exceptions.
Executivemom read my blog view my photos
Apr 8, 2008 | 10:27 PM

hhmmm chickenkiller - not sure if I think we should change the age from 21 to 18 (especially now that I have a teen) but you do have a good idea for ANYONE... ONE (1) DUI/DWI and you lose the license - how long? year, two? not sure but No hardships, no exceptions...we are way to lenient on the drivers we have out there now...JMO
dannbetty read my blog view my photos
Apr 9, 2008 | 10:25 AM

Different people mature at different levels. If one is mature enough to serve his country, he should as a privledge be allowed a beer, without breaking any law.
Amend the law to 18, IF you have a valid US Military ID, all others 21. Actually most 21 year old I see aren't responsible enough to be given a beer. But I'm sure I felt different when I was 20, and heading over to Eastside.
snoopydad24 read my blog view my photos
Apr 9, 2008 | 1:03 PM

I think if the government makes you register for the draft, is ok to train and use a M-16, or operate a wide range of military vehicles then yes you should be able to walk into a bar and be able to buy an alcoholic drink at 18.

Despite what age it is “legally” to drink alcohol products is really immaterial. You will continue to have teens especially 18-21 who will go to parties and drink alcohol whether it is legal or not. Some will become alcoholics, some will drive drunk, and some will not drink any alcohol at all. Even some of the parties I attended the Parents made us put our keys into a bowl and kept us there well after the party was over. They knew we were going to drink alcoholic beverages but wanted to make sure no one drove home drunk. Just because the “legal” drinking age is 18 doesn’t mean drunkenness and/or death.

Did you know that many Bosnian families and clubs let teens as young as 14 drink alcoholic beverages?

I have said this before about teens (especially relating to sex): Tell a teen they cannot or should not do something and guess what is the first thing they will try or do? Again you have to teach them responsibility. I am not promoting to break the law (even though many families already are) but let them drink alcohol in a safe environment instead of a club then driving home drunk and possibly injuring someone else. Let them experience first hand being drunk but then the hangover the morning after.

Chickenkiller good idea but how will the suspended licenses be enforced, “special” license plates?
snoopydad24 read my blog view my photos
Apr 9, 2008 | 1:08 PM

Photobucket

But heck lets discuss this over a beer or two. LOL
kadas read my blog
Apr 9, 2008 | 1:31 PM

As a parent who had a son who was in Iraq at age 19, he was mature enough to be in the service. He always has done well with strict structure which the service provided. Outside the service, his maturity level is way below what it should be. Everyone matures differently and has different maturity levels for phases of life.

I say keep it at 21 and anyone with DUI loses their licenses for several years. Caught a second time jail time and lose license.
Chickenkiller read my blog
Apr 9, 2008 | 10:02 PM

executivemom - to use the words of a politician that I distain...."I feel your pain!"

I just happen to have the belief that if you are old enough to be drafted (should the draft be reinstated) then you should be old enough to be able to get a drink. Another alternative might be that the age remains at 21 unless an individual can show a military ID.

I do however, strongly advocate that a DUI conviction remove the priviledge of driving until age 21.
PSylvester20 read my blog
Apr 10, 2008 | 9:08 PM

I never had a problem getting alcohol when I was under age. I even looked young for my age. Where there's a will there's a way. If you're considered a voting, conscriptable adult at age 18, you should be able to enjoy the priviledges and RESPONSIBILITIES of being an adult.
bowhunter5
Apr 11, 2008 | 11:29 AM

I agree that military should be able to buy beer under the age of 21...what everyone here is forgetting if we were to lower the drinking age to 18 we would lose millions of federal transportation money...not worth it our highways are in bad enough shape and to lose that funding would make them even worse
tagalong68 read my blog
Apr 13, 2008 | 4:41 PM

Here's something you can enjoy along the way.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/interactive.aspx?type=ss&l
aunch=20164519,3032553&pg=30
Jimmy-42 read my blog
Apr 14, 2008 | 3:40 PM

I remember the legal age for drinking (beer and wine) in Illinois being 19. It was that way when I was 19, and, the state later repealed the law because of drinking related problems. I have no problem, though, with military age being 18.

Chicken (and Executive Mom), I like the thing about the DUI conviction. I'd take it one step further, though. If you've been convicted of DUI, you would have to go onto a public register just like sex offenders. Fact is that a large number of DUI convictions are from repeat offenders. If someone is transporting kids to a soccer game, for instance, it would be good to know that they're a repeat DUI offender.
Chickenkiller read my blog
Apr 16, 2008 | 11:09 PM

Jimmy-42 - You've got it right! If I were a betting man I would bet that
Page 1 of 1


Write your comment below:




Executivemom

Welcome to ExecutiveMom's Blog.I have the body of an 18-year-old, but it's in the trunk of my car and it's starting to smell. I am smarter than my 5th grader but getting dumber every day. I am here to share my thoughts, analyze situations, & try to figure people out a little more. But, please remember that I am writing to entertain myself. I really enjoy reading your stories and responses to what has been written, but if you feel that you must send me something hateful…again, remember this is a personal blog and while I understand you may disagree with me on many topics, there is an obvious difference between disagreement and hate. Before typing - Please take a step away from your computer and take your pills. I take mine! Enjoy… www.kimberlycheryl.net / www.execdeftech.com

Member Since: 3/5/2007


 

View All Photos


RSS: XMLWhat is RSS?