Drinking grads

Today's laws are so confusing and hypocritical that it is rediculous.

My 18 year old CAN be trusted to get a license to drive a 70,000 lb truck across the nation at 70 mph; he CAN be trusted to join the Marines, carry a gun in a Bosnian city, and decide when and when not to shoot someone; he CAN be trusted to vote and choose his countries leaders; he CAN have legal sex, become a parent, and be completely trusted with raising a human life; he CAN be trusted to get a loan and purchase a house; he CAN carry a loaded high-powered rifle into the woods; he CAN get a job and be trusted to walk steel on a highrise building; he CAN be trusted to work in a bar, carry me and all my friends beers all night, he CAN be held legally responsible if I get drunk in that bar and break a law: but he CAN'T be trusted to drink a beer responsibly.

Unfortunately, the drinking age isn't the result of democratic deliberations in Jefferson City. Instead, bureaucrats with the federal Department of Transportation have decreed that highway dollars will be withheld or diverted to safety-only projects in states where laws do not comply with DOT regulations.

One might argue that the states have the ability to change their laws if they forgo the highway dollars, but that is not a practical choice.

Laws about alcohol consumption are based, too often, on feelings and perceptions, not on hard facts and reality. Parents who provide a safe haven for recent graduates to party are doing everyone a favor. Moreover, parents of recent graduates have no standing to criticize other parents for holding these parties. The graduates, upon attaining the age of 18, are adults who are responsible for themselves.

Until MADD and related neo-prohibitionist groups give up their chokehold on the federal government, a true debate about alcohol policy cannot occur. Until then, we're all at the mercy of paper pushers in Washington D.C.

Boss says graduates who are 18 are adults, but that isn't necessarily the truth. John cites all the things an 18 year old can do (comparing apples & oranges). But they are ignoring several things. There is no age at which a person is an adult; each activity rightfully carries its own age. Why? Because there is NO age where a person truly becomes an adult. There are 40+ year olds running around who are no more mature than an 18 yr old. Driving is a complex activity, one which kids take for granted they can do because they've watched their parents do for so long. These same kids can't drive on the interstate until they're 18, because of the high rate of accidents caused by teens in such a situation. Now, let's give alcohol, which we know impairs driving ability even when you're under the legal limit. Let's allow relatively inexperienced drivers to drink, further impairing their ability. Some will argue that they won't necessarily drive after drinking. Yeah, right! I have a 20 yr old son and an 18 yr old daughter. Both are good kids, never been in trouble, make great grades, were athletes in high school. But they tell me most kids will not turn over their keys to someone else, nor will most kids suggest they do so. There's a sense of "it can't happen to me" that comes with youth. I know I'm rambling a bit here, but the truth is that the law is the law, for reasons that may have become obscured over time, and as parents, it's our responsibility to set an example by obeying the law. As a dear friend told me when I had children: Parents should always expect their kids to obey the law and show respect to the law themselves. If you teach your kids, by example, that breaking the law is okay, the day will come when they will break YOUR laws (rules). Of course, you'll be shocked at that, but the fault will be your own.

Way to keep stirring the pot, Southeast Missourian.

Drinking before you are 21 is against the law. Plain and simple. End of story. End of Blog.

The law is wrong, and it was created in a way that usurps the right of states to govern.

The best way to change an unjust law (the legal drinking age) is to violate it until it becomes archaic. I did my part before I was 21, and I urge responsible young adults everywhere to do their part in reforming this legislation. We also need to contact our legislators and urge them to thumb their noses at the federal government and take back control of our criminal offenses.

Now, junebug, THAT is plain and simple. End of blog. Anybody want to join me at Broussard's for a drink tonight? If you're under 21, I'll even buy.

What is wrong with these Parents lettin this kids drink??? And u wonder why there are so many teen related deaths with drinking. But I guess this government dont care either.

I believe if the people of Missouri were to

vote on wether to lower the drinking age to 18 it would fail by a huge margin.I may be wrong ofcourse.So,all of you who think it should be legal for 18 year olds to consume alcohol,write your representatives and let them know how you feel instead of mouthing off in this media!

Most teens are going to drink and they will find a way if they want to. Most of us who have teens should remember how we were back then. The main thing is tell them its not accepted but if it happens they should be able to feel they can call you instead of trying to drive. The worst thing to do is drive while intoxicated. It can ruin your life as well as others.