[Labyrinthos]

There are many kids who die from toxicity from their first drinking binge because of dares, fraternity/sorority parties, etc.

These are the sorts of things that happen in a nanny state where 18 year olds adults can vote, drive motor vehicles, own a firearms, and risk their lives for us as soldiers, police officers, and firefighters, but can't walk into a bar and legally buy a drink. If you want people to act like adults, then start treating them like adults. Sure, young adults also got drunk when the drinking age was 18, but more likely, they were drinking in situations where they could observe the behavior of more responsible adults and where there were older, more experienced drinkers to keep things under control. But when the law forces adults to drink illegally behind closed doors, the situation is ripe for abuse.

[Al Gator]

"But when the law forces adults to drink illegally behind closed doors, the situation is ripe for abuse."

In days gone by, you have a point. But you forget that today's kids were never taught responsibility or consequence.

We spared the rod and created a bunch of imbeciles who think nothing of thumbing their nose at authority.

We drank at 18. Our mothers made sure we didn't leave the house till we ate. That was in the '60s.

If we got caught underage drinking, we paid the $36.50 fine. AND THEN WE LAID VERY LOW. One does not taunt the system when one is being watched. But then again we were taught consequence.

Kids today are just stupid. And their parents are to blame for that.

These idiots thought they could do whatever the hell they wanted, because their idiot mothers "enabled" them.

They got less than what they deserved.

NO MERCY from this end.

[Toadman]

"These are the sorts of things that happen in a nanny state where 18 year olds adults can vote, drive motor vehicles, own a firearms, and risk their lives for us as soldiers, police officers, and firefighters, but can't walk into a bar and legally buy a drink."

Well said. I feel it is somewhat hypocritical telling young people we'll treat them like adults when they act like adults... and then deny them adult privelages. I don't mean to infer that it's "adult like" or mature to drink, but I don't believe it's right to be selective.

If we can draft and send an 18 year old to war... to possibly die in defense of our Nation, and kill with our permission, then that person should be allowed to have a beer.

[Sloth]

But when the law forces adults to drink illegally behind closed doors, the situation is ripe for abuse.

You have a novel definition of the word "force."