Posted on 09/09/2008 2:29:35 PM PDT by neverdem
It’s not about disagreeing. It’s about truth. There’s only one way to know how a drink will effect you and how long after that drink you’re safe to do stuff like drive: that’s to drink and learn how it effects your body and mind. Period. That’s a simple FACT you cannot disagree with simple facts. You can deny they exist, but that’s called willful ignorance, and is a very bad thing.
Yes, this is certainly not a federal issue.
Bingo! No more answers, we have a winner.
It's not some lofty ideal to be discussed. It's a way to save money on liability.
Fact is, setting some sort of arbitrary "drinking age" is a recipe for disaster. As if achieving the magical age of 21 automatically makes one a responsible drinker.
So if we are to believe the MADD nitwits, one can live for 20 years and 364 days without tasting a drop of alcohol but as soon as one turns 21, he/she can saunter into a bar, order up a double scotch on the rocks and be a suave conversationalist.
Well using that logic, we might as well toss a kid a set of car keys when he gets "old enough" to drive. Screw the driving school, the driving lessons and the road test. Just give them the keys to the car and tell them not to stay out too late.
Apparently that is how we want to address the drinking of alcohol. Forbid them all alcohol and then when they reach a certain age, toss them the keys to the liquor cabinet.
Well here's what I think. Just like we issue DRIVER'S LICENSES, we should issue DRINKER'S LICENSES.
I'm thinking we can send our youngsters to drinking school where they can learn how to drink responsibly. First, they get the classroom training, explaining the differences between beer, wine and distilled spirits. Teach them what they can and can't mix together. Teach them how to mix a proper margarita or bloody mary. Teach them how too much of a good thing can destroy the liver.
Then they can move on to actual drinking in controlled circumstances, just like we have our kids take to the road for the first time with an experienced driver. Then give them a practical "drinking exam." Once they show that they can drink responsibly and in the proper proportions, issue them a DRINKING PERMIT. Now just like a DRIVER'S PERMIT, those with a DRINKING PERMIT can only drink with a responsible adult. If a kid with a DRINKING PERMIT is caught drinking alone or with other kids, then they lose their DRINKING PERMIT for six months and have to start all over again.
Now once somebody has had a DRINKING PERMIT for one year with no run-ins with the law, than a DRINKING LICENSE may be issued. Obviously infractions such as DUI, drunk and disorderly and whatnot will result in a suspended or revoked DRINKING LICENSE.
Well then, that is my idea for handling drinking in a responsible manner. Also, if one joins the military, one is automatically granted a DRINKING LICENSE. Thus those who use the excuse "If I'm old enough to fight for my country than I'm old enough to drink" will have to put their money where their mouth is and sign up for the armed services.
I think that my idea on drinking is the best yet and ought to be put into practice.
Very well. We can agree to disagree. I’m quite certain there is nothing that I can offer that will change your mind so with that we part paths.
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