If you're old enough to die for your country,should you be old enough to have a beer?

[Relic]

keep the politics out of it.


Alaska law would allow military to drink at age 18 - Yahoo! News

Alaska law would allow military to drink at age 18

By CHRIS STEIN, Associated Press Chris Stein, Associated Press

JUNEAU, Alaska – Alaska is the latest state to weigh in on a long-running argument: If you're old enough to fight and die for your country, you should be old enough to drink a beer.

An Alaska lawmaker who served in Vietnam is pushing a bill that would allow active-duty service members under 21 to drink alcohol as long as they could produce an armed forces identification card. Those under 19 — Alaska's smoking age — would be allowed to buy tobacco products.

"It's not fair that one guy in a fox hole can go home and have a beer while another guy in the fox hole can't," said Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage. "It's not about drinking, it's not about smoking, it's about equality. If you get shot at, you can have a shot."

But Lynn's bill has received a cool reception from the state's armed forces commanders, who worry it would encourage unhealthy behavior in a military that wants to reduce smoking and curb drinking.

And if the bill passes, the state stands to lose at least $17 million in federal highway funding, state transportation officials say, because Alaska would be in violation of the national minimum drinking age statute. In a state where alcohol abuse is blamed for many social and financial ills, a lower drinking age is a distinction few want.

"It sends a mixed message. For some it's OK, for others it's not," said Royal Bidwell, business manager of the Forget Me Not Foundation, an anti-drunken driving group based in Wasilla.

The law could set a precedent, said Rep. Alan Austerman, R-Kodiak, where any young person whose profession puts them at risk of losing their life, such as police or firefighters, could be allowed to drink.

Kentucky, South Carolina and Wisconsin have all considered similar legislation, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, but nothing has ever come into law. U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Georgia, proposed a similar measure last year that ultimately died in committee.

About 2,000 soldiers under age 21 serve in the Army in Alaska, said Maj. Bill Coppernoll, public affairs officer for U.S. Army Alaska. Federal law prohibits them from drinking on base.

Alcohol is involved in a third of misconduct incidents on Alaska's military installation, three generals said in a letter to Rep. Dan Saddler, co-chairman of the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs.

Lowering the drinking age could further increase drunken driving arrests of young soldiers who would drive back from off-base bars, they said.

"While consumption of alcohol is often regarded as a 'privilege of adulthood,' when our Service men and women deploy, they understand even those of drinking age may not be allowed to consume alcohol while deployed," said the letter from Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, commander of the Alaska Command, and Maj. Gen. Raymond P. Palumbo, commanding general of U.S. Army Alaska. "It is just part of the sacrifice military members make."

The legislation may linger before lawmakers decide anything. It's being considered by a committee that doesn't meet again this year.

Maria Wylie, a 20-year-old Army ROTC cadet at University of Alaska Fairbanks, said the measure sounded fair, as long as soldiers of all ages ensure they don't drink and drive.

Cody Short, a cadet in the Army ROTC at the University of Alaska Anchorage, said he was unsure why a special law should be created just for young soldiers.

"We follow the laws applied to the U.S," said Short, 20. "I can wait till I'm 21."

[macaroni tony]

All laws and politics aside, I say yes to your question

[MatticusMania]

To me, thats a really tired argument usually used by underage kids who are not minors (meaning aged 18-20). What follows that? Other kids aged 18-20 wanting to drink to, equality and all that, right?

"It's not about drinking, it's not about smoking, it's about equality."

Actually, Id say its very much about drinking...

[Muusers]

In the Netherlands we can drink at 16, for liquors though you have to be 18. We drive at 18 aswell though. I'd personally rather drive at 16 and drink at 18.

[Deluge Of Sound]

"It sends a mixed message. For some it's OK, for others it's not," said Royal Bidwell, business manager of the Forget Me Not Foundation, an anti-drunken driving group based in Wasilla.

+1.
Either you drop the drinking age or you leave it as is. No special accommodations.

[stevetx19]

yes- its only fair that those under the stress of being shot at should have access to the easiest way to deal with that stress.

edit: (no)

[MakiSupaStar]

I say I don't care since I'm 40. Although, I'd gladly share a beer with my son when he's 18 no matter what the legal age is. In the confines of my home. Of course, he won't be driving afterwards either.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I say Yes, but I don't think it should be a special treatment thing.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by stevetx19

yes- its only fair that those under the stress of being shot at should have access to the easiest way to deal with that stress.

All for lowering the drinking age for Black males in low-income housing, are we?

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

I say I don't care since I'm 40. Although, I'd gladly share a beer with my son when he's 18 no matter what the legal age is. In the confines of my home. Of course, he won't be driving afterwards either.

I, too, would have a beer with my son if he were 18, but I wouldnt want him to be able to come to any of my gigs

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

+1.
Either you drop the drinking age or you leave it as is. No special accommodations.

I agree as well. As one of those non-minors that are not yet of drinking age I can honestly say that I don't sare either way. If you are between the ages of 18 and 20 and want a drink you either have friends that can hook you up or you have no friends at all . Even as a pretty straight-edge kid in high school I could've found my way to some alcohol if I wanted but I was never really interested until fairly recently.

I don't think I could fully support dropping the drinking age because I could only imagine that it would more than likely lead to more teen DUIs and deaths due to them.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by stevetx19

yes- its only fair that those under the stress of being shot at should have access to the easiest way to deal with that stress.

edit: (no)

Bah, where's the sarcasm font when you need it... I just cant tell!

[Relic]

IMO - if they were to keep it on base I'd have no problem with it. It just makes sense to me is all.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I agree as well. As one of those non-minors that are not yet of drinking age I can honestly say that I don't sare either way. If you are between the ages of 18 and 20 and want a drink you either have friends that can hook you up or you have no friends at all . Even as a pretty straight-edge kid in high school I could've found my way to some alcohol if I wanted but I was never really interested until fairly recently.

I don't think I could fully support dropping the drinking age because I could only imagine that it would more than likely lead to more teen DUIs and deaths due to them.

This.

America isn't a drinking a society, and by that I mean that most families don't allow their kids to drink alcohol in their households until they have reached 21 (or at least 18). It would be different if our society was more like many European countries (England, Germany, France, and Italy come to mind instantly) where parents will allow their kids to have a beer or glass of wine at dinner. That, plus in most European countries kids can't drive until they are at least 18.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by Relic

IMO - if they were to keep it on base I'd have no problem with it. It just makes sense to me is all.

How about firefighters? Police officers? (to use the examples from the article)

[totallyfrozen]

I say, yes.
All military personnel over 18 should be allowed to drink regardless of where they are on the planet.
As far as Alaska specifically: Alcoholism is a MAJOR epidemic and endemic problem here. It's so common that it's really just overwhelming. Lowering the drinking age here to 18 (from 21) would appear to ease SOME burden on police as they won't have to "chase underage drinking". The reality is that they will still have to chase it because until you see an ID card, an 18 y/o looks just like a 16 y/o.
Driving in Alaska is very hazardous for 10 months out of the year. Once you add the inexperienced, young drivers on the road...then toss in some 18 y/o drunk drivers, it'd get pretty hellish.

Well, see how it all works out.

[fdeck]

Makes sense to me. Raising the drinking age to 21 keeps alcohol out of the high schools, and probably cuts down on the number of traffic deaths. Neither of these issues is a problem for somebody who is on active duty.

[MJ5150]

Is this a ploy to increase enrollment in the military?

Join the Army and drink beer while your under 21 friends who aren't in the Army can't.

-Mike

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by fdeck

Makes sense to me. Raising the drinking age to 21 keeps alcohol out of the high schools federal funding coming to the state, and probably cuts down on the number of traffic deaths. Neither of these issues is a problem for somebody who is on active duty.

Fixed that for ya.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Is this a ploy to increase enrollment in the military?

Join the Army and drink beer while your under 21 friends who aren't in the Army can't.

-Mike

Somewhere, behind a big desk and computer, some military personel is calling his superior over to his desk saying "Uh, Sarge, I think we've been figured out".