June 1, 200521 yr State Wants Lower Drinking Age Associated Press June 1, 2005 MADISON, Wis. - One Wisconsin lawmaker figures if the U.S. military trusts 19-year-olds with a $10 million tank, then the state should trust them with a beer. State Rep. Mark Pettis, a Republican who served in the Navy, is pushing a bill that would drop the drinking age to 19 for Wisconsin soldiers - but only if the federal government agrees it will not yank an estimated $50 million a year in highway aid. A federal law ties federal highway dollars to compliance by the states with the required drinking age of 21. "We're treating these young men and women as adults when they're at war. But we treat them like teenagers when they're here in the states," he said. Pettis admits his proposal will be a tough sell unless Wisconsin gets the federal government's approval - or at least permission to start a pilot program to prove it will not cause more accidents or other problems opponents associate with a younger drinking age. Wisconsin transportation officials say the federal government has told them there is no process to apply for a waiver from the drinking age requirement, and creating one would likely take an act of Congress. The bill would create an exemption for 19- and 20-year-old soldiers from Wisconsin - but not for soldiers from out of state. A valid military ID along with a Wisconsin driver's license or identification card would be required. A committee is expected to send the bill to the full Assembly for consideration next week, and Gov. Jim Doyle has said he supports it - as long as Wisconsin does not lose any federal highway money. The Wisconsin chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving has lobbied against the bill. Its executive director, Kari Kinnard, said statistics show there have been fewer highway fatalities, injuries and other problems associated with alcohol since the mandatory minimum went into effect in the 1980s. She also said research shows the brain has not fully developed until people reach age 21. "It's for their own protection," Kinnard said. http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,1331...html?ESRC=eb.nl
June 1, 200521 yr This is a very touchy subject. I see both sides of the issue, but if more states do this then what will the feds do?
June 1, 200521 yr Europe has a low drinking age and a low incidence of DUI related casulties. I don't see why not.
June 1, 200521 yr Europe has a low drinking age and a low incidence of DUI related casulties. I don't see why not. 791627[/snapback] That's not because the low drinking age, it's because you lose your liscense for life if you are caught. It's also because it' Europe and not many people drive, much less drive drunk.
June 1, 200521 yr nothing wrong with lowering the drinking age, if anything needs to be raised, it's the driving age. they should let you drink at 15 but shouldn't be allowed a driver's license until 21.
June 1, 200521 yr They also have beer at McDonald's over there. 791742[/snapback] Can you get it at the drive thru?
June 1, 200521 yr They also have beer at McDonald's over there. 791742[/snapback] Can you get it at the drive thru? 791777[/snapback] New Orleans has drive thru daiquiri stands. I kid you not.
June 1, 200521 yr This doesn't make a difference really. Any kid under 21 that wants to drink, can get alcohol and drink and does.
June 1, 200521 yr They should either ban alcohol or legalize weed. Alcohol is far more dangerous than weed. I am not for lowering the drinking age, I dont think 21 yr olds are responsible enough let alone teenagers.
June 2, 200521 yr the federal gummit wont make any waivers in the highway funding so its a moot point.
June 2, 200521 yr That's not because the low drinking age, it's because you lose your liscense for life if you are caught. Not true...at least in Italy. But you do have to re-take your drivers license exam, and it is pricey.
June 2, 200521 yr This doesn't make a difference really. Any kid under 21 that wants to drink, can get alcohol and drink and does. 791922[/snapback] Pretty much. Anyone can find a 21+ year old sibling or there's been an emergence of parents that let their kids drink and have parties that are parentally supervised so the kids don't drink and drive. Not that I've done either of these things though. :mischief
June 2, 200521 yr "and did u ever stop to think i'm old enough to go to war but i aint old enough to drink"
June 3, 200521 yr This really isnt relevant. It isnt goign to lower the number of people under 21 that drink, its just going to reduce the number of people under 21 that get arrested for DUI, b/c it will raise the BAL. Age generalizations only go so far, I've met 19 year olds that are much more responsible, especially when it comes to drinking than many 45-50 year olds.
June 3, 200521 yr This doesn't make a difference really. Any kid under 21 that wants to drink, can get alcohol and drink and does. 791922[/snapback] Pretty much. Anyone can find a 21+ year old sibling or there's been an emergence of parents that let their kids drink and have parties that are parentally supervised so the kids don't drink and drive. Not that I've done either of these things though. :mischief 792933[/snapback] Parentally supervised parties? :lol :lol :lol Your quite the jokester Fritz!! :plain
June 4, 200521 yr They also have beer at McDonald's over there. 791742[/snapback] - Pulp Fiction 794606[/snapback] and they call a quarter pounder a Royal with Cheese
June 4, 200521 yr They also have beer at McDonald's over there. 791742[/snapback] - Pulp Fiction 794606[/snapback] and they call a quarter pounder a Royal with Cheese 794696[/snapback] And they put mayonaise on their fries....
June 4, 200521 yr They also have beer at McDonald's over there. 791742[/snapback] - Pulp Fiction 794606[/snapback] and they call a quarter pounder a Royal with Cheese 794696[/snapback] *Royale
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