Permitting underage children to drink at home is a question of parenting, not the law

hey, here's an idea!
If your child has enough nerve to ask you for a beer, or any other beverage, they probably know what it taste like. SO... I'd say that they must have had drank before. I guess that if someone wants to drink that freaking bad, that they will find a way to do it.
People please, I think this discussion is over. . . . I'd say that I think that people over the age of 65 should have to retake the drivers test!!

(kinda wanna see what response that will get =] )

At issue here (since I was chastised after my last comment... expectedly so...)is my point that letting the UNDER 21 year old drink in your presence, is somehow going to be the ONLY place they drink... How blind can people be?

So they can drink at home, it must be OK to drink, right? So the weekend rolls around... They'll find somewhere that is free of your parental control.

You can split hairs all you want but it is a FACT that this particular age group is in more vehicular accidents than any other age group...SOBER!!! Give em a few beers, or ride with a friend who as, and we're burying them in a cemetery. Then the parents just stand there flabbergasted that it happened to THEIR child.

I stand my ground on thinking that they won't drink elsewhere.

I read earlier - the old adage... "Give 'em an inch, they'll take a mile"!

I say no way on the underage drinking. I can only relate to someone I worked with who allowed a party at her home and a teen died. She will never live that one down and will never forget either. 21 is the law, keep it that way.

Very well written, pudssweetie. I agree 100%. Do you remember why the legislation to raise the drinking age was passed in the first place?
Oh, and just wondering...how much are you asking for that bridge? LOL

As I read this article I was reminded of a similar article I read about 8-10 years after the legal drinking age was changed to 21 and how that article talked about binge drinking and the increase of underage drinking that was occurring. Now when I graduated in 79 the drinking age was 18 and I admit that I was one who would sneak into the bars at 17 to drink. It not so much about going out drinking as much as it was the thrill of not getting caught. Of course that wore off quickly once I turned 18. At 18 you are considered an adult in the governments eye's and no longer need your parents permission. If an 18 year old can get married, have children, enter the military, have their own apartment, have credit cards and debts then an 18year old is adult enough to be able to drink and take on the responsibility of such.
The problem here, the government made a mistake when they changed the legal drinking age back to 21 and has realized the problem it has caused and are now looking for a scapegoat. As a parent would I allow my 18-21 year old drink at home, yes I would because I would much rather have my child drink at home where they are safe and where it can be controlled rather than drinking behind my back and getting themselves into trouble. Would I allow them to go to a drinking party, no. Do I teach them responsibility,yes and are taught what the consequence will be if caught. Some of you will think that I am a horrible person for allowing an 18-21 year old drink, but that is your opinion. The hard fact truth your 18 year old is going to do what they want and there is nothing you or anyone else can do about it and if you think your 18-21 year old child has not drank underage at one time or another then I also have a bridge to sell you.

First off I am not "pro use of marijuana", I'm just against marijuana use being illegal. Our jails and prisons are full of non-violent people who were arrested for use or sales of pot. For more on the subject visit L.E.A.P.(Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) at www.leap.cc/cms/index.php. If someone wishes to smoke a "joint" in the privacy of their home then what business is it of mine or yours. Is marijuana good for your health? Probably not but it's definately no worse than alcohol and that is legal. My kids do know my feelings on that. Would I encourage my kids to use marijuana, no and I also would not encourage the use of alcohol or tobacco. Secondly I have never used marijuana and probably never will even if it was to become legal to do so. I don't use tobacco anymore and that is still legal to do so far. I stand for personal freedom. Less government = more freedom.

We need less laws not more laws. cardtrader you are correct. Not everyone is going to agree. Let the individual parents choose what is best for their underage kids not the government.

westside...One girl that died from a heroin overdose,her mother had been charged with her dads overdose.Both did heroin and the mother didn't call for help when husband "started making funny sounds".Not sure what happened to mom in daughters case. SAD!!!! One more comment just because someone is arrested for coke it doesn't mean it's not crack !!!!

If you post pictures on the internet they no longer are your private pictures.I believe the JSD started this due to the underage drinking and drug use in teens.Right or wrong would MOST parents want to know if their kids had a problem with drugs or alcohol ?? As parents we can't have it both ways,we want our kids to be safe and cared for while at school.The schools need to know what they are dealing with also.And yes the herion issue is out of hand ! It is in ALL walks of life in Janesville.

Well this article achieved exactly what the writer wanted created a frenzy of controversy, On one side the people who believe in whats right and on the other side the people that believe what is a god given right. This is like fighting a religious war there are no winners. You will always have those people that believe if my son or daughter is old enough to go to war for this country then there old enough to have a beer. The thing that I have a problem with is that because a person is old enough to go to war doesnt mean they are smart enough to handle a gun or anything else that can kill them or others.It is just they are being trained for months and we assume they are o.k. I think the same thing is to be said for parents who think they can teach there kids to drink . My question is why would you want to teach your son or daughter to drink,? Instead of teaching them how bad drinking is for them. Would you teach your child how to smoke cigarettes? or how about how to use recreational drugs? Any chemical that is mind altering legal or illegal can not be good for you. Unless you plan on baby sitting you kid until he turns 21 then you should be held liable for anything the underage drinker does. Just my opinion

yes John, I do. I knew I had a few pictures like that when I was in high school... nothing bad just smiling with some friends with a beer in hand.. but that is not the schools business

"I have an issue with schools prying into students myspace."
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Then teach them them the basics...if they don't want the world to know about it.....don't post it.
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And the school employees need something to do in June, July, and August. (That's just a joke folks.)

Not all OD's end in death. Some they save. Not sure why there has been no coverage, the Gazette did mention use in the Oxycotin story, but until then I didn't know it was even in town.

tjn- where did you hear they were overdoses.. i know the most recent kid that unfortunately passed away in fact was due to that nature because I know a relative. I didn't see any articles in the paper.

I have an issue with schools prying into students myspace. That is their free time(students), and their business. If the parents feel the need for authority to check on their kids online usage, contact them.. its not the schools right to do that themselves

We ar arguing whether or not 20 year olds should have a beer with Dad while 18 year olds and younger are doing heroin in our city? The recent overdoses, yes plural, are mainly due to purer grades making it to these inexperienced users. I had a discussion tonight with someone who is familiar with the problem and I was totally shocked at what I was told about the use. Fortunately it is still way behind the crack cocaine usage........

nowind ....All you have to do is get on "my space" and see all the underage parties that the kids post.I have seen some pretty shocking photos ,some even had parents in them.Senior springbreak pictures made me speechless.The schools were going to check on my space to see if any of their students were posting illegal activies don't know if that ever happened.Does anyone else know ??

JohnDoe-exactly!! I would like to think that most parents understand that.

Letting them drink...and letting them get drunk...are two different things.

Let’s go back to the beginning of what this article is about.
This is about giving a drink to your adult child who happens to be under the legal drinking age.
If you give them booze until they get sloppy drunk at home then I don't think CPS will get involved because they are adults.
If you let your adult child drink and then drive, then you will be held accountable not only by the laws but most likely in a civil suit if someone gets hurt. Heck, I bet if your adult kid gets in a drunk driving accident and you provided the booze, they could easily sue you.
Now if a "Child" (under 18) gets drunk then you will be at the mercy of CPS.
Letting your kids try a drink will not get you in trouble, but providing the means of getting plastered will most likely get you into trouble. If not immediately, then down the road you will pay for it. Perhaps in a kid that wont move out of the house, or in bail money in the future.
Why would anyone think letting a kid get drunk is good parenting.

And for those of you who know of a parent who lets there teenager, or worse, a preteen get drunk, you should be reporting them. It is no different than if you know the kid is being abused or neglected and you don't alert the authorities

It is NOT breaking the law for an underage person to consume alcohol with the consent and in the presence of his/her parents!!! Please read the statutes!! This obviously means that parents who allow their underage child to consume alcohol with their consent and in their presence are NOT teaching them to break the law!!!!

http://www.alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/s...

Let me just define the job of government: To secure the rights and freedoms of individual citizens. It IS NOT to lead by example, and teach life lessons to another person, so they may become a happy, successful member of society.

gmaof3 wrote: "How is it showing our children to be strong responsible adults if we tell them its OK to break the law, have a drink, its OK if you're at home." It is not illegal for a parent to give alcohol to their underage child. Some people should just read!:)

prinny... DITTO!!!

gmaof3 - some people should just not procreate! :)

Momof5, I think you and I are on the same track... I take issue with the inconsistencies around me. While my husband and I consume alcohol... I never "allowed" my daughters (now 25 and 27 years old) to drink before the legal age. The law is 21, the law is set to protect children from harm. What is the big issue? How is it showing our children to be strong responsible adults if we tell them its OK to break the law, have a drink, its OK if you're at home.

What the heck? Now I could just get silly with comparisons... Rob a bank if you need money... blah, blah, blah...

But MY point is, I am a PARENT, I expect my children to respect the law, to act responsibly, to be accountable for their actions... perhaps others here feel their child can "handle" it, but not all parents "give a da%# if their children can handle it or not!

The hillbilly two doors down has run his property into the ground, his 10 year old kid sits on the front porch and slugs beer with his "DAD"... these are the reasons the law is there... I expect this child will be on a downward spiral to jail soon... But his "Dad" seems to think, "Its ok..."

So if some want to teach their children that the law doesn't apply to them, good luck with that... hope the consequences will justify your decisions.

This is my opinion... but go ahead all, have at it!

Let me just define the job of a parent:

To PROTECT, lead by example, and teach life lessons to another person, so they may become a happy, successful member of society.

Lets us just remember that teens will be teens. Even the really well-behaved ones! They will have that curiosity and will try drinking... that is just a fact of life. Now if we shun it, are we not asking for our kids to rebell more and want to try it more. I know from my experiences as a teen, I wanted anything my parents told me I couldn't have, even though I knew they loved me enough to only tell me I couldn't have it, because they loved me and wanted to protect me. And I did try a lot, although I was responsible about it. Yes my parents allowed me to drink WITH THEM, and no driving, and even though(as cardholder describes) I DO have an addictive personality, the responsibility my parents taught me at a young age, has kept me from making bad decisions as a child AND an adult. I recognized my addictive personality at an early adult age, and make choices that I know are not going to have negative impacts on my life because of it. Now as a parent, I would rather have my children experiment like I know they WILL do, under my roof, so I can be responsible in case they lack their sense of good judgement, than be out someplace where they do not have anyone around to do so.

The "responsible" drinking kids learn is when their parents go away and they throw underage parties,then the police come and they get ticketed

officer: you are more than likely correct that my grey areas are different than yours and yours are probably different than your neighbors who has yet a complete different set of ideals and grey areas for my neighbors.
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Answer this question: At what level is it ok to let my 8 year old son drink alcohol? It is my right as a parent to let him sip on a little "gin and juice" is it not? I mean, why can't I freshen up his lemonade with a little Vodka or UV? A little dab, will do ya, right?
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Some would say NO level is ok to allow an 8 year old to have. Others would say "one beer won't hurt." While, yet, others would say "let him drink until he pees himself."
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I would guess that most would say that allowing an 8 year old to drink himself silly is NOT ok and would require some sort of intervention via CPS or the like. However, there will be those out there who see nothing wrong with this scenario at all.
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And, that, my friend is WHO needs the government to step in and lead them in the right direction. And, while you and I may have common sense, a select few have ruined it for the rest of us.

I sum up my comments on the subject by deferring to Momof5's recent post. Well done, I agree with you 100%.
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Officerfriendly1 & Kleej. I respect your libertarian views. In a democracy, people need to take personal responsibility. That said, some do not. If you look at my first post on the topic, I agree it is a parental decision regarding the drinking at home issue. What I do not want to see is a reduction in the legal drinking age. In my view, the cost to society exceed the personal benefits. If that makes me a liberal, sobeit.
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From my first hand observation, personal politics do not correlate to how children are raised. I have "liberal" friends that are discplinarians who spank, and "conservative" friends who are hands off and set no bounds and for their children.

westside~
unfortunately, many people don't like reading about reality either. If people don't start getting themselves right so we can start putting people in these leadership positions that have a sense of honor and duty and character, this country is going to be owned by someone else! And that "someone" else isn't going to be the American people. People can turn the other cheek and ignore this, but, it won't make the matter go away. Articles like this one regarding underage drinking are a by-product of the leadership we have at our disposal in this country. If good people don't step up and set the right examples for our up and coming generations, who will? Here's a tip, THE BAD PEOPLE WILL! People need to read up on their history and stop taking for granted the heroes that have sacrificed and died for us over the years. There's a man named Winston Churchill that chose to make a stand and thank God he did! I for one am happy we're not living in a communist country speaking the German language!
God bless everyone.

momof5, True enough but your grey area and my grey area are probably different. By passing laws, the government is making it black and white/right or wrong. I don't need the government telling me when my kids are mature enough to consume alcohol. Yes we need laws in this country to maintain order but not when they infringe on personal freedom.

ummm, pretty simple, don't read it.

officer: I agree. But, where my point lies is that not everyone was gifted with discretion or the ability to know when to say when. Life isn't black and white, and unfortunately, there are a great many out there who cannot navigate their way through the grey areas without sinking and bringing others with them. I'll give you one word to back that claim up: "Dubya."

ugh major spelling typo *enjoys*

not everyone here enjoyes reading about politics.....

momof5, Not that long ago it was "ok to spank Joe Jr. with a wooden spoon" or belt or whatever else was handy. Why did that change? Because some "feel good liberals" decided it was wrong. Are we a better society today because of the change? I think not! What do you do when your 15-17 year old kid needs discipline? Give them a "swat on the butt" or a time out? Our societal evolution is becoming more and more liberal and needs to be reversed soon before it's too late.

YOU CAN'T LEGISLATE MORALITY
officer~ I love that statement! It pretty much nutshells the issue here. How can we have morality within the laws being created when the people making these laws aren't moral and ethical people?? It's a parallel with the parenting we have today. How can parents be effective parents and teach their children pure, core valued principled teaching when they don't know what core valued principles are themselves??!! Believe it or not, there are people who base their family structure around TV shows like "Married with Children" because TV has become their culture. The media puts garbage like this out there because quite simply, sex and smut sells. People find shows based on core values and clean living rather "boring". This is why "shock TV" is now so influencial to the viewing audiences. People find it easier to escape their own reality and watch other people's misery. It lulls them into a false sense of reality. It gives us the impression that we're not so bad off afterall... this culture today is the preverbial "frog in a pot of water". The degrees have been turned up slowly over the years, and now, this country is close to boiling to death. I pray people take notice of what's happening and choose to take the courage to step out and do something different with their lives before it's too late. One of us isn't as good as all of us.

officer, the problem though is that while you are able to decide what is a responsible amount, where it is appropriate and at what age it is ok for you to give your underage child alcohol, your neighbor down the street may not be able to use such discretion responsibly. While it is within our rights as a parent to allow our children to consume alcoholic beverages, it is not within our rights as responsible and morally upstanding CITIZENS to allow those underage to become drunk while exercising that right. That is where the government intervention should come in to play.
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I think I'm in a cliche kind of mood today because I've used them a lot....but if you give them an inch, they'll take a mile...comes to mind.
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It's why the government decided to pass a law inregards to punishing OUR children. Yes, as a parent, you have the right to discipline as you see fit. If that includes a swat on the butt, that fits within the legal parameters for discipline. HOWEVER, Joe Schmo from Kokomo thinks it is ok to spank Joe Jr. with a wooden spoon and leave welts and bruises. Jack and Jill think it is ok to touch a naughty child's hand to a hot stove to "learn them a lesson." To them, it is discipline. To the rest of us, and the government, it is abuse.
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The evolution of our generations and society has indicated that "we" are incapable of using discretion without guidelines, parameters and repercussions for going outside of those boundaries.

Mooshoo, I agree with you that if people violate the law they should be held accountable. This article however was about parental rights. It's not against the law, yet, for parents to give alcohol to their children. Should it be? I say it should not! Let parents decide what is best for THEIR children. Not the government. Will I give MY underage kids alcohol at 18-20 years old? Maybe, maybe not. If I feel they are mature enough at that age then possibly yes. I don't need some lawmaker in Madison telling me when I'm allowed to give MY kids alcohol or anything else for that matter. The U.S. is the only country in the world with a drinking age of 21. I believe the U.S. also has the highest number of alcohol related deaths. Seems to be working out pretty well huh? You can't legislate morality. Maybe instead of always making new laws the law makers could take the time to go over the books and get rid of some laws. Less government = more personal freedom.

MooShoo,
The people of this country have become too reliant on the government. The government is there to protect the people of this country. Not to change and compomise the principles that this country was founded on. Laws were put in place by our forefathers based on principles and not what works best for the government. They put the constitution in place to protect the American people from the government in case the government decided to be self serving one day. Which it is now. Infact, the media is teaching people in this country to be selfish and self serving as well. The government is loving this because it gives them more leverage to decide what's best for the people. It's not their job. It's the American people's job to be aware what's really happening around them and not be wrapped up in the false realities that exist today because of the garbage media we're all fed day after day. We have no foundation of core valued principles anymore because the new age intellects who have their own agendas are working hand in hand with government officials who have their own best interests in mind, not the American people. WE THE PEOPLE NEED TO WAKE UP! How can parents teach their children what's "right" when they don't even know what "right" is?? One step towards fixing this problem is, A. Turn the idiot box off B. Put the Video Games in the dumpster C. Pick up a book about American history and read what our forefathers fought for and went through to give us the freedoms we have today. The new age intellects think freedom came free. It didn't. We're going to lose it if people don't wake up to reality.

No Officer, I am not saying if personal responsibility is lacking it's the government's responsibility to step in and tell people how to be responsible. I say "the Government" should hold people accountable for their actions if they break the law.
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You made a broad comment about we are better off with less government and more freedom. Based on that I asked you to put the comment in prospective with the story at hand. You have not answered my question: In your call for less government and more freedom, are you asking for a less restrictive drinking age?
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The ball is in your court.

It isn't a feel good liberal's fault, as they don't "run" the government. And, it isn't a feed good conservative's fault, as they don't "run" the government either. "Republicrats and Democrians" have been replaced by lobbyists and special interest groups. That is who holds the power in modern America's democratic government.
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It's not for the people by the people. It's for the money by the money because of the lobbyists who are driven by the money for the money, for the people.

Momof5-excellent point! Knowingly breaking the law incurs consequences. Whether it is heroin, alcohol, or marijuana--there is associated responsibility with their use. Legal or not, a person must be held accountable for their choices.

Did I say anything about Democrat or Republican? There are plenty of "feel good liberals" in both parties. There is very little difference in the two parties anymore. I like to call them the Republicrats and Demicans. "Wisconsin law allows parents to supply alcohol to their underage children, no matter how old they are." So in order for this law to change it would be the "feel good liberals" in Madison making that change. I don't need some idiot in Madison telling me when I can or can't give my kids ANYTHING! It's time for a true conservative third party and a revolution!

I'm confused. If I go to the liquor store, and buy a case of beer and because I drink all 24 cans in an hour and give MYSELF alcohol poisoning does that mean the liquor store clerk should be charged with involuntary manslaughter when I die? Or let's say I buy a Corvette. I'm cruising down the highway, have the "needle buried", lose control of the car and it becomes wrapped around a telephone pole. I tragically lose my life from my own stupidity and disregard for the law (speeding is illegal and I knew better). Where does GM or the car dealer have any culpability? I mean they did knowingly produce a car that was capable of 160+ mph, when the average maximum speed limit in the US is 65 mph.
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I'm not saying that the OD wasn't a tragedy because it certainly is. But, maybe, just maybe, something proactive such as more public awareness programs, talks at the high schools, etc.., would serve far more justice than something reactive such as throwing someone in the slammer and ignoring the real problems.
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Life is a choice. Bad choices are a part of life, no matter how tragic their outcome. Personal responsibility is not negated just because the choice results in tragedy or heartache.

officerfriendly1-

"Less government and less taxes equals more FREEDOM! I surely don't need some "feel good liberal" in Madison telling me what is best for MY children."

The drinking age was lowered in '71 or '72, to age 18, because the majority of people felt that if you were forced (via the draft) to fight and die for your country, you should be old enough to drink.

It was in 1984, during Reagan's reign (a Republican who felt the need to impose this government interference) that the Federal drinking age was raised back to 21. Those states that initially refused were threatened with having their Federal highway dollars withheld until they complied.

So, it was some "feel-good conservative" who took that freedom away. Don't blame everything on the Democrats.

So let me get this straight MooShoo. If personal responsibility is lacking you believe it's the governments responsibility to step in and tell people how to be responsible?

tjncj....I just wonder if and when others will understand how bad this really is here ?? This makes 3 overdose in young kids now !!! SAD !SAD !!!SAD!!!!!

oh good, got ya. see how unfocused i am without my meds:)

the kid: I did state in my post that I do believe that there is evidence of medicinal benefits of marijuana--and you're preachin' to the choir here--

Ihavealife-I agree with your point on the heroin dealer and the death that just occured. No sentence is too long.

momof5: perfect point.

cmalpsv: i understand that cocaine has medical value. are you going to say, really that marijuana doesnt?? even the most anti-potters HAVE to acknowledge that. if you dont use google, or ask someon dieing of cancer/aids if their quality of life improved with pot. i also understand the diff between alcohol an pot is the legal/illegal. thats why i talk as much as i do. the current laws are hypocritical and if i open up one persons eyes in 1000, we're that much closer. i dont preach to make alcohol illegal even tho we ALL know the potential negatives of that. i PREACH to legalize/de-criminalize pot cuz if you have the option to relax with alcohol, i as a 'free' american should without a doubt have the option to relax with pot.

Mooshoo: you dont have to worry about the kids down the block from officerfriendly, i think theyre my kids and i gots em waaaaay under control:)

It that personal responsibility thing that seems to be lacking in your neighborhood officer.

MooShoo, Why are you concerned about he kids "living down the block"? You take care of your kids and let the people "down the block" take care of theirs.

This is just heartbreaking to read how many think this is ok.I did let my 2 kids drink AFTER their gradution parties.The first one had 1 drink and my last one was a drunken fool.Alcohol wasn't something that was in our home on a daily,weekly or monthly bases.My husband buys a case of beer for the summer !I grew up with a alcoholic father and drank for a few years myself and just quit one day(thank god)I decided thats not what I want my girls to think is normal.Children of alcoholics have a 80 % chance of being alcoholics themselves.By not drinking ourselves it cuts the % of my girls being alcoholic in half. My brother was killed in a alcohol related crash 28 years ago next month and believe me it NEVER gets easier knowing if someone wasn't drunk and driving maybe I would have a brother.This is a little off topic...but I hope whoever sold the heroin to the young boy that died this last weekend is charged to the max and rots in jail !!!

Umh...Officer, the Legislature, composed of conservatives and liberals that set the 21 year old drinking age. In your call for "less government", would that be no restrictions on the drinking age? It is clear from your posts that you have a tight grip on your kids. Its the ones living down the block from you that I worry about.

Kleej, Excellent post! Less government and less taxes equals more FREEDOM! I surely don't need some "feel good liberal" in Madison telling me what is best for MY children.

Hockey, I agree with you. Wisconsin law allows me to provide a drink or two to my kids. The youngest (age 20) knows that it is illegal for him to drink in any other circumstance. Does he drink when away from home? Perhaps, but he also knows that it is illegal and that he is on his own if he breaks the law.

One job of a parent is to teach their children to respect and uphold the law. For a parent to allow their child to imbibe when they are not of the legal drinking age encourages them to ignore the law or think that laws do not apply to them. In general, this an attitude that is pervasive in this country; I certainly see it at the high school level every day of the school year. Why do parents want to encourage this behavior? I say close up this loophole and teach your children that all laws apply equally to all people, and expect/accept consequences if you don't follow the laws and ultimately get caught.

Could we PLEASE separate out some points for discussion?
As I stated, I believe this to be an issue best decided by parents, not the government. I don't believe that the reason the government changed the drinking age was solely related to a ton of studies they read; and it can't all be tied to tavern operators. Parts of these laws can be tied to Dept of Transportation highway funding laws in other states, and I believe that may perhaps be part of the issue in the state of WI.
Also, no parent in their right mind would condone ANY CHILD drinking themselves sick, no matter what the age (legal or not). I believe the point of the news article was to focus on kids between the ages of 18 and 21. I do not beleive that allowing my children to have an occasional drink during the holidays or a beer or two on the weekends leads them to irresponsible drinking when they are of legal age. Years ago, the drinking age was 18 and my parents were determined that I would learn to handle my alcohol at home before I EVER went out in public. And believe me I learned that lesson. I have raised my children the same way.

Cocaine DOES have a documented medicinal purpose, but it is not to get high. As with all drugs, use of these is NOT illegal as long as it is used within the confines of the law.

While I can agree that there is increasing evidence that marijuana may have some medicinal purpose, it remains illegal. That is precisely what makes it different from both alcohol and cocaine.

While I was out last night, I came across a VERY pregnant woman. While she was holding a beer, I do not know if she was the consumer or the temporary koozie. However, there was no mistaking the cigarette that was going in and out of her mouth and the puffs of toxic smoke that were being exhaled from her pregnant body as her own.
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Call me what you'd like, but that, to me, is far more irresponsible and unacceptable than the occasional ADULT who "gets loose" while not in the company of a minor child.

the US is the only counrty in the developed world that has a drinking age of 21, in most countries it is 18 or 19, yet driking deaths for those ages is the highest in the US - hmmm.

cmalpsv~
GREAT POST! I agree wholeheartedly with you.

Optimism, I don't know where you get the idea that 'Are you people saying that they should be allowed to drink because they are allowed to carry a weapon saying that you would be ok with our servicemen/women under the influence fighting for our country?' is what the point of these posts is about, that would be just stupid! The point is that we, as parents, are the strongest influence in our children's lives as they grow up. We set the example and teach them that they are responsible for their actions. When these same children enter military service, their direction comes from their military training. They are taught when and where to act, what is appropriate, and what is not. If my son has shown that he is repsonsible enough to be called a US Marine, surviving his first tour of duty in Iraq, then both the military AND his parents have taught him responsiblity when it comes to his decision to have a beer or two when he gets home!!!

For those of you ready to pounce on the actions of the US military, let me remind you that this discussion is about drinking alcohol before the legal age of 21.

21 is a benchmark. There are 40 year old people that can't drink "responsible". Where do you draw the line?

We the People need to take the govt. out of the equation period. The government wasn't put in place to be this country's conscience! That's why the declaration of independence and the Bill of Rights was put in place. It's called a foundation. A foundation that is slowly being chiseled down into a pile of sand!
We are on a fast track to communism if people don't wake up! Only the cowards mock the truth. People of courage own up to their duties and sense of honor and step up and take action. It's time for few to stand against the majority and turn this thing around.

The key here is what does "responsible drinking" mean? It can mean different things to different people. I may think drinking a 6 pack is responsible, and someone else might think drinking a 12 pack is responsible.
we have no standard definition when the alcohol commericals say: "drink responsible" what does that mean?

mojo: like my kids will never see me drink a beer, they will never see me smoke a 'fattie', until they are legal adults. i understand why all you anti-potters think i would be a bad father, thats what weve been told will happen to pot smokers. its not true. im not sayin it never happens, but its on the individual. when my ex, who is one of my best friends, fell in love and wanted to move to another state, i didnt stop her, i said go, when the time is rite i will follow. if i was a bad father i would not have relocated my life/career to be here. if smoking pot made me a bad father all my ex has to do is call child services. she doesnt cuz she KNOWS im a GOOD father and i dont intertwine my pot life with my kids life. you all can judge me based on my posts, but my knowledge of what marijuana REALLY is does not define who i am as a parent or a person. i lose no sleep whether you judge me online cuz of my posts or in person cuz i look like a 21st century hippie, i KNOW what im about.

EXCELLLENT non smoker post avidreader.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL!! and of course a side note: the original declaration of independance WAS printed on hemp paper:)

This is an article about alcohol, not weed, but as long as we are making comparisons, I will give my take on it. Of the 2 evils, I would say alcohol is the worse, and here is why I think so. Even tho I am not an expert on either, I have tried both, so I can compare my experiences. I don't drink much, but if I have had a few, I tend to loosin up a bit. Stone cold sober, you will never see me on a dance floor shaking my booty or anything else, because I know I can't dance. Put 2 beers in me, and I forget I can't dance. After the beer wears off, I think "OH MY GOD, did I do something embarrassing?" Silly example, but there it is. Of the 2 times I smoked weed, the first was around age 17, plenty of opportunities before hand, was just too afraid. This time I thought I would try it and see what it was like. Physically it felt the same way as if I had drank 2 beers. Mentally, instead of thinking "I don't care, lets party", I felt more like, "you party without me, I am going to take a nap". I didn't feel the need to try it again, it was just like taking a sleeping pill, very relaxing. The 2nd time was years later, some of us were cruisin around the Rockies, and after the change in altitudes so many times in 1 day, I had 1 hell of a headache. Asprin and tylenol weren't working. My friend said "here, take a few hits of this, it will cure what ails ya" And that's exactly what it did. I relaxed, fell asleep, and woke with no headache, and while were comparing to alcohol, no hangover either. He who says weed has no medicinal purposes, knows not what he is talking about, cuz it sure cured my headache. Do I think everyone should smoke weed? NO! Do I think people who have never done it, should judge people who have? NO! It's like everything else, different people are gonna react differently. Some people get drunk, they get happy and giddy, then they pass out, some people become nasty violent A-holes before they pass out. If thekid or anyone else wants to relax in their home and smoke a joint, who are they hurting? If people consumed alcohol the same way, it wouldn't be a problem. I think the only reason weed is illigal is because the government can't control it, and make the profits. But that's just my opinion folks. The key to this article, and the weed, again is responsibility. I have never tried any other drug, with the exception of my pepsi and caffeine habit I have, so I can't compare the rest. And obviously looking at the time, I am not being very responsible with the caffeine. Shame on me, I should be in bed. I think instead of a joint to relax me, I will just let the caffiene wear off, no offense thekid.

"Underage drinking figures in 5,000 deaths a year in the United States." How many deaths are marijuana related every year in the United States?

"MajorMojo
Jul 3, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. thekid, since you are soooooo in for smoking a fattie every day, it will be a hoot when your kids are sitting around at a family reunion smoking crack and meth with their old man. How nice."....That was out of line. What a hoot it would be if you supplied your kid with liquor and they drove around milton avenue on a saturday night

that is a very good question JohnDoe. Unfortunatly, I don't have the answer. I know a couple 10 year olds who show more responsibility than some adults I have met. After reading this article, I went over to the crime sections, and no surprise, several repeat drunk drivers there. And I found myself questioning wether these peoples parents allowed them to drink before the "legal" age, whatever it was at the time. This article, and all the repeat offenders we read about has really made me question myself as to what I will do if my youngest 2 children ever ask me if they can have a drink. God willing, I still have a few years to think of my response or actions. As of now, they are very aware of what can happen when teens drink, because their cousin was in a near fatal accident a few years ago. I just hope in a few years when they are in that age range, they will remember their cousin, and how drastically her life has been changed since that fateful decision.

With so many adults proving they are not responsible enough to drink, I guess i would have to wonder why parents of teens are willing to take the risk if seeing if their kids are responsible enough. Alcoholism has to start somewhere, heck, it's even starting in the womb these days.

thekid, since you are soooooo in for smoking a fattie every day, it will be a hoot when your kids are sitting around at a family reunion smoking crack and meth with their old man. How nice.

What's the age of responsibility?

Optimism. I am not sure where you are going with your line of thinking on military drinking. But your last two sentences lead me to believe that you think that age and discpline teach one to be a responsible drunk.

So much talk is about age, but unfortunatly, age is really not the issue, is it?
Responsibility is the true issue here.

I understand everyones logic about being able to defend our country but not able to drink. I however don't think these kids should be sent to war.

One of the things I have to question about the article though is that once a child turns 18, they no longer have a legal guardian, so how can parents legally buy them a drink in a bar?

When I was a senior, 18 was the legal age. Half my graduating class could buy alcohol, which made it way to accessable to the other half. My daughter will turn 18 at the beginning of her Senior year, and I am very thankful that she won't have to deal with the peer pressure of friends wanting her to get them alcohol.

I was one of those small children that were taken to the bars often. Both my parents were in pool leagues and back then, it was no big deal to bring the kids along. My sibs and I sat in the back at a table with our chips and pop, and got a lot of laughs at the funny people stumbling around and talking funny. Maybe watching those people look like idiots is one of the reasons I rarely drink today. I'm 42, and I can't even remember the last time I had a beer. A few weeks ago, I was at several bars, and never had a drop of liquor.

Every person is different. We don't all learn to walk, talk, or go to the bathroom on the big potty at the exact same age, so it is ridiculous to think everyone is ready to be responsible enough to drink at the same age.
It's hard enough being a parent now days, it's nothing like when we were kids. Back then parents were parents, and weren't trying so hard to be our friends.

I'd like to think I have taught my kids right from wrong, but when it comes right down to it, I am scared to death that one of their friends might convince them to do something they know they shouldn't.

We read it all the time, some teenager makes some terrible mistake, half the blogs are about how the kid was raised, musta been bad parenting, and half the blogs are from people who knew the kid, and say what a great person they were, excellent parents, the kid just made a bad decision.

Like I said before, age isn't the real issue here, responsibility is.

The enlistment age and drinking aren't even on the same plane. An elistee is trained without the influence of alcohol (I Pray) and learn the trade of being a member of the military in the right state of mind. Are you people saying that they should be allowed to drink because they are allowed to carry a weapon saying that you would be ok with our servicemen/women under the influence fighting for our country? There are no training camps, last I checked, to teach you how to be a responsible drunk. That comes with age and dicipline.

A child's mind is not anywhere near developed enough to handle life on a sober mind let alone a mind under the influence of alcohol. That is why there is an age limit, due to many studies of behavoir and development of a human's mind. Parent's that allow their kids to drink, are only looking for friends in their children in my opinion, and parents are NOT meant to be friends. If we are all honest with ourselves, and remember back when we drank as teens, the situations we got ourselves into could have been and sometimes were terrible. Our whole life is how our coping skills are developed as children, and if these skills are interrupted by intoxicants, I don't see anything but a world of struggle. Kids don't drink because the enjoy the flavor, they absolutely drink to get loaded. And that in and of itself is a problem.

Indeed, that would take away one stupid argument for allowing teenagers to drink.

Raise the enlistment age.

Cardtrader. I think we will have to respectfully agree to disagree on this one. Ultimately it is the