You Can Launch a Nuke, but You Can’t Drink a Beer
In my time in the Navy, I have met people under 21 who have been entrusted by the US Government to distinguish friend from crazed insurgent in Iraq, to fire on said insurgent, to maintain a nuclear reactor from turning into a big gooey mess, and to push the button that launches the ICBM nukes. However, the minute these people step into a bar after that long deployment for a cold one, the federal government says the barkeep has to toss them out in the street with the rest of the trash. This logic in the mindset of our policy makers has always confused me. Fortunately, a lone statesman from SC is making a stand to allow military members under 21 drink responsibly (H/T to OYE):
A state lawmaker wants to give members of the armed forces younger than 21 the right to buy alcohol even though it’s in stark contrast to the military’s efforts to diminish underage drinking and related accidents. “I really don’t think it should create a problem for the military. It might even enhance their morale,” Rep. Fletcher Smith said Wednesday.
Kudos to you Mr. Smith! It’s about time the administration saw through the muddled rationale that was preventing our younger troops from the right to enjoy a beer now and then. Of course, Mr. Smith will most likely be met with opposition from a barrage of the values police, aka the Morale Suppression Squadron: The nice ladies over at MADD, the tolerant folks over at the Values Advocacy Council, and the modern women over at the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. They’ll most likely unleash a PR campaign that will equate the good folks at Budweiser to Satan himself. Well for whatever it’s worth, this blog supports your position Mr. Smith. A true friend to the military!
FYI - the movement in the 70’s for 18-year old voting and drinking was for MILITARY - if you got to fight a war, you should be able to drink and vote. You see how that turned out - they gave it to EVERYONE and took away drinking from EVERYONE - and sometimes I think they should with voting as well. I believe in special priveleges for those who earn them.
According to the law, when you turn 18 you become a full-fledged adult. That should be the end of the argument. If you can vote, get drafted, sign a legal contract, etc…you should be able to drink. Same thing goes for renting a car (which is restricted by many rental companies to those age 25 and up).
Yep, I certainly agree..if a young man or woman is old enough to dodge bullets he/she is damn shore old enough to celebrate survival over a cold one in a pub of choice.
The “do-gooders” in this upcountry have lost all sense of logic..they claim that it is the gun that kills and not the one pulling the trigger and they blame alcohol instead of the one who abuses alcohol.
When I was in Germany years ago the drinking age was 16..I seldom saw German teens abusing alcohol..it was just a given that were could drink but that they had to be responsible for their actions while drinking..maybe we need the same kind of laws..
Well, Lt., I put my time in the Navy and can remember the thrill of pulling into Pearl because the Territory of Hawaii age to legally purchase alcohol was 20. I was 20 in April and we hit Hawaii in May. I might have abused it a tad. But the other posts are right as rain. If you are old enough to defend your country and stand the possibility of dying in the prospect, you are damn sure old enough to buy a beer.
Flag glazer is right. Part of the protest movement was over being drafted when you couldn’t vote or buy a beer. The big brothers acquiesced and gave that right but then after all the hub-bub quietly took it away once again.
Speaking of abusing our youthful servicemen…
Eleanor Roosevelt learned that the Navy dispensed condoms (pro-kits) on the quarterdeck of all ships in port.
She got indignant.
She got a group of ladies who called themselves, “Mothers of Servicemen” or something like that.
She put pressure on the Navy…she could do that y’know…
The Irony
All those Mamas’ little boys started having to make sick call for penicillin shots…and worse…
A Liberal Mind is a Terrible Waste.