[aephi alum]

I agree with the idea of lowering the drinking age.

It's wrong that we can put a gun in an 18-year-old's hand and tell him to go out and fight and die for our country and then tell him he can't go have a drink.

Young people have to learn how to handle alcohol. The best way to do that is at home with your family or out with friends, not locked in your room with a bottle of vodka that some 21+ friend bought for you.

Perhaps the best solution is to modify the law so that 18-20 year olds can't buy alcohol at package stores or supermarkets, but they can order a drink at a bar or restaurant, where there is a responsible bartender and other people around to make sure the young person doesn't overdo it. A few years ago in England, a law was proposed that would allow 16 and 17 year olds to have a beer or a glass of wine with dinner (drinking age is 18 there) - maybe something like that is a good approach.