Lower age sought for Teen GIs to drink beer

docetboy · #1 06-01-2005, 05:43 PM

The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

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Lower age sought for teen GIs to drink beer
Published June 1, 2005

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- 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 service members -- 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.
Mr. Pettis concedes 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 the change would not cause more accidents or other problems that 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 service members from Wisconsin -- but not for troops from out of state. A valid military ID along with a Wisconsin driver's license or identification card would be required.

Tom Earp · #2 06-01-2005, 06:36 PM

Yes and why the hell not!

Drive a tank, carry a weapon, get killed or be killed!

Oh, the Our Federal Govt. Held States to 21 or not get Highway funds. Shit for Brains!

RedRoseSAI · #3 06-01-2005, 07:26 PM

Good for Rep Pettis. I hope it passes and other states follow suit.

AlphaSigOU · #4 06-01-2005, 07:30 PM

Ain't gonna happen... not if the neo-prohibitionists (read: MADD) have anything to say about it.

They've managed to get the gub'mint to hold up highway funds (which promptly go into someone's pocket as a kickback

) to states who didn't raise the drinking age to 21, and then if they didn't lower the DUI/DWI threshold to .08 BAC. Don't be surprised if they push for legislation to lower it to .06 in a few years.

AKA_Monet · #5 06-01-2005, 08:09 PM

That's why states outta legalize drugs for alternative avenues of suspended animation...

My senior year in high school: NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED TO PROM IF THEY ARE DRUNK!!!

Me to a friend: Yo, E, you cain't get in to the prom if you're drunk...

My friend: I'll still get in, 'cuz I'll be high...

docetboy · #6 06-01-2005, 08:41 PM

I wanted to see what others said before posting my comments.

First thought: Just another bill intended to get someones name in the paper, as this obviously will not go anywhere, without some serious Congressional lobbying. He admits that himself. Thousands of similar bills that don't go anywhere are introduced each year.

Second thought: Great idea, in theory. However, some expensive training would have to be done across the state for liquor establishments, to be able to recognize proper military IDs and make sure it isn't a dependent. Also, what rules are going to be in place for Reservists/Guardsmen that are not currently on active duty for drill weekends or deployment? If this went through and they were allowed to drink while not on active duty, me thinks the Wisconsin ANG/ARNG and local reserve units will be meeting recruiting goals 100%+.

Third thought: For any active-duty installations in Wisconsin, what happens to the servicemembers that choose for one reason or another to keep the citizenship of another state? "Sorry Mike, can't go to the bars with ya, I'll rather be a TX resident and not pay state tax...". This type of situation also makes buying for a minor a very confusing area.

Fourth thought: Miller Brewing Co. calls Milwaukee home. Me smells a rat???

Conclusion: The state senator, if serious about wanting troops to drink and not just wants his name in the paper, would be better off having the state legislature create a law/memorandum highly encouraging commanders of military installations to lower the drinking age of such installation for troops. That way, servicemembers could drink in the state (just as long as they are on a military base), with none of this "locals only" stuff, and most importantly, without getting Congress involved.

RACooper · #7 06-01-2005, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by docetboy
Second thought: Great idea, in theory. However, some expensive training would have to be done across the state for liquor establishments, to be able to recognize proper military IDs and make sure it isn't a dependent. Also, what rules are going to be in place for Reservists/Guardsmen that are not currently on active duty for drill weekends or deployment? If this went through and they were allowed to drink while not on active duty, me thinks the Wisconsin ANG/ARNG and local reserve units will be meeting recruiting goals 100%+.

Third thought: For any active-duty installations in Wisconsin, what happens to the servicemembers that choose for one reason or another to keep the citizenship of another state? "Sorry Mike, can't go to the bars with ya, I'll rather be a TX resident and not pay state tax...". This type of situation also makes buying for a minor a very confusing area.

These are the two parts that struck me... the first because given the recent recruitment woes this would be a way to bolster at least the Guard numbers (though not exactly sure if it's the best method) - and finally what about out-of-state servicemembers stationed there? From the sounds of things it would be exclusionary and problematic to enforce immediately off-base (or on).

DeltAlum · #8 06-01-2005, 11:15 PM

At least servicepersons can vote at 18 now. That wasn't true until I turned 18.

Go fight, but you're too immature to vote.

Go figure.

Peaches-n-Cream · #9 06-01-2005, 11:31 PM

It's Fleet Week in NYC. I saw sailors galore during the weekend, and the restaurant where I was dining did not ask for proof of 21. Why? "If they are old enough to risk their lives for our country, they are old enough to drink a beer," according to the bartender.

AlphaSigOU · #10 06-01-2005, 11:53 PM

Fleet Week = wall to wall drunken sailors and Marines!

krazy · #11 06-02-2005, 03:39 PM

Yesterday, I was walking to lunch, and I saw a marine in full fatigues with a full backpack, a shovel and all sorts of other stuff. He was wearing combat boots. He was out for a run. It was about 80 degrees. He was stopped at a stoplight next to me. I turned to him and I said, "F***ing Aye Man" He smiled and said it back. He was probably around 18. Tough as nails, fighting for our rights. I would serve him a beer.