Seem to be hearing some mixed messages as to whether the ideal conversation here is to discuss or debate, or in some cases , drop a new poster agenda bomb (for lack of a better word) and see what transpires. Seems all are ok, per the TOS, and that happened here-- posters responded.
Also, purely anecdotal, but over the years, it seems most posters log in to read, even if they don’t post.
Not sure where there are mixed messages on this thread, but obviously many discussions on CC consist of opposing viewpoints. I guess I will leave it to the individual member to define that as they like. When skieurope says that CC is not a debate society, he is quoting the Terms of Service
That simply means that we don’t entertain every topic under the sun. Clearly, the legal drinking age is extremely relevant to our high school/college focus on this site. Do we occasionally let some topics get debated in the Cafe that are not college related? Probably. It wasn’t meant to be a suffocating rule, just one that avoids topics where experience tells us things always end up being particularly unruly.
Well, we are getting off topic. it’s 5 o’clock somewhere 
teatime
(and yes, I know its not high tea time. That was a joke)
I am at a complete loss as to how that has anything to do with anything. I am sure most do. So? There have also been some that have specifically said they lurked for years without posting even though they have an ID, and some that said they also didn’t even register. None of that is pertinent to anything about when a person posts their first thread about a completely relevant topic. How they choose to pose it, as long as it is within the Terms of Service, is up to them. No one forces people to engage.
As far as the image thing, we have had to warn more than a couple of very long time members about posting images from non-authoritative sources.
The legal drinking age of 21 in the US has always mystified me. One can get married, vote, buy a house, serve in the military, etc. at 18. But buy a beer before 21? Nope, not legal. Really hypocritical, imho. If you want to raise the age to 21 for getting married, voting, buying a house, serving in the military, then I’m on board with 21 for drinking. Just be consistent.
Was responding to this interchange:
Simply sharing an observation and opinion. Of course no one has to log in to read. But it seems that many, if not most seem to (especially if their phone or ipad or computer has the “remember me” box checked and it automatically logs in when one selects/opens the site, though that sometimes doesn’t work and requires the poster top re-log in).
I’m going to stop being a jerk about this thread.
I feel that lowering the drinking age could be a step in the right direction. I think I read somewhere that countries with lower drinking ages experience a decline in the incidence of dangerous drinking habits in teens. However, I feel that underage drinking laws should be more strictly enforced. I know two people who started drinking in their late teens and they suffer from many complications as a result of this. They down about 5+ glasses of bourbon a day. In addition, alcohol abuse clashes with prescription medication. Many teens use SSRIs for depression and anxiety, and these have terrible consequences when mixed with alcohol.
I actually am not logged in but reading well over 75% of the times I visit this site daily. I only log on to reply (in fact, I read all of the replies on this page of the thread without being logged in first)
I have head similar reports, wherein if people are taught responsible drinking when younger, they tend to not have as many issues when older. Unfortunately, these kinds of studies are always kind of “soft” in their methodology and accuracy, and there are usually just as many showing the opposite. I’m not disagreeing with you. In fact, I probably lean slightly towards the idea that we pick an age for “adulthood” and be consistent, even if voting and being in a war and being charged as an adult for felonies are not the same as drinking. Either make that 21 (or 20 or 19) all the way around or, in this case, change the drinking age as it is the single outlier in that group.
That is another option of course. We get fixated on 18 or 21 but there are two other numbers sandwiched in there. 20 has a nice round ring to it, no?
Well, the US DID lower the drinking age to 18 for awhile. That’s what it was when I was in college. I believe that the accident rate due to drinking went up, so they decided to raise it again. Lowering the drinking age did NOT help anything.
How are children supposed to live without drinking? Putting an age restriction is absolutely insane. I’ve been doing it my whole life and I wouldn’t be here without it.
I think children can live without drinking. If you want to blame someone, blame Reagan.
@superbowser12 I lived, and I don’t drink except for occasional special events where alcohol is served.
Considering that drunk driving is a major problem today, I don’t think lowering the drinking age (or not enforcing the age limit) would really help, similar to what MaineLonghorn said.
@MITer94 Are you ok with 18-20 year olds enlisting and fighting for their country? If they are mature enough at that age to make such a life-threatening decision, aren’t they also mature enough to drink alcohol?
Imagine the following scenario:
A 20-year old Marine returns from a tour of duty in Iraq. He has had to shoot at and possibly kill a combatant, another human being. He kisses his wife at the airport, hugs his kids, and they drive back to the house that they own. They sit down to a celebration dinner, but he can’t hoist a beer or glass of wine and toast his joyous return because he’s underage. How bizarre.
I am trying to picture a 20 year old returning from probably a year tour, having several kids to hug.
I didn’t say “several” or a “year tour.” Read my hypothetical as “kid” (singular) if you prefer.
Hugs his kids. More than one or 2 = several. At 19. Scary. Even if “only” 2. At 19. Maybe being able to drink shouldn’t be the highest priority.
I don’t know, kind of hard to imagine.
@whatisyourquest Well, the same thing can be said about driving (a much more everyday activity). Both have the potential to be life-threatening to those in the immediate vicinity, yet the legal age to own a license is 16 in most states.
Ok, no kids, if it’s more palatable.
Revision:
A 20-year old Marine returns from a tour of duty in Iraq. He has had to shoot at and possibly kill a combatant, another human being. He kisses his wife at the airport, and they drive back to the house that they own. They sit down to a celebration dinner, but he can’t hoist a beer or glass of wine and toast his joyous return because he’s underage. How bizarre.
Ok now?