How can it be that at the ripe old age of 18 (17 if your parents will sign the documents), a smartly dressed military recruiter can have you saying adios to your family and off to boot-camp where you will be trained in the use of an M-16 rifle, how to parachute out of a plane into hostile territory, and all the other special training you need to be the next G.I Joe/Jane but you can not drink a beer?
I know there is that whole the "puritants founded the colonies", but one would think with the arrival of the 21st century that a young man or woman who has just signed up for 4 years of hazardous duty with the US Armed Forces can enjoy a nice cold beer before they possibly get their arse blown up or head blown off 10,000 miles from home and country.
There was an article in Newsweek recently discussing something called "Power Hour". It is that magical hour starting at midnight of the 21st birthday when young people are able to get into a bar legally and they consume as much alcohol as possible in that hour. Now, inevitably it leads to worshiping the porcelain god and a severe hangover, but one would think that the newly made 21 year old would already know the outcome before they started. Lets face it folks, I don't really know ANY young person in the States who DIDN'T drink before the magic age of 21. The article states that due to an alcohol overdose during the "Power Hour", a backlash is in effect now. The governor of Minn. is signing into law a bill which prohibits bars from serving alcohol to 21 year olds until 8 a.m. on their 21st birthday.
Come on folks! You can die for your country at the age of 17, you can vote at the age of 18, BUT you have to wait until you are 21 and 8 hours old to legally consume an alcoholic beverage?!?!?
Have opposable thumbs will write. Random thoughts and musings from a Yank in Finland.
Boston at Night
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