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Legislators reject bill to reduce drinking age for military
boston.com ^ | January 27, 2006

Posted on 02/21/2006 4:35:52 AM PST by Calpernia

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. --New Hampshire lawmakers are saying no to a proposal to lower the legal drinking age for members of the military on active duty.

The bill to reduce the legal drinking age to 18 for members of the armed forces was rejected Wednesday by the House Judiciary Committee.

The committee voted to recommend that the full House kill the bill.

Rep. James Splaine, D-Portsmouth, a sponsor of the bill, says it's not fair to send 18-to-21-year-olds to war, but then deny them from drinking an alcoholic beverage.

(snip)

(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: drinkingage; military
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Military Drinking Age Bill Proposed

A Wisconsin State Representative thinks the drinking age for those serving their country in the U.S. military should be lowered.

Representative Mark Pettis considers it “unconscionable” those adults age 19 and 20 can risk their lives defending their country but can’t legally have a drink. The U. S. military recognizes 19 and 20-year-olds as the adults they are. Therefore, it grants them great responsibility, including the command of others, the operation of complex and dangerous weapons, and the ability to make major split-second decisions. Persons who are 19 and 20 are clearly adults and the military treats them as such.

Representative Pettis proposes that a two-year pilot program be enacted permitting adults over 18 serving in the active military to consume alcoholic beverages. Lawmakers could then determine if young adults serving in the military are mature enough to drink in moderation legally.

However, if Wisconsin passes the legislation it could lose millions of dollars in federal highway aid. Therefore, the legislator says the bill wouldn’t become law unless the state could get a waiver from the government to protect that aid.

1 posted on 02/21/2006 4:35:54 AM PST by Calpernia
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To: ducks1944; Ragtime Cowgirl; Alamo-Girl; TrueBeliever9; maestro; TEXOKIE; My back yard; djreece; ...

To date, there has been 115 names of troops who have been kicked out for under age driking. 22 of these were Marines.


2 posted on 02/21/2006 4:36:38 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: SandRat; BIGLOOK; ALOHA RONNIE; An Old Marine; af_vet_rr; Born Conservative; armymarinemom; ...

ping


3 posted on 02/21/2006 4:40:21 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

STUPID.

stupid, stupid, stupid.


4 posted on 02/21/2006 4:42:20 AM PST by HOTTIEBOY (The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.)
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To: Calpernia

Back in the day......

The sarge would come around with absentee ballot requests "for those of you who are old enough" Which left out about 90% of us.

At least that's changed for the better.


5 posted on 02/21/2006 4:55:47 AM PST by Graybeard58 (Remember and pray for Sgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: Calpernia
a waiver from the government

???

I thought the Wisconsin Legislature was the Government.

You see the problem? Federal blackmail.
Thats what happens when you send the money to washington first.

But don't think for a moment that this is the first time we have dealt with this. Back in 75 or 76 the age was lowered to 18 most everywhere( if not everywhere) but then the nannys stepped in and took over the show.
And here is why ..... all the conservative patriots where going off to war while all the nannys and leftys where hiding in the universities .. as time went on the conservative youth grew into business people and hard working middle class.(people who mind their own buseness)
But the leftys and nannys went into education and politics.

So ... we end up going through the cycle once again.

6 posted on 02/21/2006 4:57:36 AM PST by THEUPMAN
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To: Calpernia
The bigger point is: no second-class citizens. If 18 is adult, then 18-year-olds should be able to do anything other adults do.

Personally, I think the age of majority should be 25, but that's another problem.

7 posted on 02/21/2006 5:05:54 AM PST by Grut
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To: Grut

Up the age to 25 as an adult?


8 posted on 02/21/2006 5:07:15 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia
I think 25's about when personalities stabilize. Of course, my other take on the matter is that anyone who's liable for taxes should have the vote... which means everyone.
9 posted on 02/21/2006 5:22:21 AM PST by Grut
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To: Grut

>>>I think 25's about when personalities stabilize.

I was married before 25. I don't think a personality stops stabilizing. You never stop experiencing new things. You adjust as you go.

So you wouldn't want MIL enlisting until 25?


10 posted on 02/21/2006 5:29:35 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia
As a parent of a 21 year old daughter and 19 year olds twins, boy and girl, I definitely agree!
11 posted on 02/21/2006 6:33:41 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852

You agree with raising the age to be a legal adult to 25??

First of all, this thread is about our MIL being thrown out for having a beer.

Second, I'm very sorry if you feel your children aren't mature enough to be considered adults; but that is not the issue across the board with all people.


12 posted on 02/21/2006 6:49:42 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

I was joking. I assumed people would realize that when I mentioned the ages of my kids. Sorry to upset you.


13 posted on 02/21/2006 7:07:17 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852

Oh, no problem with the jokes! I'm sorry. I would laugh and I would say something like that.

I seem to be missing the pulse of FR lately. I'm running into more thread distruptors then freepers with excellent senses of humors.

Apologies for misreading you.


14 posted on 02/21/2006 7:10:29 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

No apology necessary. I should have added a smiley face or something I guess.:) There - that's better!


15 posted on 02/21/2006 7:18:27 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852

Sadly enough, no you shouldn't have to add a smiley.

This is what I meant by losing the pulse of FR.

Wiza cracks use to be a norm on FR. Now, I don't know what is becoming of it.


16 posted on 02/21/2006 7:35:51 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

Well, I will try to do my part (except on the evo/crevo threads-LOL).


17 posted on 02/21/2006 7:53:30 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852

OMG, those evo threads are getting nasty!

Make sure you wear full body army!


18 posted on 02/21/2006 8:00:11 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

LOL - I can only 2 or 3 a week. Any more than that is just too stressful for someone my age!


19 posted on 02/21/2006 8:07:58 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: Calpernia

Only 22?? What's happened to the Corps????


20 posted on 02/21/2006 8:21:38 AM PST by null and void (That 12 jurors can overturn the leviathan of "The Law" strikes fear into statists across this nation)
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