Posted on 11/17/2008 7:02:01 PM PST by Eric Blair 2084
When a 15-year-old comes into Wile-e’s bar looking for a cold beer, the bartender, Mike Whaley, is happy to serve it up — as long as a parent is there to give permission.
“If they’re 15, 16, 17, it’s fine if they want to sit down and have a few beers,” said Mr. Whaley, who owns the tavern in this small town in southern Wisconsin.
While it might raise some eyebrows in most of America, it is perfectly legal in Wisconsin. Minors can drink alcohol in a bar or restaurant in Wisconsin if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who gives consent. While there is no state law setting a minimum age, bartenders can use their discretion in deciding whom to serve.
When it comes to drinking, it seems, no state keeps pace with Wisconsin. This state, long famous for its breweries, has led the nation in binge drinking in every year since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began its surveys on the problem more than a decade ago. Binge drinking is defined as five drinks in a sitting for a man, four for a woman.
People in Wisconsin are more likely than anywhere else to drive drunk, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The state has among the highest incidence of drunken driving deaths in the United States.
Now some Wisconsin health officials and civic leaders are calling for the state to sober up. A coalition called All-Wisconsin Alcohol Risk Education started a campaign last week to push for tougher drunken driving laws, an increase in screening for alcohol abuse at health clinics and a greater awareness of drinking problems generally.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
In the words of Lewis Black: “You are not alcoholics...you are professionals.”
This is actually a very good policy. When I lived in WI, several families with teenage kids I knew had hard and fast rules. The kids would be allowed to drink in a bar with parent’s consent, but absolutely no where else. The whole issue was out on the table, kids got to see it was no big deal after a few times, they often ordered pop instead. But the sneaking around, fake IDs, and often DUI was avoided.
The problem with common sense is, it’s not very common!
I could go into a bar and order whatever I wanted in 76....I took up golfing in 1992...
Thanks for the ping!
Yeah? WHat about the russians? The poles? THe irish? THe swedes? The czechs? Am I missing anyone?
when I was 16 I ordered a whisky manhattan with my mom and dad at a local supper club in Green Bay. The waitress was from out of state and at first refused — after talking to her manager I got my drink. We’d also go to brunch after church on Sundays and get the best bloody marys for a buck. Dad and I would have two with chasers, mom would have one and wouldn’t shutup the whole meal. It’s different in Wisconsin for sure. Beer is a necessity for most everything. It has its good and bad points.
Typical NY Times elitism. They have no problem with underage Hollywood socialites bar-hopping and going out to the nightclubs.
**“You are not alcoholics...you are professionals.”**
That’s why I’ve always referred to New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day as ... AMATEUR NIGHT!
Whenever we visit in-laws in Baraboo, I never have to worry about where to get a cold one. I can say the same with certainty about Baltimore, Long Island and Pennsylvania.
Wish I could say the same about Virginia and North Carolina ..
Pass the Natty Boh
- Sea Jay
Watcha talkin bout Willis? I don’t get it.
Apparently your niece racks disiprin.
Zackly. My Dad would let me have half a beer when I was about 8-9 and my own when I was about 10. Never turned into an alky, and more importantly, never even considered sheepledom!
Actually, I think that IS the law in most states, just not in public. At home only.
Bad sheeple, bad!
In the Democratic People’s Republic of NJ it is illegal to serve alcohol to underage people....in your own home.
They’ve actually enforced it.
Ping
Sigh. < Rests forehead on hand. > Remind me never to move to Joisey.
Actually, I think that’s the case here in AZ too, but only if the kids aren’t yours and the parents aren’t present.
And our stupid statist AG, Terry GODdard, actually goes on the radio and does commercials saying it isn’t legal to give alcohol to your own kids. He lies on the radio about the law! It’s just as bad as those “Click it or Ticket” PSA’s (probably “federally” funded) playing in states like AZ that don’t have a primary seat belt law! Doh.
Put some vagisil on it Nancy. No one said he was driving anywhere.
WE’RE #1 !!!!!
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