The Amethyst Initiative has a surprising solution to the problem of binge drinking on college campuses. They want the legal age lowered from age 21 to 18. According to them, such a move will result in far fewer incidents of problem drinking.
""This is a law that is routinely evaded," said John McCardell, founder of the Amethyst Initiative. "It is a law that the people at whom it is directed believe is unjust and unfair and discriminatory."
Of course such a proposal has been met with... Read Full Story
The presidents of more than 100 colleges and universities have signed a document urging lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age to 18. The educators say the 21-year-old drinking age is widely flouted and has led to a culture of binge drinking on college campuses. Anti-drunken driving groups say the law does work. They argue that colleges don’t want to be bothered with enforcing the law and are looking for an easy way out. John McCardell, the former president of Middlebury College in... Read Full Story
Lowering the legal drinking age to 18 would discourage binge drinking, argue a group of college presidents from major colleges and universities.
(Amethyst Initiative) signers think the current law isn’t working, citing a “culture of dangerous, clandestine binge-drinking,” and noting that while adults under 21 can vote and enlist in the military, they “are told they are not mature enough to have a beer.” Furthermore, “by choosing to use fake IDs, students make ethical compromises that erode... Read Full Story
It looks like University Presidents really are listening to their students. Of course, if you can't hear all the 19-year-old college kids in this country clamoring for more beer, you must be deaf. In a move that I predict will be endorsed by more college newspapers than any initiative ever, dozens of university presidents have signed on to the Amethyst Initiative to open the debate to lowering the drinking age to 18. 18-year-olds celebrated this bold proposal by doing shots to Duke University... Read Full Story
Steven Pare, Chairman of the Rhode Island chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivin has written an editorial which supports keeping the legal drinking age at 21. Pare cites several studies which herald the virtues of keeping the drinking age artificially high. Unfortunately, Mr. Pare glosses over some of the contradictions in the law. In the United States, individuals are legally considered adults at the age of 18. At this age, individuals are deemed responsible enough to make... Read Full Story
Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "Amethyst Initiative". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add your own article... Read Full Story
I have already seen the legal drinking age change twice in my life (in 1972 and 1984) and lived through two sets of "debates" on the issue. Here comes the third debate and I'm hoping I'm cremated and buried next to the drainpipe at the church (I like to swim) before I endure another.
Like a couple who aren't happy if they aren't fighting, the College liberals have decided to take on the Reformer
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