I think we should allow them to drink beer at 18 and get all the craziness out of their systems before they leave college. It's rediculous to see people in their 20s acting like fools in the bars. These are the people, supposedly,that have an education and are going to make the world a better place...they are humiliating themselves when they are seen in public acting like fools with their first drink.

Rob Anderson you shold worry more about pluged toilets instead of who ohio gal koolaid and average joe are.

Rob Anderson you shold worry more about pluged toilets instead of who ohio gal koolaid and average joe are.

Its gonna take a l o n g l o n g time to change the thinking among Americans when it comes to drinking and drugging-but I will limit my comments here to alcohol.

Why all the hysteria on all sides, morallizing, etc. Why do we "go wild" with alcohol, seemingly trying to out do one another's stupidity while imbibing? I ran a downtown bar in Kent for a few years and elsewhere, the kids were as overboard as we were at that age ---

My sociological take on it is we Americans have a weirdo idea about alcohol its use and place in our lives. I think in part it grows from the forbidden fruit thing-and the hypocritical way in which many parents present alcohol use to their kids -- the old "do as I say, not as I do" thing. Alcohol is this taboo thing at certain ages and then its a free for all when you get to college or move out on your own. The problem is there's not a lot of socialization within the family unit modeling normal sensible use of alcohol. WHY and how have we arrived at this nutszo place with it ???
In other countries and cultures, some with no laws at all pertaining to alcohol consumption-in terms of age limitation, the social controls are in place within the family and the society itself. In the group one belongs acceptable use and behavior is modeled and cued. WE do that with gads of other behaviors why this breakdown when it comes to the juice?

Another aspect is youth always stretches the rubberband of social control, etc., with most returning to normalcy. That's a given and obviously at work in the realm of America's favorite pastime. However I think that the alcohol industry 's hands are rather dirty in its marketing strategies. I think we can readily see them fanning the fire when it comes to living the high life! They are not alone -- the music, movie, and entertainment industries do there share to reinforce the overuse and abuse of alcohol as hip, cool and normal.

Let's not forget it's a freakin drug people , It effects every cell in our body -- the way we think, the way we feel, the way we speak, hell man it turns lots of no rhythm white boys into dancin fools- or so they think. We all know it loosens you up -- well what that means is, it knocks down some defenses and controls that are in place to make us socially acceptable human beings --- and no matter who you are, you drink enough, often enough, and there will be problems...
I sure as hell aint preachin - I been on both sides of this street... So obviously, the weaker the controls are and the more immature the individual drinker is, the higher risk of inappropriate behavior being acted out- from simple embarrassment to the tragic.

Then there is the science that tells us that about 10% of the population has what they call an allergy to alcohol and regardless of their maturity , good character, and level of education THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH ALCOHOL.

So with all this in mind- I suppose we do need to regulate the stuff somewhat--- like quality control, pricing ,and taxation along with ALL other drugs. Although I always favor less governmental control AND MORE SOCIAL Control and Individual Responsibility.

Having a law that says you can or cant drink will never stop someone who wants to drink - nor will it make someone drink who does not want to.

Come on Jimmykent, did you look at the statistics? This law wasn't enacted in recent years. When the age increase was started in the 1980's alcohol related traffic deaths in the 18-21 year old range dropped 60% and has stayed in that range since. Was it the law or a coincidence?

I think that intoxication in any form is not the best for a person. However, the drug dealers in the community will sell you drugs at ANY age. The reason for the drop in alcohol related crashes/deaths in recent years is due to the efforts of police/courts hammering on impared drivers, NOT increasing the drinking age to 21.

rupert 54 - it is people like you that are the problem with this state. The argument: if you are old enough to carry a rifle you are old enough to drink is a bunch of bunk!! You and the people that think this way are short sighted and don't think things through to understand the possible ramifications resulting from this issue or other issues that effect not just some but all of the people in this state.

I agree with you. As I said in my post. If you are in the military you should be allowed to have a beer. I personally feel it should be at a legion hall or a vfw hall or at a restaurant and with a proper ID. Military personel are usually more mature than the average 18 year old and they are protecting our freedom.

However not every 18 year old is going to enter our all volunteer Army, are they? In fact most won't. In some cities in Ohio 68% of the 18 year olds can't pass the required tests to graduate from high school. They don't qualify to carry a rifle. However many carry handguns. Do you want them drinking and driving? Do you think they have the maturity and sensibility to be allowed to drink? Not really, do they?

Face the facts. Polls reveal that the death toll from alcohol related traffic deaths has dropped 26% since 1978. Due to the increased drinking age. Your thinking says, if they abuse the privilege they pay the price. If the price was one of these drunk driving kids killing you or maiming someone in your family are you willing to pay that price? You're not, are you? Neither am I!

Your thinking is like letting a bank robber protect your money or a child molester baby sit your kids. Is it worth the risk? No it isn't, is it? The preventive measure is one word. No. However, you will take the chance and when something happens you will complain and then try to fix the mess after the fact.

18 year old are to immature to have this right. They are too reckless. Even when I was young we were too reckless. They feel invincible. Add a little alcohol and you have a real problem. We can't even control drinking adults let alone add kids back to the mix.

Also people like you don't look at the big picture. You think Mr B is a good old boy and doing something "right". There is something behind this motive. Someone is going to get paid somewhere. It is either the city and state with increased DUI and OVI fines. The insurance companies will have to raise their rates to cover the additional risks. The lawyers will be making the bank, sueing and defending the drunks and victims. Or the alcohol companies, they need to increase lost sales and revenue in bars due to the smoking ban.(the state is also feeling this pinch with lost taxes, jobs etc. Your taxes will be going up soon due to this law. And guess who gets the blame? the people not the politicians. Afterall you voted on it)

Also Rupert54, were you in a rage when you wrote this? Giving your name and the place you work can be risky. Why not give them your home address and phone number too? This shows the maturity level of people that think in your manner. You get mad blow off steam and if something happens, you will b*&^% at someone about it later and wonder why the RC didn't protect you.

Nuff said! for now...................

The reason for the handles on the blog is because we are not reporters, being paid and trying to build a resume. It's a forum set up to voice opinions. Could you imagine some of the nut cases around town when things that were said they didn't like seeking revenge.
I also think when sometimes people post an opinion when everyone knows who it is they justify that persons opinion due to where they work, who they know, who they are married to, where they live etc etc.
Furthermore what is the difference between a handle name and a screen name? Who cares is I'm OhioGal or I'm Jane Doe? Many more people don't know me than do know me?
Maybe some people have jobs and they will be retaliated against for speaking their opinion, we do have freedome of speach ya know?
Just because you want to post your name, more power to you. Were you born and raised in Portage County? Do you have an influential job? Does your mate have an influential job? Do you hae the type of job that you could be targeted at work merely for stating your opinion.
By the way the councilman "Chose" to be an elected official and it is public record when he wants to initiate change through motions.
The difference between being a public official and a regular everyday person is that the regulars don't have to live under that microscope. So if you choose to be an elected official people are allowed to voice their opinions on your decisions, remember some of the posters may be the ones who elected him. When your elected your supposed to represent your constituents and your community not just some of your own self serving ideas.
If you want to read things and know who wrote them read the newspaper articles written by reporters or heck go to the Library.
People would be foreced to hold back on saying things if the availability to post ones opinion had to be followed by full disclosure. Next what their telephone number and address too?

Dam-it!

I used the wrong e-mail address responding to this issue! I'm rupert54 only on my Yahoo account. My real name is Robin Anderson and I'm employed as a Carpenter in the Building Repair Department of Kent State University.

Nuff said.

Gawd!

The problem with this country is folks like Ohio Gal...NoKoolAid...averagejoe(???...says who?). Why the hell are you folks afraid to put your real names behind your opinions, eh? Councilperson Bargerstock is not!

If we can allow our kids to go die for oil in Iraq, we can sure as hell allow them to drink a beer while they're back home!

Now, if they abuse that privilege(it's not a right!) that's another story...just like the other morons we've read about recently with multiple DUI's, they'd have to pay the price.