Underage drinking- your thoughts?

As long as they stay off the road, then I don't care.

[QUOTE="limpbizkit818"]

[QUOTE="mrbojangles25"]

yeah yeah yeah we get it, alcohol is dangerous. God forbid we look at the reality of the situation and see that alcohol consumers have lived long and healthy lives for thousands of years.

As for the studies, whatever, there are billion studies showing how alcohol is good for you in addition to the billion showing how it is bad for you.

-Did you know beer promotes strong bones?
-Wine can lower the risk of stroke and heart attack (the real number one killer is prevented by something you fear :P )
-Beer, provided you are properly hydrated, will not dehydrate you and is full of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Indeed, after long runs, it is prudent to have a pint or two as it quenches thirst, replaces vitamins, and promotes good circulation.
-Stout is good for nursing mothers

And since when is this about popularity? Alcohol is popular because it is forbidden, at least among the under-21 crowd. For the rest of us, we like alcohol because, well, we just like it. It tastes great, feels great, and is simply just a tasty beverage in many forms, with rich histories from hundreds of nations.

Wake up? It is time for the American public to wake up, as the rest of the world has, and lower the drinking age.

Now, if you excuse me, I need to smoke a cigarette, have some coffee, and go make some beer.

mrbojangles25

Ok, after cooling down let me address this point: You're grasping for straws. First off heavy consumption of alcohol has a negative effect on bone density. Second, who cares if it helps in small doses? It's linked to cancer and all of the other diseases I pointed out even when only THREE drinks are consumed. Would you recommend eating a whopper everyday to build muscle mass? I mean, it is high in protein! That's your argument. You're overlooking the negative aspects of alcohol consumption and picking out straws to defend it. It's poison for your body. A glass of wine is good for your heart (we all know this one)? Too bad there are numerous other beverages and foods that are healthy AND they don't destroy your body in the process. You're billion studies that show it is good for you are garbage because they fail to recognize the overwhelming evidence of how bad alcohol is for the human body. It's like saying cigarette are fine because they may help one relax. You don't see anything bogus about this argument?

Society needs to change its views on alcohol. I am not going to sit here and talk to you about bone density. Instead of giving into societal pressure to lower the drinking age we need to raise awareness about what this drug does not only to our body, but to others in society. Drunks affect everyone around them. Violence, rape, drunk driving and so on. Just because you think it taste great does not mean we need to foster a society that sponsors and supports its consumption.

I'm grasping for straws? Youre the one going "Cancer cancer cancer!" and fear-mongering. ALCOHOL WILL KILL YOU AND EAT YOUR FAMBLY! :evil:

:roll:

You know what else causes cancer? Half the crap we take into our bodies. Those fruits and vegetables you eat? Covered in carcinogens. That grilled chicken you just ate? Burned to a cancer-causing crisp! Diet soda, microwaves, sitting too close to a digital clock, and your genetic background...ALL CAUSE CANCER!

I wholeheartedly agree with you that alcohol awareness is incredibly low and needs to become a priority in everyone's life, especially the young. But youre not going to do that by demonizing something that, in truth, is relatively harmless.

As for your other points (violence, rape, etc), I just do not know where to start with that, except to say that alcohol consumption (for the few that react badly to it) is merely the symptom, and the problem (being predisposed to addicition, being stupid, not having self-control) is the real problem.

But, hey, lets ruin it for the millions upon millions of people that enjoy alcohol responsibly every single day and live until they are over 80 years old, simply because a few bad apples do ruin the whole basket:roll:

Anyway, I get the feeling that you have lost someone to alcohol, or suffered under someone who was an alcoholic (my dad was one for quite a few years, I know it sucks) so if this is true I'd rather not argue with you any more. I have devoted the last few years of my life to alcohol, alcohol awareness, and responsbile drinking (quality over quantity) so I am not going to budge :P

Cheers

I really wish I could have a face to face with you. Now you're comparing alcohol to chicken? My lord, you really are not going to budge. I am sorry, but your post wrecks of ignorance and denial. You have devoted your life to alcohol and it clearly shows in your bias. Listen, the negative health aspect of alcohol can not be denied. It's not just cancer. Did you read the link I posted? Liver Disease? Fertility? The brain?

Grasping for straws: to depend on something that is useless; to make a futile attempt at something. First you talk about beer being good for bones and now how chicken causes cancer. You will do anything to defend your beloved drug of choice. The centers for disease control and prevention defines heavy drinking for females as more then ONE drink per day. One drink. But right, I am the one fear-mongering.

A few bad apples? The World Health Organization reported that last year more people died around the world from alcohol and alcohol related incidents than those that died from AIDS, tuberculosis or violence. What's next, your going to claim the WHO is fear-mongering? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/11/alcohol-related-deaths-_n_821900.html).

The fact that you believe alcohol is "relatively harmless" proves to me that our society and education system has failed miserably at spreading the truth about this drug. I can only hope it is taken more seriously in the future. Read what's out there. In this day and age almost all the information you need is one web search away.

And one last thing: "for the few that react badly to it?" Are you writing off the 75,000 people that died in 2005 (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6089353/ns/health-addictions/t/alcohol-linked-us-deaths-year/#.TsMxmMNFu30)? All of the sufferers of domestic abuse because of intoxicated adults? Whatever, who cares about them. You even admit that a lack of self-control is a problem, yet you want to lower the drinking age!? Yeah, let the high school kids buy it for their little brothers/sisters. If we start young they might have more control! Would that exacerbate the health issues that we are already aware off? Most likely. But who cares! Please.

I really don't see that big of an issue. Kids in high school are going to drink no matter what, so I'm fine as long as they don't drive. I was never much of a partier in high school, but the handful of parties I went to my senior year the host always took everyone's keys and locked them up, so as long as something along those lines happens I'm down.

Studies have proven that light drinkers live longer than heavy drinkers live longer than people who deprive themselves of alcohol. Want to go all health-crazed psycho on someone? Pick on smokers and fatties.

coolbeans90

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

Studies have proven that light drinkers live longer than heavy drinkers live longer than people who deprive themselves of alcohol. Want to go all health-crazed psycho on someone? Pick on smokers and fatties.

limpbizkit818

Yes, most people who don't drink are outcasts. And you have the audacity to refer to me as disingenuous.

[QUOTE="limpbizkit818"][QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

Studies have proven that light drinkers live longer than heavy drinkers live longer than people who deprive themselves of alcohol. Want to go all health-crazed psycho on someone? Pick on smokers and fatties.

coolbeans90

Yes, most people who don't drink are outcasts. And you have the audacity to refer to me as disingenuous.

...... what? You are. You sited a study and purposefully failed to report why non-drinkers die younger. Nice try. And it is true, most are. Do you have a problem with that? I don't drink and would hardly consider myself a social outcast. But those that never go out to bars/drinking/social events ARE outcasts and that is the reason for the higher mortality rate. Depression and stress. That's what the very report you quoted above found.limpbizkit818

It is certainly a fact that drinkers have a tendency to die older, which casts considerable doubt upon the actual impact alcohol has upon the average lifespan of those that consume it. No, you are just saying that (bolded) they are outcasts which is hardly a more honest statement; at least mine was true. I almost never go the bar and rarely drink (perhaps every other month or so) as is. Certainly wouldn't describe myself as a social outcast, either. It just seems you have some sort of an odd vendetta.

drinking is so overrated. it needs to be raised

I have no problem with it seeing as how I am an underage drinking. Drinking is fun, it gives good atmosphere. Leads to funny moments and makes good memories. Its awesome but only if you are mature enough to control yourself and have good friends to watch and help you out.MgamerBD

I'm for it within moderation. I've been drinking since I was 14, used to go to my friend's house for parties and we'd all drink. All our parents knew and were fine as long as we were sensible about it, which we were. Now I'm 20 I rarely drink at all, just doesn't bother me any more. Swings and roundabouts, people sweat too much about issues that reallllyyy don't matter.tofu-lion91

pretty much this. I still can't believe people hold such a poor view of alcohol. It really is an amazing thing; grain/fruit/etc sugar, naturally fermented, sometimes distilled, and aged to perfection. There is nothing to fear from alcohol, except fear itself :P

pretty much this. I still can't believe people hold such a poor view of alcohol. It really is an amazing thing; grain/fruit/etc sugar, naturally fermented, sometimes distilled, and aged to perfection. There is nothing to fear from alcohol, except fear itself :P

mrbojangles25

And Monday morning.