Lawmaker pushes lower military drinking age

[unhappycamper]

Lawmaker pushes lower military drinking age
By Susanne M. Schafer - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 30, 2008 22:28:57 EST

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A state lawmaker wants to give members of the armed forces younger than 21 the right to buy alcohol even though it’s in stark contrast to the military’s efforts to diminish underage drinking and related accidents.

“I really don’t think it should create a problem for the military. It might even enhance their morale,” Rep. Fletcher Smith said Wednesday.

State law prohibits the sale or possession of alcohol by anyone under 21. In 1984, South Carolina raised the drinking age to 21 from 18 to comply with federal law.

Smith, a private attorney, acknowledged South Carolina would risk losing several hundred million dollars in federal highway money if the legislation he introduced is approved, but he insisted the change is necessary.

“It’s absurd that people serving in the military are trained to kill on the battlefield but at the same time couldn’t come back home and have a beer,” the Greenville Democrat said. “If you’re old enough to get training in the U.S. military, you should be old enough to get a beer. That training really matures a person.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_drinking_080130/

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. Alcohol is a depressant, as if young soldiers need to get MORE depressed

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than being involved in an immoral and illegal war is making them.

Rep. Fletcher Smith should do a bit of research on the REAL effects of alcohol.

Idiot.