Drinking Age Debate

The Amethyst Initiative is attempting to get college presidents to sign a petition to have a reasoned national debate on lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18. Those signing are not necessarily saying that the drinking age should be lowered, but rather agreeing that there should be a debate on it. What do Mod-Bloggers think about lowering the drinking age? In some countries, the drinking age is even lower than 18. Is there something about Americans that makes it in our best interest to keep the drinking age at 21? On the one hand, I'd hate to lower the drinking age only to have binge drinking move from a problem on college campuses to a problem in high schools. On the other hand, 18 year olds are allowed to vote and fight in the military. An article on the issue I think sums up the conundrum in my mind well:

The issue for many people is that 18-year-olds who can vote, marry, sign contracts in some states and join the military should be able to drink. We understand the seeming contradiction but can't get beyond the evidence that the current minimum drinking age saves lives.

McCain on Disability

One of the downsides of being the oldest man ever to seek a first term in the Presidency is that people are always wondering if you are up to the job. Rumors that Ronald Reagan was already succumbing to Alzheimer's-related dementia only make things worse for John McCain. But he has steadily proclaimed his good health and vital nature. But this may have been undermined by a new report that he is receiving Disability benefits from the Navy because of significant impairment.

On Monday, McCain's staff identified the retirement benefit as a "disability pension" and said that McCain "was retired as disabled because of his limited body movements due to injuries as a POW."

McCain campaign strategist Mark Salter said Monday night that McCain was technically disabled. "Tortured for his country -- that is how he acquired his disability," Salter said.

Certain types of military and veterans pensions are either partially or completely tax-exempt, depending on the seriousness of the disability. In McCain's case, the exemption is 100%.

Now, FDR served ably without the use of his legs and JFK served while suffering from crippling back pain. So, this is not to say that a person can not be a good president while having disabilities. But I think it is fair to ask in this case whether John McCain would truly be able to serve out his term if elected. It makes his choice of VP all the more important to his viability in the general election.

What have YOU accomplished?

Are you an overachiever who wants to beat out everyone else? See how you're doing. You'll find accomplishments of both famous and non-famous people. Warning, it can either be a pick me up or a downer. For example, "Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Italy" at my age, but then again, "Jan Birkeland from Norway managed to get to work without hitting a single red light" so I guess I'm not doing all that bad.