TO: SUPERSTAR VICANTI
Hello Mike Vicante.
A friend of yours told me that you recently had a part for friends of yours that just returned from serving in Iraq and that the party was busted and all, including those who served in Iraq, were given minors. This story fascinates me considering the upcoming vote in the senate to possibly lower the drinking age to 18, or perhaps even raise it to 25.
I was hoping that you might be able to answer a few questions for me about your experience. I'm a writer at the University of Minnesota Daily, a student-run newspaper, and we are doing a story on the upcoming senate vote. How do you feel about this issue? How would you say that your friends feel about this issue? Are any of your friends interested in enlisting in the milllitary? What are you and your peers planning to do about this, if anything?
I'm very interested in your story and would appreciate any feedback you have on this issue.
I look forward to hearing more about your story,
Yours,
Olivia Borges-Nunez
Comments
Dear Ms. Borges-Nunez,
I am so sorry for the delayed reply. It has been extremely difficult to get to the computer the last couple of days. We are practicing for the football state championship game, and school has been overwhelming. There's no time to check the internet.
Well, first off, I'd just like to let you know that I am glad that they are having a vote in the Senate to analyze the drinking age. However, I think it is totally absurd that the age could possibly be changed to 25. Who do they think they are? They enable 18-year-olds to enlist in the army and protect our nation, vote for our country's leaders, but we can't celebrate an event, drink a couple Bud's, and have a controlled party? Not all teenagers, or 18 yr. olds for that matter, drink irresponsibly. The media just exploit every bad event that comes out of under-age drinking.
The drinking age should be lowered to 18, because of the fact that at this age, there are so many responsibilities that we are given. Also, I feel that if the drinking age were lowered, more and more teenagers wouldn't feel the need to "rebel" or "revolt" and go crazy when they drink. We do know that we are entrusted with many responsibilities, and we can handle it.
I know that at least seven of my classmates (174 overall) are going into the army. I won't be able to see them for the next three months, and maybe even a year for some of them. It all depends on where they are placed. All I know is that when they come back, we are going to throw a "welcome back" party for all of them. That way we can all reminisce over what has happened recently and relax around a nice campfire in my backyard.
As for what we are going to do to protest the drinking age going up to 25? If I can gather up some friends from my high school, especially the ones enlisting, we are going to start a petition and try and get 2,000 signatures. There is 6,750 people in our town. So, if we can get almost one-third of the population to sign it, I feel our voice will be heard.
Yours Truly,
Mike Vicanti
All-American Stud
Posted by: Justin Hasbrouck | November 14, 2006 03:47 PM