Obama To Army Vet: No Lower Drinking Age

(AP)  Democrat Barack Obama on Monday promised Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans help with their grievances - save one.

"I know it drives you nuts. But I'm not going to lower the drinking age," the presidential candidate said.

Army veteran Ernest Johnson, 23, of Connecticut, said one of the things that peeved him before he turned 21 was that he couldn't come home and drink a beer - even though he was old enough to serve in the armed services and die for his country.

Obama told Johnson he sympathized, but that setting the legal drinking age at 21 had helped reduce drunken driving incidents and should remain.

The Illinois senator was taping a round-table discussion with eight veterans that is to be broadcast by MTV on the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.

Howard Noel, 28, of New York City, told Obama he "looked at the military as a good thing" when he enlisted. But when he returned, he said he was scorned by friends and, for a while, was homeless.

"The problem has not been our military - the problem has been our civilian leadership," Obama said. "There's no way you should end up homeless." He said he would, if elected, put into force a program that would guarantee at least transitional housing for homeless veterans.

Seven of the eight veterans raised their hands when Obama asked who had suffered emotional or mental problems as a result of their service.

Christina Correa, 23, of California, said she believed she might have post-traumatic stress disorder, but that it was especially hard for women to find treatment. "They took my name down, but I never heard back," she said.

"The notion that you wouldn't have services available to you is inexcusable," Obama said. He said the military should start the process of treating soldiers suspected of post-traumatic stress disorder "before you are discharged."

The segment, sponsored by MTV and The Associated Press, was taped in the back room of "Whistles," a sports bar where a full blown St. Patrick's Day celebration was under way.

Before the taping, Obama circulated among the celebrants at the bar, shaking hands and getting his picture taken - in a pale blue tie.

Asked why he wasn't wearing anything green, Obama said, "This is embarrassing." He said since his hometown of Chicago held a big St. Patrick's Day celebration two days ago, "I sort of lost track" of the actual date.

But he said he would rectify the oversight before speaking later to a St. Patrick's Day dinner sponsored by the Irish Women's Society by wearing a green necktie. "I confiscated one from one of my staffers," he said.

[patf1i1t]

I think you are all missing a very important point. In our society we try to make a law to correct a social problem. The solution is in the way we raise our young. No law is going to change our culture, just make it worse. I have drank and drove for 30 years with no accidents, no Dui''s, etc. I did have great parents who did their best to teach me right from wrong and try to be as responsible as possible. I think O''Bama''s statement is flawed

[tomanyt]

What Obama is saying really is, "I don''t care if you die as long as you don''t die in a drink/driving accident. So go on back to Iraq and take one for the team."

[kansas1946]

I am a big Obama supporter, but he an I part ways on this one. I think the 21yr old drinking law is harmful. When we were kids, we started out with beer at 18 and by the time we got to 21 and the hard stuff, we knew enough not to go crazy unless we wanted to be really sick. Also, these kids are drinking and not asking for help getting home because it is illegal and they will either get in trouble with law enforcment, or their parents. It is a ludicrous law and particularly ludicrous for the armed forces. A kid is responsible enough to get his legs and arms, or head blown off for Uncle Sam, but to stupid to have a beer. America is really a sick society.

[sgtrds]

I joined the Air Force a few weeks after I turned 17 and even though there were still many 18 year old drinking states then (1973) the only place I could drink was on base. I do remember the first time I was home on leave though the local bars in my small town allowed me to drink because they had the attitude that I was old enough to serve in the military. I think active duty military personnel should have an exemption from the 21 year old drinking laws, but those not in the service should not.

[homespunlady]

Lack of coffee and reading some of these bigoted, pandering to the NEOCON ELITE toady posts seems to have a deleterious effect on spelling.

I NEED another cup of MY CHOSEN DRINK before that TOO is made illegal and BANNED.

America has the HIGHEST imprisonment percentage in the WORLD. You''d think SOMEONE would ask WHY.

[homespunlady]

So, now that the question of whether a MILITARY member under 21 that is considered MATURE enough to FIGHT and DIE is also considered TOO IMMATURE TO MAKE a correct decision concerning drinking has bee totally turned around ; might I propose that IF the "youngsters" are TOO YOUNG to drink then they are TOO YOUNG to MATURELY handle the STRESSES of WAR and should ALL be placed in "SAFE JOBS" until they reach that magical age of 21 where instantaneously they will have that much admired "maturity".

Sheesh, its about rights when YOU ARE PAYING FOR THEM - POTENTIALLY WITH YOUR LIFE!

But then again, this nation has FORGOTTEN what RIGHTS are. THE ONLY RIGHTS I''m seeing lately is the ones that George uses to TAKE AWAY what''s left for the REST of us.

How''s that economy thing going George. Heard Paulson is running from one show to another trying to put out all the ECONOMIC FIRES your selfish greedy policies have crated.

Prisons are GATED COMMUNITIES too.

[kenbomc]

Posted by jaxsterling at 08:12 AM : Mar 18, 2008;

You sound like you were abused as a kid. You''re not intelligent enough to figure out that the only thing Jr. has to do to get your support is by instilling fear into your head. It''s cute that Jr. has you talking like ''we caved into your demands....'' -do you even know what the heck you are talking about? -I doubt it.

[kenbomc]

Posted by jaxsterling at 08:09 AM : Mar 18, 2008;

Ok dumbas* -then maybe you should tell prez Bush that. He thinks it is more important to invade other countries that are of no threat to us at all. Stupidity in the WH does not help our cause -leadership that can make intelligent decisions is what we need.

[andrew_693]

ranger 1948 solution to post traumatic stress for the soldiers is to get them wasted drunk and turn to drugs. Reminds me of the alcoholics that keep looking for reasons to get drunk.

[slamma654]

combat vets have enough problems with alcoholism and drug abuse to mask their pain...no way should we help kids under 21 start their journey to the depths of alcoholism any earlier than we already do.