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You're absolutely right! We shouldn't let these petty concerns about the competence of children infringe on our liberties! For too long has the Almighty State b

You're absolutely right! We shouldn't let these petty concerns about the competence of children infringe on our liberties! For too long has the Almighty State been sticking its nose where it doesn't belong and we should do something about all these ridiculous limitations. Why should it be illegal for children to drink alcohol? Their parents should be permitted to make their own choices with regard to the beverages their children consume. Why should it be illegal for an adult to have sexual intercourse with a minor? The parents should be permitted to make their own choices with regard to the sexual behavior of their own children. Down with the meddling of the state! Our freedom is at stake!

ams6110 13y ago
You've made quite a leap from advertising food to kids.
jlgreco 13y ago
"Why should it be illegal for children to drink alcohol? Their parents should be permitted to make their own choices with regard to the beverages their children consume." I think you mean this to be sarcastic and obviously wrong, but many states in the US permit parents to give minors alcohol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Underage_consumption_map_2007.gif http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Underage_consumption_map_2...) Some states permit this anywhere (including in pubs), others restrict it to the home. This is considered entirely reasonable by many, dare I say most, people.
- CodeMage 13y ago
  There's a balance to strive for between making a statement concisely and making it nitpick-proof. I could have been more factually correct by stating that it's illegal to sell booze directly to minors, but that would've made the tone of my comment less rabidly libertarian. The point, of course, is that parents can make a meaningful decision about whether they'll give booze to their kids a lot more easily than they can do the same for exposing their kids to advertisement. Plus, I'm pretty sure that, even in those states, you could get in some sort of legal trouble for giving whiskey to a 2-year old. Obviously, we can't claim similar level of damage when it comes to advertising, but we don't seem to be willing to look more closely into it, either.
  - jlgreco 13y ago
    > I could have been more factually correct by stating that it's illegal to sell booze directly to minors, but that would've made the tone of my comment less rabidly libertarian. Yes, it is a damn shame when reality gets in the way of your strawmen... Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and South Carolina all allow minors to drink alcohol on private property without the consent of their parents. In several states the only way you could get in trouble for giving whiskey to a 2-year old is if you gave it in sufficient quantities that child endangerment became clear. Letting your kid to take a small sip of whiskey under supervision to convince the kid that he wants nothing more to do with it is reasonable and legal in many areas.

ams6110 13y ago

You've made quite a leap from advertising food to kids.

jlgreco 13y ago

"Why should it be illegal for children to drink alcohol? Their parents should be permitted to make their own choices with regard to the beverages their children consume." I think you mean this to be sarcastic and obviously wrong, but many states in the US permit parents to give minors alcohol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Underage_consumption_map_2007.gif http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Underage_consumption_map_2...) Some states permit this anywhere (including in pubs), others restrict it to the home. This is considered entirely reasonable by many, dare I say most, people.

CodeMage 13y ago
There's a balance to strive for between making a statement concisely and making it nitpick-proof. I could have been more factually correct by stating that it's illegal to sell booze directly to minors, but that would've made the tone of my comment less rabidly libertarian. The point, of course, is that parents can make a meaningful decision about whether they'll give booze to their kids a lot more easily than they can do the same for exposing their kids to advertisement. Plus, I'm pretty sure that, even in those states, you could get in some sort of legal trouble for giving whiskey to a 2-year old. Obviously, we can't claim similar level of damage when it comes to advertising, but we don't seem to be willing to look more closely into it, either.
- jlgreco 13y ago
  > I could have been more factually correct by stating that it's illegal to sell booze directly to minors, but that would've made the tone of my comment less rabidly libertarian. Yes, it is a damn shame when reality gets in the way of your strawmen... Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and South Carolina all allow minors to drink alcohol on private property without the consent of their parents. In several states the only way you could get in trouble for giving whiskey to a 2-year old is if you gave it in sufficient quantities that child endangerment became clear. Letting your kid to take a small sip of whiskey under supervision to convince the kid that he wants nothing more to do with it is reasonable and legal in many areas.