happy late birthday to me.

[Felix-0]

woo.
21 now.

[Archem]

Happy drinking age!

[Cerebus]

Happy Mother's Day!

[Prpl_Mage]

21 is the drinking age in the states?

[Archem]

Yeah.

[Moosetroop11]

Happy birthday!

Sorry you had to make your own one!

I never check when anyone's birthdays are; I'm terrible...

[Prpl_Mage]

Yeah.

Odd, you can drive at 16 but you can't drink until you're 21? I guess lots of teens drink anyway?

Still it beats having both those ages at 18 like here, something stupid about the decision of allowing teens to drive and drink at the same age.

[Felix-0]

was an awful birthday. Spent it alone in my apartment because my girlfriend got arrested for shoplifting and she had painkillers that her mom gave her so she got charged with possession of narcotics.

[Archem]

Not to be a dick, but that's what she gets for shoplifting.

Odd, you can drive at 16 but you can't drink until you're 21? I guess lots of teens drink anyway?

Still it beats having both those ages at 18 like here, something stupid about the decision of allowing teens to drive and drink at the same age.

I think it's because the general population sees driving as something essential. The US is a much larger country than most, and public transportation is not as good as other major nations because of the vast distances that are covered. Vehicle use is more important. Drinking, on the other hand, is seen as slightly negative, mostly because of the trouble people start when intoxicated. Given the fact that it was once illegal in our country, the idea of withholding it until such a late age shouldn't be surprising. Frankly, I think it would be a better idea to introduce drinking before driving, as irresponsible young people who are new (or should be new) to alcohol already know how to drive, and have been doing so long enough to feel comfortable. Adding that new, intoxicating element to an act they already see as something they've mastered is a bad idea. However, given that driving is so important to us as a nation, it's unlikely that the driving age would move up much further than 18 (in some parts, it is already at 18), but anything lower than that for drinking seems irresponsible, perhaps detrimental to the health of still-developing teenagers. 18/18 might be a reasonable compromise (obvious flaws aside) as a new user to both motor vehicles and alcohol is less comfortable with both and may make greater attempts to be cautious.

[Cerebus]

Here, 16 for driving, 18 for drinking/cigarettes/lotto. Doesn't prevent idiots from driving under influence before 18, though.

And well, that isn't all too awesome, Felix. But unfortunately, I kinda agree with Archem.
I know it sucks for you because it's someone you know -your girlfriend- but she played with fire and got burned, twice.

Hopefully things will work out well.

[Archem]

The narcotics thing kind of blows, though.

[Felix-0]

yea, pretty bummed she would shoplift and get caught the night before my birthday, bummed her bail is 1505

[Moosetroop11]

She seems like a lot of trouble.  I wouldn't pay ^_^

[Felix-0]

all charges aside from shoplifting were dropped.
Everything was worked out and she's home now. :3

[Archem]

Well good news there.