I have been following the news about Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler and what he is accused of doing and not doing when he stopped at a chaperoned teen party where we all assume there was teenage drinking ("Gansler and the party," Oct. 24). The first question that comes to mind is the chaperons, where were they and what was their responsibility?
The drinking age in Maryland and Delaware was raised from 18 to 21 in 1982, and that law should be enforced. My concern is that we, as a society, are being hypocrites. We permit 18-year-olds to join the military and participate in police actions and wars that we deem necessary. We assume that teens are responsible enough to drive motor vehicles and make decisions on the highway that can ultimately effect others.
We permit 18-year-olds to vote in elections, again assuming they are mature enough to make well informed decisions, but we find fault in them having a beer at a party. I realize that historically some teens have made bad decisions about driving or sex when they drink, but is that representative of all teens?
As long as I have questions and confusion, I don't feel I can condemn Mr. Gansler.
Bob Eberwein, Middle River