College Presidents Seek Debate on Drinking Age, W.Va. Joins In
College Presidents Seek Debate on Drinking Age, W.Va. Joins In Save Email Print
Posted: 7:51 AM Aug 19, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:56 AM Aug 19, 2008
 Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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UPDATE: W.Va. Joins Battle
BETHANY, W.Va. (AP) - Two West Virginians are among 100 college presidents supporting a national debate over the idea of lowering the legal drinking age from 21 to 18.

Bethany College President Scott Miller has signed onto the Amethyst Initiative, along with President G.T. Smith of Davis & Elkins College.

Larger schools like Duke, Dartmouth and Ohio State are on board, too. They argue that current laws encourage secretive binge drinking.

Miller issued a statement Monday saying a person old enough to vote and serve in the military should be informed enough to make mature decisions about alcohol consumption.

The group's name stems from the belief in ancient Greece that the purple gemstone amethyst could ward off drunkenness if used in drinking vessels and jewelry.


ORIGINAL STORY
UNDATED (AP) - College presidents from about 100 of the nation's best-known universities -- including Ohio State -- are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18.

They say current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus.

The movement called the Amethyst Initiative began quietly recruiting presidents more than a year ago to provoke national debate about the drinking age. Schools represented in the group also include Duke, Dartmouth, Kenyon and Morehouse.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving says lowering the drinking age would lead to more fatal car crashes. MADD officials are even urging parents to think carefully about the safety of colleges whose presidents have signed on.

Both sides agree alcohol abuse by college students is a huge problem.
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Posted by: Aaron on Oct 7, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I think they should raise the drinking age. People now are less responsible than what they used to be, so why let them have one more thing to try to act responsibly with. If you don't believe we're less responsible let's ask how many bankruptcies there have been now compared to 20 years ago. How about divorces? How about unwanted pregnancies? I could go on for days. And I'm not 79 years old, I'm just 25.
Posted by: Marcus on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:58 AM
as a college student myself i can fully understand the thinking behind this considered law change. studies have shown in Europe and other countries who let their tens drink they see a lower rate of binge drinkers do to the fact that there is no thrill and no reason to drink. i agree with this legislation and i hope that they would pass it nationally
Posted by: To Jamal on Aug 21, 2008 at 12:25 AM
So lowering the drinking age will actually lower the amount of 18 year olds who drink? If these kids are drinking, as you suggest,for the thrill of breaking the law, we can assume they will then stop when it's legal? And then, what will they do to fill the void of the "thrill of breaking the law"? Come on man, your not the only one who was 18 once.And to Ashley. There is indeed second hand drunkeness. It comes in the form of not being able to take your kids to venues where it is served, and the form of bearing the stupidity of those who are drunk, and more importantly, it ends a bunch of innocent lives and ruins the lives of every family member on both sides when one of these idiots decides to take a little drive and hits someone. I agree that noone should be hemmed up in an atmosphere full of smoke, but niether should we be exposed to the threat that drunks are when they take to the roads. Funny how the Health Dept.(Not a legislative branch) makes laws on smoking, but ignores booze.
Posted by: bill on Aug 21, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Leela you called me a xenophobia? i am not even from this area and my father is from another country. i dont have a fear of that.
Posted by: green on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Actually Mr. Miller, they should RAISE the age limit of smoking and military service to 21. I believe that solution makes a lot more sense. While some kids do drink underage because of the thrill, I don't think they will suddenly just stop if it is made legal. Plenty of the heavy drinkers in colleges are of legal age. They don't care if they have the right to do it or not. Come on, we all know the real reason college presidents are supporting this is to free themselves of liability.
Posted by: whatever on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Everyone is all the time giving us cigarette smokers a hard time so we can make a deal with the drinkers. Just take cigarettes off the market and get rid of alcohol.
Posted by: Richard on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Well i have only one thing to say to the school that want to lower the drinking age if you do it for the school you will need to do it for the whole country if a student is found to be drunk from your school and causes a wreek and hurts some one the school should lose all i mean all there fundings from the Goverment all i know if one whould cause my family to lose a family memmber i whould sue the school for lettig theme drink on school grounds.
Posted by: Jamal on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:07 PM
i think that if they lowered the age to 18 it would definitely help the binge drinking......most young adults drink to be "rebellious". If they lowered the age it would take away the "thrill" of breaking the law. This would keep many young adults from drinking
Posted by: Habmdi on Aug 20, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Bryan, my comment was facetious. I think it is idiotic for anyone to suggest one must be a soldier fighting in a war in order to qualify for drinking at age 18. Our freedoms were won and fought long ago. Until we lose them and have to win them back we all have the same rights. The war is being lost in the field of operation and in public opinion. It's all over the U.S. capitalists wanting to dominate the world. Same as WWI, Korea, Vietnam, and various others. The last good war was WWII. Even then the U.S. and USSR divided up Germany for their own selfish purposes. But I digress...
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 20, 2008 at 05:38 PM
If America wasn't such a melting pot of cultures and religions, maybe America could actually find something to agree upon. If we are going to have different people from different lands and different cultures all yelling to agree with their ways, then there should be research on the what good things each of these countries have to offer and learn from it.
Posted by: Leela on Aug 20, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Bill, obviously the European model works in this situation (despite your obvious xenophobia). Remember, Europe is comprised of many countries and mass transit differs from country to country - in general, the European attitude toward alcohol is the biggest contributor to their lack of alcohol related deaths and there's nothing wrong with observing that and perhaps learning from it.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Yes. I think that the legal drinking age should be 18. Children drink anyways because they are doing something that they arn't supposed to do. So, therefore they feel as if they are cool. If the drinking age was changed from 21 to 18 i think that there wouldn't be as much drinking going on because they wouldn't have that feel of, ''oh i'm doing something i'm not supposed to be doing.'' Anyways, when you are 18 you are considered an adult so why not be able to make you own decisions? I am all for changing the drinking age!
Posted by: Ashley on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:58 AM
To: KY on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:51 AM>> I can see you are very angry. For future reference, ALL CAPS are not needed and many appreciate the lack of usage. Secondly, you don't have a leg to stand on. Remember, they tried Prohibition once and it REALLY didn't work. You live in Appalachia, you should know that! Third, there is a massive difference between a few drinks and binge drinking. Finally, apparently you've never tried to quit smoking. If you had, you would know that Nic Fits make crazy people. Stop hating and stop being so angry, it makes you look like a 5-year-old. I don't think cigarettes should be banned (at least not from bars), but people don't want to be around smokers because of second hand smoke. There is no such thing as second hand drunkedness.
Posted by: Bryan on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:04 AM
HABMDI-You are walking a fine line. There are a lot of us that have lost friends in OIF/OEF and that is ground you don't want to walk.
Posted by: Donna on Aug 20, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Yes. I think that a person who is considered an adult in all other aspects should be allowed to do what all other adults are allowed to do. My opinion: If you work a full time job and support yourself; pay taxes and are a good citizen, you should be treated fairly. Not allowing a person to drink alcohol because of their age is like calling every citizen of the US irresponsible. And maybe plenty of 18-21 year old person is irresponsible; but each and every one should prove them self so before being automatically judged because of their age.
Posted by: KY on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:51 AM
I'M TOTALLY AGAINST DRINKING!! IT MAKES PEOPLE TALK OUT OF THEIR HEADS & DO THINGS THAT THEY WOULDN'T NORMALLY DO. SO I SAY BAN IT LIKE THEY ARE TRYING TO CIGARETTES. YES I DO SMOKE BUT I DON'T DRINK & I'D SAY THAT ALOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WANT SMOKING BANNED DRINK. SO I SAY BAN IT BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE TO BE AROUND DRUNKS, LIKE YOU DON'T LIKE TO BE AROUND SMOKE!! ALCHOL KILLS PEOPLE EVERYDAY!!!
Posted by: Bill on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Since everyone in here seems to have consulted a think tank I guess I should tell what I feel. First off if you have a military ID then let them have their booze. 2nd I DO NOT like having the US ever compared to Europe for any reason. That’s not the best place for answers. Let us not forget they did produce 2 world wars less then 30 years apart and in the same century. They have less alcohol related deaths because. 1. Fewer people own and drive a car there then here because they are big on mass trans. And they all have pubs/bars within walking distances of their homes. And last but not least I like hearing people say things like kids will do it anyways so lets let them do it. Well people will do murder regardless of the law so lets make that legal also. 21 is a good age for a buffer zone. Keep it. Let Europe be Europe. And Europe also has harder penalties for those who drink and break the law. Which I am all for. And the only thing worth doing that they do.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I think they should change the age for becoming an adult to at 20 years old. I do not think they are ready to take on being on thier own at 18. They should not be in the militay at 18, maybe in training programs but not in combat.
Posted by: Old Grump on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:51 PM
If you are considered an adult at 18 in this country then you should be able to drink. People need to take personal responsibility when it comes to drinking and stop trying to limit the freedom of people considered to be adults in every other way. I'm all for increasing the penaties on people who drive drunk or buy alcohol for people recognized as non-adults by law but adults should be allowed to drink. Freedom is dangerous and comes with responsibilities, educate children and let adults choose. That's the way life is supposed to be in this country.
Posted by: Leela on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:59 PM
If Americans weren't so puritanical about alcohol we wouldn't have such an issue with binge drinking. In European countries the drinking ages are lower, but they have fewer alcohol related deaths...largely because alcohol isn't viewed as an exciting, forbidden things. Children are raised having an occasional bit of wine with dinner with their parents and learn to drink socially and responsibly.
Posted by: Old Teacher on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:36 PM
I am old enough to remember when the legal drinking age for beer was 17 and the age for "hard liquor" was 21. Back then my father taught me how to drink. First you don't drink alone. Second you only drink when eating a meal, and third you never drink more than three beers or two glasses of wine a day. I never saw my father drunk, and I never had the urge to sneak around and "binge" drink. A quart of beer or a bottle of wine was always in my family's refrigerator right beside the milk and juice. Dad rarely ordered alcohol at a restaurant, and then it was only one drink. I certainly didn't turn into an alcoholic like many of my friends from "non-drinking" families. I believe if parents would educate their children on the proper way to drink, we could solve many of our society's problems with alcohol.
Posted by: been there and done that on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:33 PM
going through college from 18-21, I drank more than I ever have since. The 18-21 ages I spent with the thrill of getting someone to buy it and then sneaking it in the dorm. It wasn't difficult. I binged then because I thought I had to tie on a good one in order to make it till the next time someone old enough bought it. Oddly enough, once I turned 21, everything took on a whole new look. I could buy it anytime I wanted but didn't. The thrill was gone. I know very few adults, with the exception of a few alcoholics, who binge. Drop the age and get over it. If an 18 year old wants beer, its not hard to get it.
Posted by: Habmdi on Aug 19, 2008 at 06:42 PM
I don't agree with military personnel drinking. Maybe we are losing the War on Terror because they are all drinking.
Posted by: gene on Aug 19, 2008 at 06:20 PM
if not lowering the drinking age then raise the age for military service. i don't drink but i believe if someone puts their life on the line for this country then they should be able to drink a beer.
Posted by: .... on Aug 19, 2008 at 06:11 PM
i think if the drinking age should only be lifted for those in the military they should be able to buy alcohol but with military id.the way i see it if there old enough to die and fight for our country freedom they should be able to have a nice cold beer.I dont drink but i think our military men and women should have the right to drink at 18 or atleast at the age of 19
Posted by: Dale Midkiff on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:43 PM
The drinking age when I was a young man was 18. I started drinking when I was 16 and never wanted to drink after I turned 18. A big hangover did it for me.
Posted by: Becky on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I'm 22 years old and still firmly believe the legal age for alcohol use should be 18. Drinking in college is going to happen whether you're 17 or 25. Drinking isn't the concern. It's drinking and driving. Education our children early of the consequences of this behavior. Binge drinking is a much bigger risk than drinking at age 19. Men and women serving our country may be more mature, but he/she still cannot have a beer before being deployed (by law.) I think it's hypocritical to ask these men and women to defend our freedom, then turn around and tell them they are too young to have a drink. Someone drunk at 18 is going to be just as drunk as someone who is 21. I've been there and done that.
Posted by: Melissa on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:15 PM
People think that if your younger than the drinking age that it makes you too immature to drink. What about those people who are old enough to drink but still get in fights at bars and chose to drink and drive? At any age you make mistakes but making the legal age 18 could stop much of the binge drinking that is going on. I think many young people do it because it is illegal unless you are 21 and it makes them feel rebelous. Maybe if the age was dropped many of these people would feel less of an urge to drink.
Posted by: Mary on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:15 PM
What are college presidents thinking. Lowering the legal drinking age to 18 will just encourage more students to drink. If the argument is they can vote when they are 18, why not change the voting law to 21. Most of today's 18 year-olds are too immature to vote on important issues anyway.
Posted by: Deep Stuff on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:06 PM
A brief AA/ NA compoet should be included in orientation at all high schools and universities The drinking age should not be lowered.
Posted by: Kyle on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:57 PM
I am 19 and dont drink. However, I feel that if you are old enough to be sent to Iraq and shot, then you should be old enough to drink.
Posted by: James on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:40 PM
So what's next? The WV Legislature increased the mileage from 50 to 60 on the interstate in Charleston City Limits because everyone is still going 60 despite the 50 mph limit. How long before changing the law because there are too many murders accuring in the city so we should make it legal to murder? Stealing? Rape? Can't kill an animal but you can abort an infant inside and outside the womb now. See the pattern? Also, how many 18 year olds are still in High School? As someone posted earlier that it will drop to 14 year olds to 17 year olds. Do we change it then too? Think people!
Posted by: Bryan on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:16 PM
If you are active duty military you should be able to have a drink if you choose. All others should have be 21 and employed or 21 and currently enrolled in college.
Posted by: Ashley on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Currently, all the drinking age restriction does is bother 18-20 year olds. Much like a mosquito bite or an itch on your back you just can't quite reach. There are certain bars you cannot go to with your friends, you put your drink down and run if a cop comes to a party, and you have to wait on a party or someone else to buy your alcohol. Notice, in none of these scenarios is the drinker deterred from drinking. You can make the drinking age 55 and lower the BAC for a DUI to .00001% and there will still be those who drink and there will still be drunk driving accidents. Does this make alcohol the devil? No! Conservative WV should know (after all, it's our unofficial moto) that the object has no power to act. It is the individual and the individual intent. Teach your children how to handle alcohol responsibly!!! Until then, lower the drinking age and create stiffer penalties for DUI offenders and repeat offenders and ACTUALLY enforce them!
Posted by: anon-1 on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:36 PM
This 18 and 21 thing does not make sense. The current age for being an adult is 18. I believethat they should either increase the age of becoming an adult to 21 or lower the drinking age to 18.
Posted by: Heather on Aug 19, 2008 at 01:50 PM
The drinking age SHOULD BE 18.. . MADD needs to realize that education is key and that it doesn't matter if you're 18 or 50.. if you're going to drive drunk.. you're going to do it... some people have more sense than other and that doesn't rely on age.
Posted by: Steve on Aug 19, 2008 at 01:20 PM
If I can go to war at 18, I should be able to drink at 18-not a good arguement. Tha's no different than saying "If I gotta go to school when I'm 5, then I should be old enough to drive myself there." The other problem with that arguement is that most who use it, won't go. So here it is, so that we satisfy the arguement. If you are 18, sign up for the military, and are involved in the war, you should be able to drink while it's going on. Otherwise, most 18 year old are not responsible enough to make rational decisions regarding alcohol and its use. Case in point: Binge drinking. In addition to fatalities from binge drinking, we are going to add morefatalities from DUI, more physical assaults, more sexual assaults, a higher pregnancy rate, higher insurance, etc.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I've about had enough with MADD. I understand that it was created by people who have lost a child to drunk driving and I respect that it means a lot to them, but to question the safety of the colleges who have signed on. You have got to be kidding me... First of all I agree 100% with the college presidents that binge drinking does occur much more before the age of 21. Once you turn 21 it loses its luster and you drink to relax and have a good time and not to get drunk. Number two if students under the age of 21 want to drink they are going to regardless of what the age limit is. If you are a member of MADD and have lost a child to a drunk driver then I am terribly sorry for your loss, but don't look me in the eye and tell me that you believe an 18 year old isn't mature enough to drink all the while they are not only fighting a war for you, but also will play a huge role in determining our next president in November.
Posted by: Kim on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:37 PM
We discussed this in my current events class that is made up predominately of seniors. And even teenagers can agree that this could create more problems than it solves. The biggest impact will not be on the 18-20 age range, but more the 14-17 range that are around 18 year olds on a regular basis. We believe that you will see a huge increase in the cases of 18-20 year olds buying alcohol for younger brothers/sisters/friends. As it is now, far fewer children 14-17 have an associate 21 or over than have one who is 18-20. Does that potential disaster outweigh the inconvenience of waiting a few years to legally have a beer?
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I agree with this changing the laws to 18. I have been in the military since I was 18. I have been to Baghdad, Iraq, but when I came home and wanted to have a beer or two to relieve some of the stress I wasn't aloud. I'm old enough to protect this country but I'm not old enough to have a beer. Just doesn't seem fair.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:31 PM
lower the drinking age, but raise the age to get a driver's license.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:13 PM
I am a firm believer if you can fight for your country at the age of 18 , Which I did, You should be able to have a beer. I mean really a person can go die for thier country but he can't have a beer. Aweful I think . Thanks to All the service Men and women who are fighting for our freedoms !!!
Posted by: Former Soldier on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:49 AM
I believe that changing the drinking age back to 18 is a good idea. Legally anyone that is 18 is an adult, in all aspects except for one, they cannot drink. If America lets 18 year olds vote, be drafted (if that would ever happen again), fight and die for their country, get married, etc, then they should have ever right to throw back a beer, in the land of the free.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:48 AM
People under 21 are going to drink regardless of the age limit. They might as well change it to 18.
Posted by: buck on Aug 19, 2008 at 10:57 AM
On the other hand the government will never classify alcohol as illegal meaning it will continue. So make it legal but then the dry green stuff should be legal also. I have never known a violent mary jane user.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 10:47 AM
You know, I've been in college for a couple years and I am positive that 18 year olds are not mature enough to drink. People that serve in the military are subjected to harsh discipline and life experiences. The average frat guy isn't. He just wants to get as hammered as possible as quickly as possible. Now wait for some 18 year old to get on here and attack me.
Posted by: gene on Aug 19, 2008 at 10:39 AM
it should be legal to drink at 18. it was for a while. if you can carry a rifle and die for this country you should be able to drink.
Posted by: buck on Aug 19, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Just when you think you've heard it all. Such a silly thought. It won't be voted in, if it does then we all better start buying plots at the cemetary.
Posted by: Responsible Drinker on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:44 AM
I think lowering the age to 18 is a logical idea considering you can vote and go to a foreign country and fight unnecessary wars...but drink a beer? NO, you have to be 21? Gimme a break! It will not lead to more fatal car crashes as MADD suggests.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:44 AM
they might as well drop it to 16 while their at it since all the cabell midland high school kids that hang in our neighborhood get drunk all the time! wake up parents! they are learning early how to drink and smole pot and you are blind to it start checking in to what your kids are doing
Posted by: Judy on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:29 AM
I have worked with students all of my life. It is inconceivable to me that college presidents would be so irresponsible as to move to legalize drinking at a younger age. Alcohol is so dangerous and destructive for our young people. How sad - What a tragedy! I hope that is sucha public outcry that it will stop this movement before it happens.
Posted by: Steve on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:00 AM
That's some wonderful logic. If lowering the drinking age to 18 will curb binge drinking, let's just lower it to 14 and eliminate binge drinking altogether. That is STUPID! 18 year olds binge drink because they don't have the sense to not do it. Why don't they stop insulting everyone's intelligence and just say "It's all about the money." Forget the fact that it will increase the number of DUI fatalities and put the rest of the communities in greater risk than they presently are. And for the 18 year olds who will get on here attempting to make the case for it...save your breath. When you reach 35(and hopefully you will) then you come back and post here whether or not you had the ability to make rational decisions about such things when you were 18.
Posted by: joe on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:48 AM
The laws should be lowered. If you are considered an adult at 18, able to die for your country at 18, then why not be able to drink when your 18? It's safer the way it is but it's not fair to the young adults. Whether it's a law or not it does no good so why still push for it when it doesn't get enforced?
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:40 AM
If they want to drink it doesnt matter what the age they are ,they will find a way.I think it should be 18
Posted by: Zel on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:40 AM
If you're old enough to die for your country via the military, you're old enough to have a cold one. It's up to the INDIVIDUAL to keep themselves in check - I know people over 21 who don't drink, so it isn't about having alcohol readily available. Instead, do something about the revolving door of our prisons/jails/judicial system.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:24 AM
when your 18 you can go to war but cant drink a beer.
Posted by: robbin on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:21 AM
come on lowering the drinking age if anything it needs to raise even higher the 21 yr olds i know are still acting like their 15 it needs to be raise to 25
Posted by: Gonzo on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:11 AM
If 18 year olds can go to war, than 18 year old should be able to drink..!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Stephanie on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Ashland is my home town but i have moved to Louisville and still check our local news back home, this is just nuts! can you imagine how many more deaths from underage drinking there would be? how many more fatalities that would happen, kids 18 are NOT responsible enough to drink!
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  • Posted By: Jennifer: To Volley Mom, yes that's true about life in general but we're talking about a web page, come on. It's not THAT important.
  • Posted By: L.: A little feedback on the site redesign; I like the layout, but it's very crowded and cluttered. I browse the site frequently on my iPhone and I have great difficulty doing that with the new layout - I can't scroll using the touchscreen because all of the columns are crowded together and when I try to scroll I end up clicking on something.
  • Posted By: : I DO NOT LIKE THE NEW PAGE. THE OLD PAGE WAS SO MUCH BETTER!!!
  • Posted By: Melinda: THE ONLY THING THAT NEEDS FIXED ON YOUR NEW WEB SITE IS THE VIEWING OF THE VIDEOS LIKE YOU HAVE GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD I HAVE A POP UP BLOCKER THAT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO VIEW IT AND BEFORE IT NEVER STOPPED ME.
  • Posted By: Melinda: I LIKE THE NEW WEB PAGE KEEP THIS ONE! ITS EASIER TO READ AND GET TO THINGS.
  • Posted By: Volley Mom: The only thing in life consistent is change. We all need change to keep life interesting. Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you deal with it. Learn to deal with things in life a little better. I happen to like the new site.
  • Posted By: Bling Bling: Like the new site, but like asked before why are you running the competitions headlines? Also another recommendation - somewhat croweded but hey it is the news so I will live with it
  • Posted By: Buckeye: I like the new site. Just get sick of seeing the shaking "classmate.com" advertisement. But, they pay a bill I'm sure.
  • Posted By: ann: I HATE THE NEW SIT IT WONT FIT ON MY SCREEN RIGHT ITS MESSED UP CHANGE IT BACK PLEASE HURRRY
  • Posted By: ann: love the new site
  • Posted By: Jennifer: I don't like the new page either, I know change is something you have to get used to but....just my opinion.
  • Posted By: IdiotsUAre: The United States of America was founded under God! The creator of this earth, the father of our Savior Jesus Christ. He is why we even have Christmas. So say Christmas an not holidays! If you want to say holidays then go to another county or even California it might as be its own.
  • Posted By: yuck: I don't like change, please go back to the other website.
  • Posted By: Bob: WSAZ, Why are you linking to WOWK headlines on your website? Even linking to the Daily Mail, Gazette, and H-D isn't smart - because in the online world, they're even more of a competitor to you.
  • Posted By: Bob: Someone could be shopping for Hanukkah gifts. Read a book other than just the Bible.
  • Posted By: BibleThumpers: It's actually a pagan festival for the Winter Solstice. The Christians adopted it as Christ's birthday later on and even adopted many of the pagan items, such as putting up a tree and having a great feast.
  • Posted By: g: it is the stupidest thing I have ever heard, to be offended by the word "Holiday", this all comes from you bible thumpers that all want to tell other people how to think and what to say. You offend me! This is the Holidays! Even 50 years ago before all this ridiculous crap started, cards said Happy Holidays, because it covered Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, it is the Holiday Season! So Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays Y'all!
  • Posted By: to Lady A:: The "holiday" season also encompasses Hanukkah, a major holiday for those of us who follow the Jewish faith. We also give gifts and do "holiday" shopping this season; thankfully WSAZ is less ignorant than you are and recognizes that their viewership reflects more than one faith.
  • Posted By: to Lady A: FYI, Hanukah is also coming up and we of the jewish faith also exchange gifts during this HOLIDAY season. I, for one, am thankful that WSAZ considers all of their viewers. Your comment was incredibly ignorant.
  • Posted By: What the heck: I agree with Pat, I'm not liking the new page AT ALL.
  • Posted By: Christian not offended: Ok there Lady A, just slow down a minute. Huntingtonian made a good point. Have you ever heard of Hanukah? Some people shop for Hanukah. Jesus was Jewish, so don't tell me that being a Jew is a sin, & Christmas is THE ONLY HOLIDAY this time of year. Yes, I too love to hear MERRY CHRISTMAS, but I refuse to become upset when someone says happy holidays. How do you know if when you say MERRY CHRISTMAS to someone, your not saying it to a Jewish person? Do you ever hear them make a big fat stink about it? NO!!!, you don't. So I think you should just be happy that God has given you another day on this Earth. So that you have the time to celebrate, with your family, whatever holiday you choose. I've decided to say HAPPY MERRY KWANZ~MA~KA that way I've covered them all.
  • Posted By: Pat: Much like New Coke and the new Marco I think you've made a mistake with the new web pagedesign. I don't use Yahoo because the site is too cluttered and I feel the same about your new page. More is not necessarily better!
  • Posted By: Ari: It is CHRISTMAS it is the time we celebrate Christ being born, not Kwanzza or Hanukah. Kwanzza is racist anyways it's a celebration of being black. I have no problem with people saying Happy whatever it is but I am NOT going to watch what i say and not say Marry Christmas becasue it might offend people
  • Posted By: LadyA`: The question was, Did you do any Holiday shopping over the weekend? The shopping they were referring was Christmas shopping. What other holiday shopping would we be doing? Thanksgiving was over. It offended me like many others. It is the Christmas season and I want to see the word Christmas used, not holiday or xmas.
  • Posted By: Huntingtonian: I agree with Anonymous!! It is the "holiday season" and by definition, it encompasses all of the holidays that are coming, not just Christmas. I also am a christian and see something inherintly wrong with pigeon holing this time of year to simply "Merry Christmas." What I find really offensive is those of you who believe that it is ok to say "Christmas" but would be outraged if "Happy Kwanza" or "Happy Hanukah" appeared anywhere. So, that being said: HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a JOYOUS NEW YEAR to all!!
  • Posted By: : Holiday is in referance to ALL holidays this time of year. I have been saying Happy Holidays since I was a kid, growing up during the 80's. Christmas is not the only holiday this time of year. We did just celebrate Thanksgiving, remember. I am a Christian, that is not offended by the phrase HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
  • Posted By: ann: I agree with ladyA its CHRISTMAS
  • Posted By: LadyA: WSAZ- Could you please change the word Holiday to Christmas on your question? The word Holiday offends me.
  • Posted By: mad: To the doofus deer hunter who knocked my mailbox over on gritt rd if you cant drive any better than that you shouldnt have a GUN and thanks for letting us know you smashed the mailbox. MERRY CHRISTMAS DOOFUS
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