For decades, the question of what age should be considered the appropriate age for drinking alcohol has been the subject of intense debate . Since the 1980s, the legal drinking age has been 21 and over in the United States. However, this age limit for alcohol consumption was controversial then, and it continues to be today. In 2008, John McCardell, leader of Choose Responsibility and former president of Middlebury College, joined a campaign known as the Amethyst Initiative, which proposed lowering the age limit for drinking alcohol to a number no specified (Amethyst Initiative). Along with this initiative, McCardell wrote an article titled “Rethinking the Drinking Age of 21.” On the other hand, a Chicago Tribune article titled "Keep the Drinking Age at 21" explains why the drinking age should stay the same. These two contradictory essays take a personal stance on a long-debated issue. While McCardell explains his desire to lower the legal drinking age, the Chicago Tribune attempts to refute any possible reason why the legal drinking age should be lower than 21. One particular point on which McCardell and the Chicago Tribune disagree is the issue of statistics. In his essay, McCardell challenges the idea that statistics should be used to keep the legal drinking age at 21. He argues that “even when the results [of studies that determine the link between alcohol problems and the legal drinking age] are inconsistent… we have tried to define policies whose effects can be better measured with more data, statistics, graphs, correlations and formulas. McCardell is frustrated that what he considers unreliable statistics and data are being used as reasons to keep the legal drinking age at 21. He goes on to explain why he considers the statistics...... middle of paper ..... The consequences that the drinking age has had on student safety. Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune uses statistics to express its belief that the drinking age of 21 is safer than a lower drinking age, and that lowering the drinking age The drinking age will only cause more harm to individuals, without harming their safety. The two trials mainly focus on the age of alcohol consumption which will ensure optimal safety for the individual. Perhaps this common ground could lead to compromise in the debate over the legal drinking age. Works Cited “Amethyst Initiative”. Amethyst Initiative » Welcome to the Amethyst Initiative. Internet. September 23, 2011. “Keep the drinking age at 21.” Chicago Tribune. August 26, 2008. The web. September 23, 2011.McCardell, John. “Rethink the drinking age of 21.” The Guardian. August 22, 2008. The web. September 23. 2011.