2008 Woodie Awards
McCardell campaign generates opposition
Kathryn Flagg
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: News
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"Welcome to World Headquarters, the nerve center." John M. McCardell, Jr. - professor of History and president emeritus of Middlebury College - is a familiar fixture on the College's campus. But this jovial pronouncement was offered in a high-ceilinged, one-room office just off of Main Street, where McCardell is hard at work as director of Choose Responsibility, a nonprofit organization that he launched last February. "You can just feel the pulse," he said with a laugh.
The office - located in downtown Middlebury and a brisk 10-minute walk from the center of the College's campus - is a modest affair. A few desks and mismatched file cabinets huddle near the windows, and the small conference table in the center of the room is cluttered with press releases and newspaper clippings. Grace Kronenberg '06 and Amanda Goodwin '07, assistants to the director, pulled their chairs up to the table.
Modest though it may appear, this three-person, storefront operation is the hub of a blossoming grassroots movement to promote public debate about alcohol use in America. In claiming that a lower minimum drinking age, coupled with a graduated licensing program for underage drinkers, would reduce the amount of alcohol-related deaths in the country, Choose Responsibility has sparked considerable interest and consternation.
"This isn't just about drunk driving,"said McCardell. It's about the toll alcohol takes on young lives, and the fact that many young lives are being lost to alcohol off the highway. That will resonate. That needs to be explained, and proponents of Legal Age 21 can't explain that."
The fledgling organization, whose Web site went live last April, was launched into the limelight this month after Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the American Medical Association (AMA) and other organizations announced on Oct. 9 the formation of a coalition to support Legal Age 21. The coalition, succinctly dubbed Support 21, boasts a supporting array of well-known and respected organizations including the Governors Highway Safety Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association and the National Safety Council.
The office - located in downtown Middlebury and a brisk 10-minute walk from the center of the College's campus - is a modest affair. A few desks and mismatched file cabinets huddle near the windows, and the small conference table in the center of the room is cluttered with press releases and newspaper clippings. Grace Kronenberg '06 and Amanda Goodwin '07, assistants to the director, pulled their chairs up to the table.
Modest though it may appear, this three-person, storefront operation is the hub of a blossoming grassroots movement to promote public debate about alcohol use in America. In claiming that a lower minimum drinking age, coupled with a graduated licensing program for underage drinkers, would reduce the amount of alcohol-related deaths in the country, Choose Responsibility has sparked considerable interest and consternation.
"This isn't just about drunk driving,"said McCardell. It's about the toll alcohol takes on young lives, and the fact that many young lives are being lost to alcohol off the highway. That will resonate. That needs to be explained, and proponents of Legal Age 21 can't explain that."
The fledgling organization, whose Web site went live last April, was launched into the limelight this month after Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the American Medical Association (AMA) and other organizations announced on Oct. 9 the formation of a coalition to support Legal Age 21. The coalition, succinctly dubbed Support 21, boasts a supporting array of well-known and respected organizations including the Governors Highway Safety Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association and the National Safety Council.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
molleyk
posted 10/19/07 @ 11:27 AM EST
Dear Katie Flagg,
What does "but then of course they're famous for unintended consequences for what they do." mean?
Is he referring to a famous event? Am I the only one who doesn't know about this event or is there another reason for this quote-without-elucidation?
Thanks,
Molley
Linda
posted 10/19/07 @ 7:09 PM EST
I think Choose Resposibility would do well to go for 19 not 18 as the beginning drinking age. Many 18 year olds are still in high school, and I think that that venue presents problems. (Continued…)
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