As someone barely older than 21, I think the statement "There isn't that much difference in maturity between 21 and 18" is the most stupid thing I have heard. I was most definitely less mature at 18 than I was at 21.

That said, I think people are missing the point - there are two "drinking ages" in the United States. 21 is the age at which you can socially drink with no hesitation and purchase alcohol. However, the age at which you can clandestinely drink alcohol that others have purchased is much younger. At that younger age, you're never quite sure when your next opportunity to drink will come or if the tap will simply run dry - akin to the way cookies were rationed out to many of us as children. Somehow, having the ability to go to the store and eat as many cookies as I want whenever I want has lost it's appeal.

It's a combination of maturity and access that changes one's behavior and I really think that we need for groups on both sides to stop throwing around casual theories and actually figure out how we can have people have more fun with less risk - wow, what a concept! But I guess when I become less idealistic that we can actually create better solutions, I'm going to have to pick one of the stupid sides and become ignorant like them. I'm glad that day isn't today.