Disallowing out of state IDs (Bars may refuse out-of-state IDs,” Jan. 27, p.1) is simply another ploy by the local government to try and swindle more money out of the college kids that already provide so much of the financial stability in the area. If you look online you will note that a Massachusetts liquor ID costs $25. Multiply that by the number of students who are of age and out of state and I’m quite the sure the figure will be staggering.
More importantly, who must bear the responsibility of determining the legitimacy of an ID? This will not solve the problem of underage students misusing identification in order to gain entry to a local bar. The burden must fall on the bouncers and management, who should use their resources and act responsibly to determine the authenticity of the ID and the holder. Bottom line: Those of us who are of age and enjoy our right should not have to pay the penalty for an establishment’s failure to act responsibly. But if push comes to shove I know that I and many of my friends will open our wallets and shell out that $25, but maybe that’s the point all along.
Andrew Bergner COM ’06