At some point during their journeys back from Mexico, countless spring breakers likely raised a decades-old complaint among young college students: The drinking age in the United States is, well, wack. Not only does a national drinking age of 21 make criminals out of millions of young people, but it promotes dangerous traditions and encourages immoderate drinking habits that could have lifelong ramifications. So, while a group of young people who just spent the better part of a week in a state of drunken debauchery may not have much of anything (including money, or, say, credibility) left, they do have a point. [Read article]

It's time to kill the death penalty

On March 1, in a much-criticized decision, Roper v. Simmons, the United States Supreme Court abolished the death penalty for juveniles, declaring it unconstitutional. Two weeks later, a California judge sentenced Scott Peterson to death. Both cases have kept the spotlight on the death penalty.

With this renewed attention, one thing is clear: It's time to officially kill the death penalty. The Arizona legislature ought to set the example and outlaw it now. But it won't until we Arizonans demand it. We should and we must. [Read article]

Outdoor trips merit consideration

Regarding spring break, it seems as though people have missed a really great opportunity to enjoy themselves in a wonderful setting.

As a participant in quite a few UA Outdoor Adventures trips in the past, although not affiliated with them, I was quite disappointed to hear that Outdoor Adventures' spring break Paria Canyon backpacking trip, with its intense slot canyons and gorgeous views, had been cancelled because of lack of interest. Do people really know what they're missing as a great choice for spring break? [Read article]