Enough with the fireworks bashing.

[MicaelS]

It is really tiresome. Every time the seasons occurs we get this. Yes, I understand your animals do not like them. Yes, I understand that some people do not like them.

Big fireworks shows only happens a few times year for public events. Not counting private shows at ballparks and the like. Most people enjoy them.

If people are shooting them off where it is illegal, call 911. If people are shooting them off where it is legal, there is nothing you can do but bear it.

Guns of course are a completely different thing.

As for America's love affair with blowing stuff up, that is absolutely true. One of the reasons Mythbusters was so popular was the fact they fed into America's love affair with explosions. And yes I love fireworks and explosions. I still have found memories from shooting them off as a kid. Never hurt myself or anyone else.

It will soon be over until the next time.

[2naSalit]

1. So it's olkay if harm is done to others as long as you and others

can have a good time?

[MicaelS]

6. Yes.

People are harmed all the time with legal fun things. I will object when people try to restict or ban things because a small percentage of people do not like things.

[2naSalit]

7. How can you be so certain that

it adversely affects only a "small percentage" of people? A percentage, even small, can represent a large actual number. What about wildlife? What about the severity of damage to others? How would you respond when it's you who is adversely affected by someone else's "fun"?

[MicaelS]

9. I am not going to engage in salami word slicing..

With you untill you get the answer you want. You hate fireworks, that is your problem. Deal with it. Earplugs and some form of chemicals should help.

[2naSalit]

10. Shows your true colors...

May karma respond to your sentiments.

[MicaelS]

11. Well bless your little heart!! n/t

[Callmecrazy]

18. And have a Blessed day...

[Texasgal]

33. It's illegal in my city limits

and people do it anyway.

[TwilightZone]

2. It's also not a uniquely American thing.

I've seen posters insisting that it's some kind of uniquely American obsession, but that's clearly not the case. Fireworks have been around for 1100 years, and roughly a zillion international cities use fireworks to commemorate a variety of events, most notably sporting events and New Year's Eve. Syndey is famous for their NYE fireworks.

I do agree with the assertion that it's problematic for pets, veterans, and others, but I also think expecting the world to stop using them as a result just isn't realistic. Some communities have limited the usage to a couple of days, which I think is a decent compromise.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

3. Unless you are talking about my Trooper.

He thinks fireworks are cool! Like last night there was a display going on and he just sat there watching it with his tail going.

[Demit]

4. Relax, the fireworks bashing will soon be over until the next time.

Meanwhile, soldiers coming back from war have memories of explosions too, not as pleasant as yours.

[Fla Dem]

5. I think the "fireworks" can handle any bashing that may occur.

[defacto7]

8. Air Pollution

Ever heard of global warming? And don't give me the BS about not being enough to matter. That's what apathetic people say every day about that plastic bag they use or the exhaust from their car. I used to make fireworks. I loved the stuff. But times are different now and thinking has to change.

[Zambero]

12. The big picture is more important

Arguably, air traffic might also be ended given copious amounts of jet fuel consumed every minute of every day. But of course that will never happen. And a banning fireworks Crusade will backfire as those who might otherwise support climate change actions would dismiss it as yet another "Enviro Whacko" idea. War on the 4th anyone? Fox News would love to hear from you. A non-stop focus on renewable energy, ecosystem conservation, and support for global strategies (and legislators who support them) is a far better and more practical approach.

[MicaelS]

14. Great post.

I heartily concur.

[defacto7]

37. The big picture IS important..

But unless people start changing their thinking starting with lesser elements of pollution and climate change the big picture will get swallowed up by the everyday things that we can personally do to set things in order.
So I guess you will go ahead and belittle the multitude of small things that choke our planet thinking the big picture allows us to ignore the lesser problems. Small things matter, medium things matter, big things matter, and how we think really matters more than anything else. Apathy is killing us. Fireworks? What a waist, but if that's what the 4th means to people, if Independence Day equals fireworks, then we have a long way to go as a country. As for the planet, time just isn't available to play games with.

[SouthernIrish]

13. I think everything in moderation would be better.

Not only because the people where I live light them for the whole damn week keeping me awake. It also bothers people with PTSD and many animals and children. Only in America, do we celebrate Independence by lighting things on fire made in China.

[Hotler]

15. I also like shooting off fire works.

I prefer bottle rockets and firecrackers. When I was a kid in the late 1960's we could get real M80's and cherry bombs. We saved those for an every once and awhile experience and never on your own block. It was best at night, there was a bright flash-a pause-and then the sound, and then the porch lights come on. You could only let off one, and then you'd have to lay low for weeks. Those things would rock neighborhood.

[MicaelS]

16. I used to shoot bottle rockets into the lake.

You lit them and held them until they flew out of your hand into the water. They would actually travel underwater and explode. Cool as fuck.

One time in the 60s, we had a next door neighbor who trained MWD at Lackland AFB. He would bring home artillery simulators and set them off into an empty field.

Holy Shit!

This was inside San Antonio city limits, and no one said shit, since fireworks we're legal there back then. Today of course he would go straight to jail and get a DD.

[Lars39]

17. Nope, it's always a few days to a week before, during, and after a holiday.

For every holiday.

[sop]

32. In Miami they even warn people to stay inside to avoid being struck by falling bullets,

particularly just after midnignt on New Year's Eve. One's right to celebrate ends when one's actions begin to infringe on others' rights. Planned displays in public areas are great, but idiots setting off fireworks in crowded urban areas has gotten totally out of hand.

[Lars39]

35. Gah! I'd hate to feel like Iwas dodging bullets too.

[NightWatcher]

19. I'll be sure to tell my friend Mike P, a vet who suffers PTSD since his hummer hit an IED,

that he should suck it up so that rednecks can make noise and litter all over the place for the three days prior to and following New Years, July 4th, Memorial Day, and every home Friday night baseball game between April and August.

Thanks for your orders, but NO, I'll continue to bash fireworks.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. I won't bash them; I like a good fireworks display at a park

or other public place where they're safe and the display doesn't go on all night. When I was a kid the family would go to the park, spread out the blanket on the grass and watch the fireworks while swatting mosquitoes, and one of the last things I did with my dad before he passed away at 92 a few years ago was watch the 4th of July fireworks (from the car, since he couldn't walk around very well). I have very good memories of fireworks. However, they do not belong in neighborhoods where drunken idiots set them off all day and all night, scaring the crap out of pets and people with PTSD, keeping babies and everybody else awake, making a mess, starting fires, blowing shit up, causing stupid injuries and being a general nuisance. That sort of activity deserves bashing.

[MicaelS]

22. I no time do I continence illegal use of fireworks..

And if people are doing that they should be fined or arrested.

However, to say large public displays of fireworks should be stopped because it negatively affects some people or animals is not acceptable to me.

The ONLY reason they should be stopped is there is fire danger, and that should only be temporary.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

23. That decision will have to be made by each community.

[MicaelS]

24. Yes, if it happens in my area..

I will ALWAYS speak against banning public displays of fireworks.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

25. And that's your right, just as it's the right of vets with PTSD and others

to object to them.

[Niagara]

21. No one is bashing fireworks

The 4th of July is the busiest time of the year for emergency room visits. Generally this is due to the fact from unprofessional people mishandling fireworks. In my area, The Mercy Flight Helicopter was is full force last night and I expect it to be again tonight.

I don't know who it is exactly, but I have a neighbor in my vicinity that detonates fireworks starting on Memorial Day, blows them off on Father's Day and it's especially bad on 4th of July because they do this until midnight. Not everyone has this holiday off and some people have to work early the next day.

You should also consider veterans who have PTSD. These veterans have already been through traumatic conflicts. They don't need to subjected to noises that absolutely terrify them and makes them relive the horrors they've already been through.

There's a time and place for fireworks. If only others would have consideration for their own neighborhood, it would be much appreciated and less stressful for everyone.

[sop]

27. What we really need to ban are the idiots who pull up next to you at a light in their booming,

rattling, thumping and vibrating vehicles. Oh, and let's not forget those yahoos rolling coal in 3/4-ton Ford dually Powerstroke PUs. Hey you kids, get off my lawn!

[wasupaloopa]

28. People shoot them off for weeks and weeks. My dogs are scared shitless for weeks and weeks.

The law here is ok from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM July 4. Police do not respond.

Fuck your damn fireworks. We don’t need them!

[cwydro]

29. My dog hates them too. She also hates thunder.

Thundering here now, and not a damn thing I can do about that.

[wasupaloopa]

30. Well lord help me change the things I can

[cwydro]

31. True enough.

Not a fan of fireworks myself. Don’t mind thunder except for it scaring my dog, but I’m the one petrified of lightning, so we’re a fine pair in a T-storm lol.

[LuckyCharms]

34. Opinions are formed based on personal experiences.

You like fireworks based on your personal experiences.

I detest them based on my personal experiences.

Commanding someone, on a message board, not to express an opinion, is like telling someone that they have a shitty laugh, and they should "laugh better".

There's no point to it, and nothing good happens when you attempt to deny people a reasonable opinion.

No one is being hurt or diminished by expressing an opinion about fireworks. Wouldn't it be better just to say you like them, rather than telling others that they should follow your lead?

[fleur-de-lisa]

36. So people with PTSD should just fuck off? Got it.

[Major Nikon]

38. ...