Comments on: Do Fireworks Cause Pollution?

By: Doug Richardson

Doug Richardson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:42:43 +0000

Terry:

There are a number of “dry” counties in several states. The folks who live in Lychburg, TN are free to drink all of the Jack Daniels they want but must go to another county to buy it.

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:53:01 +0000

Doug,

Who does that? Ban the sale of booze but not its use? I think consumption by minors is still illegal, is it not?

Karen,

True enough, but you could probably make the same case about illegal drugs. We’re talking about having fun with explosives, not buying milk or even keeping a gun for self-defense. I will take a brave stand here and come out for buying milk, especially in NYS, where there are so many dairy farmers. As for the 2nd Amendment, regular readers of this blog know my position on that one.

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:36:32 +0000

mmmmm….still more dangerous to drive your car to the corner store for milk.

By: Doug Richardson

Doug Richardson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:14:52 +0000

Why ban the sale of alcohol but permit it’s “use?”

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:35:29 +0000

Amy,

New York is one of five states that bans the use of all consumer fireworks:

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/pres/pr2007/7207.html

On one level this makes sense because what is the point of prohibiting the sale but permitting the use?

By: jacque

jacque — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:07:54 +0000

Great post. I recently read an article in the LA Times regarding this same issue. It seems that Disney, in responce to complaints about the effects on air quality that their firworks shows were creating, went on a hunt for environmentaly friendly fireworks. Green fireworks are available; just more expensive and more difficult to get your hands on. End result…. to be continued, I guess.
http://www.welcome2green.com/green-news/fireworks-friend-or-foe

By: Doug Richardson

Doug Richardson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:56:22 +0000

I love the smell of gunpowder in the evening…

The Toledo Blade defends the right to bear fireworks…

My real opinion, which ought not be posted on a nice blog like this one, can be found here.

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:46:42 +0000

Fireworks are illegal in NY? Really? I know it is illegal to sell/buy them, but I wasn’t aware that it was illegal for amateurs to set them off. I watched a wonderful display put on by the city of Rochester, then drove home whilst many people were setting off fireworks in their backyards, some of them on my own street. I think it’s a matter of enforcement. There simply aren’t enough officers to handle it all, and complaints are generally met with apathy. I don’t agree that making an example out of a few people would stop the masses from engaging in what John Adams wanted us to:

The 4th of July “ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other…”

By: jake

jake — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:12:35 +0000

Reason 4,362 why I love the South. Ridding the world of pyrotechnics wouldn’t even occur to anyone down here.

On a (barely) related matter, I think we should start an (internet based) campaign to change the national anthem. The present song is too long, difficult to sing (and for you girly men up north), certainly promotes the use of pyrotechnics.

I vote for America the Beautiful. Short, easy to sing, lots of potential for creative interpretation, and has the added benefit of having been written by an early “feminist” (good for getting Democrats on board).

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:47:35 +0000

Fear of litigation? I’m really aiming my fire (so to speak) at the amateurs.

But as we all recall, even professional pyrotechnicians can make mistakes, as they did in Torrington in 1990.