Fireworks

My state, Michigan, made it legal to buy fireworks this year. YOu know the kind, pretty colors in the sky, loud noises.
Prevents you from getting a good night's sleep unless your a night owl.
Terrifies pets and children.

The hours are 7am to 11pm, the day before, the holiday and the day after.
Nothing in the state law protects urban or suburban areas with small lots.

Well, yesterday I thought I was in a war zone.
The air was thick with smoke. The noise was awful.....and it went from 9:15 to 1:30 am this morning.

My question is to those of you who live in states where fireworks are legal.
Is this normal?
Do folks go hog wild on the fourth in your area?

Let me also add, there are10 such holidays each year, that's 30 days, almost 10% of the year devoted to nights from hell.

Nah, it' snot that bad, here. But it's because we've had it legal for years, in parishes next to illegal ones. Really, the novelty is the issue.

Actually, you should of put this topic in rant.

I was so ready to rant about this last night.

As to your question yes. They go crazy.

As for the jerks behind me, if you can't be responsible to use fireworks and aim them where they go then you shouldn't be buying them. Or, next time aim for your god dang house and not mine.

They came so close to having one their rouge fireworks go through my window last night. Then I thought it went on the roof. I have no clue where it went, but it was pretty dang close.

Fireworks need to be done in a open field, not a damn neighborhood. The big ones anyway.

It's not that bad in my state. I don't think it's ever been illegal here. Maybe it was crazy over there because people hadn't participated in that before.
Personally, I don't find it appealing. People spending money to hear a little boom and see some flashes. Seems kind of primitive if you ask me.
My son who is a toddler was scared stiff (we live by a place where they had a show). It made me sad thinking of the children in war zones who are subject to the loud noises on a daily basis.

reply to post by Manhater

good idea...I'll move it to rant

Let me see, Michigan is allowing serious fireworks for the first time, and Detroit is closing down lots of fire stations. I think I see a possible problem.

In other news, I am envious of your state's decision. Guys have to have fireworks now and then or they start showing symptoms. Things like attending My Little Pony Conventions (called Bronys), eating tofu, listening to sitar music, and writing fan letters to the UN. It ain't healthy, I tell you. A man's got to blow sumpin' up ev'ry now 'n' then, just to get in touch with his true self.

reply to post by DontTreadOnMe


Yes people go overboard where I live as well. Its the day after and some of them are still at it. If you think the noise bothers you, just wait until one of those things lands on your house and almost burns it to the freaking ground. The field near my house is littered with spent fireworks and trash because these people just leave them there.

They even do fireworks for X-mas here. Apparently their savior wanted explosives launched into the air and blown up, maybe as a sacrifice or something, I don't really know. And New Year's night? I just forget about going to sleep before 3 AM and sit around outside to make sure I don't get a damn bonfire on my roof again. And it never fails that one of these morons blows a hand off, or sets his kid on fire, or shoots a rocket into his eye. Then city council spends 6 weeks discussing whether to ban fireworks or not, then they spend $20,000 on a study to determine what effect banning fireworks will have on the local economy.

So yeah, screw fireworks.

reply to post by UnaChispa


We've always had a few who participated, would drive down to the next state and buy them.
But, this was overkill.

Yeah, it does make you wonder about what kids in war zones must go through...or if a little bit of their spirit dies each time it happens.

reply to post by DontTreadOnMe


Oakland, CA, here. Yeah, it's pretty crazy. Of course Oakland is a funny town anyway. In my part of town everybody owns guns--probably mostly illegal. So starting around mid-June you have people setting off fireworks sporadically every couple of nights, accompanied by enthusiastic gunfire. Not the usual gang shootings, mind you: Just excessive enthusiasm in anticipation of the 4th, I guess.

The 4th itself is almost sedate. The fireworks start about sundown, almost in an orderly way, and build until midnight, when they suddenly stop. Everybody saves their best stuff for the 4th, so if you were flying over it would look like a stadium show, except spread out over a wide area.

By the way, did I mention that it's illegal to set off fireworks in the city limits?

Oh, and I don't want to fail to mention the fire, police, and ambulance sirens every half-hour or so....

Hey I live in Southern California, where the good stuff is illegal. Do you think that made a difference? Nope! It sounded like I was in Downtown Baghdad until about 2AM & I had to bring in my beast of a dog because he was scared senseless.

reply to post by charles1952

Then they should allow the boys to go to fireworks outings....kind of like hunting...but with fireworks.....civilized people don't need the noise, the smoke and don't understand the need to play with matches.

I used to live near a neighborhood many years ago, where gunfire replaced fireworks....lots of cracked windshields from falling bullets after the 4th. of July. They are legal in my current state. But still only hear mostly gunfire up here on top of the mountain....not anything like the old state though.

Des

Illegal here in PA. I'm in an urban area, idiots light them off for hours right over other people's houses. I'm talking about BIG stuff w/100ft starbursts and a 1/4 stick punch.

Cops don't give a crap....unless someone on boro council complains....

I would be thankful that you can still celebrate the 4th in a loud, boisterous party atmosphere.

I believe it won't be too long before that day is pronounced "Finished".

IMO

Peace

reply to post by DontTreadOnMe


Awww wheres your Independance Day spirit? Grumpy gus.

Every party needs a pooper, thats why we invited DTOM

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
My state, Michigan, made it legal to buy fireworks this year. YOu know the kind, pretty colors in the sky, loud noises.
Prevents you from getting a good night's sleep unless your a night owl.
Terrifies pets and children.

The hours are 7am to 11pm, the day before, the holiday and the day after.
Nothing in the state law protects urban or suburban areas with small lots.

Well, yesterday I thought I was in a war zone.
The air was thick with smoke. The noise was awful.....and it went from 9:15 to 1:30 am this morning.

My question is to those of you who live in states where fireworks are legal.
Is this normal?
Do folks go hog wild on the fourth in your area?

Let me also add, there are10 such holidays each year, that's 30 days, almost 10% of the year devoted to nights from hell.

For us it is difficult in CA, the 4th of July is a busy time for a restaurant. My husband works until very late well into the night comes home and the fireworks start as soon as we get to bed. He has to get up very early.

Also our neighbor is a guy about 35, neither of them work and have 4 kids, plus others that he had with other women come and go...they are on assistance and yet! They can afford a ton of explosives, enough to keep them going all night.

The big ones are over 100$ each HOW can they all afford them?


I would like to add that every single year there are major fires and injuries. I am always worried about the roof catching fire as they set them off so near all night.

reply to post by DontTreadOnMe


Years ago I went to Epcot and stayed for the Laser light show. It was so beautiful! Instead of horrible explosions and smoke it was lovely music and lights that are indescribable! WHY can't all cities now off this wonderful, non flammable non polluting just as awesome show! They formed all kinds of pictures including filling the sky with the US flag.
I can never forget it, it was that beautiful!

Google laser light show and look at pictures!

reply to post by DontTreadOnMe

Dear Don'tTreadOnMe,

You know I respect and admire you from some of our other meetings, but here I must respectfully disagree.

Then they should allow the boys to go to fireworks outings....kind of like hunting...but with fireworks.....

But the hunting "outings" serve a different purpose. Men return to an earlier, primitive time to test survival skills, spend time with like minded people (Those who won't shout out "Oh look! A cute little deer!"), and display, at least to themselves, an inner strength, a "manliness" so to speak.

civilized people don't need the noise, the smoke and don't understand the need to play with matches.

But "civilized" people are fragile, needing to be cared for, leaving nothing in their wake, and most definitely, they do not disturb the equally fragile environment. But a "man" is puissant, he shapes his world, leaves a mark, creates an impression, and does not shy from the consequences of his actions. A "man" shouts "Here I am!" Fireworks is a way to display that power, that declaration of personal existence. I've never seen a "man" setting off fireworks who appeared shy, withdrawn and depressed.

"Civilized" people dress their six year old daughters in ballerina costumes and give them a sparkler so they can run around, pretending to be fairies with magic wands.

Men often restrain themselves when faced with some of the unspeakable activities women engage in. Now and then, the "civilized" people should make accomodations for the "men."

With respect,
Charles1952

So last night I was sleeping, and assumed the body under the blankets was one of my 5 kids... it was my beast of a pit bull

He don't like thunder and I suppose fireworks

Funny as I moved my cars into the driveway, I sat and listened
I thought of the warzones. And what it must be like to live there

I don't know if they're legal here or not. I grew up being told they were illegal but a few years ago they built a casino 4 blocks from my house..... now its EVERY - FREAKING - HOLIDAY

.....and they don't even start till 10pm.


Luckily I'm a night owl, but I feel bad for the rest of the family (and the cat!). All of them were complaining about being woken up last night (or hiding under the sofa).




ETA

Originally posted by BrutalDictator
Illegal here in PA. I'm in an urban area, idiots light them off for hours right over other people's houses. I'm talking about BIG stuff w/100ft starbursts and a 1/4 stick punch.

Cops don't give a crap....unless someone on boro council complains....

Yeah I'm in PA.... I thought they were illegal but they sure shoot off enough of them in the commercial areas.....must be only illegal for ME - the people with the money get to do whatever they want.