Saturday, July 3, 2010

Happy Fourth of July ?


On the Fourth of July, New Years and other assorted and sundry holidays, Floridians blow up firecrackers and just about every other variety of fireworks. Some get seriously injured. Others burn down houses or forests. We often had bottle rockets landing on our roof!

Most fireworks are illegal in Florida. Hah! There's a loophole. And because of that loophole, fireworks stands such as this spring up everywhere at certain times of the year. If you sign a piece of paper stating you plan to use the fireworks you purchase for agricultural purposes, you can buy anything you want.

So, who's to know that you don't know agriculture from urban blight? The authorities pretend none of this is happening.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here, fireworks are illegal, so all the people drive 26 miles to Richmond, Indiana and buy them. They even have buildings along I-70 to show their fireworks.

Janet said...

Fireworks are illegal in Selma but legal in the county. I've already heard some popping today!

Paula said...

What on earth is the agricultural use of fireworks? Popcorn?

I was once locked out of my building for three days because someone set off fireworks in their living room.
:(

Memphis MOJO said...

Fireworks are illegal around here, too, but everybody shoots them off anyway.

Happy Fourth of July weekend to you and Lois Anne.

Tussy said...

Governor is always the same everywhere I think.

Happy 4th of July to you by the way :)

My Bangkok Through My Eyes

Small City Scenes said...

Fireworks are illegal in lots of areas here too. But you can buy the safe and sane ones (sparklers etc.) and you can buy the illegal ones at Boom City on the Indian Reservations and even though you are not supposed to drive off the res with any people do and then we can read about them in the paper the next day. MB

Small City Scenes said...

Oh I forgot to add---how does one use fireworks in agriculture?
Don't bother to answer--we just blew up the cow. MB

Bob Poris said...

In Detroit we had arson and the shooting of hand guns into the air on the 4th and on Devils’ nite around Halloween. Lots of damage from stray bullets and burning of empty homes that caused others to burn. People are not too smart it seems

B SQUARED said...

What is unique to South Floridians, is they blow things up all year long. Very patriotic folks.

Virginia said...

B2 is right! HA I do love a good fireworks show myself.....especially at the Eiffel Tower! :)
V

Kate said...

We have the same situation here as does Abraham. A state with legally-sold fireworks is not far away. It's interesting how fireworks mesmerize people. I prefer mine orchestrated by people who know what they're doing in community sponsored locations. We're going out to Cantebury Park today to watch those magnificent horses and then to watch the fireworks. Four jockeys had a terrible accident there a few days ago, and two are hospitalized still...one in very bad shape. I always have a fear that I'll see one of those beautiful animals and jockeys hurt while we observe from the stands. I have ambivalent feelings about horse racing, esp. for the horses. I wish 2-and-3-year olds were not raced as they are.

Unknown said...

Fireworks and heat don't match... Happy 4th of July with no blottle rockets landing on your roof! :-)

Judy said...

As of December 1st, fireworks will be legal in Arizona. Can you imagine? Like there aren't enough fires burning here already.
Have a safe and happy day.

Judy said...

Thanks for the comment on my flamingo picture.
As to your comment on my state, ya got that right! Kind of embarrassing to say the least.

Halcyon said...

I can't believe that fireworks are allowed in residential areas in my county. Where I grew up, they were only allowed out by the lake or in other areas out in the country.

You are right, they can cause a lot of damage. That's why I prefer to go see the professional shows rather than light any of my own.

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm almost afraid to tell you that fireworks are legal in Ontario. I haven't heard of any fireworks accidents though...really.

Hilda said...

Oh man, that sounds like here during New Year. Fingers blown off, some blinded, many burned. I hate fireworks.

I hope you and Lois Anne have a happy, and safe!, 4th of July!

For the life of me, I can't think of any agricultural use for fireworks…

Lois said...

Fortunately the main culprits in my neighborhood went out of town this year!

Wolynski said...

It's only one day a year - can you imagine if it was once a month?

"Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again." — Henri Cartier-Bresson