Thank goodness they're gone! Each year as July 4th and December 31st appear on the horizon, hawkers of fireworks set up tents in various places in Ocala to peddle their wares.
I don't like them. Fireworks are dangerous. Not only so, but most of the fireworks these people sell are illegal. In Florida you can legally purchase only those items considered "sparklers," such as sparklers, fountains, snakes and glow worms.
But any fireworks that are defined as firecrackers, Roman candles and red waves that explode or shoot up in the air are banned. Ah, but there is a loophole (isn't there always?)! All you need do is sign a waiver that says you will use your fireworks in an approved manner, such as in an agricultural setting. Hah!
So, at least twice a year thousands of dollars are spent on a dangerous and illegal scam. And while people go wink-wink and look away, hundreds of people are injured, some severely because they are dumb as doorknobs and should not be allowed to play with Legos much less fireworks!
On July 4th in our neighborhood, we were treated to hours of the sights and sounds of firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, etc., just a block away - it was quite a show - a show that everyone knows is dangerous and against the law. Hey, is this a great country or what?
18 comments:
Ah, now I understand your comment on VDP's Bastille day fireworks post. Over here we only have "official" fireworks by professionals, so we do tend to enjoy them a lot!
Re. your comment today about the noses. You're right. I hadn't noticed. I'm guessing it might be the angle as the busts were slightly too high for me (or make that I'm not tall enough, lol!)
There are so many accidents and even casualties because of fireworks! Not long ago a factory up north has literally exploded.
I'll wait for the 'natural' stuff. That sky looks like might be on the way.
I don't like fireworks either. They are banned here and in most cities. there are places to go and watch if you want to. We sit up high enough to see a show across the horizon but none close by. Too many horses here and everyone would be a little perturbed if an animal got hurt. Of course at all the reservations one can buy all the illegal ones but you are not supposed to take them off the reservations but guess what as you say 'wink wink'. MB
Oh Lowell, this post made me laugh out loud. And, it's so true. We are a free country. We are free to be as stupid as we want to be. You only have to look at congress to see that's true.
We have exactly the same situation here in AZ. These tents get set up everywhere yet the products they sell are illegal. Don't you just love it when our laws make so much sense?
Gosh, what a fancy tent for selling fireworks. Makes for a super shot, especially with those beautiful clouds. I love firework BUT only professional displays that have been properly licensed. (Enjoy the golf...I'm with you ref. Westwood.)
We live only two blocks from the park where the town puts on it's big fireworks show. The older I get the more I dread it. This year I could hear the ash raining down on our roof and the next day I spent the whole morning picking up the burnt pieces so that our dog wouldn't eat them. The dog is terrified for the 45 minute show. And don't get me started on the illegal ones!
I agree that fireworks should be let to the professionals.
My wife tells a story about her father when she was quite young. Some of the men had several picnic tables lined up in a back yard with fireworks all over the tables waiting for them to shoot them off for all the family and friends who had gathered, with lots of children.
Someone accidently set off one of the fireworks mistakenly and it caused all of the fireworks to explode and shoot off while on the table. Most of the rockets, etc. were still lying down on the table so they sot off horizontally in the back yard full of children instead of up in the air.
My wife said that everyone went diving for cover as everything exploded al around them. Fortunately, no one was injured.
I agree, same in the UK. Fireworks are seen as the go-to display for EVERY celebration thesedays!
The older I get the more I come to believe that laws only seem to apply to people with functional brains. Emergency services exist in part for the rest of the population.
Dogs hate them and I grew to dread the firework occasions here since we couldn't get the poor creatures to head outside at all!
We have them here too and I will never understand it with the fears of wildfires and they still pop up everywhere. It's all about the mighty dollar.
Unfortunately in India these banned fireworks are used on every celebratory ocassion like sports victories, marriages, religious ceremonies apart fro Diwali which is a festival of light but these idiots have converted it into a festival of noise. Every year we have deaths in the fireworks making slave shops but nobody cares except to tch tch.. Sad
We have trailers and small stores that sell them, but I quite honestly have never seen anyone buying them. I do like the professional shows, though.
Sigh. Sounds like Manila during New Year. Hate them too.
I hate fireworks!! I hate them because of the noise and air pollution! Humans get disturbed for sure but the worst affected are the animals and the birds...
Pixellicious
I 100% agree with you! These fireworks are not only dangerous to people, but also to property. I always hated my parents when I was a kid b/c we just got sparklers and nothing exciting like my friends at school. But now I understand their wisdom. :)
Fireworks are legal her but it certainly does not make it smart of buy them.
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