Some people have accused me of being un-American, and only partly in jest. I don’t mean to be; I really do love my country. But I think that celebrating its birthday with fireworks demeans it. The fire display depicts “bombs bursting in air” and other warfare, yet I like to think of America as a peaceful nation. The explosives create air pollution, and the casings, gunpowder, and other chemicals are not good for our American soil and water. Also, the cost is obscene. For example, North Carolina’s Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune cancelled theirs, in this era of tight budgets and sequestration, because it would cost around $25,000 PLUS another $75,000 for other expenses, like security, food, and staff overtime to host a mere 20,000 people.
OK, so call me the Grinch Who Would Steal Independence Day. I just feel that America is better than that.
I find fireworks enjoyable to watch, but what I do hate is those who don’t pay attention to the fact that fireworks are illegal in San Jose. I don’t know how many people around my neighborhood area were shooting off fireworks; each group that shoots them off is saying, the law doesn’t pertain to me, we do it safely! The SJPD doesn’t have the manpower or budget to counteract the illegal shooting off of fireworks!
Aside from being expensive to put on, when you go to see a fireworks display that is professionally done — they are absolutely spectacular!!
Any manpower the SJPD has I’d prefer went to arresting those idiots who shoot off guns into the air. No matter how many time they’re told, they don’t seem to care that those bullets come zooming back down, sometimes hitting not just adults but also children and animals and causing damage to people’s homes and nerves.
I agree with you on that; I just wish people were more aware of doing stupid things that impact others!
Ah, yes………….that perfect world…………….