Independence day! 2015

[Frunobulax]

Yes, they would. A lot of posts, like mine in Maryville, have a formal flag burning ceremony at some point in the year.

Any Boy Scout Troop would take it and dispose of it properly, as well.

 

[HudsonHawk]

For anyone who hasn't caught on yet, Fourth of July "celebrations" don't impress me, especially since most of the people we know only use the holiday as an excuse to drink too much and blow things up.

That's kind of the point. Independence Day isn't supposed to be a funeral procession, it's supposed to be a party. Even sour old John Adams said it should be celebrated with "Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other."

 

[sheeplady]

This is the first fourth in my life that limited types of home fireworks have been legal in NY state. I was upset that my daughter wasn't awake for the local fireworks on the third, but luckily last night somebody put off a set of fireworks in our apartment parking lot. So she got to see those. I am hoping that next year the county the new house is in will allow fireworks (counties need to opt in) but right now they're not. And I'm not going to risk a $500 minimum fine.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Of course, there are downsides to legal fireworks. Especially when booze is involved.

 

[HudsonHawk]

Of course, there are downsides to legal fireworks. Especially when booze is involved.

Our subdivision used to do a really nice fireworks show until a couple of years ago when a couple of boxes went off on the table around the "supervisors". The fire department was not happy. I don't know if alcohol was involved, but we haven't done fireworks since. But they're still legal out here in the county, and my neighbors were in prime form last night.

 

[tonyb]

I was told by the host of a party I attended yesterday evening (under a quite impressive display of fireworks courtesy of several nearby neighbors) that if the home fireworks explode or get airborne, they're illegal.

I'm happy for the law, and I'm a bit torn that it goes largely unobserved and unenforced. I don't know the combined sum those neighbors spent on things that unquestionably went airborne and exploded, but it surely ran into the hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Quite the display, folks. Thanks.

And thank the god of your choice that it rained the night before.

 

[Bamaboots]

Having spent 25 years working for a municipality where it was illegal to possess, not to mention to discharge fireworks, the word impossible comes to mind when you speak of enforcement of that law on the 4th. We were so busy responding to other calls for service and providing security and traffic control at the city's event, fireworks complaints maybe got a "drive-by" when time allowed.

 

[DJH]

The Fort Worth fireworks show is right across the river from our place - nice view from our patio:

 

[tonyb]

I can dig that.

Just imagine the 911 operator taking a call from some clueless citizen demanding that someone do something about those neighbor kids shooting off fireworks on the Fourth of July. "Yes sir," I can imagine him or her tempted to say, "we'll pull those officers off that armed robbery and get 'em right over there."

 

[jamespowers]

Having spent 25 years working for a municipality where it was illegal to possess, not to mention to discharge fireworks, the word impossible comes to mind when you speak of enforcement of that law on the 4th. We were so busy responding to other calls for service and providing security and traffic control at the city's event, fireworks complaints maybe got a "drive-by" when time allowed.

I say good! I hate when safe and sane fireworks are illegal. It dampens down the whole spirit of the occasion. In my county it is illegal but last night sounded like the front line at a civil war battle.

 

[jamespowers]

My British coworker, who happens to be back in his native land at the moment, emailed me yesterday: "Rest assured, we always have a major celebration for American independence here. It's one of the happiest days in our history."

I wonder why they fought so hard to keep us then and even came back and tried again. :rofl:
Send him this:
https://youtu.be/50_iRIcxsz0

 

[Zombie_61]

That's kind of the point. Independence Day isn't supposed to be a funeral procession, it's supposed to be a party. Even sour old John Adams said it should be celebrated with "Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other."

Oh, I know that, but after several hours of constant explosions the "celebration" wears out it's welcome to the point that I can begin to imagine how vets suffering from P.T.S.D. might feel.

I was told by the host of a party I attended yesterday evening (under a quite impressive display of fireworks courtesy of several nearby neighbors) that if the home fireworks explode or get airborne, they're illegal...

And those are the types of fireworks our neighbors enjoy, despite the facts that even the "safe and sane" fireworks sold in a few of the surrounding cities are illegal here and that minimum fines are somewhere in the $2,500-$3,000 range. But, as Bamaboots mentioned in post #27, it's impossible for local law enforcement to adequately police the neighborhoods and issue citations unless a specific celebration becomes an emergency situation, so there's no real fear of the potential consequences.

 

[jamespowers]

Oh, I know that, but after several hours of constant explosions the "celebration" wears out it's welcome to the point that I can begin to imagine how vets suffering from P.T.S.D. might feel.

And those are the types of fireworks our neighbors enjoy, despite the facts that even the "safe and sane" fireworks sold in a few of the surrounding cities are illegal here and that minimum fines are somewhere in the $2,500-$3,000 range. But, as Bamaboots mentioned in post #27, it's impossible for local law enforcement to adequately police the neighborhoods and issue citations unless a specific celebration becomes an emergency situation, so there's no real fear of the potential consequences.

Ok, now you are getting to be the guy yelling at kids to stay off your lawn.

We did mention last night that the explosions and such would probably freak out a soldier with PTSD. There were tons of them and the mortars were awesome. You could see the neighbors doing them from my backyard.

 

[Zombie_61]

Ok, now you are getting to be the guy yelling at kids to stay off your lawn.

What do you mean "getting to be"??? lol

We did mention last night that the explosions and such would probably freak out a soldier with PTSD. There were tons of them and the mortars were awesome. You could see the neighbors doing them from my backyard.

In the days before we had to babysit our dog and cat so they wouldn't get too freaked out by all of the noise, we'd invite family and friends over. Grill a few burgers, brats, and hot dogs, then grab some chairs and sit on the driveway watching the show. It was much longer and cheaper than any of the local "official" fireworks shows, and there was a whole lot more variety.

 

[Stearmen]

That's kind of the point. Independence Day isn't supposed to be a funeral procession, it's supposed to be a party. Even sour old John Adams said it should be celebrated with "Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other."

John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.[7]

 

[LizzieMaine]

What, no chicken barbecues?

 

[jamespowers]

What, no chicken barbecues?

Sacrilege! No chicken touches my BBQ. Beef and pork only.

 

[jamespowers]

What do you mean "getting to be"??? lol

In the days before we had to babysit our dog and cat so they wouldn't get too freaked out by all of the noise, we'd invite family and friends over. Grill a few burgers, brats, and hot dogs, then grab some chairs and sit on the driveway watching the show. It was much longer and cheaper than any of the local "official" fireworks shows, and there was a whole lot more variety.

Weird. My dog and cat took it in stride. It didn't bother them a bit. They just sit and watch just like we do.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Sacrilege! No chicken touches my BBQ. Beef and pork only.

Chicken BBQ is very much a communal thing in Maine -- you lay out stacks of cinder blocks about four feet apart in a parking lot or on the dirt part of a baseball field, set big iron gratings on top of them and then build a fire on the ground underneath. Lay out split whole broiler-size chickens all over the grates once they're good and hot, season to taste, and serve to the assembled throng on paper plates with potato chips and lemonade at $3 a pop. No utensils are used or permitted, but splintery brown paper napkins are available for outa-staters and those who are so effete that they won't wipe their hands on their clothes.

[video=youtube;6GQ5bm6BEmw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GQ5bm6BEmw[/video]

That's some good eatin'. Schools, lodges, service clubs, and churches all sponsor such events as fundraisers during the summer -- it's the seasonal equivalent of a bean supper.

 

[HudsonHawk]

Sacrilege! No chicken touches my BBQ. Beef and pork only.

You California yahoos don't know what a proper pit is anyway. You throw hamburgers on the grill and call it a "BBQ".