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  ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

  I'm sure there are many out there that will be very disappointed not to be able to let off some fireworks.

  (boo-hoo)

  A couple years ago, I witnessed a beautiful blue heron directly hit by an m-80. the bird was seriously injured and had to be put out of its misery.

  After this horrible tragedy, I decided that fireworks are not only dangerous, but, during devastating economic times, the implementation of alternative methods for how we celebrate the 4th of July are necessary.

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    lvrofwolves1 month, 2 weeks ago

    Personally I don't want it to change and don't think it needs to, people just need to be very careful and act responsible, same as always. I'd probably feel the same as you if I had witnessed something like that, but the blame would go to the person responsible.

    I admit I would like to see firecrackers GONE, I am scared of them after seeing someone throw one in where a band was playing and it blew a hole in the drummers back...I wouldn't like seeing anyone lose their fingers etc...

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      ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

      wow...I could name a few more tragedies, (some involving human life) but, I thought I would just use the heron incident. I think in this modern day of technology that we could come up with some alternatives...thanks lvr! happy holiday!

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        lvrofwolves1 month, 2 weeks ago

        I can remember people doing things with firecrackers back 35 years ago, frogs turtles and you hear just horrible stories of other animals, it's just a bad part of something in just about everything aspect in life, making changes usually doesn't help solve the problems that a few bad ones create. I put it on the same line as those who want to do away with Halloween trick or treat, if everything is changed and completely safe, what do we have left?? the bad people keep coming up with alternatives as well, we just deal with it and try and teach our children how to act responsible, and hold them accountable for their actions. That in itself helps with safety.

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          Radiofreeeuropa1 month, 2 weeks ago

          A nearby township has eliminated it's 4th display for budgetary concerns. I think that's sad.

          Fireworks are illegal here except for the professional licensed displays. I can see your point, but the pro type have a pretty good track record for safety.

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            ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

            I agree radio. but, coincidentally, 2 yrs in a row in south florida a man was killed on the fireworks barge in the ocean. and, little was said about it...talk about sad...a loss of life and not much said about it. (I wonder how their families feel about fireworks)

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  dandt16121 month, 2 weeks ago

  Every time I drive by a fireworks stand I have seen NO buyers and if there are it has been one car only. One way to measure the scale back is the quiet nights in my neighborhood. Last year it just about drove us crazy and this year it's VERY quiet with only one neighbor shooting fireworks off. It's been nice and my dogs are enjoying the 4th more this year as well from the lack of POP POP POP.

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    ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

    It's funny. I was invited to a 4th celebration. I asked the host if there would be fireworks. He said not. Therefore, I will go. the bird that was hit (described above) happened at another party with the same people. And, I vowed never to participate in this destructive, waste of money, madness.

    (check out spadecaller's video and celebrate! here's the link:

    http://design.propeller.com/story/2008/07/03/ju...

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  Nowalive1 month, 2 weeks ago

  This is not only effecting backyard fireworks, but also municipal fireworks displays. Here most of the individual towns have cancelled their displays. My little area here outside Philly has cancelled it's display due to cost. Shame really. Our display always began with a retelling of the areas role in the fight for independence, with a history of the tradition of the fireworks display representing the the assault that inspired Sir Francis Scott Key to pen our national anthem. Not this year though. I will miss that.

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    ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

    you're not missing out. fireworks are stupid. wast of money that goes up in smoke and is dangerous.

    with all the budgetary cuts taking place, finally cities are getting smarter.

    and, have you ever heard of laser light shows?

    they can be spectacular displayed on a huge skyscraper. time to be creative...

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      Nowalive1 month, 2 weeks ago

      Laser light shows are nice, but the effect is not the same. I would much prefer to hear the the intro I described and FEEL the feelings that ran through Sir Francis Scott Key and those who fought for their independence. To hear the roar of the cannons, to smell the cordite and gunpowder, to see the sky erupt into dazzling exposions of light. To me it is the same as reading a great work of literature and being whisked away to that time and place. There is no comparison IMHO.

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        ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

        that excitement is shared by all. but, let's get real nowalive...you're just a big kid at heart.

        a commendable trait!

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          Nowalive1 month, 2 weeks ago

          Thank you Eco.

          Yes, I am a big kid at heart, a trait that sadly is rapidly disappearing in the world. Humans take themselves and life far too seriously and should slow down a bit and enjoy all that life has to offer. Remember the 80's era saying: He who dies with the most toys wins? My grandfather ( see my web site for the full context) put the world into perspective for me this way: "He who dies with the most toys.......still dies". We should all take the time to re-learn how to play as well. As President I will mandate recess, and playdates for adults.

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            ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

            I'm with you...but, do we have to play with fireworks? I had some other ideas in mind...

            (lol)

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    • JohnQPublicComment removed: User banned.6 Replies

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        ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

        hey, thanks for the suggestion, JohnQ...

        and, while you're at it, light up and think of me while you pollute our air, pollute with noise and burn up good money at the same time...Enjoy Big Boy!

        (sorry you have to abuse your dog with medication)

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            ranchhand1 month, 2 weeks ago

            LOL Yeah John Q quit that abusing your dog. Have you let your dog smell the powder after you shoot? A lot of time its not the sound but the smell that scares them.

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                Nowalive1 month, 2 weeks ago

                JQP,

                Have you and the vet discussed the possibility of a malformation in the inner ear? It could be that his hearing is more acute than normal. It may not be fear as much as it is physical pain from the noise. I had a wolf mix that had this issue.

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            Nowalive1 month, 2 weeks ago

            JQP,

            I have a .50 Hawkins that I love to shoot. Being from Maine I hunt merely for the food, not sport, but bow and black powder are the best.

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  djn3nunez31 month, 2 weeks ago

  Nothing like celebrating American freedom and independence with fireworks made in China.

  --brought to you by the Chinese Better Business Foundation.

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    ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

    and, let's consider the transportation costs just getting those chinese fireworks here...

    thanks djn!

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  bruhaha1 month, 2 weeks ago

  I wish my neighbor in my back yard had cut back on the fireworks. He let one of in the middle of the day yesterday. My wife saw the flash through the curtains and the boom rattled the house.

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    ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

    wow...what were they thinking.

    it's amazing how much money is wasted on noise! thanks for dropping by, bru!

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      bruhaha1 month, 2 weeks ago

      Yeah, it scarred the crap out of her. With the loud flash of light she thought something happened at the nuclear power plant or something.

      THe thing is, he's a cop. One of my neighbors actually called in a complaint on him a few years ago I guess. He didn't know he was a cop. He did it one time last year when my wife was out on the deck. Here ears were ringing it was so loud. No respect.

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  ranchhand1 month, 2 weeks ago

  I hope no one uses them things. I live in the country and they cause a wildfire.It's been really dry here. Of course people who smoke please, please don't throw the things out the window. You kill or maim so many of Gods creatures.

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    ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

    it's true...I called a guy on just that yesterday. he said the butts were biodegradable. (I doubt a cigarette corp. is concerned about the environment)

    and, yes, due to dry conditions, CA has no desire for fireworks.

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      globalwarmer1 month, 2 weeks ago

      You can't legally buy anything that explodes in LA county and I think its the same for most of CA. The best thing to do is find out where the firework shows will be, the beach is a great place to watch, you can see multiple displays from there and some times the rich folk in Malibu put on million dollar displays from barges just off the coast. Besides the big fireworks are what its all about, the sparklers and whistlers are just lame.

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        ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

        hi globalwarmer-

        thanks for dropping in. fireworks are so beautiful. i just wish we could come up with an alternative source for enjoyment not so destructive to nature, etc...that's all.

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    lvrofwolves1 month, 2 weeks ago

    We've had the 5th-6th rainiest June since they started keeping records of that, and it has rained every day in July so far, it's supposed to rain all weekend off and on, so in that aspect we are lucky. I would be terrified if we were in drought stage. Hope you're all safe!

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• purposeComment removed: User banned.5 Replies

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    lvrofwolves1 month, 2 weeks ago

    You can all boo me if ya want, but watching firework displays is one of a few of my favorite times of the year...I love them.

    I do however suffer anxiety when I know drunks, kids and irresponsible people are setting them off, it's hard to go to sleep wondering if someone will fire a bottle rocket at your house (of course unintentionally) and it'll catch on fire. All weekend long I know I will be hearing them going off, the police here don't care unless someone calls, then all they do is tell them to stop, they don't even bother to do that on the 4th. and will only respond to emergencies. I sincerely hope everyone has a very SAFE 4th of July!!!

    no animals hurt, no body parts blown off, no wild fires or buildings burning. BE SAFE!!!

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        lvrofwolves1 month, 2 weeks ago

        oh no, not at all, and I agree about the dangers, but those dangers can be very limited if only people were careful. Fireworks above a lake are spectacular, we used to go out on the lake with 1,000s of other boats, sit in the water and watch them light a big display off an interstate bridge. Not every place has that benefit tho, I don't want to see such traditions eliminated, there is danger in almost everything, people just need to be CAREFUL I'm in complete agreement about precautions, believe me.

        As far as smoking, SHAME SHAME SHAME on any smoker who throws butts out windows on the ground etc...

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        ranchhand1 month, 2 weeks ago

        Purpose, Ivrowolves is one of the good ones. Stubborn as a mule but sweet as pie.

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          lvrofwolves1 month, 2 weeks ago

          Have I heard the word mule pie? ;-)

          Our little city did NOT scale back in any way shape or form, in fact it seemed like we had many more people lighting stuff off and our display was awesome.

          I am totally for safety when lighting things off, but as safe as you try to be, there always seems to be ones that don't do as they are supposed to, and last night was no exception. We had 3 that scared the living crap out of me. Again thankfully in N.E Ohio had the rainiest June on record, we move all cars, have buckets of water ready, make sure no animals or people are 'in the way' darn things shot out the side instead of going straight up..it was terrifying. And I noticed a BIG difference when all the older people left our house and my Son (25) had 3 of his friends come over to light the remaining fireworks off, I was glad to be there supervising, and ya all know I did just that :-) nag nag LOL my chant 'remember no health insurance' and 'if you get hurt you'll be off work with no pay'

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  normallysilent1 month, 2 weeks ago

  Lets see,

  We have the price of gas

  We have the price of food

  We have the price of everything needed to survive increasing daily

  Now we have this:

  "Higher prices may cause some to scale back on fireworks"

  Well, Duhhh

  non-story people, and its about the last thing on my current list of worries.

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    ecotourusa1 month, 2 weeks ago

    thanks for taking the time to comment on the non-story, normally. Seems to me a non-story means no comment. but, thanks for your profound sink.

    dude...what's really eating at you? maybe we can help you smile.

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      lvrofwolves1 month, 2 weeks ago

      I wish everyone a very safe happy fun Independence Day!!!!

      If you are lighting any fireworks, even sparklers, act responsibly.

      Everywhere around the world people enjoy fireworks for different things, there is no need to stop enjoying them if you are safe.

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