Fireworks Used To Be Illegal
I remember the days when you had to go to a fireworks display that was supervised by the fire department. I'm not even sure you could buy sparklers legally in Bensenville. Then I moved to England where they celebrated Guy Fawkes Day and the 4th of July was a day for ex-patriots and the smallish display was held at Bushy Park AFB and other bases in England. You could buy "bangers" at the toy store for a few pennies each and bottle rockets were just a little more expensive. Bigger "bombs" were available but they were out of the financial reach of an eight year old.
Returning to the States, you saw the occasional roadside stand but the really good stuff only seemed to be legal or purchasable at "South of the Border", in South Carolina.
I have a mixed history. The low point was Slattery trying to throw and M-80 out of his car and trying to land it in AKR's yard. He dropped it in the car and we both bailed out. It never went off and we were able to catch up with the runaway Buick before it crashed into anything or anybody. That would have been difficult to explain to anyone. Otherwise, the exploding scoreboard at Comiskey Park was the highlight of sitting in center field.
Miami has taken fireworks one step further. Shooting guns to celebrate is loud enough but the bullets can mistakenly hit folks. Public service announcements abound before the 4th and New Years are rampant and are mostly effective except in neighborhoods where some folks shouldn't have guns in spite of supposed background checks.
Last night it was reported that two NFL players lost finger(s) in fireworks accidents. The radio talk shows were initially down playing the accidents, saying the players would be recovering from their injuries and the biggest issue was their "contract status". C.J. Wilson and Jason Pierre Paul face career altering injuries. Paul is in a dust up with the media regarding reports of his injury.
I'll leave it to others to be snarky, but this is a crying shame for two athletes that already take enough risks given their career choices.
Returning to the States, you saw the occasional roadside stand but the really good stuff only seemed to be legal or purchasable at "South of the Border", in South Carolina.
I have a mixed history. The low point was Slattery trying to throw and M-80 out of his car and trying to land it in AKR's yard. He dropped it in the car and we both bailed out. It never went off and we were able to catch up with the runaway Buick before it crashed into anything or anybody. That would have been difficult to explain to anyone. Otherwise, the exploding scoreboard at Comiskey Park was the highlight of sitting in center field.
Miami has taken fireworks one step further. Shooting guns to celebrate is loud enough but the bullets can mistakenly hit folks. Public service announcements abound before the 4th and New Years are rampant and are mostly effective except in neighborhoods where some folks shouldn't have guns in spite of supposed background checks.
Last night it was reported that two NFL players lost finger(s) in fireworks accidents. The radio talk shows were initially down playing the accidents, saying the players would be recovering from their injuries and the biggest issue was their "contract status". C.J. Wilson and Jason Pierre Paul face career altering injuries. Paul is in a dust up with the media regarding reports of his injury.
I'll leave it to others to be snarky, but this is a crying shame for two athletes that already take enough risks given their career choices.
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