July 4th, 2003:

Today is (obviously) the fourth of July. This is a holiday that excites the overly patriotic, the underly patriotic and the anti-establishmentists. I'm not too sure where I fit in there. I am semi-partiotic. I enjoy the freedoms we have in this country, but there are stupid people that make certain things illegal, such as fireworks. If anything gets to me it's that. There is no harm in the safe use of fireworks. HOWEVER it is because of groups of 11 or 12 year old boys who think they're hot stuff with an M-80, being both stupid and immature, one gets their arm blown off because they can't follow through with the "throw" part of the instructions. How do they explain that one to their friends? They can't really pass it off by saying "I was in 'Nom." Instead they have to tell everyone that they were part of the fireworks show on the 4th or that they watched the fuse on their quarter stick because it sparkled pretty colors.

I think instead of being made illegal, a maturity test should be given, a delicate process to assure the police and fireworks company that they are not selling their wares to a half-wit or that there is no potiential of it getting into the hands of the immature, stupid or anarchist.

I'm not trying to pick on 11 and 12 year olds, but I know we've all been that old and remember the stupid things we did. There is a certain maturity level (or lack there of) that we had at that age. What I am saying is that if you have a problem with having safe fun, and fireworks are fun and can be safe, and staying in certain guidelines...have fun with sparklers and let the rest of us have fun with the real stuff.