Is it wrong of me to hope they lose a finger? (fireworks)

[NightWatcher]

It's raining, strike that, it's pouring. Yet the morans in my neighborhood insist on celebrating American independence by detonating Chinese fireworks they bought from the bodega down the way?

The toddler is asleep, but the dog is losing his mind. At least with the rain nothing will catch fire this year.

[pipi_k]

1. It's a bit

more quiet at my house, for nearly the first time in 17 years.

Usually the yahoos down the hill are setting off fire crackers a few days before the 4th, on the 4th, and a day or two after.

My poor pups are terrified of loud noises and go crazy. I feel awful for them, and on top of it, worry about the woods being set ablaze.

Not this year, though. Which is weird. Not that I don't appreciate the quiet...it just has me wondering what other mischief/noise they might be planning.

Oh, and a couple of them figured out a way to get away with it. They shoot off a few, then stop and wait a while. That's to see if someone called the cops, in which case, if they show up, "nothing" is going on. Gives them time to get rid of the evidence. If nobody shows up in ten or fifteen minutes, they go at it again, then stop for a while.

Dirty bastards.

[femmocrat]

4. The jackass across the street is putting on a big sky show.

Ka-BOOM! They are practically in my front yard! I wish the police would just drive by. This will go on for hours.

[pipi_k]

22. The worst part of this

sort of thing is that the jackasses usually end up injuring someone else.

Or causing someone else's property to be damaged.

So self centered. Do they really think everybody loves loud noises and sparks of flame flying around them?

[noamnety]

2. My house feels like it's under attack.

I worry about the vets with PTSD.

[pipi_k]

3. I know, right....

it's bad enough where they're legal, but here where they're not, the only thing I can say is that people shooting the damned things off are inconsiderate (law-breaking) assholes.

[Callmecrazy]

5. Oh come on everybody...

It's the fourth of July. It's one day a year. A 237 year tradition in our country and all you can say is that they're assholes. Please. Some of the things that make this country great are sometimes the hardest to live with. Every American has the right to celebrate today and if you don't want to that's your right; but I don't feel the need to call them idiots or yahoos. Suck it up for a couple hours and then we can all go back to our boring, mundane lives. I know it may be inconvenient tonight but tomorrow, sadly, life will return to normal.


I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday and feels a sense of pride living where we do.
I just met a family from Holland tonight and they said compared to the current conditions in Europe we are the greatest country on the planet and we have much to celebrate. I wholeheartedly agree.

Peace.

[femmocrat]

7. They ARE assholes.

Fireworks are illegal in this state and with good reason.

They are shooting them off in the front of their property which makes them practically in my front yard. If I wanted to see fireworks up close and personal, I would go to a legal display in a nearby town. They are so loud that I now have a migraine from the loud endless booms.

I watched DC, NYC and our local fireworks on TV and enjoyed all the music. I didn't feel the need to turn up my TV so loud that the neighbors could hear or see it.

[Callmecrazy]

8. I understand femmocrat...

but this is ONE night that I feel obligated to step aside and allow even assholes to fly their freak flag loud and proud.
I proudly flew mine and I hope you enjoyed the day despite your safety concerns.

Peace.

[femmocrat]

20. In the light of day.....

You are more tolerant that I! And I bet you don't get headaches! You have the right attitude.... Live and let live.

I hope you had a very nice 4th as well. :peace:

[Ter]

35. Fuck illegal

If people in one state get to have fun, who can't I just because I like in an abusive city or state?

[madinmaryland]

9. +1

Amazing to see the whining on here.

[Callmecrazy]

11. I know, right?

Imagine being someplace like Syria or Egypt tonight? I think a little perspective is in order.

[pipi_k]

24. Perspective...

In Egypt or Syria, people are being injured/killed in some extremely serious business.

In the US, people get injured/killed each year merely celebrating something that happened over 200 years ago.

Hey. If people want to celebrate in certain ways, let them. Let them do it someplace far away from homes that could burn down, and where no innocent pets or autistic kids are going to be terrorized by things they don't understand.

[Callmecrazy]

27. I think you missed my point...

I brought up the trouble in the Middle East to say that we don't have those kinds of troubles here in the U.S.. At least not today.
And this morning I saw that an organized and legal firework display injured 28 people. I have yet to hear of any forest fires or city blocks going up in flames from civilians setting off their own stuff.
As far as the autistic kids and nervous pets, put them in the house and be responsible adults. You can't have it both ways.
This was a time for celebration as fellow countrymen. If you don't want to join in, fine. But don't go saying that that they should go far from their homes to do it. Yes fireworks can be dangerous but so can crossing the street. I accept that risk every day. So do you.
You don't like people celebrating Independence Day so close to your home? Too bad. Tuff Titty. Like I said up thread, the things that make this country that I live in and served so great are often the hardest to live with.

Let's just agree to disagree on this subject, pipi_k. The fireworks are done so this is all a moot point.
Enjoy the weekend!
Peace.

[pipi_k]

30. I think what you don't realize

is that if a bunch of assholes are setting fireworks off in close proximity to a residential area, there's no place in the home where a frightened animal or child will not hear them unless the stereo or TV are turned up really loud.

Also...

If I get injured or killed crossing the street, it's as a result of a choice I made, unless I'm injured/killed by a drunk driver.

If I fall in my driveway, I made the choice to walk in it.

If I burn my house down because of improper disposal of hot ashes or whatever, it was my doing.

If some asshole across the street is setting off illegal fireworks, and damages my home or car or terrorizes my dog, said asshole has not only committed a crime by using illegal fireworks, he's also caused emotional or physical damage to my dog or my home.

His "rights" to do something illegal do not trump my rights to freedom from the consequences of whatever might happen from his stupidity and carelessness.

Anyway, yes...the fireworks are over for another year. Except for lots of people who still have to deal with idiots setting off the leftovers during the next few days.

[Callmecrazy]

31. And those still doing it should be stopped...

We agree on that point.
The party's over. You don't have to go home but you can't stay here doing what you're doing.
See, I knew we could find some common ground. And if your kids or pets were upset by the festivities, I'm sure they were glad you were there to reassure them that all will be well.

[MiddleFingerMom]

42. Either get your pets trznks like i did whtn flying with mine or take them somewhere...

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... perhaps an understanding farmer would let you stay on his remote lands.
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Shame on you for actually being AWARE of the problem and not being more
proactive in stopping their suffering (other than hoping for someone's (who
ISunaware) pain and possible loss of appendages.
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.You know, that DOES happen every year and it stops very few (if any).
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Like I said, I hope you find a much healthier mindset.
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[Iggo]

14. They're assholes, idiots, and yahoos.

[femmocrat]

21. LOL

Stand your ground, Iggo!

[avebury]

17. I do not understand why we make such a big

deal about the Fourth of July these days. Our forefathers would not recognize the country that the USA has become. We have become a nation where the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many. State and Federal elected officials can't pass bills fast enough to interfere in the personal lives of our citizens. Civil and Constitutional rights are continually being eroded if not right out eliminated. Government officials can break laws right and left and Wall Street can bankrupt this country with no legal consequences but a whistle blower can be threatened with torture and mega years in prison We are a nation that now accepts torture and we commit many of the same crimes that we tried Germans for at Nuremberg. We have become an international bully who claims global domination by having the biggest and most bad ass military in the world.

I do not see much to celebrate any more.

[HappyMe]

19. I agree.

It's one damn day and night.

[pipi_k]

23. Legal fireworks displays

put on by cities or towns is one thing.

But they're illegal for private citizens to have in my state. They're illegal for a reason.

That's what I object to. People are annoying others doing something illegal. In my case, they could set the surrounding woods on fire. My house, and everything in it, could burn down.

And really...tell my poor dogs to chill while they're freaking out. It may be only one night a year to us humans (unless it happens for the whole holiday week) but to a freaked out animal, it's an eternity.

People who shoot off illegal fireworks are assholes.

[RILib]

26. pipi_k +1

Pets are terrified, I fear for the wild animals, one of whom is partly disabled and comes to my yard for food. An average of one house a year where I used to live had its roof on fire from bottle rockets.

Leave it to safe sanctioned displays.

[pipi_k]

28. Yep...Just saw on the news...

Illegal fireworks display in Simi Valley...

Bunch of people injured, a number of boats in dock were destroyed.


Drunks + fire/explosives

what could possibly go wrong?

[Callmecrazy]

29. Yeah, like the one where 28 people were injured?

Even the sanctioned displays can go wrong. Especially because there is a larger group of people. It happens. We're not going to stop the fireworks.

[MiddleFingerMom]

6. When I lived in Germany, their fireworks-equivalent holiday was New Years Eve (Sylvesterabend).

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In Nurnberg (old spelling was Nuremberg), their equivalent of Times Square on New Year's Eve
was the old castle -- obviously built on the highest ground in the city. We went there every
year (as did THOUSANDS of others).
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Fireworks were legal -- some pretty BIG professional-level fireworks and from the castle, right
at midnight, you could see pretty impressive amateur fireworks shows on virtually every street
corner in that city of somewhere near 500,000 people.
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It was breathtaking and stunningly beautiful. As well as jubilant --- that crowd was HAPPY!!!
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Of course, I think bier was involved. Germany. Duh.
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[kiva]

10. Nope.

And if the idiots manage to catch the trees on fire - why let a drought get in the way of setting off freaking soaring fireworks? - I'm hoping for a couple of fingers.

[Callmecrazy]

12. While I agree with the sentiment...

and feel that stupidity should be painful, I don't think it's right to wish it upon them.
Everything is going to be fine folks. Enjoy the night.

[pipi_k]

25. And there you go...

Nineteen firefighters just died fighting a fire less than a week ago.

If it's just a couple of fingers a bunch of assholes lose for setting off fireworks, they're lucky.

If those same assholes start a fire that spreads, and people die, they would be murderers.

[MiddleFingerMom]

13. Where am I?

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I had a VERY good friend in Pennsylvania who, when he was young and foolish and, let's
face it... stupid, managed to get ahold of some quarter sticks of dynamite for July 4th (he
lived WAY out in the country). He held on to one too long and it had just left his hand when
it exploded. He lost his 4th and 5th fingers and about a third of the pinky side of his hand.
Would people here have felt JUSTICE had prevailed?
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I think it's safe to say that virtually ALL here feel that countries that amputate a hand as
punishment for pickpocketing or shoplifting are, at least in some ways, barbaric... yet
I find it truly disturbing that some here... some here on DU... so glibly and casually HOPE
for the traumatic amputation of a finger for the crime of letting off some loud fireworks.
For the crime of IRRITATING them (and perhaps unintentionally scaring their animals).
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That... is very hard for me to process.
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I wish you peace. I hope you find your way to a greater understanding, compassion and
empathy towards those whose perspectives are "different" from yours... those who ARE
still (and I like this)... still letting their freak flag fly.
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Maybe someday I'll forget MY unintended "transgressions" and join you in your perspective.
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But I certainly hope not.
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[Callmecrazy]

18. Well said, MFM.

[ProfessorGAC]

32. Actual Quarter Sticks of Dynamite?

Or a firecracker claiming to be a quarter stick of dynamite? There is a huge difference. One is a high explosive. The other is not. One releases about 3x the energy per unit mass, and about 6 times more quickly.

I would suggest if they were really 1/4 sticks, he would have lost everything up to the elbow.
GAC

[MiddleFingerMom]

33. This was 30 years ago, and maybe I just assumed, but I believe I remember...

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... him saying he got them from a construction worker. I definitely
remember he said he told the ER doctor that he had had an accident
while cleaning a shotgun. The doc didn't believe him, but he stuck
to his story and it was listed officially as the cause.
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[Ter]

36. Why didn't he tell them the truth and say it was fireworks?

I doesn't they would have prosecuted him, he suffered enough.

[MiddleFingerMom]

40. They probably would have if he didn't give up his source.

[sigmasix]

15. I love things that go "BOOM"

When I was a kid we used to experiment with building our own fireworks- most of the stuff turned out to be foul smelling smoke bombs- but every once in a while we got the good stuff; M80s with the wax plugs so they could go off underwater (different kind of BOOM altogether) and the really fat bottle rockets with the plastic paratrooper. Firecrackers were for little kids and old people- we always wanted the biggest "BOOM!".
It was special for lots of reasons- one of which is the fact that it is only one day out of the year. Our dog is fine with fireworks and loud sounds; in fact she seems to enjoy it.

[Populist_Prole]

16. Mixed feelings

Yeah the revelry is nice on the surface, but the revelers have gotten more coarse for sure.

The all fireworks all the time ( days before, during, and days after ) isn't celebrating independence day for the US, it's just being jerkoff yahoos who like to do stupid shit, bringing 'Idiocracy' that much nearer.

I'll call it the "Oooooh....Shiney!" effect.

[sigmasix]

43. "ooh, shiny!" I'm going to use that if you dont mind NT

[Populist_Prole]

45. Thanks!

Feel free to use it.

[Ter]

34. It's one day a year, deal with it

Fireworks on Independence Day is amazing fun, and you're hoping for mutilation and for someone to never be the same for the rest of his or her life for noise?

[RILib]

39. no, for terrifying animals, for possibly setting houses on fire,

I do';t want anyone to lose a finger, but some damage that would heal and maybe convince them no more idiocy, yeah, that would be good.

[MiddleFingerMom]

41. perhaps a public whipping or caning would make them think better next time (and it would heal up).

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Jeebus, how about "I wish the police would catch them."?
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Not ONCE have I heard that. Jeebus. Amputation and injury/pain. Are thinking about this?
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Are you happy with that mindset?
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[olddots]

37. the point here is explosives are dangerous

I don't wish anyone harm for being foolish but 20 miles from here last night a very professional fire works show ended with over a dozen people being taken to burn units at several medical centers because of a mal function .5 years ago a "human error" ended our town's fire works and it was gory but not mentioned much in the news .

It's human nature to make things bigger but maybe it isn't dealing well with nature.

[DFW]

38. Maybe not, but I knew an aspiring guitarist who did just that

He was something like 11 years old at the time. It ended his guitar playing in an instant. He was stupid, and his parents were stupid to have let him play with that stuff, but maimed for life is one hell of a price to pay at age 11.

[RILib]

44. third night in a row - how about a whole hand

repairable, of course.