What's the forecast on fireworks?
Ever since the governor urged restraint on the use of fireworks, it's been in the news all week long (and here and here). We even wrote an editorial discouraging the use of home fireworks.
Have the fires burning across the state impacted your Fourth of July celebration? Or maybe the economy is making it harder to justify the expense this year? Are you cutting back or eliminating home fireworks? How will you celebrate our nation's birthday?
If you're one of the groups who sell fireworks each year, have these factors impacted your profit this year? Are sales down?
(PHOTO BY KURT HEGRE/THE FRESNO BEE)
Comments
To be a purveyor of fire hazards for home entertainment is nuts (in the immortal last word of US General Mc Auliffe, declining the German's
invitation to surrender at the Battle of the Bulge in World War II)
Fireworks are being sold for profit by charitable organizations to help
the needy. Does that include those homeless whose homes burned down because of fire crackers they had bought from the charity?
If I were a charity I would put on a smashing fire work exhibition and
ask for an entrance fee, which would cost less than those puny, legal fire works. Yet,potent enough to maim or even kill a child or burn down city and farm property.
Posted by: Isabell Lawson | July 3, 2008 5:48 PM
I almost never purchase fireworks because they just cost too much so we watch the Wild Water fireworks or high school ones. I can't believe the governer is asking all of us not to do them yet they are doing them in the mountains at Chuchansi and Bass lake which makes no sense to me since they have had fires up there all week.
Posted by: Jackie Krage | July 3, 2008 9:37 PM
The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays but not because of fireworks. I like the summer, the chance to get together with family and friends for a barbecue and pool party and to celebrate being an American with everything red, white and blue.
Besides the fire hazard of fireworks, I really dislike the fact that so many people are so irresponsible with their pets during the 4th holiday. I had someone's dog come streaking through my yard last night and he spent most of the night in a frightened huddle on my front step. We did not dare try to touch him -- he was absolutely terrified. I was hoping to get him in the car this morning for a ride to the SPCA so he would hopefully be reunited with his family but he was gone.
I am re-thinking whether the 4th of July is my favorite holiday this morning. The fires all over California and the frightened animals are enough to change my mind.
Posted by: Kathy Burrows | July 5, 2008 8:36 AM
People are irresponsible with their pets on a daily basis. How hard is it to bring them inside and put them in a crate if becessary. Lsdt year my daughter found two dogs running around scared to death but ;luckily we found their homes within an hour or so. Both owners didn't know they were missing.
Posted by: Jackie Krage | July 5, 2008 10:08 PM