How much do you like fireworks?

[monster]

Poll. You can also argue, of course...

[glatt]

I love fireworks but loathe crowds at fireworks shows.

[Griff]

I hate them.

[DanaC]

I hate them - and I hate that they disturb the local wildlife (and domestic animals) - I wavered whether to go with that first option. But, a lot of people really like them and if they are kept to an occasional big event or holiday then I probably shouldn't be a killjoy.

I don't like how the definition of special occasion has now expanded from New Years and Guy Fawkes night to 21st Birthdays, Weddings, 18th Birthdays, Anniversaries etc etc

[Carruthers]

As DanaC has said they disturb wildlife and domestic animals.
Having looked after horses on and off over the years I always dreaded the 5th Nov when fireworks were let off at any time for weeks ahead of the day.

Over the last few years ever louder fireworks have emerged which sound more like an artillery barrage than a domestic pyrotechnic display.
Add into the mix the alcoholically and pharmaceutically enhanced members of society who take great pleasure in setting off the damned things in the dead of night.

Apart from that, I've nothing against them.

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by Carruthers

… Over the last few years ever louder fireworks have emerged which sound more like an artillery barrage than a domestic pyrotechnic display. ...

Once upon a 4th of July, in a place far, far away (called San Antonio), a man relaxing in his apartment would hear people outside laughing and then a series of small explosions. When he looked outside; however, there was no one to be seen. This happened several times at various intervals through late afternoon into the early evening.

The man lived in an apartment complex of multiple 2 story buildings positioned around a common area with a swimming pool in the middle. A patio surrounded the swimming pool and a decorative brick wall, 2-3 ft. high, lined the patio in places. It was where 2 walls came together and formed a concave corner that the man strolled over to.

There the man carefully placed a military artillery simulator and activated its fuse. He made it back to his apartment just as a loud whistling began, tapering off like the sound of an incoming artillery round, finishing with a huge KABOOM! Every pane of glass in the apartment complex rattled...A LOT! Water rippled across the swimming pool.

In another apartment building, across the common area from where the man resided, a sliding glass door opened in one of the apartments. A broomstick with a white kitchen towel tied to the end of it appeared waving about. From inside the apartment could be heard people yelling "WE SURRENDER!"

I, I mean the man, went back to relaxing and thought to himself - Glorious!

[monster]

that is an interestingly even spread of votes so far....

[BigV]

Pass on the fireworks.

But this is a minority opinion in my area.

The people in my neighborhood Do. Not. Get. Cheated. This time of year. Our windows were rattled many times, only the unseasonbly cool and damp weather kept the fires down. Only one fatality due to a house fire this year. But over two dozen injuries requiring amputation of fingers or a hand were reported.

[monster]

I loooove fireworks, by the way. I've only ever had cats as pets and have always kept them in and they've never given a shit....... (well fish too, but the couldn't give a fig either) but I'm conflicted because of the environmental impact and because some people I care about hate them so much....

[Glinda]

As a pet owner and pet sitter, I dread the 4th of July and New Years Eve celebrations.

This year, I had a kitty-sitting job in a nearby town. When I turned onto the client's street, I was confronted with a freakin' war zone of drunken parents swilling beer as their 10-year-olds set and lit big firecrackers/mortars in the middle of the street.

As I carefully wove my way around and through the pyrotechnics set up in the middle of the road, I heard "Get out of here, asshole!" and "You don't live in this neighborhood, bitch!"

First time I was ever afraid for my own safety while doing a pet-sitting job. Hell, this was first time I was ever afraid for my own safety at all here in WA state. I called the cops, and one arrived within 10 minutes offering to escort me out of the little housing development to safety. "There's nothing I can do to stop them," the cop told me. "It's the 4th of July."

Yeah, fuck that.

[xoxoxoBruce]

When I was young the 4th was my favorite holiday, big bonfire with family friends and neighbors across the street at Grandparents. After MA outlawed them we were only a mile from CT. Then CT outlawed them but someone in the crowd would be going to FL during the winter and would stop at Pedro's South of the Border in SC and stock up. At least once during the evening the State Police would cruise by slowly but they knew my father had a badge.

Here the guy across the street up on the hill was Italian, wife from the old country spoke very little English. He owned a chain of pizza shops in malls, Scottos I think it was. From midnight on the 3rd to midnight on the 4th it was constant fireworks, never more than 5 minutes between booms. Guests would come and go the whole time. The next day, the 5th, without fail for 11 years he would pour concrete. Section of driveway, pool, patio, Virgin Mary Shrine, something every July 5th.

I thought it wise not to inquire.

[Gravdigr]

I guess the fireworks muffled the two-behind-the-ear.

That guy was a thinker.

Thinkers are dangerous.

[tw]

Some of the best fireworks in NYC were said to be on the streets of Brooklyn - courtesy of John Gotti.