Fireworks

[hifistud]

The challenge is that A: there are already too many laws, many of which are unenforceable and B: far too many people want MORE laws to stop other folks doing thing the first lot of folks don't like or want to happen. I have my own set of pet peeves - I don't like seeing folks with tattoos above the collar line or below the wrist. Would I ban it? No - if they want to look like tits, that's their lookout. I deplore the whole notion of riding horses. Would I ban it? No - none of my business what other folks do. I don't have to, so that's fine by me. I happen to think that folks driving at 30mph on a motorway is positively dangerous. Would I ban it? No, but I'd embark on a campaign of information to teach them the error of their ways, and perhaps encourage Plod to nick them for reckless endangerment.
I also think these "where there's a blame there's a claim" firms and the usurers that lend money at thousands of percent per annum are scum of the earth. Would I ban their businesses? No, I would not - but I'd advise everyone I knew not to use them.

We seem all too ready to "BAN" this, that or the other in the UK, when, effectively, what we really mean is "look, I don't actually like it". Well, that's fine. If fireworks were being let off at all hours every day, having a whinge is probably OK. But twice a year? and a Ban? Tolerance is what is needed, and the ability to allow other folks to live their lives. Just imagine where e-cigs would be now were it not for the BAN mentality...

[Anne (fuzzy)]

Oct 30, 2011 18:55:08 GMT Perpetua said:

Using fireworks legally
It is against the law to:

•set off or throw fireworks in the street or other public place

•set off fireworks between 11.00 pm and 7.00 am – except during certain celebrations
If found guilty by the courts, you could be fined up to £5,000 and can be imprisoned for up to three months. You may be liable for an on-the-spot fine of £80.

When you can use fireworks during celebrations
You can let off fireworks :

•until midnight on Bonfire Night

•until 1.00 am on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year

Enforcing it is another matter . . . bit like using a mobile phone whilst your driving.

We have a fireworks shop in the town where I live who are open every weekday and Saturdays. It sells nothing else but fireworks. People set them off for all sorts of reasons here, birthdays, parties, barbecues and just for the hell of it. >

[Perpetua]

In theory, I don't disagree with you Hifi . . . I think it very much depends upon where you live . . . round these parts we have a 'firework culture' where these huge great things are let off at any time of the day or night, at any time of the year.

They're not pretty in any way shape or form, nor are they a sign of folks enjoying themselves with a celebration or some such . . . they're just downright disruptive and annoying. It's that mentality that I personally take objection to.

[Scylla]

Oct 30, 2011 23:53:35 GMT hifistud said:

none of my business what other folks do.

It's everyone's business if what other folks do harms other folks or creatures.

scylla >

[Sandra (aka Chillax)]

Sat night I was just dropping off to sleep and heard bang bang bang, scared the heck outta me, the dogs all started barking and we both jumped out of bed, it was the people behind us, deciding to set off some fireworks at 11:05pm
Why on earth do people want to do that!

[jimmybat]

in my youth i loved fireworks in the garden on the 5th nov but then they were used at that time
now they are sold too early (only in my opinion)
you guy's are all right coz everybody are entitled to their opinion which is a great thing .

but what i love was independence day in vegas this year i was at a street party they had a wonderfull thing they set it off during the day shoots into the air and 100's of little parachutes float down so pretty not destructive just loved it

hehe

soory i do tend to ramble

ok done

james

[hifistud]

Oct 31, 2011 18:30:24 GMT Scylla said:

Oct 30, 2011 23:53:35 GMT hifistud said:

none of my business what other folks do.

It's everyone's business if what other folks do harms other folks or creatures.

scylla >

With all due respect, I'd only agree to the extent of physical injury. I tend not to make other people's business my business unless I'm invited to by the people involved (a cry for help, for instance). As an instance, I absolutely hate the incessant desire some people have to mow their lawns with noisy machines at 7:30 in the morning on a Sunday. For that last lord knows how long before February of this year, I worked every Saturday night until stupid o'clock, and often didn't get to bed before four am. How do you think I felt about those noisy beggars? Well, it was none of their business what my habits were, and, although they interrupted my kip, it was none of mine what they were doing. Live and let live.

No doubt they could justify what they were doing both to themselves and there like-minded souls. Fine - their business, none of mine.

Same applies to all manner of other things - just because I don't like it doesn't make it wrong, and it is, effectively, none of my business. It's folks getting involved in other folks' business that has caused the e-cig "movement" so much grief, and so nearly brought a ban down upon us. That's worth remembering. Live and let live....

[Anne (fuzzy)]

One more day to go until it all starts.

[Perpetua]

We've had them on and off this last fortnight Fuzzy, there's been an item on BBC Breakfast this morning, with some hints & tips to help pet owners deal with animals frightened by the noise etc.

[Deleted]

Same here , I agree with tolerance , but how far do you stretch it , we have had fireworks here for almost 2 weeks , I haven't been at home this week ( fortunately for me ) but my wife says it has been absolutely intolerable with fireworks going off until 3am on some nights.

[Gordy]

we've been lucky here and not had any that i have noticed yet

[Perpetua]

Was almost like Bonfire Night itself round here last night Gordy . . .

[hifistud]

Nov 4, 2011 20:45:50 GMT @storm said:

Same here , I agree with tolerance , but how far do you stretch it , we have had fireworks here for almost 2 weeks , I haven't been at home this week ( fortunately for me ) but my wife says it has been absolutely intolerable with fireworks going off until 3am on some nights.

How far do you stretch folks hoovering their lawns on a sunday morning at 7:30 while I need to kip after a long Saturday night? You get 2 weeks of fireworks - I get half the year - I love this time of year, cos the lawnmowers are in mothballs.

[monster74]

Fireworks going off till 2 in the morning last night I'm praying for rain tonight!

Nats x

[Pinhead]

They've started...

The fireworks are underway, my two dogs are dosed up with Valium... and it isn't even touching them! They are now extremely stressed, constantly on the move, trembling like mad and panting constantly.

That's an all nighter on the sofa to try and calm them for me.

I hate fireworks.

Sean