This 4th of July sucked. Too many fireworks in the wrong hands. I fully support a city and state ban. It did sound like a war zone out there. No fun for my family or my dogs.

Agree! Worst decision made by far! After midnight on the 3 & 4 and still going off! Really people get a life! Not enough Police due to cut backs to enforce the time limit for the non-sense! Hope they are happy!

It was disheartening to me that my neighbors have no respect for what the other neighbors feel. The noise was deafening and only stopped when I went out and told them I heard on the police scanner that someone reported my street and the police were enroute. They never stop to think about those of us who get up VERY early to go to work. I was tempted to lay on my car horn as I backed out of my driveway at 6am just to wake them up, but then I would be stooping to their level...

Bad call by the state to allow fools to play with explosives. In my area the noise went on and on. Not only is it rude for them to play all night but it was scary for the dogs too. The elderly gal who lives next door was near tears when she came to me asking if I could get them to stop! I felt so bad telling her no. I sat in my yard, fearful that someone would set my yard or home on fire! Not a fun holiday. I expect the fools will be at it again tonight!

I thought it was fun. Yes, it was noisy. Yes my toddler and preschooler stayed up later than normal. Yes there was a lot of smoke outside. But inside the house, with the a/c on, it was not THAT loud. I'm just inside dearborn heights (right off dartmouth), and here it seemed like it had calmed down enough by 11pm. I'm sure there were still some people going, but it was definitely quiet enough to go to sleep with no problem.

As for those who need to go to bed early, you knew this was going to happen. I'd suggest investing in quality ear plugs and a white noise machine.

Bad idea, people have no consideration for other people. They also have no concept of time. Midnight and beyond still shooting them off. Bad for families,pets, everyone concerned. It was like a war zone. Also dangerous. This is why there are rules

Bad idea.

Its a good thing we recently had rain otherwise I think the city would have burned down. What other crazy things is this legislature going to come up with?

It was insane around here. Driving home, we had fireworks going off in the street around us. That's being responsible with your fireworks? The guy down the street with the beer bottle in one hand and the match in the other was clearly concerned with his, his children's, and the neighbors' safety. There are plenty of organized fireworks displays, people. Go to them. They are run by professionals, and in public, not residential, settings. That was such a bad piece of legislation.

Do we have any Patch readers who are fireworks fans - or users?

I don't agree with the law, but it's a few days out of the year. I was talking with a neighbor who was blowing stuff off and he was saying this is the one thing he looks forward to every year. I've seen quite a police presence in my neighborhood and they weren't cramping down on anybodies fun, just making sure nothing got too out of hand.

The constant stacatto of pops and booms last night were not only annoying, but I wonder if we polled local hospitals, how many more people were injured due to previously banned fireworks? Remember that our own Dearborn Representative, George Darany, voted to lift the fireworks ban. Dearborn Senator Irma Clark appears to have not voted. (It took some sleuthing through the State of Michigan legislative record, the House and Senate Journals, respectively, to find the voting results of our elected officials!)

I'm glad to read that I am not alone in how I feel about the fireworks. One went off in front of my truck when I was driving down Maple last night at 10:30. I called the police. I felt like I was in a war zone. Many people were just shooting them off without being thoughtful of animals, people driving, people sleeping, babies, etc. My hope is that we all communicate with the Governor, George Darany and Irma Clark and let them know the side effects of such a ridiculous law. I am sure the police were way too busy with calls like mine when they have more important responsibilities to carry out in our city.

Fireworks put in the hands of irresponsible folk spoil it for the majority. i love fireworks, however last night was crazy. My car was only hit once by bottle rockets. What to do? Here's an idea. What about asking the city to designate large open areas, such as school soccer fields, baseball diamonds etc, as OK places to do fireworks, also perhaps the large open areas of parks. We already pay for those facilities with our taxes. We, as residents, can accept , via the city, the liability issues for a few evening days a year as a trade off for safer areas around our homes. Right now it is against the law in Dearborn to use parks and school areas for fireworks . Is it time to change this law?

I am still looking for my cat.

I think it was a great idea to allow the fire works. I had fun and im so happy they are no longer banned! And yes im a fireworks fan.

I wouldn't mind the new law if it included a time-frame (maybe the week of the 4th, instead of EVERY DAY SINCE MEMORIAL DAY), and hours allowed. My dogs have been freaking out night after night, barking and whining until 1a.m, and we're up at 5:30a.m. for work. Something has to be done to fix this.

Waaayyyy too loud and obnoxious. There should be limits as to where these are being fired off. There were professional-grade fireworks going off just a couple of blocks from me in an area with a lot of houses! There need to be more guidelines; not to cut back on freedoms but because people don't think of others.

Letting people fire explosives into the air in densely populated areas like Dearborn is a tragic accident or house fire waiting to happen. Didn't seem safe to be outdoors in my neighborhood last night with booms and pops going off literally all around us. We had no idea where this stuff was going to land or where these jokers who were lighting the fuses were even aiming the stuff.

I also noticed back in June a tent with two teenagers selling high-powered explosives (aka fireworks) from the parking lot of the bp on Outer Drive and Monroe. Seriously? Who could possibly think it's a good idea to stockpile thousands of fireworks under a tent at a gas station with two teenagers supervising?

Finally, my three-year-old was up until midnight last night, not by my or my wife's choice. He was terrified. Bad move, state legislators. Please repeal this law.

Ordinarily, I have very libertarian views. But this is one time the state legislature goofed up badly. Motorcycle helmets: only affect the idiots who ride motorcycles. But fireworks are an annoying nuisance to everyone within earshot!

By relaxing the fireworks restrictions, the state not only enabled more merchants to make more money selling them (which was no doubt the true objective) -- but they also enabled hordes of stupid and inconsiderate people to display their stupidity and inconsideration publicly!

How can they say that they were celebrating the independence and freedom we enjoy in this country while being inconsiderate of the rights of others. My east Dearborn neighborhood sounded like it was under attack! Fireworks were being ignited in the streets, thrown at the property of others and small children were participating in the act. It was an accident waiting to happen. If it were not for the rain, it would have been an inferno due to the dry conditions. I love fireworks, but this was out of control and dangerous..

Freedom is nice, but it requires discipline and respect of person and property, including your neighbor. It's not about the egotistical me, myself and I. It is caring and respecting the other person. I'm very disappointed and yesterday is a clear indication of the the lack of respect some people have. It was a sad day, and it seems that our state rep did not do his homework when he voted to allow this to take place on 35 ft lots in Dearborn.

Found the cat. He is a smart cat, letting the fireworks flush out fresh prey. He used the noise to his advantage.

Regarding fireworks, we can't blame the state rep for dumb things residents do can we?
Of course we can!! Inconsiderate residents need govt to hold their hand, to learn to be considerate with the privilege of using fireworks. Same as learning to drive a car, rules to protect society.
Assuming we need more government controls on the proper use of fireworks, such as photo ID to purchase them, a courtesy class on the proper use of fireworks, a limit on how many fireworks can be purchased at a time, an age limit for handling fireworks, restrictions on where the fireworks can be used, perhaps we can even have a science class stressing the construction of fireworks, to learn from our mistakes.. Don't forget a favorite govt control, taxes! Like booze and cigarettes, tax fireworks heavily, the louder they are, the higher the tax. That high cost will drive them underground, as before, and we can expect a new mob industry, moving illegal fireworks.
Let's face it, wasn't it more fun shooting off huge fireworks with the knowledge that you were risking a ticket by breaking the law? Right now, anyone can do it. No risk factor thrill. Of course, it is against the law to shoot fireworks off in Dearborn in a large open soccer field, which happens to be owned by the city. That makes too much sense.
In a few days, all the noise will be forgotten.

Does anyone know the impact this law has had on our neighbors; i.e. Dbn Heights, Livonia, etc. Or is this a Dearborn issue? I'm also glad to see that others observed launches from the street and areas deemed illegal. I thought it was just my street. Based on a comment above I see that Woodhaven (downriver) seems to have experienced a normal 4th. I'm still waiting for police to respond to my calls. It appears that they were all on the west end again. If they were patrolling the east end, it would of been easy for them to enforce, since many were clear violations.

I was awakened at 2:15 am on July 4 to full blown fireworks on Mason Ave in front of the Old Adams High school.What we they thinking! Why is this OK to disturb a neighborhood? And no one picked up the trash left from the fireworks!!! Common Sense has lost to greed again. Did anyone notice also we are in a severe drought? How many communites through out the Midwest did not have fireworks so that they would protect their communities!! This does not make sense to me.Thumbs down on the legislators who thought this was a good idea.

The noise was an issue and of course it went on passed midnight in my neighborhood (Greenfield /Michigan). I am more concerned, though, with the safety of allowing the fireworks in neighborhood with 35 foot lots like mine. They may be fired from the lot of the firework owner but it certainly does not land in that person's lot! I wonder if we didn't get that rain, if we would have had more issues with fires. If property damage does occur from someone's fireworks, it would be very difficult to prove whose fireworks did the damage.

I am eager to hear how many citations the Dearborn police issued for noice violations and for people setting off fireworks on property that is not their own. Supposedly they were cracking down on it.

Also, I want to know how much in sales taxes have been collected from all of those fireworks stands. That's why Gov. Snyder allowd the change in the law.... So we'd rake in the tax $ that's been going to Ohio when our residents went across state lines to buy the high flying, big fireworks. Right?

I wish it was illegal again.

Even granting that the idea of relaxing fireworks restrictions has some merit, the state legislators did it ALL WRONG! They could have removed the state restrictions against SALE of fireworks, and then deferred the establishment of ALL discharge restrictions to local governments. That way, outlying low density communities and rural areas could permit unrestrained use of fireworks, while dense residential areas like Dearborn could maintain ordinances for full restraint!

In addition, individual municipalities could have been empowered to allow some fireworks use after the securing of a permit -- better focusing of responsibility upon the discharger, some added revenue for the city, and a way to better handle prosecution of ordinance violators.

Charles, where in the new law does it prohibit exactly what you are proposing? All the law did was allow the sale of more powerful fireworks, it is up to the individual communities to determine usage. Dearborn could easily change the existing law forbidding the use of fireworks in open clear areas ( owned by the city) so the residents can have a safe place to set fireworks off.

Also, it is correct that MI is now benefiting from the sale of fireworks, more jobs, more use of abandoned stores that now sell fireworks, less gas used to drive down to Ohio, and less folk breaking the law by setting off formerly forbidden fireworks.
If the State of Michigan and Gov Snyder could pass a law that would instill courtesy and common sense to all residents, I bet he would do it in an instant, with 100% support of all of us. Obviously that won't happen, so don't blame the State for the dumb things folk do. The law allows cities to set rules. Why didn't Dearborn do that?

Were there more injuries from idiotic use than last year? Apparently not. See here
http://www.freep.com/article/20120706/NEWS05/207060395/Revamped-fireworks-law-doesn-t-ignite-spike-in-injuries?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

So Marooned, are you going to blame Gov Synder for allowing swimming in lakes since we lost a 16 yr old due to drowning, or ban boats and drinking as we had many injuries on the lake over the weekend?
Folk are responsible for their own firework actions, right?

Again, it returns to the basic question of being responsible for your own actions....
Marooned, actually, it was the paraplegic's idiotic idea to light off a 'mortar' shell between his legs, not the governor's. Put the blame where it belongs, the user.

Enabling someone with a law to use fireworks does not give them permission to take a 'stupid' pill. As you say, if you can't swim, you generally know this and stay out of the water. Ditto for drinking and being drunk. It should be just as obvious that if you light an explosive, you should not hold it in your hand and admire the glittery flame and smoke of the fuse , "let's see, is that really lit?", but instead should do the obvious, 'Get rid of it!'

Again, folks should take the blame for their own stupidity, don't blame society or government for playing with matches that you don't understand. Just because one has the right to play with the matches, doesn't mean they are bright enough to understand the consequences of lighting them, such as holding them til they burn one's fingers. Fireworks , like any other consumer item, when used properly, are safe. When used improperly, they can endanger you and others. Careful of that carving knife, it can cut a multiple of food items. If there is an 'oops', are you going to blame the governor for nipping off a finger? Wouldn't you think it 'ludicrous' to light a mortar shell in the first place? He might make it to the Darwin Awards.
darwin awards 2012 fireworks

Rachel, The city does have some say in how the fireworks are used. That say-so can be is here:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(1wkcwyrt4mtoky452zpezp55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-28-466

While it is true that , technically, fireworks can be shot off 365 days a year, most folk will not bother celebrating every day, ie Mother's or Father's day with fireworks, but they have the right to do so if they want to. The state could change the law prohibiting the use of fireworks on city property, then we could have designated areas to use fireworks safely. Cities also have the power to designate folk to be able to use fireworks on public property, perhaps this may be an answer, get a permit from the city to shoot your fireworks on the school football field for example.
http://www.fox17online.com/news/fox17-fireworks-understanding-michigans-new-fireworks-law-20120525,0,749449.story

Again, that is where the city can help, allowing residents via permits or whatever, to use the wide open areas (usually owned by the city such as parks, schools etc ) much safer! The city issues permits for dog licenses and garage sales, both to folk at least 18 yrs of age, why not the same for firework use on public property? Since it is against the law to buy or use fireworks unless you are 18, the permit could be further enforced by photo ID. That would even exceed Federal guidelines for AZ immigration, and far exceed the ID needed for voting in the state of Illinois.

Fireworks should be allowed the day of only and between the hours of 10 pm and 11 pm. I've lived in Dearborn all my life and attended the city fireworks when they were held at Ford Woods. They started around 9:30 pm or so and lasted about 45 min to 1 hour. The city took precautions to ensure the safety of citizens. People went home had a quiet evening and went to work the next day. When someone launches fireworks and they land on my property, then I take issue with that. It now has become a safety issue. Once you launch it, you no longer have control of it. The state law appears to be vague and liberal, and seems difficult to enforce at the local level. Hopefully they will rethink what they have done. Each city is unique and has it's own issues, and local ordinances should apply when safety is at risk.

Gilda, can we stretch the hours to at least 10PM to Midnight? Good ideas.....

Rachel, I grew up in the Heights, actually met Canfield so now you know I am ancient, and you probably remember why the Heights don't have public fireworks anymore. I was there.
Confusing, and regrettable.....one rocket went horizonal rather than vertical, no one killed.

At least Dearborn is doing more than Dearborn Hts, and the folks of Dearborn Hts are using Dearborn as an example of how to react quickly and swiftly as a city council to the new fireworks law. See here
http://dearbornheights.wordpress.com/

Lee, ok midnight the day of. 12:01 am is a new day.

Marooned, we have both been 'around the block'. Look at your statement carefully.

"And for the sake of lucre, the "nerd" signed on the dotted line. Some ppl are seriously messed up because of that reasoning today, and could never be made whole again. We will continue to see people's bodies torn apart in the future until sanity returns to our politicians, but I doubt it."

You can't blame others, including politicians, for idiotic actions of others. Before the fireworks law was passed, there were injuries. After the fireworks , same amount of injuries. See here.
http://shekel.blogspot.com/2012/07/fireworks-legalized-in-michigan-state.html

We will continue to see people's bodies torn apart because of the stupid decisions those people made, despite the laws they ignored, despite politicians. Restricting use of items can backfire. look here

http://www.justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp Scroll down to Washington DC, the capitol of our country. In 1976 they severely restricted gun use by passing laws. In 2008, the Supreme court reversed those laws. Look at the murder rates. Low before the law, high during the law, low again after it was repealed. Obviously, criminals knew honest folk would obey the law. They became easy targets. With guns, not so easy victims. Ditto for firework usage. Others in neighboring states are smart enough to survive with fireworks, we can too. All it takes is courtesy and common sense. You are responsible for your actions.

Marooned you said "One of which is trying to protect you from yourself". Really? How far does this go? Yes, there's seatbelt and texting laws (now), but they also just got rid of the motorcycle helmet laws. What's your stance on that?

Then if we start saying the government needs to protect us from ourselves, where do we draw the line? In some states they are restricting the sale of large size pop. What if they were to start requiring you to follow state-determined diets?

The gov. is NOT there to protect us from ourselves. And I do not support ANY law that tries to do that.

Dear Rachel, pretty name by the way. My stance on helmet laws is the same as the insurance companies. Having been in a motorcycle accident on I-75, many years ago, I know what I am talking about. I stick to my statement of gov. in the 1st business of protecting ppl against themselves. This function of gov. is self explanatory,. and as you know, I listed some simple examples above. This fireworks policy by the state was NOT conjured up because of public freedom and enjoyment. It was conjured up solely in the name of the tax money it generates. I classify this kind of policy as malicious governmental law.

Marooned, your examples onlly work if the bad guys follow the law. The government can't make an insane person tell the truth on an application form. The criminal is certainly going to scoff at the law that says he can't possess a handgun, what's one more law to ignore on his quest for robbing folk? The government can't make him follow the law. Somehow, someway, Ohio folk can survive with fireworks, how did they ever do it, are they tougher nuts to crack? Besides
freedom and enjoyment', the new fireworks ;policy created jobs, saved Michigan folk the hassle of going to Ohio, and yes, did bring tax money to the State. Those are all positives. Would that money spent on fireworks in Michigan be better spent in Ohio? Of course not! Larger fireworks are new, and like most new stuff, it sparks interest. Eventually, like that new boat, BBQ grille, dart board, you name it, the novelty of big fireworks will wear off and this will all be a footnote, reintroduced every 4th of July.
The city of Dearborn will eventually provide guidelines as to when we can shoot off fireworks, and , like always, the courteous will comply, and the rest will enjoy their freedom, at the risk of getting caught.

Charles, fireworks and guns are just objects. When used properly, they are safe and when used improperly, accidents and bad things happen. Statistics can support almost any point of view. It all depends on which ones you use, and their context.
Switzerland, the neutral country for hundreds of years, requires every lad (and perhaps lasses) to be trained and carry a firearm , and that training continues on into their 50s.
We are talking automatic assault rifles, plus pistols etc. Yet they have almost no crime involving guns, and the murder rate is miniscule compared to the rest of the world.
See here. http://www.guncite.com/swissgun-kopel.html

My point? Harm can been done with practically any item, whether fireworks, guns, or a hard loaf of bread. Responsible use is the key. The government can pass guidelines for use, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the user. The Darwin award winner for 2012 happened to involve a gun.

The 2012 DARWIN AWARDS ARE HERE!!

THE WINNER:
1. When his .38 caliber revolver failed to fire during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.

They should outlaw dogs too. They're much too loud. And they should start fining people who let their cats run around outside unsupervised, peeing and crapping in everyone's garden and killing birds. It's illegal for people to kill song birds so why should it be legal for people to kill them with their unleashed cats?

Obviously a case of mistaken identity, those creatures you think are cats are actually raccoons, often quite smarter than cats. My cat looks like a raccoon, is fat like a raccoon, but, unlike a raccoon, enjoys his adventures on the couch rather than the backyard.

Regarding dogs, they are smart enough to make it to the Darwin Awards, and much smarter than their masters. This one involves Michigan, a dog, and my favorite Jeep.
http://www.darwinawards.com/legends/legends1999-09.html

I already left my post on the other Patch article on the fireworks "law" but I just had to interject that it wasn't just the east-side that was bad. We're on the edge of the west-side (by Gulley) which is also by Dbn Hts and Inkster so it was going great guns (literally) in my area as well. We were at our place up north with our 3 dogs enjoying the peace and quiet from July 3 to July 7. Which is where we'll be this time each year hereafter. I think we should have bought a bigger place and start inviting some Dearbornites up there for a respite from this insanity!

These are 2 of the local ordinances that are violated by those launching fireworks. I'm sure some of you will say that the state law overrides local ordinances, etc. etc. etc.

Sec. 16-14. - Litter.
No person shall deposit or cause to be deposited, sort, scatter, throw, drop or leave any waste, rubbish or garbage on any public or private place in the city.
(Ord. No. 90-495, § 9, 6-19-90)

Sec. 13-43. - General noise regulations.
It shall be unlawful for any person to create, assist in creating, permit, continue or permit the continuance of any unreasonably loud, disturbing, unusual or unnecessary noise which annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others within the limits of the city.
(Ord. No. 10-1268, 5-3-10)

The city spent $$$??? implementing a waste management process to keep garbage off the streets only to allow littering with fireworks shells. As a city I don't think we want to do that. Defeats the purpose. Also, isn't there a $500 fine if someone is caught littering? To the best of my knowledge that law is still in effect.

Barney, regarding motorcycle helmets and medical costs, Michigan drivers are already paying the highest fees , now raised to $175 per vehicle , for a catastrophic insurance fund, the only one of its kind in the USA, and the most secretive. It has billions in it and many are wondering why it can't be disbanded , and all Michigan drivers, and their vehicles , get a rebate.
Here is the debate. http://www.darwinawards.com/legends/legends1999-09.html

Also, at the very least, modify the fee struction, have the fee for just drivers, not per car, as a driver can only use one car at a time, right?

The fund should be dissolved, since, as you pointed out, we are all paying for the injuries anyway with Medicaid, etc.

Next thing you know, we will have suggested a fund for Fireworks injuries.

'Oops!' Wrong link !

Use this one for Catastrophic Insurance

http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/04/readers_unite_over_objections.html

There is a difference between the government establishing a law to protect people from themselves and doing so to protect people from others. If you purchase a weapon, you are not affecting others unless you actually use it illegally. There is no way you can blow off a Roman Candle in a neighborhood and not impact everyone around you, and no one spends hundreds of dollars on these fireworks just to have them sitting unused in their garage. This is why I support both local and state governments establishing laws restricting the use of these enhanced fireworks, and will vote against any candidate wfo will not do so. That and the fact it took me two days and over $100 in medication and stuff to settle my basset hound down aftter this nonsense.

Tim, I agree with you. That is why, with firearms, there are places to shoot them safely and legally, such as gun ranges. There should be places set aside by the govt/city, so fireworks can be set off safely and not hassle the rest of the neighborhood. Suggestions??
Perhaps we could restrict use of these 'super' fireworks to wide open spaces at parks and schools, at night they should be empty (for the most part) and away from homes. One minor problem. It is against Michigan State law. Perhaps Dearborn can pass something to test that law. Right now, residents can apply for permits to shoot fireworks on public property. Whether they are granted is another story. The city might create a simple permit test, ie ask you to light a match, and watch to see if you burn your fingers in the process.
Not my call. You would think courtesy and common sense with fireworks would be enough. It isn't.

Wide open area, where, in Dearborn? How is it controlled? Dearborn Parks are all in residentials areas. When they did them at Ford Woods park, way back, the fire dept was there just in case of a fire. I can just see some landing on Ford Road or Greenfield. Why not camp Dearborn - that's a wide open area with plenty of water.

Gilda, all around the Civic Center, it is pretty wide open, The Henry Ford Library and parking lot, the areas around schools are also pretty wide open.

Granted, if someone brings professional size mortar shells, there may be a space issue.
However, remember that the big ones go up higher, and turn to ash long before they make it back down. We have all been to the Dearborn Homecoming, and experienced those great fireworks, has one , even one burning ember made it down to the crowd.?

I have been going for years, and even the parachute pyrotechnics burn out before hitting the ground. Others may have been burned. Know anyone?

Govt can't remove all the risk.in our lives, just protect us from the obvious stuff.

Lee, I can understand where you are coming from. The concern I have is that these types of fireworks typically end up in the hands of amateurs that often times lack common sense. In my neighborhood kids were launching these things and the parents were just sitting there. I guess we shall see what happens on Labor Day. Does anyone know how much money people are spending on these things?

The general opinion is negative. Most of us do not intend to make a career of this debate.

Bob, then to sum the debate up, the majority opinion concluded on this issue is a big negative on the neighbor folk who lack courtesy and common sense regarding the use of more powerful fireworks to their fellow neighbors. Obviously, many are also annoyed with the govt at local and state level for not controlling the behavior of these inconsiderate individuals.

And, just as obviously, many folk will just ignore the govt anyway and do what they want, and if caught, so be it. Those folk don't care. They are on reality shows all the time. They will be a small fraction of the majority, but a pain in the neck.
At least, safety was not an issue, as injuries remained the same as previous years regarding the use of fireworks.
http://www.freep.com/article/20120706/NEWS05/207060395/Revamped-fireworks-law-doesn-t-ignite-spike-in-injuries?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

There are a lot of people on here that have nothing to do. Wow. Truth is the law is stupid. But it's only stupid if you're stupid to do it. I watched 7 men in a yard 2 down from me light fireworks next to the their gas grill, I was hoping they would blow up, because that's just stupid. Oh and they're drinking of course. And to the one who said something about "they should go back to their country" they are, they're Americans, just stupid. I enjoyed having to wash my car the next morning from all their crap. Whatever.

If these fireworks were so powerful and so dangerous, considering the number of people using them and the amount of fireworks used, (and I quote: "It was LITERALLY like a war zone!") How come more people weren't seriously injured. Either it was a miracle, which I don't believe, or reality did not bear out the fears expressed here by various Chicken Littles. Indeed, the sky did not fall down and the streets were not littered with the shattered bodies of children separated from their limbs by high explosives. Now if we could only get the government out of any number of other areas where its nose does not belong.