Re: Mallard Fillmore 7/2: FIREWORKS, Hot Dogs, Beer, etc.?!


Howard Fein wrote:
It's not the punchline that seems objectionable. In fact, it's rather
poignant that the only thing the Typical American Family has
'forgotten' while preparing for a Fourth of July picnic is the
Revolutionary War soldiers that sacrified themselves to make said
picnic possible.

Dad's going through a mental checklist of all the necessary items. The
first thing mentioned, even BEFORE the hot dogs, ice, chairs, soda and
beer is fireworks. Maybe I'm geographically biased by living in a large
Northeastern state where use of fireworks by non-professionals is
illegal. But should a family- especially one with a young child- be
taking fireworks as part of their picnic gear?! Even if they are legal
in many states (they sure seem to be in much of the South and West)
there are still many nationally conveyed warnings and public service
ads trying to DISCOURAGE this type of thing.

Dad better make sure the 'works are stashed far away when he lights the
grill to make the franks.

IMO, it's *Independence* Day we're celebrating here -- a *celebration*
to commemorate the date of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence, NOT (contrary to what the duck seems to want us to
believe) some kind of national day of mourning for the soldiers who
fought at Valley Forge. The only sacrifice made for the specific day
we're celebrating this week was the geese who gave up their feathers to
make the quill pens!

And btw, I'm also from a large northeastern state where fireworks are
illegal except when used by professionals, but that doesn't stop me
from thinking that, in places where they are legal, they're a very cool
way to celebrate a big party, and it also doesn't stop me from
realizing that *most* adults are probably capable of lighting a fuse
and making sure that small children are a safe distance away at the
same time. What they really ought to be discouraging, IMO, is the use
of fireworks while intoxicated.

/can't believe I'm actually *defending* the duck!

.

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