July 15, 1999
Dear Editor,
Fireworks. I have often wondered if they are China’s way at getting at us from the inside. They are dangerous, expensive (relatively, considering their purpose), and every summer countless Americans, myself included, love to shoot them off. This Independence Day was no different, but 1999 offers another chance to blow a finger off--the New Year’s Eve of the millennium. An editorial in the July 13 issue of the Call criticized City Administrator David Fraser for his opposition to the allowing of fireworks in Beloit this New Year’s Eve. Frankly I agree with Mr. Fraser’s stance and fail to see why it is so important to be able to light a sparkler come December 31.
As a moderate conservative I am just as much afraid of "Big Brother" as the next freedom-loving American, but to me this is not an evil government intrusion--it is common sense. First of all, consider the weather. We all know the potential of a Kansas December. On New Year’s Eve it will most likely be below freezing outside and could very possibly be snowing, making fireworks an impossibility. Personally I’d rather be inside playing board games and gorging on snacks than freezing to death just to see a Roman candle almost light the neighbor’s house on fire.
Second, consider the safety. Fireworks are dangerous no matter how carefully they are handled, and while I do not support banning them altogether (to do that would be akin to robbing the world of Christmas trees), I do believe we can let them go this one time. True, there is probably just as much alcohol consumed on Independence Day than on New Year’s Eve, but we must consider that given the circumstances on this New Year’s Eve those not preparing for the Apocalypse are liable to do some crazy things. It is not right to take the "Can’t stop it so why bother trying" approach to solving any problem. Rather than apathy, why not take a "Do what we can" stance? Those "Magic Fountain citations" might just prevent as many injuries as DUIs.
Finally, all these levels of government conflicting with each other on this issue has created quite the big liability mess. By banning the use of fireworks on New Year’s Eve, the City Council would not only give its best effort to protect Beloit’s citizens, it would also protect the city itself. If an accident occurred in Beloit after the Council failed to take action, one can be sure that the city would be held responsible, much like a McDonald’s customer who burns herself will sue the company because she was clumsy enough to spill hot coffee in her lap. No, people buying and setting off fireworks elsewhere cannot be prevented, but at least the final responsibility for any accidents would rest with them.
In my mind there is one clear alternative to setting off fireworks on New Year’s Eve--let someone else do it! Organize a community show. A fireworks display run by trained professionals is much more spectacular and safer and much less expensive (collectively) than personal ones.
One more issue that I must comment on is that I fail to see what all the fuss over the millennium is about. It is not any better of a time for "personal reflection" than August 9, 1993 was. It is just a date. I cannot speak for anyone else but after a night of having fun I do not plan to wake up feeling any different on January 1, 2000. I do not expect to find an extra finger, suddenly understand quantum physics, or hear air raid sirens. We are so caught up in the symbolism of dates; even are politicians are that way--"Building a bridge to the new millennium" sound familiar? I am fairly sure the next millennium will get here whether we build a bridge to it or not. Personally I am also throwing a big party on September 9--it will be 9/9/99!
As a final note, to those who kept up on my editorials in this past year’s issues of the Trojan Times, consider this the final installment. I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I did writing them. Alas, now I have used a second-person pronoun in formal writing and therefore must stop. God bless you all (did it again),
Andy Miner