“And there ain’t nothin’ I can do about it.” — The Supremes and the Vanilla Fudge, 1967 singing “You Keep Me Hangin’On.”
Scofflaw: “A person who flouts the law, especially by failing to comply with a law that is difficult to enforce effectively.”
I read and heard with great interest area news reports about the fact state law forbids fireworks after Friday, July 5. That piece of news was just about worthless.
And once again, neighborhood Billy Bobs have won the annual fireworks disturbing the peace battles. They can light and launch these noisy annoyances just about any time they want to, regardless of what the law says.
And once again, I blame our feckless state lawmakers who about a decade ago passed a statewide bill enabling residents and homeowners to set off fireworks, especially during holidays.
I and others who oppose these annoying noisy festivals of light and sound can call the local police authorities to complain. But in reality there ain’t nothin’ we can do about it.
Police seem to believe they’ve got better things to do during a holiday weekend than chase down phantom fireworks users. It can be awfully difficult to locate just who is setting them off, and too many who are caught in the act simply receive the equivalent of a slap on the wrist.
Aw shucks, it’s just patriotic Americans lettin’ off a little steam, that’s all.
This every year is a major contributor to promoting a nation of scofflaws. Go back to the top of this column and check out the definition again.
This is a most unpleasant experience for war veterans who suffer some PTSD because fireworks sound too much like fire fights. It’s also unpleasant for our favorite pets, dogs, too many of which are reduced to cowering in a basement corner and shaking uncontrollably.
And this is not to mention people who need sleep or are just in need of some peace and quiet in their neighborhood, a category I fall into.
I rail against our state legislators every year for this unwelcome addition to our lives, creating a dread in some of us for holidays we used to look forward to.
I have made my opposition to widespread use of fireworks in neighborhoods very clear over these years. I have no quarrel with community fireworks displays handled by professionals or firefighters who know what they’re doing. But I see absolutely no value in the fireworks free-for-all we’re subjected to ever since the State Legislature foolishly opened that door, not for the sake of patriotism, but rather for the sake of money.
However, I repeat: “There ain’t nothin’ I can do about it.”
