Kees van der LeunJan 1, 2025
Last night in the Netherlands: Boy (14) dies, another boy (13) loses hand, dozens need eye surgery, more fine particles emitted than all road vehicles do in a year, €118 million blown up instead of put to use, millions of pets in fear, wildlife disturbed. Private fireworks: great tradition.
Show threadCookiefiend
@Sustainable2050 Private fireworks are illegal where I live (Los Angeles, USA)--but thousands of people set them off anyway. The air quality is vile this morning, and I haven't caught up yet with the news re injuries. I'm sure there were plenty; there always are.
Jan 1, 2025 at 5:52pmWeb
Show threadmike805Jan 1, 2025

@LPerry2 @Sustainable2050 They would really be better off setting up a place for people to light off fireworks.

When I was a kid there were small fireworks, stuff that shot sparks, firecrackers, etc. Now there are large mortar shells and huge bangs going off.

Banning it obviously didn't work.

Show threadCookiefiendJan 1, 2025
@mike805 In SoCal, the fireworks trade is run by Mexican drug gangs; it's replacing part of the income lost when marijuana was legalized.
And, if you think about it, can you imagine the liability involved in setting up a place where people can light off fireworks?
Show threadmike805Jan 1, 2025

@LPerry2 Is that where all those really big fireworks are coming from? I figured people were trucking in the mortar cakes from Nevada or Arizona or Indian reservations.

There seem to be a lot of big bangers that are federally illegal, so Mexico makes sense.

As for liability, we need to bring back the concept of At Your Own Risk. This would apply to fireworks, racetracks for public use, as well as things like tripping on psychedelics. Many things are safer if done in a controlled environment.