YourHub.com \\ Ventura \\ Blogs \\ News & Politics

Blog Entry 10 of 47 What's happening in YOUR neighborhood?

Hi everyone, I'm the YourHub.com editor for the Ventura County Star. I'm glad you found your way to the blog section. If you're not familiar with them, "blog" is simply short for "Web log" and you can think of it as an online journal where you can wax philosophic on subjects large or small, international or personal. Just remember if you choose to add the blog to the YourHub listings, anyone can read what you write. My blog tends to be about random thoughts and observations that hopefully will spur conversation either on local topics or local effects of wider-reaching topics. Please feel free to leave comments with your own views -- or better yet, start your own blog and write about it!

Blog Url: http://vc.yourhub.com/~BeccaBlog

Flaming the fireworks debate

e-mail to a friend | print this | link to this

Contributed by: Becca Whitnall on 7/2/2007

Every year around this time there's the same old debate about fireworks. One argument used to be over the fireworks show at Freedom Park in Camarillo and its affect on the animals at a nearby shelter. Now that the show's moved to the high school (festivities begin at 3 p.m., fireworks are at 9), that leaves only the great Fillmore debate.

Fillmore, as most county residents know, is the only city where fireworks are legal. I've never understood why they're legal in a city composed in a large way of dry brush-covered hillsides- which can go up in fire like, well, dry brush- but not in our beach cities, where people could set them off on the sand and over the water - which, by the way doesn't burn. But that's a wonder for another day.

The perpetual debate is whether Fillmore should allow fireworks at all. The argument is that they cause personal harm and can start fires. True enough, though both are more likely when not used according to common sense.

It's probably neither safe nor sane for me to put my opinion out there but I'm a big fan of personal freedoms. I believe the best laws are those that address the issue of concern in the most narrow way possible.

For example, though many people are hurt and even die in car accidents, our society doesn't ban all cars for all people. Instead, we limit who can drive to those who meet age limits and can demonstrate a minimum of skill and knowledge via written and practical exams. We also prohibit certain behavior in cars, like driving under the influence, that tend to be especially dangerous.

My feeling is most things, fireworks included, should be legislated using the same sort of guideline. Don't punish everyone for the irresponsibility of the few.
Before I get flamed, I should point out I don't suggest a free-for-all. I don't think setting off bottle rockets in residential areas where burning embers can fall on rooftops, cars, people and pets is a good idea. In fact, that, I think, should be against the law. But if an adult wants to risk personal injury -and, for the record, I choose not to- by setting off a sparkling fountain in a safe surrounding, I'm not sure the government should tell him he can't.

But for now, it does, enforcing their edicts to the tune of up to $1,000 in some cities, namely Simi Valley and Oxnard ...something to bear in mind if you choose to flaunt the laws, which I'm most certainly not recommending.

What I am recommending is having a fun Independence Day tomorrow. Be safe, however you choose to celebrate. And as always, I welcome your comments. Whether you agree with my view or not, let's talk!

< Previous: 'Fathers Day thoughts' | Next: 'Flaming the fireworks ...' >

[Report this as objectionable content.]

SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above blog