2012 conventions 2012 election 2013 session arts arts and culture author ballot measures basketball bomb books boy scouts budget bullying business charlie hales children clackamas climate change coal college courts crime culture culture club democrats drugs economy education environment family film fluoride food gay rights guns handguns health health care health insurance high school history housing immigration internet kitzhaber law legislature lgbt literary arts living marijuana marriage media medicine mental health military minor parties mohamed mohamud movies music native americans news newspaper obama olympics oregon our town parenting pers photography police politcs politics port portland portland business journal president prevention public safety religion republicans rnc romney rural salem sam adams sandy hook schools science shooting sports suicide supreme court taxes technology terrorism theater third parties transportation union university of oregon washington wildfire women

I have not served in the US Military, but have friends and family members who have. I am very proud of their service and willingness to sacrifice, and I still believe that America is a wonderful country and worth fighting for. I do not speak for any veteran - only represent my own opinion.
For many years I have had trouble watching fireworks because of what they literally represent - bombs and gunfire. I try to remind myself of the ideal behind the commotion - the good in the world that is worth fighting for, if you will. Still, when I hear fireworks, in my mind I see people dying.
I think telling people to just "desensitize" themselves is short-sighted. What else should we de-sensitize ourselves to? Every one of us is, has, or will go through pain in our lives. Responding by treating each other will a little more kindness and humility seems a more humane attitude than just telling people to get over it.
I've struggled to come up with an alternative, since I do belive the 4th of July is worth celebrating. So I really appreciate John's suggestion of discounted public venues as quiet alternatives for veterens or other people who struggle with the chaos of fireworks.
I would also go a step further and support a ban on private fireworks sales, or at least a ban on the noisy ones. That way the public displays are at least a little more isolated and easier to escape from. After all, the ultimate celebration of victory is the acheivment of peace. Fireworks do not represent peace.

posted 4 years, 10 months ago
view in context