Fireworks

For John, BLUF:  When laws make little sense to the People, they tend to ignore them.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From the E W Scripps Florida media operation, T C Palm, we have a fireworks story, "Patriotic Pest Control".

The coming of Independence Day means fireworks season - and the beginning of the institutionalized charade behind their sale in Florida.  In the Sunshine State, one does not buy a bottle rocket for recreation; one buys it to scare birds away from farms and fisheries.

That's right: Explosives for pest control.

Technically speaking, consumer fireworks are illegal in Florida.  But nearly 60 years ago, state lawmakers passed an exception - now the only one of its kind in the United States - for fireworks purchases by farms and fish hatcheries.

That's how vendors, including those in the ubiquitous tents that spring up along Florida roadsides, have gotten around the general fireworks prohibition for years.

They simply ask customers to sign forms saying they're buying under an agricultural or other exemption.

It may not be true, but our experience of Government suggests it could be true.  That is the sad part.

As for The City of Lowell and last Tuesday's Ordnance against fire works, with a $300 fine, I heard fireworks in the neighborhood again Sunday evening.  Someone tried to convince me that those were in Tewksbury.  Maybe.

Regards  —  Cliff