tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428824763182540039.post3578986129127348235..comments2024-01-17T09:33:57.158-08:00Comments on Brain Rage: Fireworks: Imperialistic, Or Just Boring?JBWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13293642610215334516noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428824763182540039.post-21771256211393560442009-07-05T17:27:46.319-07:002009-07-05T17:27:46.319-07:00I too find fireworks a bit boring these days, but ...I too find fireworks a bit boring these days, but I'd have been disappointed had I not seen them every year as a kid. This year, though, I had a different perspective.<br /><br />I live in the vicinity of the LA Coliseum, technically a part of South Central. The neighborhood is ethnically mixed and includes a lot of folks still aspiring to be legal US citizens. The celebration here was full-on, and any thing but safe and sane. Black, Latino, Asian, and White, *everyone* had the grills going, the kids out running around and the illegal pyrotechnics blazing. (There may have been some other blazing as well.) And South Central does not have a backyard culture. Here it all happens in the front yard and/or on the street.<br /><br />The 20 minute walk to the Coliseum was a little nervous. There was ordnance flying everywhere. For supposedly poor people, the neighbors seem to have plenty of disposable income for celebrating in style.<br /><br />The municipal display was a bit too long at 60 minutes, but the redonkulous finale made up for it. At the same time, I was accompanied by a person who was watching their first 4th display as a US citizen and we were surrounded by immigrant families. Forget the patriotic music; you get the real spirit when you watch the display accompanied by commentary in Korean and Spanish.<br /><br />I'm sure that few of my neighbors would qualify as Real Americans(TM) by the standards of the kind of people who read that other guy's blog, but I'd like to see them come down hear and tell them that to their faces.The Original Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428824763182540039.post-4687296201377028262009-07-03T20:33:12.471-07:002009-07-03T20:33:12.471-07:00Hmm. yeah I agree with AmPow that what he is quot...Hmm. yeah I agree with AmPow that what he is quoting is nonsense.<br /><br />Sorry did I miss the part where fireworks are used all over the world and originated in ancient China? It's special effects and pretty colors. That's all it is.<br /><br />I particularly dislike "The pyrotechnician—and, more importantly, his patron—intends to ornament the night sky beyond the powers of God himself." Because if you're going to delegate the authority to create a good time to anyone... please don't let it be a bunch of priests.magpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08690258860393548951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428824763182540039.post-11623347954766007942009-07-03T18:17:20.548-07:002009-07-03T18:17:20.548-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Joe "Truth 101" Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08875151516978133598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428824763182540039.post-71230212103836920242009-07-03T18:17:20.307-07:002009-07-03T18:17:20.307-07:00You are indeed a lucky man JBW. As a father and un...You are indeed a lucky man JBW. As a father and uncle it is my duty to take a vanload of kids to every freaking fireworks display in western Illinois. God bless America.Joe "Truth 101" Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08875151516978133598noreply@blogger.com