Irony of fireworks

As I laid in bed awake last night from 1-3 a.m. listening to my neighbors ignite various fireworks in the street, I found myself thinking about our beloved Independence Day holiday.

I find it ironic that we celebrate the day with a Chinese invention and that the majority of fireworks are Chinese-made. Sure, you could argue that the Chinese helped build this nation, however, how about supporting an American made product. Oddly, most U.S.-made fireworks are exported to Japan.

Is it necessary to keep your neighbors up all night to fuel your drunken celebration? It is worth mentioning that the discharge of fireworks is illegal after July 4 and especially in city streets. So maybe next time you go to light that firecracker, think about your neighbors, your country, and what it means to be an American. Maybe volunteer to help your community or brush up on your history, but please let your neighbors get a good night sleep before they go back to work. And please, please clean up the trash that you leave in the street from your drunken celebration.

Chris Boedeker

Whitefish