I can’t help but laugh about all the animosity toward fireworks and their users every year. More and more cities ban them, hoping the noisy, drunken, immature people, supposedly the only ones who enjoy fireworks, would just go away. But there is a fundamental flaw in this assumption in that you are dealing with the traditions of countless people over the generations who have enjoyed using fireworks to celebrate this country’s independence.

It’s hard to fight tradition mainly because families and individuals find comfort and happiness in tradition. Yet Americans in general don’t usually play well when the government steps in to be the safety police. Cities will continue to ban and restrict fireworks, and many will keep calling 911, demanding that the offenders be locked away for life. And every year officials will point to all the injuries and fire losses without acknowledging that there are more families and individuals safely enjoying this long treasured past time.

Banning fireworks will do no good; people like me will keep going up to the reservations, not to spite all the old people who call and complain or the city officals who try in vain to have power control and win the vote of the old people come election time. I do it because I have kids and a girlfriend, and I enjoy the tradition and the family togetherness. I love how it brings neighborhoods together for block parties. At the same time, I don’t agree any one has the right to be careless and light their neighbor’s house on fire or get drunk and shoot off fireworks.

I also don’t believe that it’s OK to celebrate a week early or a week late as that defeats the whole purpose. I offer this challenge to all people who call and complain every year — come out of your secluded lives and try to enjoy it. See what we as lovers of fireworks love so much about them. It isn’t all about noise or being cool or trying to wreak havoc.

– Kevin Cline