Reply #33: It's not patriotism in the best sense, it's more mob mentality.

[NYC_SKP]

I wonder how many of the hootin' fools voted.

I remember when the first gulf war broke out I saw more than one pickup truck cruising around with flags and one in particular filled with local yokels screaming and drinking beer, at those in the bed of the pickup truck.

That is not patriotic behavior. My dad sending letters to soldiers, my mom working at her polling place, kids and teachers who study the constitution and create thinking citizens, THESE are patriotic behaviors.

:patriot:

I doubt that many who use fireworks have a clue about what they represent, or reflect on the bodies and carnage resultant from years of use of weapons.

I'm done with fireworks. They make me crazy and my dog crazy and one year the garage next door caught fire. I'm scared to death every year.

And here in California, with the wildfires and dry season, personal use should have been banned and the ban strictly enforced.

Public fireworks, OK, fun for the little ones, but I'm over it.