City Government
God Bless America AND Aerial Fireworks
July 4, 2017 
Disclaimer: The following is NOT the opinion of the GUARDIAN. We accept opinions from all sides of issues.
A guest opinion from TROY of Boise
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”
On this Independence Day I want to defend “aerial fireworks.” I know you cultural snobs look down on us who do enjoy them, but I could care less. In a free country I should have the right to buy and light off what I want.
Thousands of my fellow Idahoans love to celebrate the holiday my way, and you can only point to a couple instances of abuse. The vast majority just have a good time once a year and call it a night. However, fire chiefs and snobby do gooders always want to stop the fun in the name of safety. We are tired of your nanny-state snobbery. I reenact the “Star Spangled Banner” once a year and I don’t care what you think. It’s always in the name of “safety” that they stick their noses in our business. Don’t like “aerial fireworks?” Then don’t buy any. Stick to sparklers and snakes and have a good time.
UPDATE 7/5/17–The residents of eight units at Lake Harbor’s Edgewater Apartments whose residences were burned last night due to suspected fireworks probably take exception to this opinion.The firefighters who responded to the three-alarm blaze also don’t care much for amateur fireworks.
To insure more advertising-free Boise Guardian news, please consider financial support.
Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Jul 4, 2017, 5:07 pm
Maybe there’s too many durps that don’t use them responsibly that ruin your fun. How ’bout you direct your ire towards the jacks&& that lights their neighbors roof on fire or burns down the foothills before you get all ‘murica on the poor schlubs who have to watch their idiot neighbors shoot bottlerockets and mortars over their pine trees.
Jul 4, 2017, 5:56 pm
Darn right. Well said Dave!! Happy Birthday America!
Jul 4, 2017, 6:00 pm
We are in St. Augustine right now. If those particular people in Boise hate fireworks then they would definitely hate the show that they are planning here for Independence Day.
Jul 4, 2017, 6:18 pm
Troy is the reason for the new interpretation and eventual total ban. This bud for you dumba$$.
Every year every roof in my sub is littered with flaming trash. The shingles and siding are hard to ignite thank God. Each instance is an example of the abuse Troy claims uncommon.
If not for all the fire safety laws in our society we would regularly have entire towns burn up like they did in the old days. This ban is just another law resulting from stupid people being stupid.
Close your garage doors people, I just watched a drunk fire a 12-pack of bottle rockets into his own garage.
Jul 4, 2017, 6:33 pm
i enjoy fireworks also but i dont like it when my neighbors use the ones that go in the air and land in my yard or on my roof. i have had a close call. they didnt think of the affect it has on others.
Jul 4, 2017, 6:52 pm
Hell yeah Dave !!
Jul 4, 2017, 8:55 pm
Same letter ran in the Statesman, over the name Troy Ingraham, of Boise.
Mr. Editor, please stick with policy of full identification on submissions to your site. It encourages honesty and accountability. Thanks.
EDITOR NOTE–Good point, Steve! We received it with only first name.
Jul 4, 2017, 9:52 pm
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/poetry/july-4-poem-grapples-americas-complicated-identity/
Jul 4, 2017, 10:30 pm
I like the professional ones. The ones that set neighborhoods on fire and make neighborhoods stink aren’t that desirable.
Dave, you’re off on this one. You’re freedom ends where my clean air and safety concerns begin.
EDITOR NOTE–I adamantly OPPOSE aerial fireworks! Note this is a GUEST OPINION. I felt the guy deserved a voice, but I still disagree with his position.
Jul 5, 2017, 9:47 am
My former husband could have died a couple of years back when a moron shot a flaming firework, igniting his back yard. Fortunately the fire department was on the ball and got it out before it got the house.
And we all saw what happened to the Foothills last year. I was just reading how eight families are homeless due to fireworks in Boise.
I love fireworks as much as the next person, but in the hands of professionals in a safe area.
Jul 5, 2017, 11:54 am
The 4th of July is about secession, rebellion, and what the British at the time regarded as treason; not getting drunk and raining flaming debris across a neighborhood.
Jul 5, 2017, 5:05 pm
In Idaho City the Police let every one that has about any kind of fire works come out to the football field and have at it. They have fire trucks… EMS and the police all there. Any person that shoot them off any where else will get a ticket.
As soon as every one is done they water down the football field.
Good way to do it I think
Jul 5, 2017, 5:24 pm
“in the hands of professionals in a safe place”
I suppose we could apply that same principal to cars and motorcycles:
Five deaths within two weeks?
Sounds like a bunch of amateurs!
Let’s pass a law!
https://boiseguardian.com/2017/06/22/two-wheel-death-abounds/
Cigarettes cause a LOT of fires in homes and in the wildland.
#1 cause of house fires.
Where is Chief Doan asking for legislation against cigarettes?
It is legal to buy them (cigarettes). It is also legal to fall asleep with one in your hand on the sofa while your children sleep in the next room. “Ooooh a tragic accident”.
Professional Smokers only!!!
http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/families-left-homeless-after-fire-at-boise-apartment-complex/443889636
http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/improperly-disposed-cigarette-starts-small-fire-at-boise-nightclub/284625902
Shall there be an Idaho law prohibiting campfires too?
#1 cause of forest fires.
This guest opinion of “Troy” (good point Steve R) is certainly that of an idiot, but if we shall place laws and regulations prohibiting ‘something’- let us at least have a reasonable basis for doing so- something that is enforceable and something that is accountable.
Of course, we could scrutinize the firefighters and dispatch response to last year’s Tablerock fire instead– speaking of “professionals”.
Or let’s talk about the police enforcement of the current laws?
I did not see a single copper patrolling my neighborhood Tuesday night despite the many loud noises. It is a perfect opportunity for bike coppers dressed in stealth black uniforms to roll up on a neighborhood block party lighting up the sky. Bang! Bang!
No, instead the previous BPD Chief said, “It is impossible to enforce”. DUIs and drugs on the other hand apparently are “not impossible to enforce”(forget the steady rate of occurrences) and Boise Police loves to pursue drugs, guns, and boozers.
Current fine for violating the City ordinance on fireworks- $100.
Do it a second time and its’ $300 and/or 30 days in the jail.
Ada County foothills violation is a misdemeanor and $1,000 fine….
$100? That’s like a construction speeding ticket, right?
Bottle rockets in the dry foothills = $1,000.
DUI because your taillight is out = $5,000, no license, and maybe lose your job.
Instead of shining a light on idiot Troy, I would ask our local professional servants ‘protecting us’, “What are you doing to actively reduce the problem?”
And what should I do with these left-over pop-its?
Jul 5, 2017, 6:29 pm
Eastie, I agree.
(That’s your one time this year.)
Jul 6, 2017, 10:29 am
I don’t think cops fight crime. The deescalate incidents. Most real crime, assisted by law enforcement is initiated by the public.
You could have called for assistance in your neighborhood. There is not a cop on every corner (thankfully).
The only thing I could think of is that cops direct their efforts toward the times and places crime actually occurs. Not just cruise neighborhoods. Drug houses, bars at night, and known repeat offenders.