Bullfight

By the way, I think anyone who supports Nickell's idea is anti-American, unpatriotic, harbors terrorists, and is anti-globalization for not supporting the many fireworks made in China that we blow up.

Okay, seriously, I think Nickell has an interesting idea. Nevertheless, the hard part is enforcement and determining the appropriate level of punishment. Nickell's ban, however, should go in effect throughout the fire season.

Will the proposed ban target the "sale" and/or "purchase" of fireworks, or the "use" of fireworks? These are important distinctions since any ban must target a specific behavior.

And a ban will certainly significantly affect businesses and groups relying on fireworks sales. But Nickell makes a compelling case.

Nickell recently wrote:

"We are in a terrible time now, especially with all the fires in Butte County. Our air quality is "very unhealthful", and it is going to continue to be this way for a very long time. As a member of the City Council, concerned about "Public Safety and Public Health." I would be neglected in my duties, if I did not request that the City of Chico ban all fireworks, and "all firework displays" both public and private on July 4th. This is the hardest decision to make about the Fourth of July and the significance of this National Holiday. I truly believe that we can celebrate our "Nations Birthday" in other ways! We as Americans are creative, and I have faith that we can still carry on this tradition.

Our fire fighting resources are stretched to the limits, and some fires cannot be fought due to the lack of manpower, equipment, and resources. As support to our firefighters, to the people who have lost so much, and the firefighters from out of state whom are helping us in this terrible battle. I am asking the Chico City Council, and the City Manager to ban "all" firework displays in the City of Chico. I also request this request be sent to the Butte County Board of Supervisors to ban all fireworks in Butte County. As a member of the Butte County Emergency Services Commission, I request that this be implemented immediately, and put on the July 1st Council agenda for a vote."

Respectfully,

Tom Nickell
Council Member

By the way, is it just me or does the below public service report on the dangers of using commercial fireworks bordering on laughable?

I was okay with watermelons blowing up, but once dummy heads starting popping I decided that I shouldn't light up my stash of commercial 1.3G explosives.

I really don't own any fireworks, but I do appreciate a scene featuring a dummy wearing an all-pink outfit and visor apparently enjoying a lovely close-up fireworks show.

Today's Scrabble word is acrasia, a lack of self-control.