Damned Annoying

ABQjournal: Letters to Outlook

Fireworks are not bought or used for the purpose of annoying neighbors. And, for the most part, fireworks are annoying only to those who wish to be annoyed.

The reason for fireworks is to show exuberance. … We set off fireworks to celebrate that we live in a prosperous nation. We celebrate liberty and justice. …

Yes, I know you can hear them going off. You can hear many other things that will annoy you if you so desire ? trains, planes and freeway traffic.

There are always people weeping to the city council about how annoying fireworks are to themselves and their dogs. They talk about how their dog shivers under the bed. I do not make any points with them when I ask, “So what about thunderstorms? You have to speak to a higher authority than the city council about thunderstorms scaring your dog, don’t you?”

My advice: Get your dog earmuffs or doggie downers and don’t go to the city council….

Michael Swickard
Radio talk-show host
Las Cruces

The Fourth of July was weeks ago and, yet, every day I hear fireworks nearby. This is beyond exuberance and celebration. It is pure selfishness. The callous Michael Swickard, who doesn’t realize “radio talk-show host” is as much an honorific as “high school dropout,” spins the new American mantra: “don’t like what I’m doing? Screw you then.” What a bogus comparison of fireworks to thunderstorms, designed to distract from personal responsibility.

Mr Swickard, have one hell of a fine time on July 4th. But if you or anyone else shoot off fireworks long before or after, don’t kid yourself with notions of liberty and justice. Your behavior is simply selfish and antisocial. As is your attack on those you harm. mjh

Update 8/3/05 – ABQjournal: Las Cruces Banning Noisy Fireworks

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