Have we entered a wormhole and been jettisoned thru space at the speed of light, resulting in time slowing down? It sure seems like the clock has been turned back 48 hours.
On July 6 at 9:39 p.m., fireworks were still going off in Bayside. Not just an occasional bottle rocket or roman candle — every imaginable explosive there is by the sound penetrated my double-paned windows as if they were not there.
And they were there, at least for the time being. This is nothing new. Every year scofflaws light fireworks days after July 4 — days before, too. This year they commenced the last week in June and kept that up till the holiday, with exception of the night Hurricane Arthur ushered in that downpour.
Thunder seemed soft as a whisper by comparison. Maybe it is just my own way of looking at things, but to me that is unsettling, signifying they really do not give a hoot about Independence Day. All they are after is setting off fireworks for entertainment’s sake, with the aim of creating loud sounds and streaks of color to impress or annoy neighbors.
In effect, they are giving the finger to George Washington and all the other men and women who fought for our freedom, liberty and pursuit of happiness — like a full night’s sleep. They are waking up law-abiding citizens who have to work the following morning, requiring us to hear our alarm clocks, notwithstanding the ringing in our ears.
On July 5, fireworks were going off at 3 a.m. Jarred out of sleep by the M80s or ballistic missiles, as it seemed, I felt for sure the apocalypse was upon us. To top things off, they are committing a crime.
Unless your name happens to be “Macy” it is illegal to light fireworks in New York City. Accidents happen. People lose fingers, including those engaged in self-serving celebrations void of true patriotism and allegiance.
Ken Klinger
Bayside
