It was exciting to read about the Junior Black Apprentice competition taking place in Kern County, and I feel myself (and likely many others) would enjoy frequent updates on the competition. I wish the competitors the best and congratulate them on their success. 

I do have another question to raise however, and that is, how valid do many of you feel race-based initiatives and activities are in today's society? Certainly, there can be no objection to an Italian festival, or an Irish celebration, and whoever objects to Oktoberfest? But why could not we have a junior apprentice program that's open to all budding entrepreneurs? If the criteria is to help disadvantaged folks, then why not have such a competition where entry is based on other demographic factors such as household income and such. Any criteria but sex or race. I firmly believe sex and race need to disappear as issues in our society, although there's still some room for improvement (we still do not have genuine equality, IMHO). But I wonder how much affirmative programs actually perpetuate the equality gap as opposed to closing it. 

This is a question, far more than a challenge. I for one, haven't made up my mind either way and welcome a little persuasion.

That said, it is incumbent upon people who prefer these fireworks use them responsibly and refrain from infringing on other's rights to safety. 

 

Personal fireworks are noisy, dangerous, and ridiculously expensive, so I choose to refrain from their use, but I believe others should have the right to enjoy them on at least one evening of the year. 

 

The responsibility for protecting the individual right to purchase and enjoy fireworks belongs to the people who cherish it. It's their duty to police themselves and one another to ensure personal fireworks are responsibly enjoyed. Whenever fireworks are being misused, they are the ones who know and should do everything reasonable to protect the safety of themselves and others.  It cannot (nor should it be) left solely to law enforcement or (worse) city officials to protect us from ourselves. I appreciate laws which defend the responsible from the irresponsible, but restricting responsible individuals from enjoying fireworks (or many other things) is to cross the line from freedom to something different. 

 

If harm is caused by the abuse of personal fireworks, I believe the guilty should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. If the law is insufficient, then it should be strengthened. However, banning the use of personal fireworks because of the excesses of the minority is a further excess, this time of government. Personally I fear excessive government much more than I fear excessive revelry (to put it kindly) on the 4th of July. I humbly submit that history will bear the proof of this argument.

 

Naturally, in all situations and in all things excess should be avoided and that is as true with fireworks as it is with government.