Tomorrow is Independence Day here in the U.S. It is a tradition to light fireworks, but in many states fireworks are now illegal. They are going the way of cigarettes in a bowling alley. An American staple now considered too dangerous for civil society.

I love fireworks. I love big ones, small ones, legal ones, illegal ones. I love ‘em all. I loved blowing the hell out of things with M-80s when I was kid – too bad those suckers are still illegal. I’ll be lighting fireworks tomorrow night and so will most of my neighbors. I can’t think of anything more ironic than a law against fireworks on Independence Day.

Peter Hartlaub writes a funny piece about Fireworks for the San Francisco Chronicle.

So here in the states – have a happy and free Independence Day everyone!

And if you’re going to shoot fireworks – have fun and don’t get caught.