NationStates Jolt Archive

Just this past Fourth of July, I found out that one of the areas that the city would normaly have fireworks was asked to stop because most of the people in that live in that area do not celebrate the holiday! Now I can understand how I would feel if someone was publicly celebrating something that I do not believe in, but then again this is not something like Christmas or Thanksgiving! This is a celebration of our freedom and independence! As well as the rights that go along with it. Now I ask you, why move to a country that will give you freedom of speach, the right to vote, woman rights, and freedom of religion (those just being a few off the top of my head) and at least allow us to to celebrate in our own country the way we see fit? I mean its not like we do not let them build there own places of worship and have their own celebrated holidays off from their jobs. Well I am going to stop here becasue if I don't I will keep on going. Please, I really want to know what all of you think about this.

That is ridiculous.

Im curious as to why they dont celebrate the 4th.

Im curious as to why they dont celebrate the 4th.

Maybe celebration is against their religion? Maybe they don't like the #4? Maybe fireworks give them gas?

Who knows... I'm kinda curious, too.

Just this past Fourth of July, I found out that one of the areas that the city would normaly have fireworks was asked to stop because most of the people in that live in that area do not celebrate the holiday! Now I can understand how I would feel if someone was publicly celebrating something that I do not believe in, but then again this is not something like Christmas or Thanksgiving! This is a celebration of our freedom and independence! As well as the rights that go along with it. Now I ask you, why move to a country that will give you freedom of speach, the right to vote, woman rights, and freedom of religion (those just being a few off the top of my head) and at least allow us to to celebrate in our own country the way we see fit? I mean its not like we do not let them build there own places of worship and have their own celebrated holidays off from their jobs. Well I am going to stop here becasue if I don't I will keep on going. Please, I really want to know what all of you think about this.
I agree with you.

The complainants may have been Jehova's Witnesses, who also don't salute the flag and stuff like that because it's a "graven image", whatever that really means, and thus detracts from the glory of God. Personally, I think God can take it -- true He was rather petty in the Old Testament, but He's better now.

Personally, I get pissed at pyrotechnicist wannabees whose misguided celebrations land on my bloody roof. That and not having the decenct to realize that the holiday was on a weekday this year and some of us had to work the next day. We license guns, why not fireworks? You'd think that someday, we Americans would lay down our explosives and leave it to the professionals, whose shows are better than anything you can do in your back yard by an order of magnitude, and cost you nothing. Why spend money just to set it ablaze? Oh well. Look for consistency here and you'll look a long time.

The complainants may have been Jehova's Witnesses, who also don't salute the flag and stuff like that because it's a "graven image", whatever that really means, and thus detracts from the glory of God. Personally, I think God can take it -- true He was rather petty in the Old Testament, but He's better now.

What bothers me is that they think celebrating is a one way ticket to hell. If you give to the poor, help the sick and the dying, and in general follow the teachings of Jesus/God/Whoever, I dont think God would overlook all that just because you celebrate the fourth.

As you said, they have freedom of speech, freedom of thought etc. Therefore, it's their right not to want rockets fired off in their neighbourhood. Meybe they have small children who get scared, or animals etc. To start attacking them (I couldn't find a better word, sorry) for exercising their rights, which you yourself said that they did not have before - I'm curious, where did they come from?-, is pretty hypocritical to me. They choose not to celebrate. Do you also dislike people who choose not to vote (this is an honest question)? Or do you just dislike it because it has effect on you?

Show me in the Bible where it says God will make you smoke a turd in Hell for lighting fireworks (or watching fireworks).

As you said, they have freedom of speech, freedom of thought etc. Therefore, it's their right not to want rockets fired off in their neighbourhood. Meybe they have small children who get scared, or animals etc. To start attacking them (I couldn't find a better word, sorry) for exercising their rights, which you yourself said that they did not have before - I'm curious, where did they come from?-, is pretty hypocritical to me. They choose not to celebrate. Do you also dislike people who choose not to vote (this is an honest question)? Or do you just dislike it because it has effect on you?
Nobody said they had to join in. If a group of people are homophobic does that mean there can be no St. Patricks Day parade? Wait. Well, you get what I mean.

That ridiculous. Those people need to wake up to the fact that they were able to speak out publicly against a holiday that many of us hold dear BECAUSE of Indpendence Day. :headbang:

What Is [America] Coming To?
See, America is not the world.

Don't assume the other 95% care whether or not some neighbourhood has a fireworks display in the approved manner.

Nobody said they had to join in. If a group of people are homophobic does that mean there can be no St. Patricks Day parade? Wait. Well, you get what I mean.
Yeah, I know what you mean :p But still, all they did was ask them not to shoot (I have no idea what the term really is) firework there, right? The ones responsible for it could've just said no.

Oh, and I know I'm not making much sense. I'm in a weird mood today.

Show me in the Bible where it says God will make you smoke a turd in Hell for lighting fireworks (or watching fireworks).
That's a J-W thing. They interpret the Bible literally and that includes a lot of the OT. I haven't had a Watchtower peddler at my door in some time, but I'll ask the next time one shows up (they don't last long against the cold in NoDak).

See, America is not the world.

Don't assume the other 95% care whether or not some neighbourhood has a fireworks display in the approved manner.
I remember several great New Year's celebrations in Germany.

We ran outside (I, the lone American, with a large number of native Germans) and fired our pistols in the air (civilian weapons, not military).

Great fun, and though many of the neighbors watched us do this, no one called the police.

See, America is not the world.

Don't assume the other 95% care whether or not some neighbourhood has a fireworks display in the approved manner.
See now, I was gonna post something like that, but I didn't know how to do it without sounding snarky or getting my patriotism questioned (being from the US myself). Thank you for posting what I was trying to think.

Because we're living in a democratic-fascist time period. Why should what any celebrates offend people? You know, besides the polygamy, I got no problems with Muslims. If they dropped that I'd probably consider The Muslim faith. And if they won't, then stay out of my country!:upyours:

But if they keep the laws of the U.S. then by all means celebrate your holiday.. The problem with our society is they're obsessed and engrossed in absolutes, that's why it's so easy for them to blame other people of it. Cause they're guilty of it themselves.

Put it this way: Liberals can't stand the idea of thier liberties being restricted, so much so, they're willing to put lives indanger, hell, they kill children already in the name of freedom. They're extreme and dangerous. So liberty comes at other's expense, and sense we're struggeling to not get screwed out of our liberties, we never have a chance to enjoy them.

Conservatives can't stand the idea of security being taken away, so much so, they're willing to completely stampout our taxes to fund this stupid war, when we could be having security right at home with a healthcare plan and stuff, but instead we're burning money over some guy who was an asshole to his people.

Talk to a conservative about birth control, and they freakout, cause they're obsessed and can't see some healthy middle ground.

Talk to a liberal about abortion ban, and they feakout, cause they're obsessed and can't see some healthy middle ground.

This is why most of my friends are Canadian.

That's a J-W thing. They interpret the Bible literally and that includes a lot of the OT. I haven't had a Watchtower peddler at my door in some time, but I'll ask the next time one shows up (they don't last long against the cold in NoDak).
My brother scared 'em off for good about a year ago. He's a pretty big guy, and so he opened the door, shaved head, lot's of tatoos, holding a baseball bat and he wasn't entirely non-drunk. They never came back :p

I remember several great New Year's celebrations in Germany.

We ran outside (I, the lone American, with a large number of native Germans) and fired our pistols in the air (civilian weapons, not military).

Great fun, and though many of the neighbors watched us do this, no one called the police.
[Gentle kidding because I know you're a patriot and respect that]
Any idea where your rounds came down? And celebrating like the terrorists do, for shame!
[/Gentle kidding...]

See now, I was gonna post something like that, but I didn't know how to do it without sounding snarky or getting my patriotism questioned (being from the US myself). Thank you for posting what I was trying to think.
I just took it as a phrase she used. Like, "What on earth are you doing?" Said in a space ship, this literally makes no sense. But most people get what you are saying and move on.

That's a J-W thing. They interpret the Bible literally and that includes a lot of the OT. I haven't had a Watchtower peddler at my door in some time, but I'll ask the next time one shows up (they don't last long against the cold in NoDak).
I've had them at my door many a time. When they ask me if I've found Jesus, I ask them "when was he lost?"

I then turn and call upstairs as though I'm calling a family member - "JESUS! Are you still in your room?"

Some have become convinced that I'm mad, and flee.

Because we're living in a democratic-fascist time period. Why should what any celebrates offend people? You know, besides the polygamy, I got no problems with Muslims. If they dropped that I'd probably consider The Muslim faith. And if they won't, then stay out of my country!:upyours:

But if they keep the laws of the U.S. then by all means celebrate your holiday.. The problem with our society is they're obsessed and engrossed in absolutes, that's why it's so easy for them to blame other people of it. Cause they're guilty of it themselves.

Put it this way: Liberals can't stand the idea of thier liberties being restricted, so much so, they're willing to put lives indanger, hell, they kill children already in the name of freedom. They're extreme and dangerous. So liberty comes at other's expense, and sense we're struggeling to not get screwed out of our liberties, we never have a chance to enjoy them.

Conservatives can't stand the idea of security being taken away, so much so, they're willing to completely stampout our taxes to fund this stupid war, when we could be having security right at home with a healthcare plan and stuff, but instead we're burning money over some guy who was an asshole to his people.

Talk to a conservative about birth control, and they freakout, cause they're obsessed and can't see some healthy middle ground.

Talk to a liberal about abortion ban, and they feakout, cause they're obsessed and can't see some healthy middle ground.

This is why most of my friends are Canadian.
Wow.

Just, wow.

If you generalized any further...y'know, I can't even come up with an anaology, I'm so stunned that anyone really believes what you've posted.

You know, besides the polygamy, I got no problems with Muslims. If they dropped that I'd probably consider The Muslim faith. And if they won't, then stay out of my country!:upyours:

I...uh...what?

First of all, why does polygamy offend you. Second, do you know WHY they allow polygamy?

If this was a joke, sorry.

Because we're living in a democratic-fascist time period. Why should what any celebrates offend people? You know, besides the polygamy, I got no problems with Muslims. If they dropped that I'd probably consider The Muslim faith. And if they won't, then stay out of my country!:upyours:

But if they keep the laws of the U.S. then by all means celebrate your holiday.. The problem with our society is they're obsessed and engrossed in absolutes, that's why it's so easy for them to blame other people of it. Cause they're guilty of it themselves.

Put it this way: Liberals can't stand the idea of thier liberties being restricted, so much so, they're willing to put lives indanger, hell, they kill children already in the name of freedom. They're extreme and dangerous. So liberty comes at other's expense, and sense we're struggeling to not get screwed out of our liberties, we never have a chance to enjoy them.

Conservatives can't stand the idea of security being taken away, so much so, they're willing to completely stampout our taxes to fund this stupid war, when we could be having security right at home with a healthcare plan and stuff, but instead we're burning money over some guy who was an asshole to his people.

Talk to a conservative about birth control, and they freakout, cause they're obsessed and can't see some healthy middle ground.

Talk to a liberal about abortion ban, and they feakout, cause they're obsessed and can't see some healthy middle ground.

This is why most of my friends are Canadian.
My girlfriend didn't have an abortion as some sort of public message. She has a T-Shirt for that.

See now, I was gonna post something like that, but I didn't know how to do it without sounding snarky or getting my patriotism questioned (being from the US myself). Thank you for posting what I was trying to think.
Heh, feel free to speak your mind. I think it's a shame worldly or well-travelled Americans don't make their views known more often, and instead leave the provincial types to speak for their nation, compounding its isolation.

Because we're living in a democratic-fascist time period. Why should what any celebrates offend people? You know, besides the polygamy, I got no problems with Muslims. If they dropped that I'd probably consider The Muslim faith. And if they won't, then stay out of my country!:upyours:

But if they keep the laws of the U.S. then by all means celebrate your holiday.. The problem with our society is they're obsessed and engrossed in absolutes, that's why it's so easy for them to blame other people of it. Cause they're guilty of it themselves.

Put it this way: Liberals can't stand the idea of thier liberties being restricted, so much so, they're willing to put lives indanger, hell, they kill children already in the name of freedom. They're extreme and dangerous. So liberty comes at other's expense, and sense we're struggeling to not get screwed out of our liberties, we never have a chance to enjoy them.

Conservatives can't stand the idea of security being taken away, so much so, they're willing to completely stampout our taxes to fund this stupid war, when we could be having security right at home with a healthcare plan and stuff, but instead we're burning money over some guy who was an asshole to his people.

Talk to a conservative about birth control, and they freakout, cause they're obsessed and can't see some healthy middle ground.

Talk to a liberal about abortion ban, and they feakout, cause they're obsessed and can't see some healthy middle ground.

This is why most of my friends are Canadian.
So now you want shades of grey? Okay, you're freakin' me out.


I don't understand why people need to think that everything is so damned black-and-white.
Because more and more people say the world is shades of gray, and society seems to suck more and more. I don't understand how supposedly intillegent people can't see a simple pattern right infront of thier eyeballs..


You're trying to have it both ways.

Heh, feel free to speak your mind. I think it's a shame worldly or well-travelled Americans don't make their views known more often, and instead leave the provincial types to speak for their nation, compounding its isolation.
Well, the attention goes to the loudest, and reasoned arguments are almost never loud. That's why I like to borrow from my favorite comedians. They've figured out how to make a point I can stand behind and make it loud.

I get very uncomfortable in some places in my country. I spent a summer in Texas, and the number of times I bit my tongue in order to not piss off my then-finacee was beyond counting. Texas had an ad slogan for tourism a while back: "Texas, it's like a whole 'nother country". Boy, was that right.

Well, the attention goes to the loudest, and reasoned arguments are almost never loud. That's why I like to borrow from my favorite comedians. They've figured out how to make a point I can stand behind and make it loud.

I get very uncomfortable in some places in my country. I spent a summer in Texas, and the number of times I bit my tongue in order to not piss off my then-finacee was beyond counting. Texas had an ad slogan for tourism a while back: "Texas, it's like a whole 'nother country". Boy, was that right.

What didn't you like about Texas?

What didn't you like about Texas?

Only steers and queers come from Texas. To the contrary of everyone elses beliefs, I disliked the steers.

Im curious as to why they dont celebrate the 4th.

American holiday, Not a world holiday

Maybe celebration is against their religion? Maybe they don't like the #4? Maybe fireworks give them gas?

Who knows... I'm kinda curious, too.
Jehovah's witnesses, probably...

American holiday, Not a world holiday

I assumed we were talking about America, because we are the only country who normally celebrates the 4th of July.

What didn't you like about Texas?
There's this whole mentality that if something is reckless, dangerous, mean or offensive, "that's just Texas". And this is from people like my ex who were from there and found some accepted behaviors to be stupid. They think this, but then brush it all off with this state-level equivalent of "boys will be boys", or I guess "Bubbas will be Bubbas".

Don't get me wrong, I'd go back for the food in San Antonio, the music in Austin, the history in Galveston and lost of other stuff, but no way could I ever live there.

I assumed we were talking about America, because we are the only country who normally celebrates the 4th of July.
We are, but some like to nit-pick the thread title because "The World" isn't coming to anything with regard to Independence Day, just the US. Really kinda intellectually parimonious, but I say let the non-Americans have their fun. Sometimes I think we here in the US are doing Europe a service by giving them something to bitch about. Keeps them from focusing on themselves.

Im curious as to why they dont celebrate the 4th.
Commies.