BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 17 Nov 18 - 10:39 AM

Going back to the extra work the Fire and Rescue crews have to do on and around November 5th, it is outrageous that they are getting attacked while carrying out their duties, bricks and stones hurled at them, etc. So they send in the Police to protect them, and they get attacked too. Whole streets are having to be barricaded off in some parts of our and other cities.
And agree with Mossman: you can give your doggies all the pills you like but they will rapidly become re-infested/infected with the various pathogens listed.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Mossback
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 02:37 PM

Ah, but it IS an issue, despite what the few responsible owners do & because for some of these pathogens there are no preventative medications.

Remember that next time your dog licks its ass and then licks your face, or when your young children get into dogshit that no-one has picked up.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 01:58 PM

However responsible dog owners ensure that dogs are treated with preventive medications so the above listed are not an issue!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Mossback
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 10:16 AM

dog poo isn't very nice, fireworks are actually dangerous.

Dog poo can in fact be quite dangerous- it commonly transmits Whipworms, Hookworms, Roundworms, Tapeworms, Parvovirus, Coronavirus, Giardiasis, Salmonellosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Campylobacteriosis & a host od other diseases & parasites.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 09:46 AM

I meant that we don't install gizmos which limit the speed of cars. Sorry!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 09:31 AM

No, Jos. I think the point is that going over the speed limit is illegal but not actually banned. In fact, if you drive a BMW, they are only there to be ignored...

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 09:29 AM

I actually see what Steve means. Banning everything is a bit swingeing and curmudgeonly.
I just think that some form of regulation and control is in order.

With organised public displays people could still enjoy themselves but dangers and nuisance would be reduced.

And while dog poo isn't very nice, fireworks are actually dangerous.

I think Steve should be allowed to poo when he wishes. As long as he limits the decibels of his explosions.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 08:51 AM

Should Steve be banned from defecation?
If you find the idea repugnant, vote no more pooping by Steve - unless he becomes a dog lover.

Steve I suggest a fast.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Jos
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 08:36 AM

"We don't restrict cars to maximum speeds just because some people speed."

Oh, I thought we did.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 08:16 AM

"Not only that, but in some areas they're chucked at people's windows, through their letterboxes and at passing cars."

By the same logic, we should ban all dogs because a few people leave dog shit lying around (more than a few, as it happens). I don't like the idea of banning things because of abuse by minorities. We don't restrict cars to maximum speeds just because some people speed. We don't ban all gambling or boozing because a minority become addicts. We don't ban food packaging because some people leave litter. Etcetera.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 05:03 AM

Fuck off Steve.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 04:00 AM

The thing is Steve, I don't just object to public access to fire works on behalf of the dogs. It's the dreadfully loud noise which disturbs humans too, and goes on until late at night for weeks.

I also fear for the safety of the users. A&E see loads of burns and injuries when youngsters misuse them or fling them around.

Not only that, but in some areas they're chucked at people's windows, through their letterboxes and at passing cars.

And of course the poor fire fighters have leave cancelled for 5th November (possibly the preceding week too) and spend the entire time flying about dousing no end of conflagrations.

If displays were restricted to local Council ones, people could enjoy the fireworks under safe conditions, the time for loud bangs would have a limit and none of the above problems would occur.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 03:46 AM

"Sadly, I expect them to come up with the old "The majority of the public use fireworks sensibly and responsibly" chestnut, but they wouldn't say that if they had to endure the equivalent of the opening barrage of The Battle of The Somme for the best part of a fortnight every autumn."

"The majority of dog lovers, allegedly, pick up their cur turds responsibly, but the rest of us have to endure the piles of shite from the rest for 365 days a year."

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 03:40 AM

Ha Bwdsm, I went with my husband on the plane to Edinburgh a couple of years ago, and my sister and I took him to the Castle. He was amazed and delighted (he loves History)
We arrived on the ramparts just as they were preparing the gun, and they fired it with military precision.
He then asked me if it was 'pour décourager les anglais?'. Actually, I shouldn't wonder if he was partly right!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 03:28 AM

I've stood by that gun (or as close as they allow the public, which is surprisingly close) as it was fired - one bang at a set time, once a day, seems very reasonable to me, and the touristas love it.

Damned if I can remember what time they fired it though! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 03:24 AM

Well done Bwdsm, I think you may be right though. There's money to be made selling fireworks, and the Government might be labelled 'Killjoys'.
Talking of loud bangs, on the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle they fire a very loud gun at 1pm every day. When I used to live there, I was once asked by an obviously tourist couple on Princes Street, "Excuse me, do you know what time they fire the one o'clock gun?" I dissolved into giggles...

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 12:52 AM

Just had an email from the government Petition Site regarding the outcome of a petition I signed to ban public sale of fireworks, and restrict firework use to licensed public displays only.

Obviously there are a lot of people who feel the same as I do - at least 100,000 of us - because the issue will be debated in the HoC on 26th November. I hold out very little hope of anything changing, but at least the issue has been put on MPs' radar. Sadly, I expect them to come up with the old "The majority of the public use fireworks sensibly and responsibly" chestnut, but they wouldn't say that if they had to endure the equivalent of the opening barrage of The Battle of The Somme for the best part of a fortnight every autumn.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Mossback
Date: 13 Nov 18 - 10:34 AM

Interesting fact-


If you put all the American dogs, cats and other pets on their own island, they would rank fifth in global meat consumption, behind Russia, Brazil, the U.S. and China.

Without cutting the overconsumption of meat by pets ... it will be almost impossible to prevent global warming from passing the danger level of a 2 degrees Celsius temperature rise.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dogs-environment-cats-pets-food-meat_us_5be94743e4b0e84388999f40

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 09 Nov 18 - 08:35 AM

Ugh poo AND sick! That's awful Bwdm. Some dogs like rolling in horse manure don't they?

Our stables sell bagged-up 'well-rotted' manure for 50p a go at the gates of their establishment.

I've just mucked out our cats' litter tray (I do it every day) and I agree it must be very annoying if cat-owners let their cats deposit all that in their neighbours' gardens.

In our last house, the huge garden (half an acre) was great for our five cats to use, not to mention the set-aside field beyond, separated only by a shallow ditch. So I'd say no-one has ever been troubled by cat poo from our moggies.

It's our Wedding Anniversary on Sunday (Remembrance Day, so no excuse for His Nibs to forget eh?) and I'm tempted to have my revenge and set off a myriad fireworks for two solid hours. I could say it's in honour of the Armistice or something. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 09 Nov 18 - 08:23 AM

Well I wish your residents resided where I reside, Sen - we Have a National Cycle Route near here, where I used to take my dog for long off-lead walks. But I gave up because of the huge quantities of horse-shite lying around, which my dog would invariably eat while I was otherwise occupied picking his turds up, and then he'd be sick. Talk about insult to injury! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 09 Nov 18 - 08:11 AM

We have a riding stables in our village, and any manure on the road gets gathered up immediately by residents for putting on the rhubarb or the roses.
(Couldn't imagine doing that with dog poo though)

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 09 Nov 18 - 07:33 AM

I wonder why nobody complains when spoilt little madams on their posh-girl ponies ride blithely on after their Smelly mounts drop half-a-hundredweight of steaming shite on the footpaths i use. Now that's really something worth pissing and moaning about.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 Nov 18 - 06:15 AM

Well I certainly find something a little imperialistic about dog-lovers wanting to ban other people's fun because it upsets their delicate pooches once a year. Man up, hounds!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 09 Nov 18 - 04:20 AM

Hahahaa! This thread should now have the title changed to 'Should Dogs Be Banned?' or perhaps 'Should Poo Be Banned?'

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Thompson
Date: 09 Nov 18 - 02:46 AM

Yeah, it's like the enraged drivers who point to empty bike lanes as they sit in traffic jams and say the emptiness proves they're unused. Nope, the emptiness proves that someone on a bike can whizz along and disappear while they're looking down at their phone to check Facebook!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 09 Nov 18 - 02:33 AM

"Well, I could go around the walks round here and take photos of the turds to show you, but I'd need a very large memory card and in any case I prefer to gaze heavenwards to view the clouds and the stars. There's an obvious risk in that, of course. After all, I wouldn't be watching out for cur turds."

Yes, Steve, you're correct - **some** irresponsible owners don't clean up their dogs' shit, the evidence of that is there for all to see, and I deplore the anti-social attitude of those people just as much as you do. But there is no evidence of the number of owners who pick it up, because....they've picked it up!

So your broad-brush, unverifiable statement, "No it bloody isn't. It's most dog-owners, who pick up the shit only when someone has seen them, and a healthy minority of those are the tree-slingers." doesn't hold water and, if you don't understand that fact, you're really not much of a 'scientist' are you?

And as for, "I mean, who'd want to tote a fresh dog turd around for miles? Indeed, who'd want to feel the lovely, soft, smelly warmth of that turd through a thin plastic bag anyway?", the answer is, "Probably nobody, but we do it as a matter of social conscience". I certainly do, and so do the fairly wide circle of dog-owners I com into contact with - including when I'm out in the fields alone with my dog, because I know that dog-shit is poisonous to sheep, and pretty bad for wild-life in general.

Now, when you had your cat(s), how fastidious were you about following them around and recovering their shit from wherever they left it? Let me guess - not at all.

People, glasshouses, stones.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Thompson
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 11:37 PM

Heh, Donuel!

Steve Shaw, it really sounds as if someone or some people is/are letting dogs out to roam.

If I had my way, people would have to have a licence to own a dog - yeah, I know they do, and no, I don't mean like that. I mean only people who had the proven civility to live in society should be able to apply for such a licence and be examined for it.

For instance, a few years ago I met a particularly lovely lurcher on our rather traffic-heavy street. I took her in and found that she had an ID tag, but the number on it rang out. In the morning I rang again - it was a city council number because she'd been a rescue dog. The council staff said they'd ring the owner.

So I waited, and after a while I got a call from a sleepy-sounding man who said he'd let his dog out to have a trot around the night before, and could I keep her for a few hours more because he'd come home on a long flight the night before and needed more sleep! I was to drop her around, rather than him collecting her. Or I could just let her out and she'd come back.

It must be 10 years since this happened and I'm still raging!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 09:21 PM

dog do, really/I know it sounds disgusting, but its a thing you have to do,If you live with mans best friend you have to pick up poo!They come in different sizes, that's the poo's not the dogs,Thats why I chose a little pooch, I don't want to pick up logs! Now if my fury friend goes to toilet in the garden, I tend to get sense of joy, if I find a harden. Because picking up the soft ones is really quite a task, Especially if the lawn needs mowing, your bag fills up with grass! I like to try and keep my lawn, tidy, short and trim,
I can then spot poo's a mile off and get them bin. Autumn makes things tricky when the leaves fall to the ground. Its like playing spot the poo in the different shades of brown! Now if your doggy likes to run to do his poop in peace, Finding it to pick it up is frustrating to say the least. In the winters frosty air, its not so difficult as it seems, The poop will show you where it is, just look out for the steam. I get in quite a pickle if my dog poops in a place, Where other dogs have done their business, a dilemma I must face. Poop Identification, is it mines, or is it not, But I know if I get the right one, as I grab it, its still hot!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 06:41 PM

Well, I could go around the walks round here and take photos of the turds to show you, but I'd need a very large memory card and in any case I prefer to gaze heavenwards to view the clouds and the stars. There's an obvious risk in that, of course. After all, I wouldn't be watching out for cur turds.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 12:47 PM

You really must stop making these broad-brush, sweeping, unverifiable statements (which, by virtue of lack of proof, could easily be construed as hysterical lies), Steve.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 12:41 PM

Dog owners in our village are usually excellent about picking up the poo. I wonder if someone's dog was roaming about unattended?

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Thompson
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 12:05 PM

Well, I walked my dog for 17 years, and the number of times I was caught out without a bag would be under five; even then, if possible I went back with a bag and picked up later.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 12:00 PM

Those are the ones you see, and who have seen you see. Watch the ones who haven't seen you see them. No picky-up!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Thompson
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 10:57 AM

In my experience, most dog owners pick it up and dispose of it where there are bins. Where there aren't…

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 10:49 AM

"But its only a small minority who let other dog-lovers down..."

No it bloody isn't. It's most dog-owners, who pick up the shit only when someone has seen them, and a healthy minority of those are the tree-slingers. I mean, who'd want to tote a fresh dog turd around for miles? Indeed, who'd want to feel the lovely, soft, smelly warmth of that turd through a thin plastic bag anyway?

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 10:24 AM

The ones who really get me are those who DO pick up their dog mess in a plastic bag, but then leave the bag on the pavement, grass verge, or worse still, sling the bags up into trees, where they remain dangling from high branches. Just WHAT is that all about?
Would like to put a great big firework under people who do that!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 09:01 AM

We've just got home from shopping, and there were a couple of gigantic dog turds on our drive, near the pavement. Some blasted dog owner hadn't bothered to clear up after their animal.
Husband fetched a shovel and some newspaper, and dealt with the mess.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Thompson
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 08:46 AM

Incidentally, I'd have sympathy with Steve Shaw's feelings about dogs. A lot of people (not me, I say with a saintly smirk) bring up their dogs to be very dislikeable - pushy and unmannerly, even if it's expressed as waggishness. Anyone who takes on a dog should train it to be civil; it may have to look for another home, and it has a far lower chance if it's a pushy or unpleasant dog.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: leeneia
Date: 08 Nov 18 - 01:26 AM

That's the kind of experience that convinces kids that deep down, adults are really nuts.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 07 Nov 18 - 02:30 PM

I've taken pupils of around eight years old to Norwich Castle many a time, and they were horrified at the cruel things that the guide showed them.
I reckon though that they were already in 'fear mode' as he'd turned off the lights to show what it was like for prisoners in the deepest dungeons. It always stayed dark for just a bit too long...

I often felt a little hand grope for mine and another one holding on to my coat before the lights went on again.

I wasn't feeling too chipper myself to be honest!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: keberoxu
Date: 07 Nov 18 - 01:40 PM

Senoufou/Eliza, the story that sticks in my mind
about the Tower of London
is the tourist family who had boys under the age of ten.
The boys were utterly fascinated with all the torture details,
and the tour guide was hard put to conceal his amusement --
"boys that age" and so on.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 07 Nov 18 - 01:28 PM

Someone mentioned N Ireland way back, and I mentioned Edinburgh Festival Fireworks. My brother-in-law is from NI and had never ever seen fireworks before we took him to the Festival Fireworks a few years back. Talk about a wee bairn (he's over 6ft tall) in a sweetie shop!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Nov 18 - 03:23 PM

So you're a dog-lover then, John... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 06 Nov 18 - 02:33 PM

Looking at the tropical trees in the background Bwsm, it could be somewhere in Africa. And the chanting sounds a bit African too.

It's odd to think that terrorism with explosives existed even in 1605. But the torture of Fawkes was disgusting and unnecessary. However, in those times it was considered perfectly acceptable to inflict barbaric and agonising torture methods to extract information.

We visited the Tower of London a few years ago, and my husband was horrified at the rack and other cruel items to be seen there. Similar items are on show in the dungeons of Norwich Castle. We wondered about the type of men who were prepared to do this work for payment (ie executioners, rack turners, red-hot iron pincer appliers and so on) Horrible.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Thompson
Date: 06 Nov 18 - 01:43 PM

"It's simple. I would rather hack off my dangly bits with a rusty machete than share my life with a dog"

Check out what they did to Guy Fawkes…

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 Nov 18 - 10:31 AM

Sorry Sen, a buddy of mine shared it on FB but made no comment about where or when it was videoed. I reckon he was either very grave or very foolish!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 06 Nov 18 - 08:04 AM

Good grief Backwoodsman, that was hair-raising! Any idea which country the chap was in? I can't imagine it was UK. He could have literally blown his face off!

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 Nov 18 - 04:44 AM

That's the way to do it... :-) :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Senoufou
Date: 06 Nov 18 - 03:53 AM

So Steve, not all that fond of dogs then?

Subject: RE: BS: Should Fireworks Be Banned?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 06 Nov 18 - 02:43 AM

"It's simple. I would rather hack off my dangly bits with a rusty machete than share my life with a dog"
I can think of a few human beings I feel that about - only a few though
Jim