# To my patriotic neighbor **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 6, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507 "2003-07-06T04:16:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/1 "2003-07-06T04:16:56Z")
I realize how good and All-American you are and how you are bursting your buttons with pride and patriotism but the next time you have a three-hour fireworks extravaganza that lasts well past midnight in our quiet, suburban subdivision I will not only call the cops but I will tell them that some of the explosions sound different and, my God, was that GUNFIRE?!?!? And if that doesn’t get results the nice folks at America’s Most Wanted might like to hear that the most heinous bastard on this week’s show looks just like the guy who lives behind me and one door down. Sorry, but my wife worked on the Fourth and she worked today and she needs her sleep. My dogs piss in the house when they are scared. And the sulfurous cloud of gunsmoke you left hanging over our end of the block should prepare you for the place I hope you go. ---
**Author:** ![Necromancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@Necromancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necromancer)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/2 "2003-07-06T04:23:26Z")
Sorry to read about your thoughtless neighbour, **dropzone**. I hope your wife finally got some sleep and I hope your dogs have settled down. Why don’t people know that fireworks scare the hell out of dogs? The poor things are usually petrified and that’s why so many run away after a night of fireworks going off. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/3 "2003-07-06T04:57:14Z")
OTOH, I had one that was a natural gundog and she’d get HAPPILY excited by explosions. But our collie was running with a pack when she was picked up and the rest were corralled and shot so she doesn’t handle gunfire well. ---
**Author:** ![rolandgunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cdc98d/32.png) [@rolandgunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rolandgunslinger)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/4 "2003-07-06T05:02:09Z")
That sucks…My neighbors did the same phucking thing last night! Problem is I live in a rural area and its not illegal. At least me and my wife did’nt have to go to work. You have my sympathey. By the way, my dogs do te same thing(and I just got new carpet) ---
**Author:** ![Necromancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@Necromancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necromancer)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/5 "2003-07-06T05:02:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dropzone \* > \*\*But our collie was running with a pack when she was picked up and the rest were corralled and shot so she doesn’t handle gunfire well. \*\* I’m not surprised, the poor thing. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/6 "2003-07-06T05:53:50Z")
4th of July? Fireworks? Might want to learn to go with the flow on that one. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/7 "2003-07-06T07:37:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Muffin \* > \*\*4th of July? Fireworks? Might want to learn to go with the flow on that one. \*\* I would say that too, I’m 100% pro-adult use of fireworks during the 4th… except the OP stated this went on after midnight. 10p.m. is usually the cut off for any loud noise in most municipalities. Once it’s 10p.m. the noise has to stop or citations should be issued. Another thing…seeing the 4th was on a friday, sunday the 6th is the last day fireworks should be used. After that they should be put away for next year. I’m extremely vocal on the issue of fireworks freedom, but there is no reason to be popping them off at late hours and well after the holiday is over. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/8 "2003-07-06T07:49:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pkbites \* > Another thing…seeing the 4th was on a friday, sunday the 6th is the last day fireworks should be used. After that they should be put away for next year. What, not even for Chinese New Year? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Chaco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Chaco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chaco)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/9 "2003-07-06T08:07:08Z")
People started celebrating on Thursday in my neighborhood. I was in a deep sleep when all of sudden I heard boom. Not just any boom, a boom that sounded like someone had bombed the neighborhood. I could not believe it. It was three in the fucking morning and these assholes were setting off what seemed to be dynamite. My whole family woke up in terror. I would have said something to them if they weren’t gang members. We have lived here for 27 years yet Thursday and Friday seemed unusually explosive. Ahhh, urban living. Maybe my neighbors are the ones who have the WMDs. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/10 "2003-07-06T11:28:21Z")
\ Some fireworks allowed during Chinese New Year under supervision, otherwise, neighborhood almost entirely quiet, dogs a-snoozing away. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/11 "2003-07-06T12:03:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pkbites \* > \*\*10p.m. is usually the cut off for any loud noise in most municipalities. Once it’s 10p.m. the noise has to stop or citations should be issued. \*\* Our city (Thunder Bay) waits for dark before setting off fireworks on July 1 Canada Day, which is well after 10 p.m. here. ---
**Author:** ![karomon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@karomon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karomon)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/12 "2003-07-06T15:26:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mehitabel \* > **\** Ha! You don’t live in my neighborhood. It was BOOM BOOM KA-POW all night long. Not that I mind. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/13 "2003-07-06T15:45:55Z")
My brother and I meet at our dad’s house to put on a fireworks show for our kids and family. My brother’s dog, an aging Rottweiler, isn’t afraid of the fireworks. In fact, she’s rather aggressive towards them when they’re ground level. The kind that spin and flame on the ground drive her insane. She barks and tries to bite them. One would think the heat from the flame would convince her to give up, but year after year she repeats the attack. With some of the larger effects, she has to be physically restrained to keep from getting hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/14 "2003-07-06T15:49:21Z")
Papa Tiger had to work the 4th (and the 5th and the 6th), and once again our drug dealer neighbors were out till about 2 a.m. – with their small children, yet again setting a fine example – shooting off fireworks, but waiting about 5-10 minutes between each explosion so we’d JUST get back to sleep when the next one would go off. Last year I went out on the night of the 6th when they were doing it for the third night in a row and yelled at them about it, and the bitch accused ME of being rude. This in a neighborhood where there’s not one light on on the whole street. This year I give up. Apparently they simply DO NOT CARE. And the cops won’t do anything; they live 1/2 block up the street and were out (earlier in the evening) shooting off their own (illegal) fireworks. At least Papa Tiger slept through it. How, I still don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/15 "2003-07-06T19:44:23Z")
Our neighbors set off a pretty good fireworks show, and I can’t say I minded much. It was still relatively early, and my girls loved it. I even helped with some ground effects (flashers and spinners) I had bought myself. What made me laugh was the crowd of drunken men who suddenly broke out into their own, off-key rendition of “God Bless America” and sang it all… the way… through. It was good for few laughs, which I tried desperately to keep to myself. Let’s just say they were no Whitney Houston… and I’m not even a Whitney Houston fan! ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/16 "2003-07-06T20:04:10Z")
When I was a tyke, one of our neighbours put on a terrific multi-hour show each year, for he woked at Hands Fireworks. Unfortunately, he lost his job when the factory blew up, so that put an end to our neighbourhood fun. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/17 "2003-07-06T20:42:51Z")
I am sure the Department of Homeland Security and UnAmerican Activities is taking good notes on those who are not patriotic enough that they would complain about the really patriotic who are expressing their support for whatever they should support in the traditional manner. You are either with us or against us, and all that. And if your dog shits on the carpet that’s a small price to pay for the freedoms we enjoy. Just think of those who are now in Iraq being shot at without even the benefit of a declared war. They are protecting your home so your dog can shit on the carpet. Or would you rather Saddam Hussein came and took your home and your dog? Because that’s what would happen if you don’t do enough fireworks. Just thank your neighbors and clean up after the dog. ---
**Author:** ![SnoopyFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@SnoopyFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnoopyFan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/18 "2003-07-06T22:21:10Z")
Fireworks only from the 4th to the 6th!? Wussies!!! The pyrotechnics start in some parts of West Virginia in late June 😛 ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/19 "2003-07-06T22:47:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Muffin \* > Unfortunately, he lost his job when the factory blew up \ Well, at least that must have been a pretty awesome show! :eek: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507/20 "2003-07-06T22:59:51Z")
Lit up the night sky from 20 miles away. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-patriotic-neighbor/186507.md?page=2)