Iowa lost its mind in 2017 when Terry Branstad signed into law and allowied category 2 fireworks to be sold legally in the state (category 1 are things like sparklers and the like). This past year, the governing Republican triumverate went a step further and said that cities have little say where they can be sold (even though cities and counties may continue to bar them from being set off in incorporated areas). Needless to say, the jury is back and has had enough, as places like my neighborhood sound like eastern Ukraine with explosions that can wake a sane person out of a night's sleep and cause pets to run for cover before, during, and after the 11 pm curfew for unincorporated areas. Also, there is no telling what effect it may have on the PTSD-suffering among us.
And I am not against fireworks, I know that all the cities of any size have wonderful displays of them annually and it is a, pardon the pun, blast to see them. But, seriously, unless you are a pyromaniac or have a death wish, you are as likely to end up in the hospital, lose some degree of hearing, and/or make some poor decisions if you are blowing off firecrackers for the fun of it. There were an estimated 11,500 emergency room-treated injuries involving fireworks in 2021. (down from 15,600 in 2020, when many public shows were canceled due to the pandemic). But the types of accidents seen ranged from burns, demolished eardrums, and, loss of limbs (e.g., hands, fingers).
From a story from today
At least three people — including a child — died and more were injured in fireworks accidents across America over the July 4 holiday.
In Montebello, California, police reportedly found a severely injured man unconscious and not breathing around 6:30 p.m. Monday. He died at a hospital and reportedly used illegal fireworks.
In Mount Vernon, Indiana, 11-year-old Camrynn Ray McMichael died in a firework accident Sunday night. Police were investigating his death.
Look, if you are in the highest-risk category, typically men between the ages of 20-24, and you want to do something fun with explosives, study, and become a professional demolitionist or pyrotechnician, heck even take up amateur or professional rocketry. But for the sake of those who value our freedom (of sleep), do us a solid and curb your enthusiasm. And to state lawmakers who thought it was a good idea to make it possible for others to profit from others' misery, you really can't call yourself a public servant can you?
In Iowa, if you want to let key legislators know what you think of the Senate File 2285 signed into law, here are a couple of folks to communicate with besides your own district's Representative and Senator:
Floor manager Mike Kelmish who also is on the Appropriations Subcommittee for Health and Human Services and the Legislative Council for Health Policy Oversight Committee
Legislative Email: mike.klimesh@legis.iowa.gov
Home Email: mike@graphicsinc.biz
In the House, it was floor managed by Brent Siegrist who sits on the local government committee:
Legislative Email: Brent.Siegrist@legis.iowa.gov
Home Email: siegrists1@cox.net
Also, since she signed the bill, you might also want to send a shoutout to Governor Kim Reynolds.
I'm tired of being tired and from June 1 to July 8th and late December, I have no right to sleep. Until I do, these leaders should be awakened to what they've created.
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