Now Mexico

[Husar]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38387239

An explosion at a fireworks market outside Mexico City has killed at least 31 people, officials say.
More than 70 others were injured as the blast hit the San Pablito fireworks market in Tultepec, about 20 miles (32km) outside the city.

Are silvester celebrations really worth the risk of handling badly packaged explosive devices to civilians?

Every year people seem to lose eyes, hands and sometimes even lives just to let something explode in the air or even on the ground and have it fall back down as trash that they won't clean up.

http://www.statisticbrain.com/firework-statistics/

Number of serious injuries in the US each year by fireworks 9,300

Would it not be wiser to have these explosives handled by professionals who make fireworks for the entire city to see?

That is taking the easily-made assumption that some kind of fireworks mishandling was the cause of this and not some evil intent.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38387239



Are silvester celebrations really worth the risk of handling badly packaged explosive devices to civilians?

Every year people seem to lose eyes, hands and sometimes even lives just to let something explode in the air or even on the ground and have it fall back down as trash that they won't clean up.

http://www.statisticbrain.com/firework-statistics/



Would it not be wiser to have these explosives handled by professionals who make fireworks for the entire city to see?

That is taking the easily-made assumption that some kind of fireworks mishandling was the cause of this and not some evil intent.

Another episode in the classic dichotomy of freedom and security, Husar. Freedom exacts a price in security and security exacts a price in freedom. In balancing, I tend to favor freedom a bit over security, but it requires a balance.


And so far, all indications --including previous episodes at the same site in 2005 and 2006 -- suggest people flouting safety regulations and common sense are the likely cause.

[Pannonian]

Another episode in the classic dichotomy of freedom and security, Husar. Freedom exacts a price in security and security exacts a price in freedom. In balancing, I tend to favor freedom a bit over security, but it requires a balance.


And so far, all indications --including previous episodes at the same site in 2005 and 2006 -- suggest people flouting safety regulations and common sense are the likely cause.

One might argue that a more effective solution would be a compulsory ban on reproduction by idiots, but then such a solution would deprive us of the glory that is Jackass. Johnny Knoxville: now there's a man that even ex-Paras think is hardcore, cf. his standing in front of a discharging anti-riot weapon with no protection other than a hand in front of his face and another in front of his balls. And still standing afterwards.

[Husar]

Another episode in the classic dichotomy of freedom and security, Husar. Freedom exacts a price in security and security exacts a price in freedom. In balancing, I tend to favor freedom a bit over security, but it requires a balance.


And so far, all indications --including previous episodes at the same site in 2005 and 2006 -- suggest people flouting safety regulations and common sense are the likely cause.

Indeed, I would not exactly like to see a ban on fireworks, it was a more the idea of voluntary abstention that I was talking about.
I assume however, that the type of people who ignore all safety standards have a tendency to not think highly of voluntary abstention either.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

One might argue that a more effective solution would be a compulsory ban on reproduction by idiots, but then such a solution would deprive us of the glory that is Jackass. Johnny Knoxville: now there's a man that even ex-Paras think is hardcore, cf. his standing in front of a discharging anti-riot weapon with no protection other than a hand in front of his face and another in front of his balls. And still standing afterwards.

In Florida, you are required to obtain a government license to drive a car, sell insurance, sell real estate, own and use a firearm, hunt, fish, or even cut hair professionally. No license is required to breed. There are no age limits save those imposed by biology, there is no "bag" on the number, there are no inspectors or review process. No police officer can stop you and see to it that things are clean and maintained....

[Montmorency]

In Florida, you are required to obtain a government license to drive a car, sell insurance, sell real estate, own and use a firearm, hunt, fish, or even cut hair professionally. No license is required to breed. There are no age limits save those imposed by biology, there is no "bag" on the number, there are no inspectors or review process. No police officer can stop you and see to it that things are clean and maintained....

Life panels.