Copyright trinidadexpress
There have been several appeals to ban fireworks outright and a really heart and gut-wrenching account of a three-day old-baby who was traumatised by the loud explosions of fireworks. Can you imagine what would have happened to this baby’s heart rate? Not to mention the overload on his senses? Can we, in all good conscience, whether we were setting off fireworks or not, buying, selling, sit back and say, how horrible, and do nothing? If we can, there is nothing humane or just about us. The argument that fireworks are okay or not so bad because it’s just for a few hours, a few days out of the year is unbelievable. That’s like saying it is wrong to murder, steal, cheat and destroy but, if it is done for a few hours on designated days, there’s no problem. That’s insane! Add to that the warped and distorted thinking and reasoning that we are entitled to enjoy ourselves no matter the consequences despite the complaints of a few. We have also seen that the use of fireworks cannot be used responsibly in the hands of the citizens no matter how the seller or anyone else tries to justify it. The police have openly admitted that they are practically helpless to heed the myriad calls and cries of the affected. Our proclivity towards lawlessness is renowned. Why encourage it if we are indeed serious about addressing issues such as crime, corruption, cronyism and noise pollution? Furthermore, the permissiveness that has persisted regarding fireworks is very dangerous and has bred a total lack of responsibility. Irresponsibility undermines the very watchwords discipline, tolerance and dare I say, productivity, in terms of the kinds of citizens being formed or produced. If we are able to show some remorse for our actions as well as a level of humility sufficient to say this can’t go on because it is negatively impacting the lives of others and children can learn from this, then maybe there will come a time when schools will not need to be policed. I fully endorse the call for an outright ban on fireworks. I also issue an urgent appeal to the much-needed voices of religious leaders, doctors, veterinarians, teachers, and other leaders in society in this pressing matter.
