It amazes me that the people of this part of town can’t seem to afford adequate healthcare, food, or mufflers for their vehicles (if they can even afford a vehicle). But when the celebration of the Fourth of July rolls around, the fireworks are overly abundant, not only on the eve of the holiday but for weeks before and after it!

This year, I was sitting alone in my apartment reading. The explosions, pops, crackles, and hisses coming from outside my window, would have been intense enough to cause flashbacks in a combat veteran suffering from PTSD.

The next morning, with little sleep, I ventured out to run some errands. Walking down the block, it was astonishing to see the burnt litter everywhere. Refuse from Roman Candles, firecrackers, and the remnants of various other types of ordnance literally filled the streets and sidewalks. As if the piles of dog crap on and next to the sidewalks aren’t disgusting enough!

Oh, and they can always afford cigarettes! Practically every driver you see stopped at a traffic light has a “fag” hanging out of their mouth!