Why do the government keep going on about good behaviour on Guy Fawkes Night? I mean, they’re going to ban it no matter what. Spouting this “good behaviour” junk is just a way of them being able to justify it to the population such that no one gets too pissed off about it.

For years now we’ve been losing more and more of the fireworks that are available to us. First we lost the crackers. Then we lost the skyrockets. I’m surprised we’re still allowed any roman candle that has a projectile of any sorts.

It doesn’t matter who it is or how few, even if there was only a single fire caused this year by the Fireworks that people buy, they’ll use that as an excuse. The fact that there were kids hurt at Alexandra Park over the weekend at a “professional fireworks display” is being touted as one example of why they should be banned.

Accidents happen. I don’t know of any event held on this kind of scale where accidents don’t happen. Especially when dealing with things that burn or are volatile in anyway.

Next they’ll make it illegal to have charcoal on a farm in Rotorua because sulphur, charcoal and fertilizer are the prime ingredients of black powder. And you might make your own fireworks if you made black powder. Oh my gosh! We’ll ban them from schools too so chemistry students don’t learn that recipe either!

Its getting ridiculous. Accidents happen.

If we go around banning things because a small minority misuse them, we’ll need to start banning cigarette lighters and matches. Actually, lets just ban fire altogether. No more gas ovens to commit suicide in. No more combustion in boy racer engines either.

Why? Because our government is a pack of grinches. They may not be trying to steal Christmas (actually, in a way the PC brigade is) but they’re trying to take one of the few fun celebrations we have left.

Maybe they’re concerned that if people start to remember the whole reason for celebrating the 5th of November, they’ll start to think it a good idea and maybe start tunnelling under Wellington towards the Beehive.

        Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
        The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
        I know of no reason
        Why Gunpowder Treason
        Should ever be forgot.
        Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
        To blow up King and Parliament.
        Three-score barrels of powder below
        To prove old England's overthrow;
        By God's providence he was catch'd
        With a dark lantern and burning match.
        Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
        Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

Guy Fawkes Night – Wikipedia

If we lose our fireworks, I think people will return to lighting bonfires and burning effigies like we did as kids. Although, instead of it being Guy Fawkes on the fire, it might possibly be an effigy of whom ever was the Prime Minister that passed the law through Parliament.

Besides, I miss the old bonfires at Bethels and Piha beaches. Could never do it at Omaha any more. Not since they developed the whole waterfront up there. Pity, coz that was one of the most memorable and enjoyable bonfires and fireworks that Nick, Rob and I had when we used to do crazy stuff.

Ahhh… The good old days.