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• Anonymous

  This should create hundreds of new high paying jobs, not really. How many of these “trash bills” will be heard before the serious work begins?

• Anonymous

  Another yahoo moment in the Maine Legislature.

• Anonymous

  No worries, the real trashing will come. Put on your helmet.

• Anonymous

  End the nanny state.

• http://lighthouse-news.com/ Sue (Michigal)

  Actually I’d like to see this pass. Be honest, people. How many of you run down to NH (and give THEM your money) to buy fireworks.

  As far as dangerous, well, maybe the nanny state can quit protecting us from ourselves. Sure it’s dangerous, especially if you’re drinking. But so is driving a car, especially if you’re drinking.

  Right now, all you can have are sparklers. Whoopdeedoo. At least let the “Safe and Sane” group be sold. These generally include fountains, sparklers, smoke balls, snakes, ground spinners, pinwheels, most novelty fireworks, and toy trick noisemakers.

• Anonymous

  Maybe I am wrong in my thinking, then again maybe not too. I came from a state where fireworks are legal. There were still a few that were not legal and those mostly were the big ones that can cause major damage if not used properly. Now saying that, all fireworks are dangerous if not used properly!
  I think it could be beneficial for the state to legalize them. It would bring in some much needed revenue during the forth of July. It also would stop the illegal import of them. It would stop the involvement of local law enforcement chasing suspected fireworks being shot of when they could be doing something else.
  There are pros and cons to everything. Even if they were to be legalized you still would have the maroons out there that would have no re-guard to safety. There is no way to stop this. Look at the man that thought his friend was a turkey and shot him. That is just one example of what can happen even when something is legal.

• Anonymous

  Would the fireworks bought in Maine be more dagerous than those bought in New Hampshire or Ohio? In any case, there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of fireworks on the Fourth. Of course, if they were legal, we would no longer be entertained by the Keystone Cops buzzing around trying to catch the ellusive fire bugs.

• http://hikinginmaine.com mAineAc

  The problem is that some of the jobs created will be state jobs. We will need the department of fireworks safety, the wick department, the gunpowder inspection department. Then you will need the overseer of fireworks taxation and enforcement.

• Anonymous

  I think this bill should be pass it would be just one more step forward in the right direction for this state. People are traveling out state to get them so what is the difference. If we pass the bill it would create jobs and revenue for this state rather than giving it to the other states. And yes we all know that there is safety issues that we have to deal with, but most of this is just common sense, and they should be and age limit to. But keep in mind that if eliminated everything that is dangerous in this state than lets do away with playground, for kids ,cars, firearms for hunting, snowmobiles, skies, snowboards, and the list goes on and on. i think right now that there is 45 states that have legalize fireworks, i think vermont is voting on this issue right now. So lets move this state forward and create jobs and revenue.

• Anonymous

  The real question is: How much time will be left to debate the serious work that needs to be completed after these frivolous bills occupy 3/4 of the legislature’s time?

• Anonymous

  I agree!! The accidents from trampolenes and bicycles are larger than fireworks!!

• Anonymous

  I say make them legal but with a major restriction. Make it so that if you are injured(or anyone else) by using your own fireworks then the full cost of the injury will be carried by that person, not the insurance companies, not the taxpayers. A if you cause any kind of fire using your own fireworks then your are fully liable for the cost of putting the fire out and all the damages it caused. Again not by the insurance companies or the tax payers.

• Anonymous

  Jobs are created now in enforcing the laws that ban fireworks.

  So our choice is essentially government jobs that restrict commerce and enhance the nanny state, or government jobs that regulate safety and allow commerce to happen while rolling back the nanny state.

• Anonymous

  I don’t think the “safe and sane group” are what most people have in mind when they think of fireworks. It’s the big stuff – the real pyrotechnics – that get the juices running!
  I haven’t read the bill, but I hope it limits use to specific time and place. If not, expect lots of local fights over obnoxious noise ordinances and general disturbance of the peace. Will proud parents be allowed to celebrate junior’s letter in football with a display for all the world to see and hear? How about a round of rockets’ red glare in honor of the Gipper’s 101st; a Tom Brady pass completion; the family princess’s first prom date? How about a night of shock and awe just for the hell of it?
  So many questions, so many things to complicate and screw up a simple notion, eh?

• Anonymous

  You better like forest fires. Those come with fireworks and also the eye and hand injuries to the uninsured on Mainecare. DUMB IDEA!

• http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=719791897 Chris Grindle

  Yes…we need to never forget to protect those poor insurance companies.

• http://lighthouse-news.com/ Sue (Michigal)

  Yeah, hehehe. Roman candles! Bottle rockets! Love ‘em!

  I see nothing wrong with any of the above, either. As far as limiting time and place, well, I don’t think so. As expensive as they are, I doubt people will be setting them off on Muffy’s first date. But there’s certainly nothing wrong with Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve and the like.

• Anonymous

  the start of the daytona 500 calls for fireworks………

• Anonymous

  “Personal Responsibility”!!!!! Leagalize Fireworks and stop with this nanny government BS!

• Anonymous

  I don’t see why other states sell and light off fireworks freely.

  But we can’t.

  I’m not seeing the logic in it. Just another way for the government to play big brother on us here in Maine.

• Anonymous

  There’s probably more money to made in marijuana legalization, and fewer people will get hurt. The same nanny state arguments apply.

• Anonymous

  In addition, if this bill passes, I’d be free to legally send rep. Davis a 2 ft. diameter whoopie pie with a dozen or so M80 “candles” to help liven up his Fourth of July observance!

• http://lighthouse-news.com/ Sue (Michigal)

  Well, let’s see. I would venture to say that unattended (or poorly put out) campfires cause a lot more forest fires, along with improperly discarded cigarettes.

  Eye and hand injuries? OK, let’s eliminate cars. They cause head injuries. And turn people into paraplegics. And of course, we need to outlaw guns, they can cause death.

  BE REALISTIC!

• Anonymous

  How about the only legal fireworks have to be manufactured in Maine.

• Whutmeow

  and an ice cold beer!! Bring on Daytona!! Less then two weeks away!

• Anonymous

  Sue if it’s a noise issue, meaning to loud, call Fish and Game…

• Anonymous

  Cool. I know this will never pass, but good for him for introducing it.

  It’s time to stop with this nanny-state nit picking! Whatever happened to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY?

• Centaurmyst

  Is it just me or is Maine slowly turning into Nevada? What’s next…legalizing prostitution? I wouldn’t be surprised. They can work at the casino and hand out free whoopie pies to all of their customers. Good grief…

• Anonymous

  You want to see fireworks? Go to Texas. There are seasonal vendors everywhere before the 4th and New Year’s, and families make an event out of choosing theirs by the bag. All kinds are sold, including the big ones, and somehow order is maintained in spite of it all. Injuries seem to be restricted to those that deserve them…no surprise.

  I doubt legalizing them will change a thing. People that wish to have them have always brought them in from out-of-state regardless…this is just another fruitless waste of time in Augusta. Meanwhile, too many Maine kids will go to bed cold and hungry tonight–maybe they should worry about that instead.

• Anonymous

  What’s the problem with a few dozen Maine kids losing eyes or fingers, when there’s a chance for financial PROFIT for the state?

  It’s another of LePage’s no-brainers…

• http://lighthouse-news.com/ Sue (Michigal)

  Exactly…bring them in from out of state. And give the money to NH instead of Maine. This state needs all the help it can get, and small businesses will benefit by being able to sell them.

  BTW, on a personal note, are you a former “Guardian Angel” from StarBlvd?

• Anonymous

  If it’s legalized, the State can then tax it. I read recently that one of the Scandanavian countries is now going after professional businesswomen who have been evading their taxes for eons.

• Anonymous

  They said jobs, jobs, jobs to get elected, but now it’s whoopie pies and fireworks.

• Anonymous

  I agree! Also, why is the nanny-state nit picking who we get to marry?! It’s crazy!

• Anonymous

  I agree! This nanny state stuff is awful. They should stop dictating what we can do. Why does the state say I can’t marry another man if I want to? Let me make my own choices!

• Anonymous

  Yes, and legalize gay marriage! The government doesn’t need to nanny us and tell us who we can marry!

• Anonymous

  The kicker is Damon filed his bill under the Legislature’s “emergency legislation” provision.

• Anonymous

  ALL RIGHT…..!

  Get Er Done :-) :-) :-)

• Anonymous

  Sorry, I can’t say as I support this very much at all. All you have to do is add drugs(alcohol etc…) and/or a little machismo and you have a recipe for disaster(oh boy and those responsible teens too). I can think of two incidents involving fireworks and alcohol that went just fine. One ended up with an island on East Pond starting on fire thanks to a roman candle ball going much further than the package said and the other ended up with a large man with injuries to his body, from where he decided to surprise everyone else at the picnic table(who were distracted by watching the end of an early evening horseshoe game) by fitting a 1/2 doz. or so bottle rockets into a beer bottle placed in the center of the table and lighting them up. As soon as they started going off, everyone fled the table except for him. The table flipped over onto him and he didn’t feel very well for a week or three.

  Just these 2 incidents and some I know of that didn’t involve anything illegal other than the fireworks, convince me to leave it in the hands of the pros. Yes they also have accidents, but at least they are sober and prepared for emergencies. We’re just asking for trouble. Fortunately, I’ve outgrown the want to be thrilled by bright sparkly things.

  As far as gov. stop trying to protect us from ourselves…maybe once in a while it’s for a good reason. We’ll be asking everyone to use common sense with fireworks. What are the chances of that actually happening? We all read about excellent examples of poor decision making skills all the time on here. Bet it’ll only increase if this passes…a lot of youtube fodder. Supposedly we can’t regulate common sense, but can we at least find a way to stop paying the medical bills for those who fail to use or possess it? ;)

  I do have a lot of medical/financial fears with passing this bill. One scenario consists of someone on medi-whatever taking their money buying fireworks and alcohol(for the 4th of July or just because it’s the 1st of the month), blowing off a few fingers or more and needing surgery. Who pays for this? Yeah…that’s rhetorical.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  Not gonna happen we voted down it for a reason Maine doesn’t need it. With Conservatives in Charge you won’t be seeing Gay Marriage for a long long time and that is a good thing.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  Amen hopefully they tear down this law and hopefully get rid of that stupid seat belt law as well.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  You want to have Gay Marriage move to Vermont or New Hampshire.

• Anonymous

  Then you’re a hypocrite if you say call this legislation nanny legislation. Maine doesn’t need fireworks.

• Anonymous

  If you want fireworks move to New Hampshire then. See? Doesn’t make much sense, it’s a stupid argument.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  No we are starting to roll back all of the Nanny Laws the Inept Dim Minded Narrow Viewed Liberal Democrats have put in to take away our way of life the last 40 years. You must like having folks have control of you and giving you freebies. Well this law along with the seat belt law needs to go. It’s time to take our state back away from the Liberals who have destroyed it.

• Anonymous

  How about give something to both sides. Legalize the silly thing but make a license you have to go purchse to have them. Make it 18 and up, parents supervision otherwise. All people over 18 need to pay the state a small fee to have them. That way people can get a law sheet that explains they aren’t allowed in national parks, blah, blah, blah along with all the over the top safety tips. Dems can use the money to create a new beuracracy. Yay!

• Anonymous

  You better outlaw bicycles,trampolines, and hard candies as well. You might want to raise the minimum driving age to 25 as well.
  When I was a kid on the farm, we would explode paint and ether cans in large galvanized trash cans. tons of fun. dangerous? sure. Very little in life isn’t. A person could have a heart attack if all they do is sit in front of a computer all day eating food and commenting on the BDN website.

• Anonymous

  It’s on its way to the SCOTUS and when it is settled it will be settled in every state.

• Anonymous

  I must disagree with most of you as I feel in the wrong hands any fireworks can be dangerous. Also as to when and where they can be used, I live in a totally rural area and have cows and horses outside not to mention dogs that are petrified of the noise and have to be sedated. To most that live in the city this is trivia I am sure but when they go off close by and my horses and cows spook and break down the fence it isn’t much fun rounding them up again and it can be dangerous if they should run into the road especially at night when the fireworks would normally be ignited. I love to watch the big displays like the one in Winslow. It is truly awesome! But it is in a controlled environment and done by professionals that know what they are doing.
  Besides aren’t there far more important and pressing issues that the State government needs to focus on other than making fireworks legal????

• Anonymous

  So you would support a mandatory helmet law for everyone regardless of age then? Exact same reasoning those that ride without a helmet and crash cost society (you and I) money.

  As for the pros, they have accidents too. Several years ago the barge used in Bar Harbors Fourth of July went up all at once.

• Anonymous

  If you remember the government did legalize it. The people said no. About three different times.

• Anonymous

  Why do you keep brining Gay marriage up. The people voted Gay marriage out after the Gov voted it in. There is no correlation between the two. Fire works is prohibited by the Government because you may hurt yourself, Gay marriage was voted down because a majority of voters believed it to be a moral issue. So how can you compare the two?

• Anonymous

  That’s factually untrue. We’ve voted on marriage equality just once, and the law was vetoed by a small margin.

• Anonymous

  Fireworks are the symbolic representation of extremely dangerous explosives. The materials used to manufacture them are not “just a little black powder” They are highly technical and can cause death if not handled properly. Local Fire Departments typically oversee the use of these materials but the oversight is from a public safety point of view. The use of the explosives is usually conducted by a professional hired for that purpose. While I do support as much freedom as possible, I have reservations about letting these materials be sold to the general public.

• Anonymous

  I’m trying to point out the hypocrisy. People talk a lot about more personal freedoms and less government intrusion, but it’s pretty clear that they only mean it when it concerns them. How can you argue that the people ought to dictate what goes on in their own lives on matters like fireworks, but then say, no, the public should control something like their marriages.

  It’s fine if you can separate the two, but if you are going to do that, be specific, don’t lie and say you want less government intrusion.

• http://twitter.com/TheHumbleFarmer Robert Karl Skoglund

  I would be in favor of legal fireworks as long as it would be against the law to touch them off from a moving snowmobile.

  The humble Farmer

• Anonymous

  Right. Where’s the jobs? We’re still waiting. Go lepage.

• Anonymous

  Don’t forget all the medical people we’ll need for all the blown off body parts.

• Lester C Martin Sr

  well , wonder why fireworks have been safe ,It’s because they arent legal ! they haven’t been for years.
  I remember once many years ago taking my boys to watch the fireworks here in Bangor ,someone threw firecrackers right near us… doesnt that give one a wake up call.
  If this passes , don’t you think the HOME OWNERS INSURANCE will go up? I’m sure it will.
  If passed it might be safe first few years , but firecrackers, m-80′s will be stocked piled , young kids will get them . right now it’s just the 4th of July , we see them , if legal every day will be like the 4th.
  We just don’t need this law passed, lets look ahead, life is hard now what would come next ?
  every one carrying a weapon ? Come on Folks Let’s put a stop before this does pass !

• Anonymous

  It’s coming, drip by drip, until it’s gone too far.

• Anonymous

  Of course those kids dont have parents who should be supervising them.

• Downeasta

  tacky words here:

  Woohoo! We can get it up with a BANG again. Business will be bOOming! We can enjoy the explosive personalities. Sorry had to get that out of my system.

  It doesnt matter to the state of Maine if we sell firewroks or not. The State Fire Marshalls office probably groses about $50,000.00 per year in fines on illegal fireworks. this will be about the same amount the State might see as a return on sales tax.

  There will always be people that practice improper use. It wont matter wether it is legal or not. Class “C” sparklers are legal in the state now. All this will do is mean that the senator or whome ever wont have to drive to New Hampshire to get what they would otherwise at the local gas station.

• Centaurmyst

  Hey, if you want fireworks all the more power to you. But don’t whine on here when all the teenagers on Mainecare use your tax dollars for emergency room visits due to injuries sustained while playing with fireworks. Most states make them illegal for a reason…

• Centaurmyst

  Most of the kids that will be hurt will also be on Mainecare…and then the same boneheads that want fireworks legal will be right on here crying to the high heavens over their tax dollars being spent to treat kids foolish enough to play with fireworks…

• Anonymous

  Surely, most people know when and how to use fireworks without disturbing the peace. The problem is that some people are thinking of micro-managing fireworks before they are legal. Other states manage to live with fireworks.

• Anonymous

  How do the other states deal with all the body parts you believe to be blown off by fireworks? Perhaps too many look for reasons to ban the fireworks. Just like a car, snowmobile, motorcycle, farm equipment, firearm, boat—gee, I could go on and on—the fireworks will be as safe as the handler.

• Anonymous

  The fact that the parents should have been supervising them better will be no consolation to kids who have lost fingers or eyes.

  Some parents don’t do a good job of supervision. They might be alcoholics, druggies, or mentally retarded. This is not the kids’ fault, yet it is the kids who will suffer if this bill goes through and they get access to dangerous fireworks.

• Anonymous

  I can’t wait. ;~)

• Anonymous

  Yes, because we all know only people on MaineCare would use fireworks.

  Generalize much?

• Anonymous

  There is a huge difference. One is fun the other is disgusting, you can figure out which is which.
  You can do what ever your little heart desires behind closed doors, you can welcome civil unions and could easily have them, but you will not ruin the word marriage by letting homosexuals use it. The normal people will not allow it.

• Anonymous

  Where the h*ll did that come from? We were discussing “fireworks” and now some @#&@ has brought homosexuals into it. Do they ever get tired of trying to be in the lime light?
  Geez.

• http://lighthouse-news.com/ Sue (Michigal)

  Can you explain how you made the leap from fireworks to legalized prostitution????

  Sounds like someone may need their prozac. /sarcasm

• Anonymous

  Yea me wasnt sdee big bang had heer big banging bangs and witch as m,y chillen blow these fingers down. , Sincerly Bakwo0ds Calvin

• Anonymous

  Yes, because we all know only people on MaineCare would use fireworks.

  Generalize much?

• Anonymous

  I would love to watch Centaurmyst being placed in the back of a police cruiser in Nevada for Solicitation of a Prostitute as it is illegal in all but four counties and one consolidated city-county.

• Anonymous

  The point was that we can create jobs out of this disaster of a bill. Look at the bright side.
  Sure some innocent people will be hurt, but it’s another well thought out 2fur1.
  Go lepage!

• Anonymous

  Yes, that would work. There are tons of firework factories in Maine!!

• Anonymous

  Don’t forget all the medical people we’ll need for all the blown off body parts.
  ***************************
  Our lovely neighbor, New Hampshire, permits possession and use of fireworks by all her citizens, and yet I don’t hear about total and complete mayhem there because of it. Why do you think that repealing the law against private use of fireworks is a “disaster”—do you still need your mommy to wipe your b utt?

• StillRelaxin

  I remember M80′s (1/4 stick of dynamite). The boys in my town used to drive the back roads and blow the crap out of mailboxes with them. Most mailboxes were made of pressed steel back then and were still no match for an M-80. Today’s plastic crap from China would become nothing but a 15 foot circle of plastic shards. Just think of all the fun things today’s deep thinking and responsible teenagers will do with handfuls of dynamite! Maybe this bill isn’t such a good idea?

• Anonymous

  It’s about jobs. Think about all the good paying medical jobs it will create.
  Go lepage!

• Anonymous

  About time……

• Anonymous

  You mean as opposed to acid bombs in mailboxes, bashing mailboxes with baseball bats, shooting mailboxes with guns, etc?

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HIGXPANXIJVKJJIKQAZU7TIYXU Ricardo Cabeza

  Yes, fireworks can be dangerous in the wrong hands. So can a fountain pen. Fireworks should be legal. There will be mishaps no doubt but still a lot less dangerous and lethal than a new teenage driver on the highway. Legalize them!

• Anonymous

  You mean as opposed to acid bombs in mailboxes, bashing mailboxes with baseball bats, shooting mailboxes with guns, etc?

• Anonymous

  I live in Argentina half the year. During the Christmas amd New Years Holidays fireworks are a big deal here. What you say is true, there are going to be kids who are supervised and those who will not be. Its in the new here the day after Christmas that at least 20 to 40 kids hurt themselves with Fireworks the night before. I imagine some dumb adults get hurt too.

  I would think at the very least a person would have to be 18 to buy fireworks, but then of course that supervision issue comes up again. Is the person buying them giving them to the kid and not paying attention?

• Anonymous

  There are plenty of empty factorys in Maine. Why import that cheap chinese fireworks that blows off your fingers?

• Anonymous

  You better like forest fires. Those come with fireworks and also the eye and hand injuries to the uninsured on Mainecare. DUMB IDEA!
  ***********************************
  How many forest fires in MONTANA are attributed to improper use of LEGAL fireworks?—(seeing as they are legal in Montana)
  How many uninsured people in Montana are injured by legal fireworks?
  If you already live in Montana, do us all a favor and stay there—and keep your silly comments with you.
  If you still live in Maine, do us a favor and leave ASAP. Oh, and since I have relatives in Montana, I would venture to say they would not appreciate someone who worships the nanny state like you do, out there.

• StillRelaxin

  Sounds like you had an active childhood there JD. Or are those things you still do? Oh, I also forgot to mention, the wicks on M80s were water proof so if you tossed them in the lake they’d still blow and kill anything within 10-15 feet. Also when flushed they would blast the “crap” out of the schools plumbing. Yah, those were the good old days that I’d just as soon not return to.

• Anonymous

  “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

  John Adams’ letter of July 3, 1776, to his wife Abigail what his thoughts were about celebrating the Fourth of July

• Anonymous

  Then you’re a hypocrite.

• http://www.facebook.com/JMarc.Warren J Marc Warren

  About time!!! and Lester C Martin Sr I bet you thought your health insurance was going to go down when seat belts where mandatory-mine has done nothing of the sort. I’m speculating here but if fireworks are legal in say NC- I’d wager we here in Maine pay higher insurance rates regardless.

• Anonymous

  Just because fireworks are legal in some states doesn’t mean they will make firecrackers legal. There are restrictions on fireworks and what they will allow for sale. On a side note “an armed society is a polite society”.

• Anonymous

  What’s the problem with a few dozen Maine kids losing eyes or fingers, when there’s a chance for financial PROFIT for the state?

  It’s another of LePage’s no-brainers…
  ************************************
  How many kids in New Hampshire have lost eyes or fingers solely due to using legal fireworks? (I mean, New Hampshire makes a nice profit)

  btw, it isn’t LePage’s idea, it was proposed by a House Representative from Bangor. I guess in your haste to bash LePage once again, you FAILED to read the article properly (talk about no brains…)

• Anonymous

  Most of the kids that will be hurt will also be on Mainecare
  ***********************************
  What is your OBSESSION with Mainecare????? People on MaineCare can’t afford fireworks! Bottle Rockets are $10 EACH!
  Also, if you have HALF a brain, you are naturally careful around fireworks—you aren’t going to hold a 16-pack of firecrackers in your hand for any length of time after you light the fuse—wondering what’s going to happen. By saying the kids that get hurt are the ones onMaineCare, you are saying that everyone on MaineCare is stupid. Do you really want to go down that route?

• http://lighthouse-news.com/ Sue (Michigal)

  Honestly, do you think they’re talking about the professional fireworks????

  Get a clue sweetie.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  It’s not a stupid argument we voted it out like we voted out the Inept Dim Minded Narrow Viewed Liberal Democrats for a reason. Their policies stink, they want to ram their sick social agenda down our throats sorry not gonna happen folks. As I stated you want that Agenda move to a state that supports that agenda it’s time to bring freedom and making people personally responsible to the state of Maine. Time to change this bad policy and time to change bad laws like the seat belt law while also bringing prosperity to the State of Maine.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  He is not a hypocrite the people didn’t want Gay Marriage so why do we have folks keep trying to impose this policy on us when we voted to get rid of it. The people spoke in November they want change they don’t want what the Maine Democrat Party puts out it is an abysmal failure. We want our Casinos, We want Fireworks, We want no more nanny laws like seat belts, we want jobs, lower taxes, prosperity and freedom. The Maine Democrat Party doesn’t give us that if anything we would have lost what freedom we had left while giving what little money we have left to Augusta.

• StillRelaxin

  “Personal Responsibility”!!!!! Legalize pot, driving without seatbelts, not wearing a helmet on motocycles, throw those babie seats in the trash and stop with this nanny government “stuff” (Sorry I can’t quite lower myself to ProCONservative’s level). Besides swearing isn’t supposed to be allowed here, if anyone should know this it would be you ProCon.

• Anonymous

  Your humor is……simplistic.

  And maybe you should call Rep. Damon or attend a hearing to see what is going to be allowed before demonstrating your understanding of childhood pranks.

• Anonymous

  How about give something to both sides. Legalize the silly thing but make a license you have to go purchse to have them. Make it 18 and up, parents supervision otherwise. All people over 18 need to pay the state a small fee to have them. That way people can get a law sheet that explains they aren’t allowed in national parks, blah, blah, blah along with all the over the top safety tips. Dems can use the money to create a new beuracracy. Yay!
  *****************************************************
  How about we stop compromising on everything, just to please “the other side”? Do you realize that your “compromise” idea of making purchasers get a license is the antithesis of legalizing them?
  You know the state will charge sales tax on fireworks, right? Seems like paying a 5% sales tax is “paying the state a small fee to have them”.
  A nice little pamphlet given out with each purchase is fine, but it shouldn’t be mandatory. I mean, seriously, don’t people realize that cigarettes are addictive, smelly as all get out, expensive, may cause cancer, lung disease, birth defects and emphysema WITHOUT having to read the little labels on the side of the pack?

• Anonymous

  As you’ve so cleverly pointed out in at least one other place, many people aren’t responsible and the role of government is to either keep them in line or lock them up. I don’t worry about responsible people playing with fireworks, I worry about drunks, bums and unsupervised kids.

• Anonymous

  It’s not about gay marriage, it’s about the principle of it. You can’t say that people ought to decide what to do with themselves but then carve out these specific exceptions because you happen to disagree. What happened to personal responsibility? It’s the same thing. Some people think you shouldn’t be able to use fire works and some people think you shouldn’t be able to marry someone of the same sex. If you’re going to use the “personal responsibility” argument, it should apply to everything.

• Anonymous

  But the “people” will not have the final say on SSM. That decision (either allowing it or disallowing it) will be made by the SCOTUS and likely based on the “equal protection clause” of the 14th Amendment.

• Anonymous

  How ironic. You want YOUR freedoms, but you don’t mind denying them to other people. You are a hypocrite.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WUXQMOMFW26EODLA7I3WZLSNPM Jeff C

  I thought that every time a pervert, child molester or murderer got off on a lesser charge, we already had legal FIREWORKS….my mistake.

• Anonymous

  Does this bill really necessitate our time and money?

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  Do you honestly think that the Supreme Court is going to go along with a minority, the facts are Gay Marriage is legal in what 7 states the Majority of the Country oppose it, with more than 30 states voting to ban it. I will say this their will be major uproar if the Supreme Court goes against the majority of the country to support less than 10% of the country. Nothing is equal about this it is nothing more than giving special rights to folks who in my opinion don’t deserve it just because Mumbles Biden and ” That One” want to force their sick views on us we the overwhelming majority have spoken and it is a VERY LOUD NO!!!. So you might as well accept reality because conservatism is here to stay.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  When are you going to accept reality we voted Gay Marriage down time for Equality/Special Rights Maine and their supporters to go find some other BS to whine and complain about. It is also time to stop groups like them from getting handouts from Augusta because folks like me want the gravy train to stop.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  Didn’t you check the election results 81% voted against the Democrat Party agenda they don’t want Gay Marriage, They don’t want Socialism, we want jobs, freedom and prosperity.

• Anonymous

  The Constitution protects all equally and not just when it is popular to do so. When the Supreme Court desegregated schools military had to be sent in to enforce the decision. Guess what happened after the uproar? It fizzled within a short amount of time and now we’re in a much better place than we were then.

• Anonymous

  You’re not even responding to what I’m saying. You’re a hypocrite and you’re also ridiculous.

• Centaurmyst

  Of course others would get injured as well. I made the Mainecare comment because anyone that uses the phrases Jason did typically complains about anyone receiving any kind of state assistance.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  What is the Liberals going to do the same thing like they have done with the Special Rights law for Gays & Lesbians people vote it time after time and the Liberals keep putting it in. Then folks get tired of it and just vote to keep it in to make the less than 5% of folks happy.

• Centaurmyst

  Well gosh, jd, sugarbritches…I am a chick and chicks don’t typically get arrested for solicitation. And before you even attempt to make the next leap….there is not enough money on the planet to even come close to tempting me to have anything to do with that line of work, thank you very much.

  Such a shame that my facetiousness is lost on some people…

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  I agree this is just like Casinos, with folks traveling outside of Maine and spending the money in that state and having the revenue stay those states.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  “Most states make them illegal for a reason…”. Most Liberal states ban them, most conservative states want folks to have their freedom. We need to tear down every nanny law the Liberal have put in and give us the change we voted for. All the groups that are opposing it like Maine Municipal Association (More Money Always) and other liberal groups like Doctor’s associations etc should have their funding ended because they don’t speak for us.

• Anonymous

  Why does it bother you so much? Why do you care?

• Centaurmyst

  Frankforter, I used to live in Vermont…right along the NH border. At that time I was on welfare and I lived in a subsidized housing complex with almost 100 apartments in one building. Virtually every child in that complex was on Medicaid, or in Vermont it was called Dr. Dynosaur. Unfortunately, the teenagers that lived there were usually not supervised all that well for one reason or another. EVERY summer as the 4th of July approached there would be kids in the parking lot of that building setting off fireworks without parental supervision. They were illegal in Vermont but that didn’t stop them from running across the river and buying them in NH. EVERY year there would be at least one kid taken to the hospital because of fireworks and usually it was more than one.

  And no, this has nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with the fact that teenagers ALL think they are invincible and the poor ones typically do have less parental supervision just due to the nature of their socio-economic status.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  Your not going to have Gay Marriage we voted it out and the Republican Legislature and Gov. Lepage aren’t going to pass it and sign it. So you might as well end talking about it.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  We might as well stop living our lives being responsible for ourselves and just have our “hands tied” and have Liberals speak for us. They have done an absymal job for 40 years that is why they are no longer in power.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZHX45U2CXGSVSENJWFP5DMZWLI Jason

  According to the news tonight folks would have to be 21 to purchase them.

• Anonymous

  My sister lives in a state where fireworks are legal. It makes her life miserable! Her pets are freaked out and she has to sleep with earplugs if she can sleep at all.

  Fireworks stink!

• Lester C Martin Sr

  well J, my job as an inspector for insurance companies I’m quite sure there will be fine print down the road on your home owners policy. It will read do you use fireworks here on your property? if you say no! and if something happens with fireworks ,they just might not pay up, if they do it might be very little.
  Look what happen to the dogs certain breeds arent covered.
  this will just open the doors J for higher rates.

  On health Insurance seat belts saves life, just the doctors charging more these days

• Anonymous

  I, for one, feel like it’s a fine idea to legalize the sale of fireworks. There are already ordinances that cover issues of noise, and safety, and such, so, that should take care of the the “Yeah, But What About (fill in the blank) Club”. I propose that we legalize fireworks and tax them at ten percent. If people are serious enough, and want them bad enough, they’ll spend the money.

• Anonymous

  You’re behind the times. It’s going to keep coming up and it’s going to eventually pass and be the law of the land. Get ready for it.

  Also, try learning the difference between your and you’re. You don’t exactly sound like an authority when you can’t make simple distinctions like that.

• Anonymous

  Watch your rates go up if you get tagged for not wearing seatbelts or if you’re in an accident without wearing one.

• Anonymous

  Many, many SCOTUS decisions have been unpopular Jason and have gone against the “majority” in favor of the “minority”.

• Anonymous

  When did 81% of voters vote “against Gay Marriage”?

• Anonymous

  And what is “folks like” you?

• Anonymous

  And I am sure you felt that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” wouldn’t end either, didn’t you?

• Anonymous

  Where does MMA and the “Doctor’s associations” get there funding Jason?

• Anonymous

  Hmm…yea whatever.
  Want to start name calling?
  You’re a disgusting, defective, pervert, trying your best to force people to accept your abnormal lifestyle. If not, then you would accept civil unions, and stop trying to tell people how normal you are by forcing your way into the sanctity of marriage.
  Just accept who you are and go about your business privately like the rest of us. There is absolutely nothing “special” about you. Maybe your mommy thinks so, but the rest of us do not.

• Anonymous

  You are every bit as free as the rest of us. Stop with the pity party. You are free to get a job, prosper, raise a family, start a business, and love who you want. Look up the definition of marriage. At least for the next (8) years, our man Governor LePage is not going to let that change. That’s why we voted for him. How’s it feel to want?

• Anonymous

  Really? Then why did California pass it…then revoke it?

• Anonymous

  BS. Your agenda is ALL about homosexual marriage, don’t hand us your “principal” of it.
  You are almost correct. It’s not “some” people, it’s the majority of people, who think that you should not be able to marry the same sex. Why embrace a perverted lifestyle?
  For my money, we have a much better chance of having fireworks. So why don’t we go back to the subject, and you can stop pushing this BS into every conversation.

• Anonymous

  I’m not even gay.

  It’s not about being special. It isn’t special to be treated equally. Your bigoted thinking is a thing of the past. Times are changing and quickly. Opinion is moving towards marriage equality. It’s coming, get ready for it.

  You’re still a hypocrite. You cry and whine about people and the government taking away your rights but then gloat about it when you take away the rights of others. That’s a hypocrite. It’s disgusting. Future Americans will be embarrassed to read about people like you in the history books.

• Anonymous

  Don u r absolutely correct on everything you’ve posted on here. You should run for Gov. after Lepages 8 years. You have my vote.

• Anonymous

  lesss taxes , not more…..look at gas for God’s sake. it would be under $3.00 if there wasn’t 60 cents of taxes on it

• Anonymous

  They, or you, are equal.
  There is nothing “unequal” about you not being able to marry a man.

• Anonymous

  That argument has been used for hundreds of years in courts and it never flies. In arguing for segregation, some said they were being treated equally because they could still drink from a water fountain but it had to be a separate water fountain. When interracial marriage was illegal, some argued that everyone still had the same rights to marry because everyone had to marry some one of the same race.

  It’s stupid and bigoted. These are examples of laws that serve no purpose beyond hatred.

• Anonymous

  OK
  Whatever, couldn’t care less at this point.
  I trust LePage to keep it the way it is for the next (8) years. At least we won’t have to deal with it anytime soon. Even your boy Obama is against marriage and for civil unions.
  The original subject of fireworks that you butted in on (no pun intended) was much more interesting than pity for homosexuals.

• Anonymous

  Again, I’m discussing your lack of principle — something you don’t seem to get.

  LePage is going to be a one term guy. You can’t deny the fact that without a vote split he would have won.