Of Fireworks and Fireflies

politico.com — My childhood memories of July Fourth conjure up cool evenings and hundreds of fireworks — simulated bombs bursting in air in all their Francis Scott Key splendor. Every year this experience occurred with religious fervor, as my three brothers, mom and dad and even the dog, piled into the sedan and drove to the nearest park to watch the fireworks. We had a large, boatlike convertible in the early ’70s. With the top down, we’d park on a hill and survey a larger region — taking in multiple fireworks displays. This spectacle was dazzling for young kids. Every part of this was fired by gasoline, powered by petroleum, or required gunpowder and various chemicals.

more »