Hi all. I hope you’re all well. We recently celebrated Bonfire Night/Firework Night/Guy Fawkes Day here in the UK. Yes, this day does get referred to by all of the above names (and possibly others), depending on who you speak to. It got me thinking about how opposed I am to fireworks. And also how weird it is what traditions stick around. An annual celebration to mark a failed attempt to blow up the monarchy, which happened over 400 years ago? If you say so.
Anyway, as opposed as I personally am against fireworks, I wanted to take a balanced look at the pros and cons. I hope you enjoy:
The Argument Against
If you’re a parent or a pet owner, the first argument against fireworks will be a pretty obvious one. For young children, it can sometimes be challenging to get them to sleep at the best of times. This challenge becomes greater when there are explosions going off overhead.
I’d say it’s likely worse for pet owners. Pets, for the most part, don’t understand what’s happening when fireworks go off. You can’t just explain to them that the fireworks are harmless. So pets spend hours scared and trembling, unable to settle. According to the RSPCA, many pets will accidentally hurt themselves due to the flashing or noises, and, in the very worst cases, it can lead to death.
Speaking of fear, another argument against fireworks is the impact it can have on former members of the armed forces. For anyone who has been deployed to an active war zone, fireworks can trigger PTSD and cause a lot of stress and anxiety.
Finally, fireworks are harmful to the environment. The metallic compounds that are expelled from fireworks when they explode can have a negative effect on animals and people. Many fireworks also contain oxidisers, which can dissolve in water and contaminate rivers, lakes, and drinking water. Fireworks also impact negatively on air quality.
The Argument For
Ooh, pretty lights go flash, and big sound go boom…
Thank you for reading my totally not-biased blog. If nothing else, at least it was brief. Join me next time for more partizan prattling. Goodbye.
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John Wick 4 – Film – 8/10
The John Wick films are getting very difficult to review because they are essentially Marmite movies: you either love them or hate them. Personally, I love them.
If you enjoyed the previous instalments, you’ll enjoy this. If you didn’t enjoy the previous instalments, I doubt you’ll watch this. If you do, you’re in for more disappointment. These movies don’t really change tonally or narratively; it’s just the locations and characters that change.
The fact that Keanu does 90% of his own stunts in this is both insane and commendable. The action, as always, is absolutely incredible. A word for Donnie Yen, too. Of course, he is fantastic in the fight scenes (he’s so fast!). But, he also surprised me with how good his acting was. Overall, if you’re a John Wick fan, this is a must watch.
A Rob Blog 