One year on and still the same story

Backlash started a year ago, with an article on the subject of (among other things) fireworks. I have tried very hard this year to avoid writing another one, but feel compelled to do so. Perhaps I can avoid repeating the message of the first article this time around.

The world today is absolutely crackers. With nuclear bombs to blow us all sky high. There's fools and idiots sitting in the tree. It's depressing and it's senseless and that's why...

The wisdom above comes from a Monty Python song, which continues with the line "I like chinese". However, since the lyric is as true as it ever was, perhaps I could offer it as justification for my feelings. I find that I'm unsettled the atmosphere of unrest, in the middle-east, Ireland, the U.S., and countless other troubled areas. There are air raids happening every day in Afghanistan and you can't help but wonder what the consequences would be for the nations that are so clearly involved. Therefore, it's no wonder that I've not enjoyed the last month and a half's season of setting fire to things and causing loud unexpected explosions.

Newcastle's fireworks season starts in September, and usually ends sometime after bonfire night (Nov 5th). In fairness, it ended on the 6th round Fenham way, though I have not discounted the possibility of a weekend encore. To fuel the enthusiasm of the locals for creating lights and noises, the local supermarkets set up fireworks stands, near the door, so the local children can buy their hearts' desires in outdoor explosives.

Perhaps what annoys me most is the fact that the number of fireworks let off in home fireworks parties is often in inverse proportion to the amount of income from legitimate employment in that household. Standing in the upstairs of my house and watching the source of the countless pyrotechnics, I could not help but wonder. Where do these people get the money? Since they clearly do nothing, what or who is funding the disturbance that they are causing?

I don't make these points casually. I often find that those people who give the least to society also seem to take the most. Having had dealings with some of the neighbours over blaring music, I know how they live and I know how they feel about being members of the society which basically gives them a free ride. I will be honest - I resent freeloaders. When I consider how much I pay annually in various taxes and insurance premiums, it disgusts me to watch it get thrown back in my face as pointless fireworks displays or irritating noise pollution.

So, I know in my heart that I'm not happy living in the world as it is. There are too many people out there who live according to their selfish basic instincts. There are also many people who live according to their incorrectly intentioned religious beliefs, but that's been the subject of a different article. I have not reached despair.. perhaps I'm too optimistic for that, but I do wonder where we go from here.

No doubt we will find out in due course.

08 November 2001
Ashley Frieze