Happy Fourth!
posted at 8:30 am on July 4, 2007 by Bryan
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America’s second president, John Adams, wrote of the Fourth of July:
“I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival,” he wrote his wife, Abigail. “It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other…”
“…illuminations…” Hehe. He had no idea…
Behold, the power of duct tape and sparklers…
Step 1. Have me as a big brother, all the better to encourage pyrotechnomania from childhood on… (I’m SUCH a good influence…)
Step 2. Purchase 12 packages of cheap bamboo sparklers for approximately $4 at an SC fireworks retailer near you.
Step 3. cut handles off bottom of sparklers. Collect any leftover dust and pour over top.
Step 4. tape the sparklers together with duct tape, fortified more at the bottom than at the top, leaving just enough room for one sparkler to poke through the top. We’ll call that one “the FUSE”. By doing this, you shape the charge upwards… This is important, as you will see.
Step 5. cut hole in small (12” wide) cardboard box for the duct taped sparklers to sit in and be stable.
Step 6. Light “Fuse” sparkler
Step 7. RUN.
Step 8. Start camera…
Really. No idea. Here we have more sparklers. And a dryer.
And with online video, we get even more illumination.
By now you might want some real professional-type fireworks. Stacy McCain sent me this one a while back. Enjoy!
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Actually Adams’ quote was about the 2nd of July, the day the Lee Resolution was passed declaring Independence from England and the day that Hancock became the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. Oh well, close enough I guess.
Happy 4th to all the brave men and women serving our nation this day.
OldZach on July 4, 2007 at 8:37 AM
Happy Birthday America!
atadOFF on July 4, 2007 at 8:51 AM
I question the timing.
mikeyboss on July 4, 2007 at 8:58 AM
Happy Independence day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAWrlwzfFzk
Canadian Imperialist Running Dog on July 4, 2007 at 9:10 AM
Happy Independence Day from the Fireworks Capital of the World, New Castle, Pennsylvania!
From sea to shining sea, may God continue to Bless America!
Zorro on July 4, 2007 at 9:11 AM
God bless America!
Insomniac on July 4, 2007 at 9:17 AM
How I love this wonderful country. The best in the world. Happy Birthday!
inviolet on July 4, 2007 at 9:26 AM
It’s just a distraction from the war in Iraq and Bush’s approval ratings.
amerpundit on July 4, 2007 at 9:38 AM
Happy 4th of July everyone!
The fireworks are great but the ’shot heard around the world’ is spectacular.
Limerick on July 4, 2007 at 9:40 AM
Woooohooooooooo!!!
Jaibones on July 4, 2007 at 9:41 AM
If only the UK jihadis had taped together a few dozen sparklers, they would have been twice as effective against the infidels.
Expect to see an exceptional number of foreign “students” at your local fireworks stand today. Who knew the path to those 72 virgins could be so much fun?
SailorDave on July 4, 2007 at 9:41 AM
Happy Birthday America!!
Have a safe and happy Fourth everyone.
SouthernDem on July 4, 2007 at 9:43 AM
Happy 4th of July and pray for the troops that guarantee our freedoms!
KC-135A on July 4, 2007 at 9:49 AM
Not the ‘rockets red glare’ but here is a firecracker for you……..
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=aad_1183458039
Limerick on July 4, 2007 at 9:59 AM
Happy 4th!! Those videos were great!!
vcferlita on July 4, 2007 at 10:02 AM
HAPPY 4th OF JULY!
And a big salute to our men and women of our armed forces.
moonsbreath on July 4, 2007 at 10:02 AM
I bet the jihadi bomb-making vids don’t have such a cool soundtrack. Kind of a creepy resonance in that second clip, given that so much jihadi training is done by video.
smellthecoffee on July 4, 2007 at 10:04 AM
If you want to make perfectly legal big booms, get some tannerite and make some targets.
Or just blast off a few rounds at your local range today.
ScottG on July 4, 2007 at 10:10 AM
NYC: 40,000 fireworks this year—1,300 every minute!!!
Be there or be square.
Happy Birthday, America! God Bless the U.S.A.
IrishEi on July 4, 2007 at 10:11 AM
I wish y’all wouldn’t call it “4th” - every country has a fourth of July, but we’re the only one who celebrates our Independence Day (the actual name of the holiday) on this date.
Yes, I know that’s being persnickety about it. Sorry…
Laura on July 4, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Have a safe and happy Independence Day everyone. God Bless America!
Keli on July 4, 2007 at 10:30 AM
These videos reminded me of my “misspent” youth and the tricks one could play with match heads and tin cans.
In the spirit of this, I’d like to share this letter to the editor I wrote back in the 90’s in opposition to the local paper’s editorial position deploring the private (and illegal in my state) use of fireworks. Given the attempt to ram amnesty down our throats these past few weeks, the sentiments it expresses are still appear to be relevant. The supporters of the Kennedy amnesty plan played chicken with us last week — and lost.
You see, the leftwing media and the pols don’t like it when we sheep dare to rebel, dontcha know. ;^)
To my fellow Americans, best wishes on this day — the anniversary of our rebellion.
To our armed forces, where ever you may be, may God bless and protect you and your families. Know our hearts are with you as you defend our nation. Your sacrifices (and that of your families) are much appreciated.
georgej on July 4, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Happy Independence Day to everyone at Hot Air. I’ve been absent lately engrossed in study relating to the exercise of my 2nd amendment rights as an American prepared to defend myself. Enjoy the fireworks and keep your powder dry.
Buck Turgidson on July 4, 2007 at 11:12 AM
smellthecoffee: “I bet the jihadi bomb-making vids don’t have such a cool soundtrack.”
I agree. Most of their soundtracks are pretty lame. Here’s another example of a well done soundtrack (note the soundtrack and video coordination):
http://music-videos.grouchymedia.com/2004/03/american-heroes.html
georgej on July 4, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Happy Independence Day Everyone! I’ll be the guy at the picnic educating everyone on America’s History whether they want to hear it or not.
RobertCSampson on July 4, 2007 at 11:36 AM
Happy Fourth of July!
I love this country.
terryannonline on July 4, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Laura — we are claiming the date as our own. :)
kate q on July 4, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Happy Independence Day, all! God bless you and and this wonderful country as well!
Militant Bibliophile on July 4, 2007 at 11:56 AM
I don’t buy it - I think people use “Happy 4th” out of sloppy thinking or laziness since the alternative is longer, but that is at least a reasonable argument. :grin:
Laura on July 4, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Happy Independence Day All!
(May all the fireworks be our own.)
Our mission is against Submission.
Give me liberty, give them death.
(With apologies to PH>)
profitsbeard on July 4, 2007 at 11:59 AM
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Stay safe, and stay classy.
mram on July 4, 2007 at 12:03 PM
I want to Salute Ed Brown who is fighting for his Independence on this Independence Day…
Best of Luck, the Founding Fathers would be proud of your version of the Boston Tea Party….
Tim Burton on July 4, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Was that a golden girl with a mustache or a golden guy with boobs?
God bless America!
AZCON on July 4, 2007 at 12:38 PM
Zorro on July 4, 2007 at 9:11 AM
It’s a small world. Was born and raised in New Castle. best firework shows in the world.
unseen on July 4, 2007 at 12:54 PM
God Bless us all
Happy Fourth everyone! Be safe
Defector01 on July 4, 2007 at 12:58 PM
Have a Happy Fourth from your buddies up North!
andycanuck on July 4, 2007 at 1:19 PM
Happy Independence Day! God bless us all!
Lady Jane on July 4, 2007 at 1:25 PM
Happy Birthday United States of America!!!
Too bad it’s illegal to blow shit up these days…
infidel4life on July 4, 2007 at 2:15 PM
Happy and Safe Independence day all!
PowWow on July 4, 2007 at 2:15 PM
Thanks to all the men and women who have honored our country in uniform. We wouldn’t be here without you. May the Lord bless us and keep our country strong. Happy 4th to all the people at Hot Air!
mimi1220 on July 4, 2007 at 2:20 PM
That was my first thought too.
SIJ6141 on July 4, 2007 at 2:26 PM
Happy Birthday America!
You are the greatest country there ever was, is, and will be!
Troops, you are superior to the rest of us!
Thank you America and Troops, for the privilege to live here!
Entelechy on July 4, 2007 at 2:39 PM
Happy 7/4, everyone. :D
Ryan Gandy on July 4, 2007 at 2:41 PM
Here is the Reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Egfrow on July 4, 2007 at 2:43 PM
Happy 231st Independence Day from tyranny, everyone! (Although, really it should be July 2nd, but why quibble at this point?).
To our brave military and their families you have my undying gratitude and loyalty.
SouthernGent on July 4, 2007 at 2:52 PM
Thanks to all the men and women who have honored our country in uniform. We wouldn’t be here without you. May the Lord bless us and keep our country strong. Happy 4th to all the people at Hot Air!
mimi1220 on July 4, 2007 at 2:20 PM
Worth repeating..I however would like to remind us we still have the Benedict Arnold TRAITORS in our mist who just a week before Independence Day were trying to sell out the U S of A….a speacial thanks for all the LOUD AND PROUD PATRIOTS who fought them to the end..
Legions on July 4, 2007 at 3:18 PM
..special thanks…
Legions on July 4, 2007 at 3:24 PM
Happy Brthday U.S.A.!!!!
xplodeit on July 4, 2007 at 3:58 PM
Should read:
Happy Birthday U.S.A.!!!!
xplodeit on July 4, 2007 at 3:59 PM
Michelle keeps on working..even on the holidays. Check out her web if you can, about assimilation.. I find it impossilbe to believe a group of people can assimilate into our society and at the same time be gaining more TV and radio station’s all across this nation not less station’s. I don’t think that’s how all the rest, The Poles, The Germans, The Irish, and every other legal immigrate made this kind of a demand on our public air waves..also a bit of info I heard the other day..Mexico is the #1 country in the world for the killing and torture of jounalist’s and reporter’s not Iraq which is 2nd..
Legions on July 4, 2007 at 4:33 PM
I love those men that signed that piece of parchment. Even more, I love the country they created by doing it.
Thank you Founding Fathers
Happy 4th everyone
Helloyawl on July 4, 2007 at 5:39 PM
Happy 4th of July everyone and God bless!
-TJ
TimboJackson on July 4, 2007 at 6:43 PM
Happy Birthday America!
PS I’m sooo doing the sparkler thing!
KelliD on July 4, 2007 at 7:08 PM
Happy 4th of July from Afghanistan.
Sven on July 4, 2007 at 10:56 PM
Happy Independance Day everyone.
Long live the United States of America and it’s values and traditions!
God bless the great men and women in uniform and out who have sacrificed for the good of this country, there’s no other place I’d rather live.
4shoes on July 4, 2007 at 11:34 PM