The Bang State by John DePetro

The Bang State by John DePetro

It was only fitting that the same week a 2^nd grader in Coventry was told his patriotic hat featuring toy soldiers was a “weapon” and banned from school, Rhode Island would begin selling explosives to customers too young to drive. Massachusetts may be the “Bay” state but Rhode Island has become the “Bang” state. Although a 16-year-old child in Rhode Island can’t drive, drink, smoke, or vote, they can now buy “legal” fireworks. Amazing how selling soda with sugar in high schools now seems so harmless. I predict that in the summer of 2010, people will discover why the big fireworks seller “Three-Finger Eddie” only has 3 fingers.

After the Station nightclub fire, there was a rush to enact safety legislation that made it tough for small businesses and many closed up shop unable to afford new sprinkler systems. Led by Senator John Celona, the gang on Smith Hill made it tough on every small business with ridiculous new laws, all in the name of “safety.” Remember the churches told they were “unsafe” because they did not have sprinklers? It did not matter that the churches were made of stone, because “rules were rules.” The famed “1025” banquet hall in Johnston closed, and was one of many casualties forced to close due to the new “safety” legislation.

So how did fireworks become legal this month?

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Well it was Rep. Rod Driver who admitted there were so many bills flying past his desk late in the session that he did not even have time to read them. The fireworks legislation was last minute legislation introduced by Speaker Gordon Fox and Rep. Pat O’Neil of Pawtucket. I guess this is what happens when you bundle a bunch of bills together and let it slide by around 3:30 in the morning. Once again, nothing good ever happens after midnight, and certainly not at the Rhode Island State House. Reps supported the idea of traditional sparklers, but ended up with legislation removing the need to obtain a permit for display fireworks.

It was only fitting that the fireworks legislation was introduced by Rep. Patrick O’Neil, of District 59 in Pawtucket, the seat once held by John Harwood. O’Neil is on the House rules committee, which comes in handy when you are trying to skirt the rules. People say there is an understanding in District 59 that “everything is a deal” and “no deal (is) too small.” I have a feeling we may find there was plenty of “bang” to go around for those who would support the legislation. The result is there is now no need to obtain a permit for the type of pyrotechnics that triggered the Station nightclub fire.

I will take the 2^nd grader with the” banned” hat any day, over the now legal pyrotechnics.

John DePetro can be heard weekdays on WPRO from 6 to 10 am.