"Security at the Esplanade was tight, with several hundred state troopers, park rangers, and National Guard personnel patrolling the area. Troopers were both uniformed and in plainclothes, State Police spokesman David Procopio said. Security measures included bag checks, limits on the sizes of coolers and tents, and a ban on glass containers and alcoholic beverages, he said. In addition, Procopio said, State and Environmental Police were conducting marine patrols on the Charles, and a State Police Air Wing helicopter provided support from the air. Bomb squads and hazardous materials teams were on standby. By late Thursday night, State Police had not reported any arrests, but on the Esplanade, the focus before the rain remained on the entertainment offerings and the camaraderie among strangers who gathered to mark the nation’s independence in an event that some people said is unrivaled by similar celebrations in other cities. Spectators came from around the country, many wearing patriotic shirts, hats, facepaint, and other eye-catching accessories. “We’re just trying to make it a patriotic event here. That’s what it’s all about.”
Yeah, the show was cut short on a cold July day, but other than that everything was great, great, great!
As for the event itself, I'm glad I missed the total surveillance tyranny while celebrating the birthday and anniversary of freedom(?). Truth is, I'm tired of misappropriated meanings promoted by the war-promoting, agenda-pu$hing pre$$ with all the imagery and illusion they can muster. The usurpations are the same under King Obummer, even with the typo(?).
I know the day threatened to be a washout, and it was here for the most part. There was damage here and there from what I saw, but the fireworks went off anyway despite the heavy rain. Some did cancel, and I will bet others wished they had.
At least they had fireworks and parades out West despite the blazes. It's a shame the state neglected its water infrastructure as well as the citizens who, "faced with apparent indifference to stern warnings from state leaders and media alarms, cities across California have encouraged residents to tattle on their neighbors for wasting water — and the residents have responded in droves."
If true, welcome to the former Soviet Union, folks. At least the vineyards are safe!
"Arizona and neighboring New Mexico, where fire danger also remains high, have been waiting for the rainy season to develop. Large portions of both states have been dealing with severe to extreme drought."
Ah, happens every year.
As does this:
"Hamptons officials stemming the flow of alcohol on beaches" by Michael R. Sisak | Associated Press July 04, 2014
EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. — Those who come to the Hamptons — known for its swanky cocktail parties and sweeping vineyards — looking for alcohol-fueled parties on the beach could soon be out of luck.
East Hampton lawmakers are close to an alcohol ban at Indian Wells Beach — a usually family-friendly stretch that peeved residents are now calling ‘‘Fratster Beach’’ after rowdy out-of-towners held wild, spring break-style parties there the last two summers.
Officials said the worst offenders would drink themselves to oblivion, stumble drunkenly into the surf, use the sand dunes as toilets, and expose other beachgoers, including children, to an uncensored array of unseemly acts.
East Hampton councilwoman Sylvia Overby proposed a measure in the spring to completely ban alcohol at Indian Wells and an adjacent beach during daytime lifeguard hours.
That proved too broad for another group with authority over East Hampton’s 26 beaches, the town trustees, a body established by King James II’s royal governor in 1686.
This week, ahead of the long Fourth of July weekend that is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors, they came to an agreement: a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ban on alcohol on the main 2,000-foot stretch of the beach where most visitors congregate and lifeguards patrol during swimming hours.
A public hearing on the proposed ban is scheduled for July 17.
--more--"
Honestly, I like the idea of alcohol prohibition. If it is good enough for marijuana, it's good enough for booze. As for those who say we tried that and it didn't work out to well, I say didn't try hard enough.
Related: "illegal immigrants,
who mow the lawns, trim the hedges, clean the swimming pools, park the
cars, serve the hors d'oeuvres, tidy up the mansions, and do many of the other things that make life so enjoyable for the rich"
Now you understand my new$paper's push on the issue, no?
Also related:
The agenda-pushing never ends in my new$paper!
Independence Day for Scotland?
I have nothing to say about it.
NEXT DAY UPDATES:
Mass. residents clean up from Arthur’s glancing blow
Crews make gains battling wildfires
