Speaking of Fireworks

I love them, don't you?
I mean, who doesn't?
Who could quarrel with fireworks, helping someone put on a firework display?
It would be like being anti-puppy.
Or pro-death.

When I was younger, it was well-known that one neighborhood in New York had spectacular, spectacular Fourth of July aerial- and ground-work displays, all out of proportion with the size of the neighborhood and its general affluence.
This was accomplished through the good graces of a local boy who had made good.

Well, kinda good.

But the fireworks, and the generous picnic?
I mean, that's nice.
I don't think there would have been any problem working with him, do you? maybe even contributing? as long as you only helped with civic projects of such obvious virtue, so what that it freed up his other resources of money and man-power for... other projects?

Isn't that pretty much the rationale behind one of our American Shepherds warning us against "shadow boxing with friends"?

How difficult a concept it must be, that money is a fungible commodity....

There was an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, where a Robert, after confessing to horrible money worries, you know, rent, bills, that sort of thing; is kindly lent $1000 by his brother, and just cannot understand why anyone should take it amiss that he immediately treats himself to Vegas, baby....

Bishop Robert Barrone --- has kind of a nice ring, don't you think?