My other daughter, Bonnie was able to join us around midnight after she got off work. I saved some food and fireworks for her, so she didn't miss out. So it was a safe and happy Independence Day for us. There were still forbidden "civilian" fireworks going off all over the island late into the night. I told my daughters that they needed to work to restore all the freedoms that those in my generation had given away in the name of "safety" or "the children", or "national security". It was healthy to see an entire island in open defiance of unreasonable laws. The citizens who flocked to the official government fireworks displays were mired in traffic jams for hours as reward for their submission to our overlords. There is certainly nothing wrong with the public displays, and they are impressive, but some of us like to excercise some independence on Independence Day.

Edit: One last note. The nice lady who organized the tax protest tea party yesterday on St. Simons Island announced that several politicians had inquired about the protest. They were told that they were welcome to attend but would not be allowed to address the gathering. They could listen, as it was the people's turn to speak. Not one of them showed up.