DES MOINES – As the Iowa legislature ponders a new bill that would legalize the sale of consumer fireworks to the public, a former legislator and advocate for veterans is saying not so fast.
Bob Krause is a retired colonel with service in the National Guard, a former legislator, a candidate for US Senate and is now, in his own words, working to improve conditions at the Iowa Veterans Home for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) veterans.
Mr. Krause is urging citizens to tell their “state legislator to kill the fireworks deregulation bill.” He says fireworks are bad for veterans suffering from PTSD “that served our nation under worst conditions.”
One of the worst reactions, Mr. Krause says, is that “PTSD triggers ‘Severe Startle Reaction.’ The federal government describes this as “excessive reactions to specific stressors that are directly or symbolically reminiscent of the trauma,” which ignited fireworks may trigger.
Mr. Krause says “dealing with chance of loud close by explosions 365 days a year tortures some vets.”
NIT reported last week that a Senate panel in Des Moines approved a bill that would make legal the sale of potentially dangerous fireworks such as firecrackers and other explosive products. The bill would need to be passed by the full Senate and then looked at in the House before going to Governor Terry Branstad’s desk. He has signaled he might be in favor of a bill loosening restrictions on the sale of consumer fireworks.
Iowa code 727.2 regulates the sale of consumer fireworks in Iowa. Anyone who offers for sale, exposes for sale, sells at retail, or uses or explodes any fireworks, commits a simple misdemeanor.
did my research—-If you are talking about the fire at Spencer IA it was started by a fire cracker–not a sparkler! a kid threw a firecracker in a large bin of fire crackers and burned a lot of the one side of grand avenue! that was way back in the day!
This plays into the stereotype of the disturbed veteran. Don’t do this Bob.
what would a colonel know about life in the trenches? Sounds like a career pubic servant who thinks mother knows best and give me more money. Next year Trump will give you a pink slip or a pay reduction after you finished your common sense test. By the way a little medical weed would sure help us vets.
Truth is, I don’t give a damn about an organization that claims to represent us all but excludes intelligent, moral citizens for stupid hypocritical reasons. They reject us? Reject the assholes back. To hell with the war makers of the world. All of em.
They take blacks and Latinos out of the hood to do their dirty work…el salvador citizens who aren’t even American. Then they want us to go blowing kisses up the asses of veterans. F-u. No way. They are big oil mercenaries. When America wants to act like a country worth serving again, come look me up. Until then, to hell with your Bruno Mars Coldplay Beyonce demographic. I won’t defend any nation with Insane Clown Posse as its genetic makeup. This entire life revolves around the plight of minorities. Time for a NEW NATION.
I say let’s go blow them off across the street from Petey boys house.
Great idea. Lets stick one up his colo too.
I don’t think Vets are the issue here and I doubt that they like being used as a pawn in issues BUT I am against legalizing fireworks because of the safety issues. If keeping them illegal keeps one person from blowing his hand off, etc. then well worth leaving them illegal.
What’s stupid is the whole reason they are illegal in the first place is because of a large fire started because of sparklers. Yet, sparklers are still legal.
And what do you think loud tailpipes do? Geez, I cannot believe how myopic and ignorant our law makers are. So if a vet is bothered then it becomes a big shit issue…but for the rest of the population…screw ’em.
I’m not saying this isn’t true…I myself do not like hearing random explosions….and here in Clear Lake we have plenty of them…but what I am saying is that lawmakers need to pull their heads out of their asses and start dealing with loud illegal tailpipes which are equally or more menacing than fireworks.
Regulate them ALL.
Shut up. Enough already. Every single day you cry about bikes. Get over it. Spring is coming and I guarantee you that the police aren’t going to do a darn thing to any of them. The only reason the city slapped up a couple signs is because they were sick of you. Get over yourself. You are NOBODY and no one cares what you have to say.
They will care when I go to Des Moines and lobby legislators. Also this summer I’ll be equipped to start doing surveillance with decibel reading and video time stamp. IT’s a process, but eventually I’ll prevail. Do the right thing and properly equip your vehicle with a legal muffler
Will never happen, but thanks for the entertainment.
Matt, I’m pre-law/political science major. Unlike you, I’m going to actually use my degree for good. For a guy who touts himself as a believer in law and order…you sure seem to look over this part of the law. I wonder why that it is? Subscription money worries?
I’ll make you an offer. I’ll be willing to engage in a telephone interview which you can use the audio from for an NIT article. I’ll discuss military, drugs, loud tailpipes,, criminal justice…any issue you want, provided you pose the questions in an intelligible, straightforward manner and conduct yourself like a professional journalist.
Don’t kid yourself. You are a pre-college dropout. Before you start casting stones about people using their degree for this or that, you might want to have YOUR OWN degree. That will never happen though. If it takes more than 6 months to complete, seems like work, or both…it’s not for you.
Good point Mr. Krause. When I was much younger, a good friend had just returned from Nam to MC. It was summer and we went to the carnival at Clear Lake. We were at City Beach just about 10 in the evening. The first fireworks that went off were those loud booming ones. My friend, at the first boom, hit the beach face down and started to dig in. We left right then. I will never forget his reaction to the fireworks. He was shaken all night and vowed not to go to any fireworks shows again.
Agreed Bodacious.
And Mr. Krause is not talking about all Vets. Not all veterans experience the same trauma and not all are affected in the same way.
Even after over 40 years away from that shithole in SE Asia, certain things will effect me.
I have learned to live with it somewhat, but it was much worse 30 years ago.
Another more recent example, I have a great-nephew that spent 12 years in the Army, 3 tours in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan.
Just the other month the flashing lights & beeping on a fork-lift set him off.
He is working with the VA on his PTSD, but has a long way to go & may never get over it completely.
I think his comments are demeaning to most vets. If you want to say it is a safety issue that is one thing, but to claim all vets can’t handle fireworks is another.
Bob Krause is just a retired colonel with service in the National Guard, a former legislator and a candidate for US Senate. FAR LESS imminately qualified than LVS to have an opinion on this matter. We are so fortunate that the North End troll hangs out here.
Don’t try to be a sesquipedalian if you can’t spell.
Big deal. He is also a politician. I know lots of vets and even hunt with a lot of them. They are not afraid of a little fireworks believe me. Of course the card carrying sissy’s of this world are afraid of everything and think everyone else should be just like them.
Calling vets who have PTSD “sissies”? Stay classy lvs. Your 1st amendment rights are safe.
I never called the vets sissy’s. Just the people who think they can speak for them.
Like you are doing.
Attempting to have a discussion with LVS on any topic is rather like trying to play chess with a pigeon — it knocks the pieces over, craps on the board, and struts around like it won anyway.
In other words, LVS is an ignorant dumbass with a big mouth.
Hilarious. That comment deserves an award.
Oh look, Mikey is back from his stay at 5 east. He couldn’t peddle his drugs there so he left. Just another chicken shit criminal. Anywhere any time punk. I know all about you now. Quite a record you have and the guys in the military with you hated you because you couldn’t be trusted.