CNN recently announced that "[f]ire threats and environmental concerns have prompted some US cities to forgo traditional Independence Day fireworks in favor of spectacular drone light shows this year."  Notice the use of the adjective "spectacular" to characterize an event the writer(s) have almost certainly never seen firsthand.  Fireworks bad.  Drones good.  Because no explosions, no smoke, no noise.  The next best thing to nothing at all.

YouTube screen grab.

Erin Mendenhall, the mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah, a recent convert to drone shows, stated in a news release that the city's new format marked an effort to minimize the chance of an unwanted conflagration due to the area's "high fire danger" status — and to lessen air quality problems caused by such pyrotechnics.

"As temperatures rise and fire danger increases, we must be conscientious of both our air quality and the potential for wildfires," Mendenhall said in the release.

Boulder, Colorado is among an increasing number of other cities that have made similar decisions this year as regards fireworks and how to celebrate — or not — the Fourth of July.  And it isn't always a local decision as to whether — or not — to employ fireworks in celebration of our nation's birth.  The Biden administration has expressly forbidden fireworks at Mount Rushmore for the third straight year.

Some claim that fireworks need to go the way of the dinosaurs because they may upset pets and be triggering for those with PTSD.  That may be the case with any loud noise — and a host of other things — all year long, whereas with fireworks, we are talking about 30 minutes one evening a year.

I have seen some truly spectacular fireworks shows.  Call me a skeptic, but it is hard for me to imagine a "spectacular" drone light show.  This is just another way to justify using global warming — and anything else progressives can grab hold of — to take away freedoms, dispense with tradition, and avoid celebrating the founding of America.

And the drone lights' red glare, the gentle whirring in air
Gave proof through the night that our PRIDE! flag was still there

And that banner yet waves.

O'er the land of the increasingly less free and the home of the formerly brave.

Thomas Lifson adds: The drones are kinda, sorta impressive for about 5 seconds, but they miss the point.  We are celebrating a war with "bombs bursting in air"!  Now, if we are celebrating our war in Afghanistan, then drones might be OK.  But who celebrates a humiliating withdrawal?