Optimisim stated that 'I wouldn't just concentrate on blacks being scary...that is nieve [sic].

The fact of the matter is this: many young black males are portrayed in the media as gangstas or thugs. It seems that most of the shootings in major metropolitan areas are televised as black-on-black males or at the very least black-on-black. The rap industry does very little to persuade the public that the gangs and their crimes need to be reduced. The same black demographic is entirely correct that they are discriminated against, however, when a group of young black males are walking down the street dressed in this rap gangsta style, it does not help their own cause. One can bet that others, or police, are watching them closely anticipating some sort of anti-social behavior, justified or not, by the clothes they wear.

WOW, testerrific, you're funny! Seriously though, usually if I'm in Jville the weekend of Freedom Fest I always take my kids. I think they do a great job. Thanks to AOG for a great day of family fun!!

Jacmarien, I went to the New Life Assembly of God's "Freedom Fest" this year, and all I can say is...I was very offended with all the "Jesus Posturing" going on there. I mean, one religious nut even flashed me a "Jesus Gang Sign" by moving his hand up and down vertically from his chest to his forehead, and then moving his hand horizontally back and forth across his chest. Suddenly, the horde of weird looking onlookers started saying "God Bless You" in unison, and I hadn't even sneezed!!!! They were truly an unruly gang, and it was very frightening. I called the police, but the man who had flashed those gang signs was not arrested. Of course, it was mostly weird looking white people who flashed that sign at that event, so it is understandable. There WAS one Black man who WAS arrested for flashing that "Jesus Gang Sign", but it turned out, he was only the "hired help". He was whisked away quite quickly by the JPD.

sannio
I dont care if im being watched I will protect myself and my family,where JVPD fails I wont.
whats the matter are you one of those nonviolence activists or are you progang I served my country did you? I fought for the rights to freedom we all have did you?

B

Next year, if you want to enjoy a really great fireworks display, and you want a clean family environment, go to New Life Assembly of God's Freedom Fest. My family went for the first time this year, and it was amazing. We had never even heard of it until our neighbor mentioned that their fireworks are better than the city of Janesville's (they were at least comparable). There were games and rides for kids, and a free concert from Go Fish, and food vendors for good eats. Everything is free, except the food and drinks you buy. Best of all, there was no smoking, no drinking, and no problems.

Its upsetting to be in a family environment where children are playing and enjoying a picnic then a great fireworks display - yet all the while, we as parents and grandparents have to worry that some idiotic kid with the gang mentality decides this is the place to start "crap"!

How unfortunate for our communities as a whole that we can't seem to get a handle on this garbage. I say we need to "take out the trash"... Kudos to the Madison police department for doing their part to keep us safe.

I just wanted to say that this year inside the carnival area it was extremely rough. I myself had an altercation with a female, for stupid reasons but if you choose not to walk into the carnival area with your family then you shouldn't have had any issues! I am sorry that everyone seemed to have been completely overwhelmed by the drinking this year but to me it has been the same for the last 9 years I have went!

Biscuit5 - From your comment, and the previous comments you've made in the past that weren't removed by the Gazette staff, I'm pretty sure you're a watched man at this point. Good luck to you in your endeavor to promote freedom, and please check your 2nd amendment at the door.

posture- is how you display your self I am guessing and using your arms certain ways. for a small example flipping somebody off except in their gang ways.

My thought throw them all into military school or to the army to get straightend out.They have the attitudes now put them to work in Iraq

An added note, I wouldn't just concentrate on blacks being scary...that is nieve! Every color of every WALK OF LIFE has it's own scary. You never know who is packed and loaded, you never know who just went off their meds, you never know who might be watching you out their windows. Not to be paranoid, but you just can label a person scary or a Gang Banger because of their race....yes race determines what gang they are involved in...but there are gangs of ALL RACES. I have to say white sempremists are some of the scariest people I have seen. They are just plain evil thinkers.

Fricken Losers!!! You people make me SICK. This is a FAMILY environment, you have NO BUSINESS being there!! URGH! This really makes me mad.

Not sure but I think gang posturing might have something to do with the hand signals they do to each other also. I don't think it's a "black" thing cuz you've got whites, Mexicans, Mongs and whoever else that do it.

I have been going to Rhythm & Booms for a number of years. I have to say this year I enjoyed it the least out of all the times I have gone. Several groups of people around us were drunk and would not stop talking or laughing during the fireworks. I don't have a problem with people enjoying a few beers, but control yourself this is suppose to be a family event. Didn't see any fights, but I wasn't close to the midway.

I have been going to Rhythm and Booms for 6 years now and we have sat in the same spot every year and we have no problems at all. I didn't even know there were any arrests until I saw the news last night so that tells you that some spots in the park are great spots to go. You just have to find them. Everybody seems to think that when you have a problem one time at Rhythm and booms all your times there will be bad and that is not the case when I go. It is an exciting time to be with your family and friends and I enjoy it very much and so does my 5 year old son.

Dylyn, black, white, yellow, pink or green I really doubt that you get arrested for "battery" or "recklessly endangering safety" because you're standing around with baggy pants and a tipped hat watching fireworks. I also doubt that it would be reason to shut down the midway. Regrettfully some individuals only purpose in attending was to cause troube. Fortunately police have a place for people like that. It's called jail.

What were the songs this year that played with the fireworks? I usually hit Rockfords Firework Show. They also play music with the fireworks, plus it helps being put on the air thru 104.9 WXRX. Love that station! The orchestra stuff isn't too catchy for me. Would love to see Rythym & Booms turn to modern music, preferably ROCK!

We were at Warner Park and had a great time. A few observations...

1. Not as croweded as in the past. The park had lots of room - we were near the softball diamonds, never felt crowded.

2. MATC lot had a lot of empty spaces.

3. Shuttle bus got expensive this year - $5 a head!

I'm glad they arrested people if they were causing trouble regardless of exactly what they were doing & who they were.

I too would like to know what it means. If it's standing around with saggy drawers and tipped hats, white people were arrested then too. You dont have to be black to look like a thug. The hispanic, white and black community have joined in on the scene.

I have a bad feeling that "gang posturing" in Southern Wisconsin means "black".

What's the statute for "gang posturing"?

If you want to enjoy Rhythm and Booms without the crowd and don't mind missing the ground works, go to Governor Nelson State Park. We go there every year. My kids have a blast! It's not crowded. It's just an awesome way to enjoy the fireworks. We sit by the beach, listen to the music and enjoy the openess of it all.

i went to rhythm and booms, and i didnt see any fights or have any problems. not all experiences are bad. and yes, i was sitting in warner park.

Janesville maybe smaller but there is alot of the same crap at our 4th of july celebration gang stuff,the drunk tent I mean the beer tent
dont get me wrong beers are fine but its those power drinkers and amatures that tend to ruin it
oh by the way when I go out after dark to walk the dog I hold my right to bear arms very close very very close

B

The only way to go is to go to the MATC parking lot and watch them from there while tuned into the radio.

that why i did not go and probble wont go up there that is something i dont want my kid to be around.

Unfortunately, this is the sign of the times. I do not plan to go back. My first experience several years ago was pretty negative. Hence, I will not plan to take children to any immediate areas such as this. It is such a shame.

We didn't drive down this year either. I enjoy the fireworks, but some people get so drunk and, you're right, the gang thing is nothing new. It really makes me uneasy when we go.

This is nothing new and the exact reason my family and I stopped going "into the park" for the fireworks.