Lost in a Fog?

Santa Monica’s decision to proceed with an invisible fireworks display in the predawn fog on July 4 confirms its reputation for being a unique--some would say flaky--municipality. Perhaps the local authorities were concerned that cancellation of this costly, but totally unobservable, display might adversely impact their budget request for a similar spectacular next year.

Of course, lost sea gulls and passengers in low-flying aircraft might have derived momentary enjoyment from any pyrotechnics that might have penetrated the fog bank. If Santa Monica accomplishes nothing else by this bizarre action, it further validates the view held by most practicing cynics that bureaucrats of whatever level of authority are myopic robots who have mutated into human form.

ROBERT S. COUGHLIN

Rancho Palos Verdes