By Chris Cosci

The circus is a spectacle for people of all ages. Trapeze artists tumble gracefully through the air. Animal tamers place their heads inside a lion's mouth. Daredevils ride around in a spherical cage on motorcycles. These daring acts thrill us with a mixture of fear and excitement. It's so much fun watching other people risk their lives for our enjoyment.

At a recent stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, one of these dangerous acts caused quite a stir for the world-famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The act in question is called "Bailey's Comet," where self-proclaimed "human fireball" Brian Riser gets covered in lighter fluid and is shot from a cannon in a brilliant display.

Fire Safety Inspector Ted Jensen expressed concern about the act to city commissioners. Agreeing with Jensen, commissioners voted to scale back Riser's act. The strange thing is, the decision had nothing to do with safety. After all, Riser wears not one, but two fireproof suits during the performance. In addition, he is immediately doused with fire extinguishers upon landing. It takes a lot of precaution to look like a complete lunatic.

Riser has performed this stunt without incident about 770 times. Even Jensen agreed that Riser's set-up for the stunt would certainly pass a city safety inspection. Given all of this, it is obvious that safety was never the issue. So what was the problem?

As it turns out, Jensen and the commissioners never wanted Riser to cancel the act; they simply wanted him to remove the element of fire. You see, in a bit of bad timing, the last day of the circus just happened to be the first day of Fire Prevention Week. Apparently, something about a man lighting himself on fire didn't quite mesh with the overall concept of promoting fire safety.

One could argue that Riser shows a great deal of respect for the power of fire through his extremely cautious preparation. However, this was beside the point. As Jensen explained, the primary concern was about sending the wrong message to the children. By cutting the fire out of Riser's act, they are abolishing the message that "fire is cool" and replacing it with the more appropriate message, "fire is really dangerous - but shooting yourself from a cannon is still a lot of fun!"

I guess I can see how the commissioners would be mostly concerned about the fire part. After all, matches and lighter fluid are common household items that children could probably access easily. Cannons, on the other hand, are a little harder to come by - at least in Grand Rapids. Let's just hope the circus doesn't make a stop in Gettysburg anytime soon.

Not everybody was on board with the city's decision. First Ward Commissioner Roy Schmidt was the lone voice of dissent among the city officials. Schmidt argued, "I think we should support the circus. They wouldn't do something if it isn't safe." I guess Schmidt never got the memo about the message to the children. Either that or he has no problem with kids lighting themselves on fire.

Also attacking the decision was Richard McKeigan, general manager of the company that oversees Van Andel Arena, the hosting venue for the circus in Grand Rapids. McKeigan claimed, "we're dealing with professionals who do this for a living. It's not a fly-by-night affair." He added, "I don't see a big difference between this and a knife-throwing act." Come on. If knives are really that dangerous, don't you think we'd have a Cutlery Awareness Week?

I guess the circus can be relieved that Fire Prevention Week only comes once a year. That leaves them 51 weeks for setting performers on fire and passing out disposable lighters to children. Okay, so maybe they don't hand out lighters, but they do have a wonderful show that will entertain both kids and adults. And don't be surprised if you see a cannon show up on your child's next birthday list.