Freedom Industries

Beech tree in Winter fog in woods near Durand Eastman Park
Beech tree in Winter fog in woods near Durand Eastman Park

What do you think of when you hear the name “Freedom Industries?” Sounds vaguely patriotic. They’re the company that let their aging coal processing plant dump toxic chemicals into West Virginia’s drinking water supply and then didn’t warn the downstream residents of the peril. They had the freedom to let it go until they were found out. West Virginia is desperate for jobs and government regulations are a hinderance. This is why Congress continues to gut the Environmental Protection Agency. Regulations are a pain in the ass.

Who better to lead a ring that collected a $28,000 kickback from each of hundreds of police officers and firefighters who falsely claimed mental problems due to 9/11 than an ex-agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation who once served as a senior Nassau County prosecutor. Who better than Facebook to expose the “injured” as bullshit artists after they successfully bilked the Social Security Administration of $21.4 million in disability benefits.

Today we learn Larry Staub, the Monroe County Parks Commissioner, is in line to take over as executive director of the Monroe County Republican Committee. I guess this move all makes sense. They have cut staff and funding of the parks to such a point that volunteers have taken over many of the upkeep tasks.

I like thinking about these things as I walk in the woods.

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