The new three-year labor deal between the City of Columbus and Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Cap City Lodge #9 shows once again our local law enforcement union is dictating its demands to the community instead of the community demanding the Columbus Division of Police become a more professional law enforcement agency so we don’t repeat the summer of 2020.

FOP Cap City Lodge #9 has repeatedly said the Division of Police is one of the best trained police agencies in the nation with phenomenal officers, as union President Keith Ferrel professed during a recent press conference.

The Free Press agrees the job of police can be dangerous and takes its toll on officers. Drug and gun epidemics continue to marginalize and terrorize areas of the community. The Free Press family has several members who work with at-risk youth and often interact with Columbus police, and their experiences have been positive for the most part.

Perhaps the best possible thing we could acknowledge being is a “divided nation.” Failing to do so justifies — or at least avoids noticing — all manner of violent cruelty and repression in the name of so-called democracy, from the jailing of whistleblowers who reveal U.S. war crimes and global criminality, to the lynching of men and women of color . . .  to the waging of endless war.

Oh, and so much more!

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the empire it purports to be (because it’s the greatest country in the world), one nation under the God of Money (who happens to be a white male), with liberty and justice for a few — and probably not for you or your parents, little kid!”

This is the pledge of allegiance we don’t teach to schoolkids, but it’s the one under which they live — some more than others, of course.

The Environmental Protection Agency is working to craft a new rule to tackle methane and associated pollution from new and existing oil and gas operations, and they want to hear from you. Methane pollution from the oil and gas industry is fueling the climate crisis, and threatening the health and safety of our communities. It's time to do something about it. We need you to let EPA know that they can cut methane from oil and gas now, by submitting a written comment ahead of the September rule-making.  We have the tools and technology to cut methane pollution from the oil and gas sector by as much as 65 percent below 2012 levels by 2025, but there is no time to waste.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about and take action on this very serious issue affecting ALL Ohio residents, the environment, and water sources of the ENTIRE state.

State and private actors have allowed the use and processing of radioactive oil and gas brine in our communities and state. However, Ohio Revised Code (Section 2927.24) makes it a crime to place a radioactive substance in a public place or waterway with the knowledge that it may cause serious harm. We are calling on the Attorney General and county prosecutors to investigate and prosecute this violation of the law.

To acquaint yourself with facts regarding the use and dangers of radioactive oil and gas brine being used as a deicer and dust suppressant in Ohio, please go to this link and review the information before speaking to elected officials and members of the community. https://www.ohiocrn.org/toxic-trespass

Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 6:30 PM