ECO AWKWARD: Ohio Representative Notices an Inconvenient Truth About New Thomas Edison Statue

Ohio State Representative Andy Thompson noticed something ironic about the new Thomas Edison statue that was unveiled in Columbus on Wednesday:

Surrounded by school children wearing orange “We Are Edison” t-shirts, the 6-feet, 10-inch tall bronze statue of Thomas Alva Edison was put on display in the rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse, where it will remain until October. After that it will be shipped to Washington, D.C., to replace the statue of Gov. William Allen that currently represents the state in National Statuary Hall. Ohio lawmakers have been trying to replace the statute of the former Democratic governor, congressman, and U.S. senator because of his support for slavery and opposition to the Civil War.

The Edison statue has its right arm raised and in his hand Edison clutches the (now-practically illegal) incandescent light bulb he helped to perfect.