Oh No, Goes Cuomo – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - August 15, 2021
Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™
Oh No, Goes Cuomo – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - August 15, 2021
“Cuomo Resigns” – Three-term Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) New York, is stepping down before the end of this month. This after the New York Attorney General, a fellow Democrat, concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed, or had inappropriate physical contact with at least 11 women, some on his own staff.
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“The Turning Point” – I’ll admit (and, in frank fairness since I am also a man), I didn’t think this would escalate and conclude so fast. To me, it was another classic, “He said, she said” account that would drag on, unresolved for months. But then, a women known only, (for days anyway), as “Executive Assistant #1” came forward and spoke exclusively with CBS News. Her story was gut-wrenching and compelling, and her credibility seemingly unimpeachable.
“The Story of Brittany Commisso” – Brittany Commisso is “Executive Assistant #1,” and she came forward, fully identifying herself, to first tell her story with CBS News. She talked about how seemingly innocuous hugs with the governor, often at his office in the mansion, evolved to kisses on the check, then on to the lips, and then full under-blouse cupping of her breasts. Why did she not report it right away? “People don’t understand that this is the governor of the State of New York. There are troopers that are outside of the mansion and there are some mansion staff. Those troopers that are there, they are not there to protect me. They are there to protect him.” The subtlety, yet intensity of the intimidation factor, must be so heavy.
“When No Means No, and the Consequences” – Truth Alert: I have a 29-year-old daughter who is an officer in the U.S. Army. If I found out some wayward politician was harassing her, I’d snap his neck like a chicken bone, though I’m sure she’d beat me to it. Look, I understand the old ways, and the new, and it is clear times have changed. In my life, I’ve been blessed with two moms, eight sisters, a wonderful wife of 31 years and a rock star daughter. Here’s the RULE that my dad taught his sons and daughters and their friends on how to treat others respectfully: “No, means no, in every language! It’s universal! Period!” The fact that 11 women came forward with very similar accounts of Cuomo’s behavior is telling. And these were aides from his own party, it’s not like this was some Republican conspiracy or coup!
“The Clinton, I mean Trump, I mean Cuomo, et. al. Defense” – Here was Gov. Cuomo’s defense, and if it sounds all too familiar, well it is. “I do hug and kiss people casually, women and men. I have done it all my life. It’s who I’ve been since I can remember. In my mind, I’ve never crossed the line with anyone, but I didn’t realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn. There are generational and cultural shifts that I just didn’t fully appreciate, and I should have. No excuses,” said Gov. Cuomo. The “generational and cultural shifts” have been there now for 25 years, at least, and he just noticed? As I pointed out in last week’s column, people on the other side of the aisle have offered the similar, lame defense in like circumstances.
“Super Troopers” – One of the most jarring accusations came from a female New York State Trooper who said Cuomo groped her while she was on his security detail. Again, he brushed it off. “When I walk past them, I often will give them a grip of the arm, a pat on face, a touch on the stomach, a slap on the back. It’s my way of saying, ‘I see you. I appreciate you, and I thank you.’ I’m not comfortable just walking past and ignoring them. Of course, usually they are male troopers. In this case, I don’t remember doing it at all. I didn’t do it consciously with the female trooper. I did not mean any sexual connotation. I did not mean any intimacy by it. I just wasn’t thinking. It was totally thoughtless in the literal sense of the word, but it was also insensitive. It was embarrassing to her, and it was disrespectful. It was a mistake, plain and simple,” Cuomo said, nodding that he finally “gets it!”.
“Impeachment Inquiry Ends” – By mid-afternoon Friday, the New York State Assembly announced it was ending its impeachment investigation of Gov. Cuomo. I mean, what’s the point? He’s leaving office in less than two weeks anyway. There will also likely be civil and criminal investigations, so much of the case that would have been heard at the impeachment will get presented. I thought the second impeachment of former President Trump after he left office was a silly waste of time and money and feel the same about impeaching a soon to be ex-governor. Then, and now, the Covid-19 pandemic needs to be our top priority.
“Baseball: The Ultimate Political Escape!” – I’m the first to admit, that I get all sucked in by the latest good, bad, and ugly, in politics. This is what I’ve done my whole life. But like everyone else, I need an escape from it all every now and then. That said, I want to tip my hat to Major League Baseball and Fox Sports for the wonderful “Field of Dreams” game between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox on Thursday night. It was played in the Iowa cornfield where the epic movie of the same name was filmed more than 30 years ago. It was a homerun feast, especially the Sox walk-off winner in the bottom of the ninth inning! For three wonderful hours I didn’t think about politics at all! What a TREAT!!!!
Did Governor Cuomo do the right think by stepping down, or do you think he may be plotting a political comeback down the road? He still has $19 million in his campaign account. U.S. Senate, someday? Just click the comment button and let us know!
