I don’t usually comment much about the politics of states other than my own but I consider this a post about the state of journalism rather than one about New York. I was struck by the contrasting treatments of Andrew Cuomo, who’s been accused of a number of transgressions including his stonewalling of inquiries about his handling of COVID-19, particularly in the early days, sexual harassment, and bullying. The editors of the Washington Post are critical of him:
IMAGINE THIS scenario. The chief executive officer of a company is alone in the office with a much younger woman who works for him. He asks about her sex life. Has she ever had sex with older men and does age make a difference in romantic relationships? The woman is unsettled by what she sees as a sexual advance and reports it. It’s hard to imagine that, in a well-run company, that executive wouldn’t be asked to resign — or be fired on the spot — for his behavior.
Should the standard be lower for those who hold public office and the public trust? That is the central question that must be addressed in the developing scandal over allegations that New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) sexually harassed two women — Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett — who used to work for him. The allegations come as Mr. Cuomo is also under fire over the state’s response to coronavirus cases in nursing homes and whether nursing home deaths were underreported to avoid federal scrutiny.
The question we should be asking is not just what would happen to a CEO but what how would he have been treated if he were a Republican? The editors of the NYT are comparatively silent on the matter—ironic in that it was the NYT that broke the story of the governor’s harassments.
Why the different treatments? I think that the Times being in New York has something to do with it. The governor remains in a position to make life difficult for them and, consequently, self-preservation dictates a light touch. Additionally, the NYT is significantly more partisan than the WaPo and, well, Mr. Cuomo is a Democrat. The Kerenskyite posture presently being taken also motivates maintaining a light touch.
I don’t know the truth of the matter but I do think that the governor’s responses, essentially, hoocoodanode, don’t hold water. Since returning to the corporate world I have been compelled to sit through annual training sessions (what used to be called “sensitivity training”). If Mr. Cuomo’s participation in similar sessions is not mandatory, I can only say it’s good to be king.
The key point here is that as with many other similar prominent men everybody knew. The NYT should be ashamed of itself as should the New York Democratic leadership.
“Since returning to the corporate world I have been compelled to sit through annual training sessions (what used to be called “sensitivity trainingâ€). “
Please tell us you’ve been adequately warned about the dangers of noted ultra-white, un-woke and just evil scourges like the Muppets, Mr Potatohead and that damned Cat what with his insidious green eggs and all. Now, if we could just get to that street corner dealer and her sugared up dope, Mary Poppins, maybe the world would be a safe place again.
I have had racial/ethnic sensitivity training sessions, ironically even as I was being discriminated against.
My personal creed is to do my best to treat all persons with kindness, consideration, and respect. That having been said I think that the attacks on the Muppets, Mr. Potatohead, Dr. Seuss, etc. as promoters of white supremacy are unhinged.
“My personal creed is to do my best to treat all persons with kindness, consideration, and respect.â€
Of that I have no doubt. I wish I could attribute the current craze to the fever of the moment, or simply misguided but well intentioned individuals. However, I cannot. This is premeditated and agenda driven. Today on the hit parade is the accusation, and obligatory apology, that Hyatt willingly hosted CPAC, even though they are a well known group of Nazis. Of course that must be true. NPR ran with it.
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I agree. Dr Seuss very accurately portrayed how Africans truly look and should not be criticized for that.
https://jabberwocking.com/seuss-estate-discontinues-six-books-thanks-to-racist-imagery/
Seriously, I think the Purity police do exist, but we now get to hear in great detail multiple versions of the same story about some group that might do something. Or some group we never heard of doing something somewhere that affects a few hundred people.
Steve
The house is burning down and steve resorts, as usual, to minimalizing it as a few weeds needing plucked from the lawn.
According to Drew no white person is left working anywhere because problems are so bad, yet here I am in my office.
Steve