"I Believe These 11 Women"

Just a short time ago, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced the findings of an investigation into allegations by 11 women that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo engaged in sexual harassment of current and former State employees. The report can be found here.  Here's what the Executive Summary has to say:

"We, the investigators appointed to conduct an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, conclude that the Governor engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment under federal and New York State law. Specifically, we find that the Governor sexually harassed a number of current and former New York State employees by, among other things, engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, as well as making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women. Our investigation revealed that the Governor’s sexually harassing behavior was not limited to members of his own staff, but extended to other State employees, including a State Trooper on his protective detail and members of the public. We also conclude that the Executive Chamber’s culture—one filled with fear and intimidation, while at the same time normalizing the Governor’s frequent flirtations and gender-based comments—contributed to the conditions that allowed the sexual harassment to occur and persist. That culture also influenced the improper and inadequate ways in which the Executive Chamber has responded to allegations of harassment."  (our emphasis)

In her news conference, Attorney General James repeatedly stated that "I believe the women" after a lengthy investigation in which 179 people were interviewed and 74,000 pieces of evidence were produced. James would not speculate on actions that some might take going forward, including censure or impeachment by the State Legislature (whose investigation is sure to be energized by James' findings), but it should mark the end of the political career of Gov. Cuomo, who was contemplating running for a fourth term.

As an aside, can you imagine a current-day Republican Attorney General, whether at the state or Federal level, bringing forth a report of this kind against a Republican Governor or President?

(photo: James, flanked by investigators Anne L. Clark and Joon H. Kim. Dave Sanders / New York Times)

QOTD -- Cuomo On Moscow Mitch

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo responding to yesterday's suggestion by Moscow Mitch McConnell that providing funds to state and local governments for COVID-19 relief was a "blue state bailout" and that they consider declaring bankruptcy as an option:

"Don’t help New York because it is a Democratic state. How ugly a thought. Just think of what he’s saying. People died, 15,000 people died in New York, but they were predominantly Democrats, so why should we help them? I mean, for crying out loud, if there was ever a time for you to put aside your pettiness and your partisanship and this political lens that you see the world through — Democrat or Republican, and we help Republicans but we don’t help Democrats — that’s not who we are. That’s just now who we are as a people. If there’s ever a time for humanity and decency, now is the time."

Paul Waldman has more analysis of Moscow Mitch's "factually wrong and so morally revolting" idea at the link, including how "blue" states heavily subsidize "red" states, including McConnell's own Kentucky.

It's a good time to remember that morally bankrupt Moscow Mitch is up for reelection, and he's running against a hero and a star, former Marine Corps pilot Amy McGrath. Consider a contribution to her campaign to help send Moscow Mitch packing.

Quotes Of The Day

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's news conference today, referring to the need for the Federal government to step up and help with widespread coronavirus testing prior to re- opening businesses:

“We cannot do it without federal help... It's like passing the buck without passing the bucks.”

Dangerous dolt Donald "I Don't Take Responsibility At All" Trump, who was watching Fox "News" instead of pretending to be "president," didn't like that, so he tweeted about not being thanked for all the help "he" had given New York.  Being informed of this,  Cuomo responded in real time (excerpts):

“First of all, if he’s sitting home watching TV, maybe he should get up and go to work, right?  Second, let’s keep emotion and politics out of this, and personal ego if we can. Because this is about the people.”

”I don’t know what I’m supposed to do — send a bouquet of flowers? Thank you again, Mr. President, for the Javits. Thank you for the U.S. Navy ship Comfort, which is just doing your job as president. It’s not really thank you like you wrote a check yourself, but thank you."

“Why don’t you show as much consideration to states as you did to your big businesses and to your airlines?”

The damn narcissistic sociopath needs to get slapped down hard on a regular basis, just like Gov. Cuomo did.  There are limits to everything.