He’s much more than his mistakes
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Pond Eddy, N.Y.: I recently turned 78, but back in the 1960s I was young and a bit groovy and excited to be working in the NYC TV commercial industry. Like most of my cohorts, I was running around in a miniskirt, interacting with the many men at work, some of whom were constantly “on the make.” It seems to me that every young woman should learn how to deal with the men who like to flirt with and sometimes proposition young ladies in the eternal hope of scoring a “hit.” Of course, we expect that any man will accept “no” when it’s clearly expressed; actual harassment is absolutely not acceptable.
What I’ve heard of Gov. Cuomo’s efforts to engage a few young, attractive women hardly surprises me. It seems to me that if you’re going to play on the rough-and-tumble battleground of grown-up politics and business, you’d best be prepared to deal with highly-driven, rough-and-tumble, sometimes lonely men — some of whom are going to be on the prowl.
So far as I can see, Cuomo did not cross any solid lines. He asked a few too-personal questions. He didn’t lunge, he didn’t grab, he backed off (evidently) and eventually apologized. I believe he’s been an excellent governor for New York and I’m grateful for his experience and strength, so I’m willing to overlook his rough, gruff side. I don’t think he needs to give up a pound of flesh for his transgressions.
Joan Rosenfelt
Doesn’t look good
Miami Beach: The pitiable state to which the office of the N.Y. governor is slowly degrading to — and the governor’s appearance resembling an ogre being no less pitiable — clearly reveals that a change would be for the better even if he’s innocent of the charges against him.
Robert M.J. Thomas
Overcorrection
Hoboken: Reading Linda Stasi’s op-ed “We were right to laud Cuomo” (March 10) made me realize how much I miss reading her regular columns in your newspaper. She got to the heart of the matter and I agree with her fully. The more the women speak, the more they dig their own graves. Not that they are wrong but they show that he is guilty of nothing more than flirting. That’s not sex abuse. He might have acted inappropriately but he’s not an abuser. All the people piling on and abandoning Cuomo are sickening. #MeToo is too caught up in itself and weakening the true acts of abuse, which are wrong and need justice. The Cuomo case is filled with injustices. Stasi said it so well. Alexander M. Santora
Misconduct light
Middle Village: I couldn’t agree more with Voicer Reparata Mazzola. These women accusing the governor of sexual harassment are sounding like big babies. I have been appalled by the MeToo movement. It disgusts me to hear of the atrocities committed by men like Bill
Cosby, Harvey Weinstein and Donald Trump. The statements I’m hearing from these women pale in comparison and sound more like unwanted advances or awkward questions. The articles regarding the photo of him holding one of said women’s faces in his hands as she “winces” are greatly exaggerated — I see her smiling. My point is, as a woman there are plenty of times we experience awkward come-ons or advances by men we are not interested in. We have to be strong and firm in these instances. If we all accuse every man that has made us uncomfortable in our lives, then most every man would stand accused. Robin Bisighini
Everybody’s a critic
Manhattan: I’ve lived in New York City from the minute I graduated college 57 years ago. Now, I am a full-fledged New Yorker and as one, I have a great deal of respect for both Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio. Who wants to get up every morning and deal constantly with kvetching New Yorkers who complain of everything from potholes to pot roast? However, I think it is tacky of de Blasio to jump on the misfortunes of Cuomo at this troubling time to further his own political ambitions.
James A. Fragale
Based on what?
New Hyde Park, L.I.: The article concerning the proposed stimulus (“Americans, it’s now time to check this out,” March 8) refers to a threshold of $75,000 in income for individuals and $150,000 in income for married couples who file tax returns jointly. There are at least four categories of income that the IRS recognizes, to wit: gross income, adjusted gross income, earned income and taxable income. The articles I have read do not specify which is to be used as the criterion. It would appear to me that earned income or taxable income, whichever is less, should be the standard. It would be unfair to penalize those whose interest or dividend income put them over the threshold. Those who prudently save or invest are already taxed for the amounts they sock away. They should not be denied stimulus money if income from interest or dividends places them over the line. I would appreciate any enlightenment. John C. Macklin
Stand together
Whitestone: In view of the fact that not a single House or Senate Republican voted in favor of Biden’s COVID relief plan, it seems only right that registered Republicans are not included in this round of payments. They should be proud to follow the wishes of their duly elected leaders! Robin Mazzia
Hospital’s fate
Rockaway Beach: With all due respect, Voicer Steve Berger, if you have a life-threatening event, say a heart attack or a motor vehicle accident, you don’t want to go to an urgent care facility. You want the best, most up-to-date and closest hospital there is, fully staffed and equipped. You don’t want to go “outside the neighborhood,” as you so quaintly put it. Think again, Mister B, and put your “21st Century” brain and funds to good use. Protect and improve the one hospital available for all Rockaway peninsula residents and keep us medically afloat. We need St. John’s Episcopal Hospital here. Maureen McNelis
Prodigal son
Clearwater, Fla.: Perhaps one day Prince Harry will wake up and realize that he has a family that loves and cares about him. For now, though, Meghan Markle is doing her best to pull him away as she badmouths the royal family, labeling them racists. In the meantime, both Harry and Meghan are acting like two spoiled royals.
JoAnn Lee Frank
Lifeline
Staten Island: We all know that more people are thinking of suicide and kids are especially vulnerable, according to mental health folks. So, maybe the powers that be can somehow help the national suicide prevention network get a more easily remembered universal number than the current 1-800273-8255? Something along the lines of 911 — perhaps 777, or 711, or 456. Someone who wants to die doesn’t need the added burden of trying to find a phone number to find these wonderful people who can often talk them down. Tom McGuire
Apples to Loraxes
Hackensack, N.J.: I could hardly believe Voicer Tom Ascher’s letter comparing Dr. Seuss’ works with those of Adolf Hitler and Saul Alinsky. Dr. Seuss books are fiction and directed at children, and meant to teach them about life. The Hitler and Alinsky books are adult reading and provide a view into the minds of radical thinkers from history. Where we now see prejudicial references in the six Dr. Seuss books, we want to correct what might be unintended slurs. Comparing the historical works with Dr. Seuss is beyond apples and oranges.
Richard A. Naumann
Waste mismanagement
Brooklyn: I don’t know about the rest of the city but here in Brooklyn it seems like picking up garbage is an afterthought. Let’s forget the snowstorms, I get that. However, the snow is gone and we still can’t get back to our normal pickup schedule. My recycling was left out there for two weeks and the garbage pickups seem to be whenever they feel like it. Instead of Wednesday and Saturday it seems to be any day of the week lately. Hopefully, someone can step in and fix whatever the issue is. If they don’t, the neighborhoods will look like one big garbage dump.
John De Angelo