He’s fiend or friend?

A WORD about Andrew Cuomo’s latest kerfuffle. A sexual assault lawsuit. A former aide’s allegation that he groped her.

Because he believes I’m not always wonderful about him, our ex-governor has avoided me at times. Thus, my thoughts come from no personal friendship but from an impersonal relationship.

Our world’s changed. Our ways, dress, speech, commitments, politics, schooling, financing, spending, habits, our devotions have changed.

Life has led me into and through the lives of some of this planet’s most famous and most powerful men. World leaders. Believe me, I know the difference between kidding about and making a pass. OH MY GOD do I know.

Minus individual knowledge of said allegation, and only knowing what I read, I can take no sides. My point only is that if this experience happened it might be generational. Social. International. Not personal. Cuomo’s Roman ancestry is warmer than one whose genes began in Reykjavik. An Icelander might extend a hand for a hello, an Italian’s greeting can be a hug, a pinch, a squeeze. Nobody’s saying it’s right. It just is.

Not advocating it. Only saying it’s what they do. Or did. It’s generational. T-shirts to dinner now. Once was suits. High heels then, sneakers now. Today who writes longhand thank you notes for expensive wedding gifts? — nobody. Today, women flash naked boobs over their lamb chops. It’s fie on furs, calling people fat or dumb, referring to skin tone or body mass or height or weight or mentality or spirituality can get you 10 years behind bars.

A hug or squeeze was “so what” back then. Now, not. Now what’s “in” is tattoos, cannabis shops, peeing on the street, nose piercings, threesomes, no to weddings but yes to kids, left wing college professors, electing political thieves. That’s OK. That’s now. But a hug can get you before a judge?!

Years back I was at a political rally. From two tables away came then Gov. Cuomo. Didn’t even speak to me. Just kissed me on the cheek — and split. That was against the law? The only thing I thought was lousy was that he didn’t pick up my check.

Cuomo’s long been high cotton. Important. Attractive. Was married. Lived for years with a nifty blond. But so needy for friendship he’d manhandle an aide? I’m not saying his accuser’s out of order. I’m not denying her. Just saying.

OK, I’m finished.