bookmark_borderCuomo stands with Columbus & Italian-American community

I don’t agree with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on many things, and I have even criticized him on this blog. But I wholeheartedly agree with his statement on a recent disgraceful act of vandalism perpetrated against a Christopher Columbus statue. Cuomo’s statement can be found at this link or as follows: 

I was disgusted to learn of the offensive, vulgar graffiti that was found spray painted on the Columbus Monument in Manhattan recently, a source of pride for the Italian American community for 130 years.

When New Yorkers encounter acts of hate, we don’t remain silent. One attack on any culture is an attack on all cultures, and we will stand united in condemning all acts of bigotry and intolerance.

I am directing the State Police hate crimes task force to provide the NYPD with assistance in its investigation and to hold the criminal responsible to the fullest extent of the law.

I am pleasantly surprised that Cuomo chose to stand with Columbus and the Italian-American community instead of with the vandals, as many politicians have done when similar acts of vandalism have taken place. This was indeed an act of bigotry and intolerance, and it is encouraging that this is being investigated as a hate crime. Thank you Cuomo for defending a historical figure who has been under constant, vicious assault and for providing a small measure of comfort to a community that has really been hurting.

bookmark_borderClassless Cuomo ridicules those who disagree with him

In addition to being a bully who does not care about freedom of speech (or any other type of freedom for that matter), New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also apparently enjoys ridiculing those who hold different views than he does. He posted the following meme on Facebook making fun of those who disagree with him on the issue of the government requiring people to wear masks to stop the spread of Covid-19:

This is completely classless. First of all, there is no such thing as “anti-maskers.” I suspect that Cuomo meant “people who don’t wear masks” or “people who disagree with mask mandates.” More importantly, it is unacceptable for any person, let alone a governor, to personally insult and ridicule those with whom they disagree. It is disturbing that someone who is in charge of governing a state would act in such an unprofessional manner. I assume that Cuomo was attempting to show off his cleverness and wit, but all that he is demonstrating is nastiness and contempt towards people who are different from him. There is nothing funny about that. 

Here is my attempt at a meme:

bookmark_borderCuomo bans “abhorrent” Confederate flag

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed a bill banning the sale and display of Confederate flags on state property. The law makes it illegal to sell Confederate flags at state or local fairs and bans their display unless deemed necessary for historical or educational purposes. In addition to violating the First Amendment, this is yet another example of our society’s intolerant, senseless war on all things Confederate.

“This country faces a pervasive, growing attitude of intolerance and hate — what I have referred to in the body politic as an American cancer,” Cuomo said. “By limiting the display and sale of the Confederate flag, Nazi swastika, and other symbols of hatred from being displayed or sold on state property, including the state fairgrounds, this will help safeguard New Yorkers from the fear-installing effects of these abhorrent symbols.”

But the Confederate flag is not “abhorrent,” nor is there any need to “safeguard” people from it. The Confederate flag is a symbol of liberty and of Southern heritage. Even as someone born and raised in Massachusetts, who is not directly related to anyone who fought for the Confederacy, I recognize that this flag represents a nation that valiantly but unsuccessfully fought for its independence. I find this flag beautiful, glorious, and uplifting. Anyone who feels fear upon seeing a Confederate flag is ignorant as to what the flag is truly all about.

Cuomo is right about one thing: there is indeed a pervasive attitude of intolerance and hate in America that is growing like a cancer. But the nature of this cancer is the opposite of what Cuomo believes it to be. The true American cancer is the movement to obliterate, erase, destroy, and “cancel” everything and everyone that has anything whatsoever to do with the Confederacy, as well as everything and everyone that in any way falls short of the arbitrary requirements of political correctness. This movement is intolerant, it is hateful, and unfortunately it is pervasive and growing. Public support for the Confederacy and its symbols is, sadly, shrinking and shrinking as the political correctness movement increases in power. It is that movement that America needs to be fighting back against, instead of further stomping on the unpopular but honorable cause of the Confederacy. 

In addition to getting intolerance and hate completely backward, Cuomo’s Confederate flag ban also runs up against the pesky issue of freedom of speech. “A private entity can choose to sell or not sell offensive symbols but when the government bans the sale of offensive, but constitutionally protected symbols, on its property the First Amendment comes into play,” said noted First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams, according to the New York Post.

bookmark_borderNYC bar declares itself autonomous zone

A bar has declared itself an autonomous zone in an awesome act of protest against New York’s Covid-19 restrictions. According to the New York Post, Mac’s Public House in Staten Island has signs in the window declaring, “Attention! As of November 20, 2020 we now declare this establishment an autonomous zone! We refuse to abide by any rules and regulations put forth by the Mayor of NYC and Governor of NY State.” The words “autonomous zone” are also written on the sidewalk outside the bar.

As of Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo shut down restaurants and bars in the South Shore neighborhood where Mac’s is located. The bar is being fined $1,000 for each day it remains open, and its liquor license was revoked. But owners Danny Presti and Keith McAlarney are not backing down. 

“We’re not paying it,” said Presti of the fines, adding that he refused to let government officials into his business.

“We’re not backing down,” said McAlarney. “You think you scared me by saying I don’t have a license now to serve liquor now? Well guess what? That liquor license is on the wall. If that liquor license is gonna come off the wall, it’s gonna be done by Cuomo.”

Presti and McAlarney explain why they will not bow down in this YouTube video

According to the Post, on Saturday the bar was serving food and drink for free to patrons in exchange for optional donations, which might possibly fall within a loophole of the law.