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Check Out The Cuomo Cuba Trip You Paid For
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Apr 21, 2015
Modified Apr 21, 2015
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Apr 21, 2015
Modified Apr 21, 2015
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Governor Cuomo is in Cuba "seeking business." Has he found any yet? Let's look at some pictures from his day-and-a-half-long trip.
(Governor's Flickr)
Bad suits, bottled water, cheap microphone—it sure looks like Commerce, but for New York and Cuba to actually benefit (i.e. make money) from all these promising signs, the federal trade embargo has to be lifted. Lifted by a Republican-controlled Congress. That doesn't sound likely to happen anytime soon. Or like it has anything to do with Governor Cuomo? But our Governor sounds like he is trying really hard. Really, really hard.
From Capital's report:
The governor spoke through a translator, his face wooden unless he was delivering a rehearsed joke (“I would say it's only fitting that it's New York [here first], but that would be too arrogant in fitting the stereotype of a governor of New York”). The translator stilted Cuomo's cadence, and at least one of New York's business executives nodded off during his remarks.
Business is important and all, but so is celebrating History. And perhaps the greatest History shared between Cuba and New York (aside from how both states deal with corruption in their governments) is this old blurry photo of the Governor's dad sitting with Fidel Castro.
"New York has a great history with Cuba that goes back many, many years. New York is the progressive state. New York is the state that has always welcomed its arms to people from all over the world. The Statue of Liberty is in the harbor of New York for a reason. It is the culture and the mentality of New York,” Cuomo said, mentioning his late father, Mario Cuomo, and a photograph administration press aides had distributed to reporters on the flight.
“Someone sent me this weekend a picture of my father and former President Fidel Castro. My father was an outspoken proponent against the embargo, especially in 1996 when it was broadened. So it's only fitting that I am here today with my colleagues and my associates from the State of New York, doing everything that we can, now that we have the opportunity, to finally normalize relationships,” the governor said. "It's my honor, it's my pleasure and I can't tell you how excited I am to be part of this moment in history, which is what today is really all about.”
To think: all these years after that blurry photo was taken, the great progressive governor's son would be a great progressive governor, and in Cuba talking to Cubans about New York in ways that would be patronizing to an 9th grader. History, man.
(Governor's Flickr)
No business here, but Governor Cuomo loves old timey cars, and Cuba is full of them. According to the Times, this one is named "Lola."
At times it seemed like one big photo opportunity, as he walked the cobblestone streets of Old Havana; waved at a passing couple from Long Island City, Queens; and poked his head under a beautifully restored pink 1956 Chevrolet named Lola that his advance team had arranged for him to see.
“I have never seen a Chevy with a Toyota engine in it,” said Mr. Cuomo, who has been car-obsessed since he was a teenager working at a gas station in Hollis, Queens. “I had to come to Cuba to see this.”
What were the odds that Governor Cuomo, who is such a car buff, would have his advance team arrange for him to pose with a vintage car?
(Courtesy Billy Devine)
Whoops, ha ha how did this picture get in here?If there's one thing the Governor isn't thinking about on this important trip, it's how millions of his actual constituents are going to get to the jobs they need to survive.
Here's a picture of New York State's real business leaders meeting some normal Cubans. There's State Senator Jeff "I'll Be A Republican For The Sole Purpose Of Obtaining A Lucrative Position Of Power Which I Can Mercilessly & Selfishly Exploit" Klein. And Assembly Speaker Carl "My Life Choices Were The Subject Of A Front-Page New York Times Article This Very Fucking Day About How I Benefitted From Embezzled Money But I'm Probably Still Better Than The Last Guy With This Job" Heastie.
Still, according to Capital's report, some Cubans were confused: "One, told of Cuomo's visit, asked if he was New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and shrugged when told he was not." Silly Cubans, it's Cuomo who is the progressive, kinda socialisty one! CUOMO.
According to the WSJ, taxpayers will be footing the bill for the governor's trip, and for the expenses of at least ten of his aides.
Better luck next term!
Tagged
corruption
cuba
governor cuomo
the governor we deserve
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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