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He rode into the New York City mayoral job, verbal guns a-blazing, like the perennial knight on the white horse (though obviously not a carriage horse).
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With lofty promises like, "banning horse carriages during first week in office," Bill deBlasio won the hearts of thousands of self-described animal activists, wealthy benefactors and others too naive to understand how city government actually works. Despite handily winning the election, the fact is, no mayor bans anything without an actual bill and backing from the City Council.
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But, nine months into the new administration, there have been some bumps along the way for our knight in shining armor.
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DeBlasio first encountered problems when apparently failing to look out his window one morning and notice a foot of snow falling on New York City streets. Tardiness to dispatch snow plows to the Upper East Side in Manhattan resulted in major traffic tie-ups and delays that caused thousands of motorists and children to sit in cars and school buses for many hours.
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DeBlasio's second bump occurred with his lack of support for charter schools resulting in scores of parents and others traveling to Albany to protest. The governor had to step in to help navigate a course through that snafu.
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Then of course there was the broken promise of "banning carriage horses during his first week in office." That particular bungle resulted in a heated protest outside of Gracie Mansion last month from some of deBlasios former biggest fans.-- Some romances it seems, are short lived.
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But, none of these things quite compare to Charlottegate of this past week.
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What is Charlottegate?
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Last February on Groundhog Day, deBlasio traveled to the Staten Island Zoo to pick up and hold a groundhog named "Chuck" to determine if the critter saw his shadow (an annual tradition in NYC).
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But deBlasio was obviously uncomfortable with the terrifying venture and elected to wear thick, yellow gloves. Despite the protective armor, deBlasio dropped the groundhog causing a hard spill to the ground.
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According to the New York Post, the groundhog died a few days later. Further investigation revealed that "Chuck" was actually "Charlotte."
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Hints of bait and switch, along with cover-up of an animal death and vague explanation of it, resulted in the New York Post story going viral on the Internet and hitting virtually all of the national and established media, including the Washington Post, NY Times and even LATimes. The incident later became fodder for all the late night comedy shows.
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Now, I don't want to be unduly cruel here and blame deBlasio for deliberately causing poor Charlotte's untimely demise without actual evidence. Perhaps its just unfortunate coincidence that he drops an animal and a few days later, the animal dies. (Toxic gloves, perhaps?)
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But, perhaps a man who hasn't had an animal of any kind since a small child should not have been expected to comfortably hold one -- even a hamster.
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The question is, where does all this leave us now -- especially with the issue of the carriage horses still looming?
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Personally speaking, I don't know how a man who seemingly knows little or nothing about animals (and is certainly not comfortable holding any) should be judge and jury to what's actually best for our hooved, feathered or pawed friends.
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What does deBlasio actually know about horses -- or for that matter, dogs, cats or goldfish?
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Moreover, why was this man viewed as a crusader for animal rights when he doesn't even appear comfortable around animals? Does deBlasio want to get rid of carriage horses in NYC simply because he is not comfortable with them or any animals in the city? (That would not seem to bode well for my beloved Canada geese in New York who are already under the gun -- literally).
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To this point, an actual bill to ban carriage horses in NYC has not yet been introduced to the City Council -- and its not certain one will be anytime soon.
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From my few interactions with council people, it seems most want to avoid this issue like the plague -- though many are under extreme and intense pressure from anti-carriage folks. (Most council people have failed to take a position.)
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Guess is that the mayor and the council are simply hoping that if they stall long enough, the issue will go away like a stubborn cold. -- A good strategy under normal circumstances.
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But, these aren't normal circumstances as those so engaged in fiery and often virulent campaign to banish carriage horses in NYC aren't going away like an annoying cold.
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It seems that deBlasio and some members of the council have painted themselves into a corner. They are damned if they do (deBlasio and pals likely don't have the votes for an anti-carriage bill to pass) and they are damned if they don't (protests outside district offices and Gracie Mansion.)
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The irony is that unless taking what appears to be, earnest action to banish the carriage horses of NYC, deBlasio could find himself in 2017, in the same position Christine Quinn found herself in 2013. -- Recipient of none too flattering and relentless charges like "animal abuser" and "DeBlasio hates animals."
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Ah, the politics of dirty deals and personal destruction. It ain't always pretty.
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Perhaps deBlasio might do well to think of a quote shared with me a few days ago by a personal friend:
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"Irresponsible behavior is an inescapable incident of the human condition."
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It was perhaps irresponsible behavior that ultimately resulted in the accidental death of Charlotte the groundhog, as it does death to people from bike collisions or even the remarkably few incidents with carriage horses over the years. -- "Crap happens" as said a few days ago.
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But, it is also irresponsible (and non-accidental) behavior to label others "immoral" simply because they are engaged in a work or recreational activity one doesn't like and it is irresponsible to announce decisions for animals and their owners/caregivers when taking little time to actually learn about them.
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Its time for deBlasio to dust himself off. But before getting up on his high horse again, actually take the time to learn how to ride and interact with them before making decisions for them. -- PCA
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