A 20-year (sic) Navy veteran, Massa was elected to office last November. He serves on the Agriculture, Armed Services and Homeland Security committees, and his departure endangers Democrats’ hold on his competitive upstate New York seat.Rumors are though ...
Massa is scheduled to hold a conference call at 3:30 this afternoon to announce his decision, which came as a complete surprise to several of his freshman Democratic colleagues in the New York delegation. According to the New York Daily News, which first reported that Massa was retiring, the congressman called party leaders and supporters in his district Wednesday to tell them of his plans.
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Massa is now the 15th House Democrat to announce retirement plans, with 11 of them leaving districts that Republicans are aggressively contesting. House Republicans face 19 retirements within GOP ranks, but most of their departing members hail from safe seats.
Massa’s departure also adds to the woes of New York Democrats, who have been on the defensive this week amid a scandal surrounding Gov. David Paterson, who announced he wasn’t running for election, and the tribulations involving embattled Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), who stepped down as chairman from the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday.
Massa’s departure could scramble the Republican field since the filing deadline is not until July. Potential candidates include: Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, state Assemblyman Brian Kolb and state Senator Kathy Young.
According to several House aides – on both sides of the aisle – the House ethics committee has been informed of allegations that Massa, who is married with two children, sexually harassed a male staffer.Yes, male. I am just guessing here - but I think I know what happened; but I am keeping it to myself.
Massa told POLITICO early Wednesday afternoon that no one has brought allegations of misconduct to him.
Asked about the sexual harassment allegations, Massa said: "When someone makes a decision to leave Congress, everybody says everything. I have health issues. I'll talk about it [later].”
"Do I or have I ever used salty language when I’m angry, especially in the privacy of my inner office or even at home? Yes, I have, and I have apologized to those where it's appropriate," Massa said. "But those kinds of articles, unsubstantiated without fact or backing, are a symptom of what's wrong with this city."Well Shipmate - thanks for your service. I'll miss your grumpy self.
Go home, kiss the wife and hug the kids. Life is short.
38 comments:
I do believe the rudder is shifting.....
First stories I read implied this was real sexual harrassment. Now it sounds like you are implying he called a male staffer a f*g or something like that in a moment of anger. I had one friend who, anytime a guy whined or complained, he'd asked if their p*ssy hurt. Kind of a classic jerk guy thing to say, but obviously not sexual harrassment.
One of my sources on the Hill has told me that a gay male staffer took offense when several F-bombs were dropped supposedly assaulting the staffer's lifestyle. Expect to see these type of complaints service wide with the repeal of DADT. Anyone who has seen the South Park episode "The F Word" will understand my point. Unlike our excellent host the CDR, I've never been a fan of Eric Massa. However, my objections have always been based on the substance of his positions and not on the style in which he presents them.
Actually, the guy who did it is succesful, married with kids, and generally well-liked. He's actually super ultra-liberal, but he says crazy stuff like that, but always with an ironic wink, and gets away with it.
Despite the media's characterization of this as "sexual harassment" suspect it was more along the line of "hostile work environment", especially if OAM's info is correct. You don't have to wait for DADT to be repealed for this to happen because it's been going on for some time. SWOs of a certain age (which should have included Rep Massa who was working in the higher staff echelons in those days) will remember the case of CAPT Mark Rogers whose career ended under similar circumstances. Rogers, a former CG CO and Stockdale Award recipient, was head of the White House Military Office and selected for Flag in '96 when allegations about "salty language" and "hostile work environment" were filed against him by a number of disgruntled officers at the White House. He was eventually removed from the Flag List and retired as a CAPT.
He was a fellow DH class 99 shipmate. No surprise his big mouth got him in trouble now as it did then.
Well, Bye....
Two weeks ago our commander dropped an F bomb in front of a new female enlistee and a new chaplain's assistant. There were several witnesses. The chaplain's assistant is complaining upstairs.
My feeling on this as a female...we're all grownups. When you're in an office environment with people you like and respect and "salty" language occurs, no one makes a big deal. Not usually. Or... well, when they do it, they send Kristin out of the room first with a big friendly smile. ;)
(Hugs to ya, Kristin. I used to be the Kristin whose ears got covered. Till I got old and married...)
However, when there are other issues going on... subtle hostilities, disrespect, backbiting or office politics for other reasons... well, then that salty language becomes the rope someone grabs and hangs you with from the nearest yardarm.
There's something to be said for being sure you know your audience well at all times. Situational awareness isn't just for the battlefield.
Exactly what DB said! We come out here and shoot the shit and even our "Guest" down there at 11:29:53 doesn't bother me. In fact I could make him blush if I cared to. But you would think I was Sr. Mary-Butter-wouldn't-Melt-In-Her-Mouth" when I am up on Bunker Hill with my parish priest Friday night at Stations.
Time and place Mr. Massa.
Son, you have screwed up so badly and you don't even know it. First, you seriously dissed the Bloggess. Second you dissed AR, someone who the Phib truly likes. And third, Phib doesn't like that language used on the porch. Prepare to become a fading memory.
By that standard, I guess the Marines I worked with/for at CENTCOM weren't well socialized, either.
Maggie, Stations is the place to be on Friday nights! ;)
Guest, I have never heard the C-word come out of a GENTLEMAN's mouth in my presence. However they talk to each other when ladies are not around, there are lines that are not crossed in ADULT society.
Now that we know which side of the line you stand on....
Could be wrong, but it sounds to me like this is NOT just a little swearing and hostile work environment. Here is a report from a Rochester area radio talk show host/blogger who claims to have known about Massa's behavior with guys for a couple years. http://www.lonsberry.com/writings.cfm He repeats allegations of Massa getting too friendly with shipmates several times in the past. Is it true? Who the heck knows. However, there are too many details for it to come completely from this guys imagination. Some former shipmates of this character fed info to this guy. Not to call the retired commander a liar, but he is now a politician which is darn near <span>synonymous</span> with liar.
Separately, regarding the individual who felt the need to post a swear word, Grow up! It is one thing to cuss in a heated moment (for example some moron stepping over a mooring line during sea and anchor detail). It is another thing altogether to rationally and calmly type out a swear word just in a lame attempt to be provocative. I was in the Navy for 25 years and was no prude and in my immature youth I may have sworn like a sailor. However, I don't think I ever wrote down or typed a swear word. There is a certain permanence to the written word. If you are unable to express yourself without using cuss words then you have a deficient vocabulary and need to work on that.
Tomorrow's edition of the Washington Post should shed more light on this issue...
I understand how you feel and I respect you and Maggie a lot, but I disagree with you. I don't think that it's adult behavior to swear regularly. We live in a much more coarse society today. Men used to control their language in normal social settings. The whole world has turned into a men's locker room, and I don't think we're better off for it.
Oh, I think men have always sworn like..sailors... when in each other's company. I don't think it's fair for women to invade a previously-male domain and demand they turn it into a Victorian front parlor. Enter at your own risk, ladies. If you can't stand the swearing, get out of the boiler compartment. To do otherwise raises resentment levels. In most places I'm in, people keep swear words to a minimum anyway, but I can imagine on a ship, one of the most constantly dangerous workplace environments around, there are plenty of occasions where "salty language" would be a normal reaction to events... maybe even therapeutic.
I completely agree on the coarsening of culture. I'm not a fan of it, seeing its effects on children's vocabularies.
Sorry to bust the bubble, but it is apparently way beyond "salty" language:
http://www.boblonsberry.com/writings.cfm?go=4
I got a great idea!
Let's repeal DADT and open the doors for even more of this type of behavior! And then, when the people who were propositioned/inappropriately handled/made to feel terribly uncomfortable come forward, they can be called bigoted homophobes and punished themselves!
Because we all know how level-headed and common-sense the Armed Forces are with politically-protected and advocated special interest groups. They NEVER go overboard, try character assassination, nor intimidation to suppress complaints against those groups.
Wonder how quickly "rumors" about this person would have hit the media if there had been an (R) behind his name. Double standards...
LOL! What are you? 12? Oh and here's a little help with your spelling....you've been misspelling "Troll" as "G-U-E-S-T".
Oh, I guess your attitude is why you go by "BM." I don't think calling people a cunt is appropriate, I don't understand why you do. Care to enlighten us? Why do you feel it's ok to call people names?
You only say that because you love me.
We should have a three-strikes-you're-out rule on the C-word you little fool. No one said they like that word or use it at work. YOU are the one putting words into people's minds and keyboards.
Then if that's the way you feel, Guest Troll, then why don't you go foul someone elses place? Oh, I forgot, you are a troll: you have zero self-esteem, your best friend is a goldfish and it won't talk to you, and your "girlfriend" came in a box and had to be blown up first.
Sucks to be you, boy. Now leave the adults alone to talk...like adults.
Uhh, no, the true test of leadership is if when closing with the enemy, your men are with you and wilfully facing danger.
I'll jest bet the he and Sestak are a riot at parties... ;) /sarc
<span>We come out here and shoot the shit and even our "Guest" down there at 11:29:53 doesn't bother me. </span>
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BM said she wasn't bothered by people using the word cunt.
<span>By that standard, I guess the Marines I worked with/for at CENTCOM weren't well socialized, either.</span>
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Most Marines aren't.
I think he has been misspelling p-h-i-l-o as g-u-e-s-t. But that's just me. Mister Vegas.
Ok kids. Stop. Because I have a new puppy I will not nuke "Guest" - but dude, I would love to see you say that to Maggie's face.
Two strikes for you - and if you want to play on regular basis, do us a favor and get a name. If you need one, any of the regulars would be glad to make suggestions.
Guest - you're done.
LOL looks like Byron got under this Troll's skin good... lol
I Pity the Fool!
Back in the Internet Relay Chat (which we used to talk about Harpoon) they used to call me "Torch" :)
This just in.....
New York Rep. Eric Massa is blaming his resignation on a conspiracy led by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and House Democratic leaders to force him out before a crucial vote on healthcare. Massa was one of 39 Democrats who voted against an earlier House version of the healthcare bill in November. He says Democratic leaders will "stop at nothing" to advance the healthcare overhaul.
Censorship..... Priceless.
Tell me all about getting shot at, Guestie. I am all ears.
This really just in...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/13/AR2010041302257.html
Looks like his leaving had not much to do with Health Care, but deplorable personal behavior & staff abuse.
Good riddance.
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