Even the most critical advocates for children's causes do not blame Mr. Cuomo for much of the deterioration.

But advocates for the homeless say the large numbers of families stuck in the Bronx office night after night since August is unprecedented and blame the administration's budget-cutting strategies.

Still, some boys' advocates blame feminism for leaving a streak of anti-male sentiment in American culture that creates problems for boys.

Human-rights advocates blame a death squad linked to the military for the killing.

The advocates and union officials blamed the bunching on what they said was the transit authority's failure to increase the number of buses on busy routes.

Many advocates of alternative fuel blame the car companies.

Immigrants' advocates blame what they call rising anti-immigration sentiment for the tougher law, but say it exceeds what most Americans would find acceptable.

Child-welfare advocates blame the city and state governments for not providing sufficient money to staff the centers.

Many advocates blame the Nushawn Williams case and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for the new law, accusing the Democratic lawmaker of caving to political pressures.

The advocates blame services that trawl through court records, charging landlords $6.99 to $50 a search to identify problem renters.