Friday, September 28, 2018

Should Kavanaugh be confirmed if we don’t know who is telling the truth?

That’s the title of the final installment of my trilogy in The Hill on the Kavanaugh hearings.

From the intro:
After Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony, there seemed to be a consensus — including even Republicans — that Ford was credible and that Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation was in serious trouble.

She was respectful, soft-spoken, calm, and tried to be helpful. She did not interrupt anyone and did not argue with the Senators. Republicans were hoping that she would come off as unsure, politically driven, or even unstable. She came across just the opposite. She was “100 percent sure” it was Kavanaugh, she never mentioned politics, and she came across as likable. President Trump was reportedly upset that Republicans were caught flat-footed by just how credible Ford was.

Then came Kavanaugh. He strode in holding his wife’s hand. She and his mother sat behind him as he began his opening remarks. His demeanor was the opposite of Ford’s — angry, indignant, and emotional. He interrupted the Senators and argued with them. Although very different than Ford, his demeanor was also effective and seemed to reinvigorate his supporters, who during the lunch break had been feeling defeated. He forcefully said again and again that he was 100 percent innocent. Energized Republicans took over the questioning from the prosecutor they had planned to let run the proceeding. The nomination, on life support after Ford’s testimony, seemed to be very much alive.

But what now? It seems we are in no better spot than when we started Thursday morning in terms of figuring out what happened 36 years ago: Those who believed Ford still believed Ford, and those who believed Kavanaugh still believed him.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

"But what now? It seems we are in no better spot than when we started Thursday morning in terms of figuring out what happened 36 years ago: Those who believed Ford still believed Ford, and those who believed Kavanaugh still believed him."

Those who believed Dr Ford, stated 1/2 hour after he was nominated that they would do anything in their power to block him anyway.

The people asking for an FBI investigation are the ones who delayed it by 6+2 weeks by withholding it from the committee. They decided to weaponize the timing, because there was so little corroboration to start with. Not even from the best friend of the accuser.

Regardless of whether this assault too place or not, Dr Ford is as much a victim of Political abuse by her Elected representatives who leaked it to the press, as subject of weaponization for self promotion by her politically appointed/sponsored counsel who obstructed the course of the pre-hearing investigation by not communicating the investigator's offers of outreach at her convenience, instead of forcing her to testify in open session. They should be disbarred for that.

This has been, from the start, a calculated Political assassination.

Anonymous said...

Kavanaugh's statement was powerful and likely vindicated him in the eyes of many in the center.

I believe that Kavanaugh and For honestly remember things differently. And who knows what happened 36 years ago. (Although, his testimony about drinking and his youth came off as disingenuous).

Kavanaugh is personally redeemed.

But his statement and answers to questions showed a man who has been so badly burned by the process and has become to bitterly partisan as a result that he will never again be a neutral arbiter of the issues before him.

Certainly other justices have their own political biases - they're humans. But I do not believe that a single justice on the court today would be even a fraction as partisan and biased as Kavanaugh would be. And I don't blame him for that. But I still think that he has become unqualified for the job as a result.

Anonymous said...

What has been proven at these hearings is that Kavanaugh is a liar and a political partisan. His performance yesterday also shows he lacks the temperament to be on the Court. NO.

Anonymous said...

As a person of color, I want to offer a genuine and sincere apology to Brett Kavanaugh, Lindsey Graham and all white privileged men. I am so sorry. I didn't realize how victimized you have been. The things you have had to endure just based on being a powerful white male. Poor things. (BK may never be able to coach little league - sniff).
Of course Dr. Ford and her family will be attacked and demonized for the rest of her life by right wing (mostly white male) tools.
Sorry, Sorry. There I go again trivializing your pain and suffering.
Again, I am so sorry.

Anonymous said...

Racism needs no color to reveal itself.

Get a mirror.

Anonymous said...

Hey DOM? WHAT ARE THE ODDS? 1. In the next few days K's friend will be found? 2. He will say he has no recollection of the night in question? 3. He will lawyer up as principle to attempted rape for a crime with no statute of limitations in Maryland? 4. He will tell the truth giving corroboration which will then lead to opening an investigation by the county detectives where it occurred? 5.K's friend will give a statement, WH will pressure K to withdraw. ?
6. A woman is nominated and WH hopes she was not a sexual predator, closet lesbian, golddigger, smoker, non-virgin prior to marriage. Its the quite ones you have to watch out for , who drive conservative cars and have conservative hairdo. yea, those are the ones at s&m bars with strapons on the weekends in law school. oops, i just got punched in the ribs by my wife who is a federal judge.

Anonymous said...

2:19 - are you referring to racism against whites? Please explain that to me again.

Kavanaugh is the face of white male entitlement. Deal with it.

Anonymous said...

Kavanaugh lied to the Committee when he said he could legally drink when he was 17 years old. The drinking age then in Maryland was 21. Kavanaugh ought to be charged, tried and convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 1001(c)(2). No appointment to the USSC, removed from office as a federal appellate judge, and disbarred for life as an attorney.

Then Kavanaugh can follow his life’s true calling as a hard-drinking Republican lobbyist.

https://apnews.com/e4a48c01f3bf4094b9faea33cd049729/Kavanaugh-wrongly-claims-he-could-drink-legally-in-Md.

Anonymous said...

In 1 week, tell me who's going to be lookin' bigoted and partisan..

The GOP called their bluff, it was just a delay tactic.

Anonymous said...

The GOP "called their bluff." What a hack you are. Flake sprung this on them at the last minute and they had no other choice.

Anonymous said...

513 he never said that he could legally drink at 17

LOL

Anonymous said...

205 This is a women's issue. Not about race. You can go back to criticizing entire races on monday.

Anonymous said...

@6:12 He drank at 17, but did not swallow until age 21? Or did he never drink? Or is beer not a drink, was it root beer? Or did he only drink blessed wine at church? A whole keg of blessed wine? Or was he age 21 in high school? No matter how you wiggle, Kav LIED under oath to a legislative body performing its lawful duty! LOL!

18 U.S.C. § 1621 - Perjury generally
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1621

18 U.S.C. § 1001 - Statements or entries generally
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1001

Anonymous said...

714 aka crazy person

I think you are confused. He never said he legally drank at age 17.

Repeat:

He. Never. Said. That.

Please reread the above 3 times aloud.

That is a fact, and you are a clown.

Anonymous said...

@8:03 Do you have a citation to the transcript that supports your gratuitous assertion?

BTW, rereading your assertion that "He never said he legally drank at age 17" does not make it true, even if I "reread the above 3 times aloud" or 100 times aloud.

Judge Brett Kavanaugh drank beer while in high school at age 16, or age 17, when the legal drinking age was 21 in Maryland.

If I am invited to the Judiciary Committee next week, I will ask Judge Kavanaugh if he drank beer, or any other intoxicating liquor, in high school when he lived in Maryland and was under age 21. If yes, I would ask him if he broke the law. If yes, I would ask him if a lawbreaker should be on the US Supreme Court. If Kavanaugh said he never drank underage, I would question his honesty, given the prep school drinking culture at Georgetown et al when he attended high school, and the drinking age was 21.

Now, Kavanaugh will squirm like an eel under questioning, so a person with good skills are needed to examine and cross-examine the witness. If I get to question him, he can pout, fart and fuss, but I am resolute and will prevail.

Kavanaugh is not stable. Did you see him testify? He came unglued like a frat boy deprived of his beer and women. Angry one minute, a whimpering crybaby the next. No judicial temperament whatsoever. Plus he admits to binge drinking. That's the real issue here. Guy cannot handle his booze. An angry drunk.

I am willing, able and prepared to make a complaint to the Judiciary Committee, and a complaint of Judicial Misconduct and/or Judicial Disability, against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, as governed by the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980, 28 U.S.C. §§ 351-364.

Kavanaugh is bad for America. See the opinion by David Brock/NBC News: I knew Brett Kavanaugh during his years as a Republican operative. Don't let him sit on the Supreme Court. We were part of a close circle of cynical hard-right operatives being groomed for much bigger things. https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/i-knew-brett-kavanaugh-during-his-years-republican-operative-don-ncna907391

Anonymous said...

He didn't sat that he drank legally. He said that the drinking age was 18 and that the seniors were drinking legally.

Anonymous said...

1003 aka crazy person

Um, i do not have a cite to prove he DIDNT say something.

Duh.

Since you're just making stuff up why don't you cite what you say he said.

Also drinking underage doesn't disqualify anyone from scotus. The fact you think it does shows how LOONEY TUNES you are.

Ps you are TOTALLY NUTS!!!!!! Get help!

Anonymous said...

A number of credible news sources report that Kavanaugh wrongly claimed he could legally drink in Maryland. The Editors of The Jesuit Review say it is time for the Kavanaugh nomination to be withdrawn. An Opinion piece in the NYT by Roger Cohen: An Injudicious Man, Unfit for the Supreme Court.

Clearly Judge Kavanaugh needs to testify under oath again to resolve the issue of his drinking in high school, and to establish Kavanaugh’s perjury. Drinking may or may not be a reason to deny Kavanaugh this job. Many employers would not hire someone that lied or misled the interviewer about past drinking. It is a red flag. But lying to the Senate Judiciary Committee is grounds to deny Kavanaugh a seat on the USSC. Lying to the Committee is a crime under 18 U.S.C. § 1001(c)(2) and 18 U.S.C. § 1621(1).

Kavanaugh needs to step down or be voted down. Certainly President Trump can nominate someone better. Time to dump Kavanaugh and move forward.

The American People are sick and tired of rich entitled white men like Kavanaugh who come from a life of privilege, where following the law is optional, and breaking the law is without consequence. There are only 9 total seats on the USSC, I am certain a better nominee can be found. Also, a nonlawyer can serve on the US Supreme Court, see the USSC website, the second FAQ,
https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/faq_general.aspx

Yes, I am available. Wharton School grad (Evening Division/I ran a business during the day), and filed more petitions for writ of certiorari with the USSC than most lawyers. And when you consider cert pool, and 4 law clerks who do the heavy lifting, yes, I'm ready and qualified. Others think the USSC needs nonlawyers, for example, see the article by Adrian Vermeule, a professor at Harvard Law School on Think Big, https://bigthink.com/experts-corner/the-supreme-court-needs-a-justice-who-isnt-a-lawyer

All the best!

Bloomberg: Kavanaugh Wrongly Claims He Could Legally Drink in Maryland
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-28/kavanaugh-wrongly-claims-he-could-drink-legally-in-md

ABC News: Brett Kavanaugh wrongly claimed he could drink legally in Maryland in high school https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kavanaugh-drink-beer-legally-in-maryland-claim-false-2018-09-28/

AP News: As a teen, Kavanaugh was never a legal drinker in Maryland
https://apnews.com/e4a48c01f3bf4094b9faea33cd049729/Kavanaugh-wrongly-claims-he-could-drink-legally-in-Md

The Jesuit Review: The Editors: It is time for the Kavanaugh nomination to be withdrawn
https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/09/27/editors-it-time-kavanaugh-nomination-be-withdrawn

NYT Opinion by Roger Cohen: An Injudicious Man, Unfit for the Supreme Court
This was a job interview, not a criminal trial. Kavanaugh, in his fury and pathos, failed the test.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/opinion/kavanaugh-supreme-court-temperament.html

Anonymous said...

Lindsey Graham is nothing more than a burlesque entertainer, and a bad one at that.

Anonymous said...

I'm discussed at the comments I've read above. Civility is dead I suppose....

Anonymous said...

So is proper grammar and spelling.