I didn't get to watch much of the U.S. Senate hearing where Christine Blasey Ford testified that Brett Kavanagh once sexually assaulted her.
And Kavanagh screamed that the assault never happened, and claimed that it was all a plot by the Democrats to destroy him.
But I didn't have to watch much of that ghastly spectacle to know who I believed.
And like the New York Times' editorial board it wasn't Kavanagh.
What a study in contrasts: Where Christine Blasey Ford was calm and dignified, Brett Kavanaugh was volatile and belligerent; where she was eager to respond fully to every questioner, and kept worrying whether she was being “helpful” enough, he was openly contemptuous of several senators; most important, where she was credible and unshakable at every point in her testimony, he was at some points evasive, and some of his answers strained credulity.
For while Ford's story struck me as totally believable, Kavanaugh's testimony made me question his sanity.
Judge Kavanaugh, when it was his turn, was not laughing. He was yelling. He spent more than half an hour raging against Senate Democrats and the “Left” for “totally and permanently” destroying his name, his career, his family, his life. He called his confirmation process a “national disgrace.”
And the way he answered a question about his drinking habit from Senator Amy Klobuchan made me question his truthfulness, and his respect for women.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar asks Brett Kavanaugh if he has ever blacked out from drinking, and he turns the question back on her.— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 27, 2018
Kavanaugh: "You are asking about a blackout. I don't know. Have you?"
Klobuchar: "Could you answer the question, judge?"https://t.co/9FalHY71EC pic.twitter.com/ptnGHHYuss
So this was my verdict:
But then Kavanaugh's performance was aimed at impressing only one man...
And judging from this tweet, in that regard it was a big success:
But even if Trump does succeed in getting Kavanaugh nominated, it will almost certainly be a pyrrhic victory.
For millions and millions of angry women could take their revenge by voting to defeat Republican candidates in the upcoming mid term elections.
Which could cripple Trump's presidency, and even lead to his impeachment.
As I said the other day, and Brett Kavanaugh himself repeated yesterday.
When you sow the wind, be prepared to reap the whirlwind...
19 comments:
Oh he's getting nominated alright. Then we're coming for your precious abortion "rights".
Why should Kavanaugh be calm, he, not Dr. Ford is the one having his life ruined for political purposes.
You didn't mention that Kavanaugh brought evidence of his innocence, Dr. Ford brought nothing. Her witnesses say the alleged party didn't happen.
There is no physical evidence, it allegedly happened 36 years ago, we can't be certain of the location, the the alleged witnesses don't back up Dr. Ford's story, and she has major political reasons for doing this to Kavanaugh, over the abortion issue.
Interestingly, Kavenot himself presented evidence of the date and location of his rape attempt. The individuals named by Dr. Ford were together on July 1 , 1982. Kavenot showed they were at Timmy's. A bit of work with a yearbook and a civic directory would find the address of the house.
His lies actually point towards the truth.
If Kavanaugh cared about his country he would have stepped aside at the first indication of a problem until it could be investigated. Instead, the country, and the world, is being distracted by another Trump initiated sideshow. But, Kavanaugh is all about having power. And, consequently, he is exactly the kind of person who would use his power over women to try to get what he wants. His performance yesterday made him a Trump mini-me.
UU
The FBI better get to work!
Kavanaugh is an pure Anyn Rand thinker which should disqualify him from public office. However what we did in high school being used to qualify us for a job
its wrong.
Arrogant, petulant, indignant and guilty. Trump must have thought he was looking into a mirror.
JD
Not just high school. There is a continuing pattern here. And, his attitude during the hearing - especially to female senators - was atrocious.
UU
Kavanaugh presented no evidence at all! A denial isn't evidence. Neither is ranting on about conspiracies by "the Left."
If Kavanaugh was truly innocent, he would have insisted that the committee hear from his buddy Mark Judge, who would presumably corroborate his account. He would also have insisted on an FBI investigation to clear his name. Instead, he ignored the warning trial lawyers give their clients: "No matter what they say don't get angry - it makes you look guilty with something to hide."
I don't believe a word he said. It was all whining, pompous BS. We saw the face of an abusive man who like Trump can only think about me, me, me.
They are rights. Why on earth would you put them in scare quotes? You have no right to control our bodies, bully boy.
Steve, I'd have to disagree with you. What you do in high school often reflects the person you become in adulthood. Some people do change and over come the bad phases they went through in high school but it has been my experience, people who were bullies in school, continued to be bullies. People who cheated in high school did so in adult life also. his job he is applying for isn't just another job, it is one of the most important in the USA. It is supreme court justice. they have final say on how American law is made and changed. you simply can't have some one who sexually assaulted a woman. then there are 3 more complaints against him also. then there is the case of the young woman in Texas, who he made life extremely difficult for when she sought an abortion She was in a detention centre and did everything to try to work it so she could not be able to get an abortion. The obstacles he set up were horrendous.
I spent most of the day watching the testimony. Kav. was disgusting. Even without the allegations, his behaviour precludes him from the position. He simply doesn't have the temperament for such a serious position. He has rude, out rageously political, he was out of control with rage. He came across as an entitled white male, who couldn't believe he was being treated like any other person. He's a snowflake, he's a jerk. he needs to be removed the bench.
When he was first nominated there was something I identified about him which set off alarm bels, then the accusations came. first one, and I knew there would be more. I'm sure if they did a really good investigation, they might well be a dozen or more complaints. men like him don't change with age.
Hi anon11:08 AM...Typican Con scum, contemptuous of the rights of women, more Trumpling than Canadian. The way I see it we can't lose whatever happens. If the wailing rapist is rejected its a blow for Trump, and it he's nominated the Democrats will win big in the mid terms and Trump will be neutered at last...
Hi Gyor...i didn't just think that Kavanaugh behaved like he was unhinged, what especially bothered me was his obvious political bias. Blaming the Clintons for the mess he's in? And complains about his private life been invaded when he was the one who when he was working for the Starr inquiry came up with a list of questions that was pre actively pornographic. Forget all the sexual assault claims, Kavanaugh lacks the balance and the temperament to be a Supreme Court justice...
Hi anon @9:07 PM...Exactly, Kavanough wants us believe that he couldn't have done what he is accused of doing, but his behaviour seems to argue the opposite. It's clear he is not much more than a Republican operative, and no Democrat or woman could expect justice from a man like him....
Hi Rumleyfips...I couldn't concentrate on anything Kavanaugh was saying because of all his sniffling and wailing. As somebody said, that wasn't a trial it was a job interview, and Kavanaugh failed...
Hi UU...I agree with you, Kavanaugh was so intent on impressing Trump that he forgot what his behaviour might do to the credibility of the Supreme Court. In my opinion if Kavanaugh is nominated, the damage he will do to the Court will be just about terminal, and will undermine the whole justice system in the United States...
Hi Steve...There are a few things I did in high school that I would like to take back. But never did I ever even think of sexually assaulting somebody, and Kavanaugh must live with the consequences of his clarlybdrunken behaviour. As I said the hearing was not a trial, it was a job interview, and one he totally failed....
'Hi e.a.f...I agree with you. I am more mature, and not as hot headed as I was in High School, but I am essentially the same person. I never bullied anyone, and as I said above, the very idea of trying to sexually assault somebody was as unthinkable then as it is now. I thought Kavanaugh's behaviour was so appalling I had no difficulty imagining his behaviour in high school might have been even worse...
Hi JD....yes, that was Kavanaugh's big mistake. He set out to impress Trump, only to end up looking like him...
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