The Supreme Court, bastion of conservatism

[Moliere]

CNN is interviewing Michael Moore about the sexual assault allegations

[creekster]

Now Ford, through her lawyers, says she will talk to the committee but not until after the FBI has completed a thorough investigation. Investigate what? in light of the fact that this supposed event happened almost 40 years ago and that the other person supposedly present says he knows nothing and never saw Kavanaugh behave in the manner described, and given that Kavanaugh categorically denies it took place at all, any investigation has to start with this witness. Where else can they go? So why can't she tell her story to the committee now? If it's credible it might support further investigation and perhaps require Kavanaugh to withdraw his nomination. But refusing to speak now leaves little choice but to conclude this is all just grandstanding to delay until after the midterms. And, if it works, it will just further diminish reasonable behavior in congress or in the country.

[creekster]

CNN is interviewing Michael Moore about the sexual assault allegations

He looks like he has experience with the issue.

[falafel]

Now Ford, through her lawyers, says she will talk to the committee but not until after the FBI has completed a thorough investigation. Investigate what? in light of the fact that this supposed event happened almost 40 years ago and that the other person supposedly present says he knows nothing and never saw Kavanaugh behave in the manner described, and given that Kavanaugh categorically denies it took place at all, any investigation has to start with this witness. Where else can they go? So why can't she tell her story to the committee now? If it's credible it might support further investigation and perhaps require Kavanaugh to withdraw his nomination. But refusing to speak now leaves little choice but to conclude this is all just grandstanding to delay until after the midterms. And, if it works, it will just further diminish reasonable behavior in congress or in the country.

Agreed. Nothing but a further delay tactic. If the judiciary committee presses on, the other side will cry that they brushed aside her claims and refused to let them be investigated before rushing the vote through.

[Moliere]

He looks like he has experience with the issue.

First off, Cuomo needs to tell his cameraman to zoom out a bit because Cuomo’s Head is way too big in screen.

Michael Moore just sledged that there could be other victims of Kavanuagh sure, there could be, but apparently none are interested in coming forward

[Bo Diddley]

It's obvious I have a different concept of what a political activist is than others like AJ and FR. For example, I don't think attending a political demonstration is enough. The people I see as activists are those people who are monotone when it comes to their political views. These are the people who see only evil on the other side of the aisle. I have family on both ends of the spectrum. They're so close minded there's no reasoning with them. More and more, this is politics in America. No wonder Russia has such an easy time sewing discord.

[frank ryan]

It's obvious I have a different concept of what a political activist is than others like AJ and FR. For example, I don't think attending a political demonstration is enough. The people I see as activists are those people who are monotone when it comes to their political views. These are the people who see only evil on the other side of the aisle. I have family on both ends of the spectrum. They're so close minded there's no reasoning with them. More and more, this is politics in America. No wonder Russia has such an easy time sewing discord.

What qualifies are a political activist for you?

[frank ryan]

Agreed. Nothing but a further delay tactic. If the judiciary committee presses on, the other side will cry that they brushed aside her claims and refused to let them be investigated before rushing the vote through.

Yeah, the FBI isn't going to investigate. She has an opportunity to testify, it's up to her to take or reject, not set up a potential last minute obstacle to it.

[Lost Student]

Now Ford, through her lawyers, says she will talk to the committee but not until after the FBI has completed a thorough investigation. Investigate what? in light of the fact that this supposed event happened almost 40 years ago and that the other person supposedly present says he knows nothing and never saw Kavanaugh behave in the manner described, and given that Kavanaugh categorically denies it took place at all, any investigation has to start with this witness. Where else can they go? So why can't she tell her story to the committee now? If it's credible it might support further investigation and perhaps require Kavanaugh to withdraw his nomination. But refusing to speak now leaves little choice but to conclude this is all just grandstanding to delay until after the midterms. And, if it works, it will just further diminish reasonable behavior in congress or in the country.

Maybe she held onto the dress she was wearing that night.

[Northwestcoug]

Now Ford, through her lawyers, says she will talk to the committee but not until after the FBI has completed a thorough investigation. Investigate what? in light of the fact that this supposed event happened almost 40 years ago and that the other person supposedly present says he knows nothing and never saw Kavanaugh behave in the manner described, and given that Kavanaugh categorically denies it took place at all, any investigation has to start with this witness. Where else can they go? So why can't she tell her story to the committee now? If it's credible it might support further investigation and perhaps require Kavanaugh to withdraw his nomination. But refusing to speak now leaves little choice but to conclude this is all just grandstanding to delay until after the midterms. And, if it works, it will just further diminish reasonable behavior in congress or in the country.

Agree. On the face of it, I tend to believe her story, and I can give some benefit of doubt to Kavanaugh if he was plastered and honestly can’t remember it (that doesn’t excuse the behavior at all, but if that’s the case, his testimony is truthful). But this smells of political opportunism on her part. She should testify.

[frank ryan]

Agree. On the face of it, I tend to believe her story, and I can give some benefit of doubt to Kavanaugh if he was plastered and honestly can’t remember it (that doesn’t excuse the behavior at all, but if that’s the case, his testimony is truthful). But this smells of political opportunism on her part. She should testify.

I think she should testify because she sought this opportunity and moment. I don't think changing her mind about wanting go in front of Senators and answers questions for the world to see means she's a liar, but don't bring up the FBI investigation as the reason. That sounds like a copout.

[CardiacCoug]

I’ll say it. Who gives a rat’s ass if everything she says about Kavanaugh actually happened?

Good hell a teenage boy getting super drunk and going after a girl is forgivable if he has never done any rapey stuff since then and has subsequently lived an exemplary, honorable life.

I cannot believe anybody is taking this allegation seriously. It is beyond ridiculous and totally outrageous. The Repubs should go ahead and vote him on ASAP. I would say the same thing if this was an Obama SC nominee.

[frank ryan]

I’ll say it. Who gives a rat’s ass if everything she says about Kavanaugh actually happened?

Good hell a teenage boy getting super drunk and going after a girl is forgivable if he has never done any rapey stuff since then and has subsequently lived an exemplary, honorable life.

I cannot believe anybody is taking this allegation seriously. It is beyond ridiculous and totally outrageous. The Repubs should go ahead and vote him on ASAP. I would say the same thing if this was an Obama SC nominee.

Free rape attempts, as long you're under 18!

[Moliere]

I really don’t want to vote for Ted Cruz. I already voted against him twice. I’m afraid to look up what Beto is saying about this for fear I won’t want to vote for him.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Free rape attempts, as long you're under 18!

Of course not, but a single (and so far as we know, it was at most only one) mauling by a teenager should be forgiven if his record is unblemished for the following 36 years. It's been a long time since my high school years, but I attended several drunken parties in high school and any dude who drunkenly pawed the women became a laughingstock and a pariah; too bad similar social stigmas didn't attach in this case, apparently.

While I believe she is being honest in expressing her recollection, I'd like to hear her responses to a few questions of my own, including whether she was acquainted with Cavanaugh prior to that night and what their relationship (if any) was; had she imbibed any alcohol at the party; were her clothes torn or damaged; who else was at the party; prior to her therapy session in 2012, had she told anyone else about this experience; etc. ?

And this is no doubt further evidence of my ignorance and insensitivity to the trauma women genuinely suffer at the hands of aggressive males, but I don't understand why a woman, with a doctorate in psychology whose dissertation centered on how children cope, would have harbored these pent-up anxieties for 30 years before mentioning them to anyone.