The Kavanaugh hearing
I was lucky to be able to watch in real time the hearing yesterday. Mrs Ford had me in tears as did Judge Kavanaugh. How we got to this point still confuses me. Aside from what credibility each one has, and I do believe her, the entrenched 2 parties have shown how ugly things are on capital hill. It seems less about any truth, but more about political idealogs digging in their heels. We should be fully vetting anyone at that level of importance. A life time appointment means just that, a Supreme court judge will have lasting effects on our lives way past my check out date.
This whole affair has made the case once again that the two party system we have now is and has not been working for Americans. A President that most Americans don't like or have faith in is out of control and the other side just wants to get even. Excutive orders are now the way the White House does things. We've allowed this to happen by chosing not what is good for the country, but what is good for a party.
The mid term elections could drastically change the make up on Capital Hill which will, either way, either create more dysfunction or crate more dysfunction. In any case Americans will be forced to accept this as they have for the past decade or so.
posted by Jim Pillsbury @ 10:09 AM
22 Comments
22 Comments:
I agree with everything you said except that we have to accept this. We don't. If we can gather a coalition of people who are willing to not buy into the 2 party system and work the process we could change this. But it takes work, time, commitment, and money. The first 3 any of us can do, but the money is the obstacle here. There has to be in this toxic capital hill atmosphere someone with deep pockets willing to take this on.
"and the other side just wants to get even". Reminds me of Framingham after the mayor race.
To see our elected politician stand up and say they are going to support a man who at least 3 women have accused of sexual assault without demanding a thorough investigation by those whose job it is to do those investigations is at the very least an embarrassment to this country. Imaging how we are being viewed on the world stage? Our reputation for standing against human rights violations has been decimated by this president and those supporting him in congress. That a potential sexual abuser will probably be appointed to our Supreme Court for life is for me the last straw. I am no longer sure I am proud to be an American
Who do you believe? It comes down to that. If you are sire the accuser is telling the truth, then you will be voting no to appoint Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. If you are sire the accused is telling the truth, then you vote to appoint. But what if you are not sure who is telling the truth? If you are not absolutely 100% certain that the accuser is lying, then why would you support voting before doing more investigating? I suspect there are many, many people who are not sure who is telling the truth here. I would think any question at all about the character of a person who is looking to be appointed should be resolved before you vote for a life time appointment. I ask you this, would you know, having heard both sides, be comfortable putting your daughter in a room with a drunk 18 yr old Kavanaugh? Would you risk someone you love being assaulted? If you answer to that question is no, you would not put your daughter in that position then you should be voting no on this appointment. Someone needs to ask these Senators that question.
As some of you may know, our district council unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday night about domestic violence. One of the bullet points says, and I quote: Encouraging all residents to take the White Ribbon pledge, “From this day forward I promise to be part of the solution in ending violence against women and all gender-based violence” by holding pledge days at our schools, places of worship, and community events. I am asking everyone to take that pledge and to speak out on the Kavanaugh appointment to show women that when they make an accusation, we listen, we investigate, and we support them. More importantly, we need to take the pledge to show that we do not support the promotion of someone against whom accusations have been made of sexual assault until those allegations have been fully investigated. Is that really too much to ask?
I believe Kavanaugh and think he should be appointed. This is a bunch of stories with no facts holding this appointment up.
Really, you support Kavanaugh? Yesterday’s hearing showed Judge Kavanaugh’s temperament to be questionable for someone being considered for the highest court in the land. His statements were openly and clearly politically motivated and is that what you want to motivate a judge making decisions on some of the most polarizing cases in this country, those that reach the Supreme Court? Had Dr. Ford testified in the same angry, fuming and shouting way that Judge Kavenaugh did she would have been portrayed by many as a hysterical, unreliable witness. Why the double standard?
Misogyny is playing out before our eyes and the misogynists look like they are going to win. How can anyone support this in 2018, and what does it tell all of us that people in fact do support this? We need to get on the phones now to every single U.S. Senator and Representative to remind them that we, the majority of Americans, are NOT misogynists and we will be voting in all upcoming elections, and then we need to show up and vote.
Jim who do you believe?
so they agree to a no more than on week for the FBI to investigate the allegations. But it's up to McConnell and Schummer if the nomination goes to the floor of the Senate. What a circus they have created. I hope everyone got to see the Senator Flake bit in the elevator. Those brave women got their point across quite well. Flake was shaken by that exchange.
I am a women
I was a victim of sexual assault
I never spoke of it or brought charges
I am also a mother of 4, 2 boys and 2 girls
I am a successful professional woman
I have been married to the man I love for 33 years
I have never spoke about how my children were conceived – even though they were some of the best moments of my life
Do you doubt those children are mine because I did not tell you about the details of their conception?
Why would you expect me to tell you the details of my assault?
I'm so sorry that happened to you
Thank you for sharing with us.. it brings tears to my eyes knowing that there maybe be so many other women out there living with the pain.
maybe others will be inspired to share their experiences here as well
If you are a man who thinks there are enough questions about Kavanaugh’s character to hold him his appointment then you need to speak up. Your voices, unfortunately carry more weight than womens. Use them.
I would not strongly disagree... but today in 2018, women of many backgrounds are having a huge difference in our country and how decisions are made. Cosby was sentenced to 3 to 10 and it was mainly because of women standing tall. They have more credibility in this subject than men do IMO. Countless women who have been harassed and abused have come forward taking down some very powerful men. The women's movement is much stronger than anyone thinks today.
I'm not sure who to believe, but those that have become so crazy over Trump and believe that he is some type of anti-Christ/Hitler figure - have only hurt the chances of it being believed that these women are telling the truth. Some of these nuts would jump of a cliff if they knew they could handcuff themselves to Trump just before they jumped.
I am not sure what to think anymore. After Ford testified I was sure Kavanaugh was the bad guy. But after listening to him I was not quite so sure. But I have to say with feeling unsure, I would have voted to not appoint him at this time. Why rush and make a mistake that our kids, and their kids, will be dealing with. This is a life time appointment people. We must get this right.
Good for Flake but without a guarantee from Mitch McConnell it is just grandstanding. But he did stand up and say that investigation must happen or he will vote against the judge. Let’s hope others align with that.
All politics is corrupt including this fiasco. Every elected official seems to hang up their conscience when they get sworn in. I gave up on our country being the one my grandparents and parents were proud of a long time ago. We are continually embarrassed by the behavior of our politicians but yet we keep electing them. Why?
This is a slippery slope as we are all innocent until proven guilty, and no one has proven Kavanaugh guilty of anything. Of course, that means we also take Dr. Ford's testimony at face value as she has not been proven to have lied. So what next?
I hope everyone agrees that the FBI must investigate the claims. What they come back with is another story but may cause another delay if R's and D's feel it wasn't a complete investigation. In a week seems way to short given what we know of the others that were there. If not completed by this time next week, we could witness the same committee meeting we did today. The R's must be ready to start shooting. The D's couldn't be happier it seems. Neither Mrs. Ford or Mr. Kavanaugh will get any relief for another week, how that must suck for both. And just think if the FBI finds in favor of Mrs. Ford, another high profile man will be found to be guilty. And if it goes the other way, Kavanaugh will always be under a cloud of suspicion on the highest court in America and Mrs. Ford and family will be forever changed. There are no winners in this.
IMO we let them control the narrative. They tell us what we should be concerned with, not we are are truly concerned with. Tag lines, catchy 4 words sentences are a staple of most campaigns today. Most voters in Framingham anyway are not even watching until the last minute and by that time it's to late to do any meaningful research. The 2 party's are a complete embarrassment to this country. Neither can think for themselves or represent plain old white, blue or green collar workers because of their campaign contributors. I don't have a rational answer but have thought about this for years and years.
The lead editorial in today's Globe tells a better story of how telling little lies are still lies. The facts will hopefully reach some conclusion either way. This whole thing has consumed this country and brave women are to thank for it.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home