Supreme Court

[TheLeviathan]

Man I hate political calculations like that using the Supreme Court.

 

I tend to agree with you Brock but....ugh.  Not the way it's supposed to work.  (And, before anyone jumps on it....yes, I blame the Republicans.  This started to this degree with Garland)

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Man I hate political calculations like that using the Supreme Court.

 

I tend to agree with you Brock but....ugh.  Not the way it's supposed to work.  (And, before anyone jumps on it....yes, I blame the Republicans.  This started to this degree with Garland)

I also hate political calculations like that, especially for a lifetime appointment.

 

In a perfect world, the vote is delayed by a few weeks while an investigation is completed.

 

But given how my faith in the GOP doing the right thing has bottomed out at zero, this is the only way I see it playing out where the GOP is properly punished for their vile behavior.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I also hate political calculations like that, especially for a lifetime appointment.

 

In a perfect world, the vote is delayed by a few weeks while an investigation is completed.

 

But given how my faith in the GOP doing the right thing has bottomed out at zero, this is the only way I see it playing out where the GOP is properly punished for their vile behavior.

 

The question is....would they be punished?  All signs point to a great result in November for those of us that just want the GOP crushed, but what if it doesn't happen?

 

Blue voters do not have a reliable track record.  It worries me to gamble anything on that notion.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

The question is....would they be punished?  All signs point to a great result in November for those of us that just want the GOP crushed, but what if it doesn't happen?

 

Blue voters do not have a reliable track record.  It worries me to gamble anything on that notion.

Blue voters don't have a reliable track record but based on how independents (like you and me, actually) are polling, there's a pretty good chance the GOP gets stomped this November.

 

The partisans are who they are. Trump somehow took a significant portion of the independent vote in 2016 (proof that independents are just as dumb as the rest) but I think there's going to be a blowback on that decision in 2018.

 

And if there isn't, **** it. All is lost so may as well just buckle in and go with it.

[Craig Arko]

On the bright side, there are still a few civilized places left on Earth.

[Mike Sixel]

 

On the bright side, there are still a few civilized places left on Earth.

 

Where? Because I'm buying a house in the US this week, and I'm wondering why.....

[Craig Arko]

Where? Because I'm buying a house in the US this week, and I'm wondering why.....

My wife favors Ecuador, I’m more about knocking on twinsnorth’s door. So we’ll probably stay in Minnesota and go to Grad school cheap instead.

[Mike Sixel]

I've been considering Spain......or maybe central america....

[Squirrel]

Where? Because I'm buying a house in the US this week, and I'm wondering why.....

My sister loves New Zealand.

[D. Hocking]

 

My sister loves New Zealand.

 

It is much better since, but before they disposed of that ring, you could not go out at night.  My college roommate's daughter married a New Zealander, and I suspect they will remain there.  I think there one big issue is housing is not cheap.

 

How many times has Trump expressed his sympathy for the accused male and at least indirectly expressed doubt on the female making the accusations?  

 

If you were an dinosaur stuck in 1950 when you were interrogating Anita Hill, and 25 years later you have not evolved at all, maybe it is time for you to retire instead of acting indignant when an educated professional woman is hesitant to be questioned by you with less than a week's notice, esp. when you are resistant to doing an investigation and appear to be limiting the scope of people you will question.

 

I heard someone on the news still saying "moderate" Susan Collins.  I am not sure periodically meekly spouting some wishy-washy concerns and then not following up on them and remaining lock stock with the party is what I would call moderate.   

[LaBombo]

 

https://twitter.com/jaybookmanajc/status/1042386834284789760

 

No wonder they don't want an investigation.

 

That seems confusing to me. Dr. Blasey Ford has said she didn't tell anyone, so how did it come to be common knowledge at her school?

[gunnarthor]

 

That seems confusing to me. Dr. Blasey Ford has said she didn't tell anyone, so how did it come to be common knowledge at her school?

I'm not sure but she wasn't the only one who knew. Maybe Judge mentioned it to someone? Maybe Ford told someone? An investigation would probably answer those questions.

[LaBombo]

 

I'm not sure but she wasn't the only one who knew. Maybe Judge mentioned it to someone? Maybe Ford told someone? An investigation would probably answer those questions.

 

Ford says she didn't talk about it until therapy in 2012. If Judge actually participated and then bragged about it so freely that it became common knowledge at another school, then it seems likely that not only would other corroborative witnesses exist, but also that an authority figure of some sort would have gotten wind of it and followed up at the time.

 

An investigation might potentially answer some questions, but the partisan, poo-flinging debate over an FBI investigation would probably rival the standoff over the shape of the table at the Paris Peace Accords for sheer futility.

 

Even NPR seems to be throwing in the towel on an investigation, stating that the "short answer" to whether SJC can enlist the FBI to investigate the claim is "no". Cokie Roberts, hardly a Fox shill, has called for Ford to testify regardless of FBI involvement, and Dems in close re-election fights are wavering on that demand as well.

 

All of that comes with the caveat that as with any issue where Trump is involved, common sense and precedent are not in play.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

That seems confusing to me. Dr. Blasey Ford has said she didn't tell anyone, so how did it come to be common knowledge at her school?

It's high school. One can "not talk about" something and still hear rumors spread like wildfire across school.

[Badsmerf]

Republicans are playing a dangerous game of roulette. They could get seriously burned by this. They have a lot less to lose by having an investigation. If Kavanaugh had to be pulled, the Republican base might have an enemy to rally around. If he is pushed through and allegations escalate, they are burned at the stake in November, and likely 2020.

[D. Hocking]

 

Republicans are playing a dangerous game of roulette. 

 

Possibly even Russian Roulette.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Possibly even Russian Roulette.

[PseudoSABR]

 

That seems confusing to me. Dr. Blasey Ford has said she didn't tell anyone, so how did it come to be common knowledge at her school?

There were others at the party too, beyond Judge.  It sounds like there were just 5 or 6 people, if half of those people disappear into a bedroom, and then someone "escapes" out of the room (and likely promptly leaves), the other guests (esp. teens) have enough to go on to spread rumors (evidently only Judge and Bart O'Kavanaugh were drunk).

[Mike Sixel]

Is he confirmed yet, so we can go on to the next secretary to resign?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

There are no Senate moderates. That is a media fiction perpetuated for who knows what reasons. I don’t blame the public for believing it, because honestly most people have more important things to do than get in the weeds on this stuff. Normal hobbies, caring for families, sports, whatever.

 

But at this point, wouldn't a true moderate step back and think, “ya know, maybe we don’t actually need an immature, woman-ogling, dice playing 50-year-old frat boy who never grew up to be a Supreme Court justice, even if he does have a law degree?” Because that’s kind of who this guy is.

 

I mean, think about it. An actual moderate doesn’t wait to see how this “plays out” or try to consider both sides.

[PseudoSABR]

 

There are no Senate moderates. That is a media fiction perpetuated for who knows what reasons. I don’t blame the public for believing it, because honestly most people have more important things to do than get in the weeds on this stuff. Normal hobbies, caring for families, sports, whatever.

But at this point, wouldn't a true moderate step back and think, “ya know, maybe we don’t actually need an immature, woman-ogling, dice playing 50-year-old frat boy who never grew up to be a Supreme Court justice, even if he does have a law degree?” Because that’s kind of who this guy is.

I mean, think about it. An actual moderate doesn’t wait to see how this “plays out” or try to consider both sides.

F'ing right.  

 

I'll just note that judicial standard for ethics, at least in Arizona, is the appearance of impropriety--not impropriety itself.   We are well past the appearance of impropriety threshold for Kavanaugh.  I'm honestly a bit surprised he hasn't withdrawn at this point.

[Squirrel]

F'ing right.  

 

I'll just note that judicial standard for ethics, at least in Arizona, is the appearance of impropriety--not impropriety itself.   We are well past the appearance of impropriety threshold for Kavanaugh.  I'm honestly a bit surprised he hasn't withdrawn at this point.

The fact that he hasn’t says even more who he is. I’m not surprised. These are the types of people trump surrounds himself with - immoral, soulless, selfish, entitled, doesn’t care about anyone or anything except what’s in it for him and how much he can rape and pillage our country for sport and personal gain.

[Badsmerf]

I'm not comfortable judging his character based on this process. I think we know a little about him, and I'm fine with some assessments. However, I think it's important we not get carried away. He is a conservative elitist that was groomed to hold back our societal growth.

[Squirrel]

I'm not comfortable judging his character based on this process. I think we know a little about him, and I'm fine with some assessments. However, I think it's important we not get carried away. He is a conservative elitist that was groomed to hold back our societal growth.

If he did this, and I have no doubts he did, that attitude toward women, the indifference about it, no apology and worse, no acknowledgement and no remorse, is enough I need to know that he cannot objectively judge policy regarding protection and equality. His character should be a deterrent to his nomination, imo

[D. Hocking]

 

that attitude toward women, the indifference about it, no apology and worse, no acknowledgement and no remorse, 

 

Sadly, this seems to be an accurate description of the Senators on the judicial committee as well, not to mention the Thing in the White House.  Look at who they surround themselves and hire.  One of Grassley's aides involved with this had to resign due to sexual harassment claims against him.  Almost all of their statements have been dismissive or indifferent  and/or completely out of touch of how an assault victim feels or reacts.   Trump hired an exec from Fox who after he was fired in the fall out of harassment claims with the network and has endorsed Roy Moore and still will praise Rob Porter.

 

It would not surprise me if a lot of these men actually believe Ford's story, but will pretend there is not enough evidence to convince them, because they really feel getting a conservative on the court is more important than the actual integrity of the court, or they don't think it is a big deal because boys will be boys and she was at a party with alcohol wearing a swim suit and is partially to blame.

 

Sounds like Ford has reached an agreement to testify.  

[Squirrel]

Sadly, this seems to be an accurate description of the Senators on the judicial committee as well, not to mention the Thing in the White House. Look at who they surround themselves and hire. One of Grassley's aides involved with this had to resign due to sexual harassment claims against him. Almost all of their statements have been dismissive or indifferent and/or completely out of touch of how an assault victim feels or reacts. Trump hired an exec from Fox who after he was fired in the fall out of harassment claims with the network and has endorsed Roy Moore and still will praise Rob Porter.

 

It would not surprise me if a lot of these men actually believe Ford's story, but will pretend there is not enough evidence to convince them, because they really feel getting a conservative on the court is more important than the actual integrity of the court, or they don't think it is a big deal because boys will be boys and she was at a party with alcohol wearing a swim suit and is partially to blame.

 

Sounds like Ford has reached an agreement to testify.

Where she will be treated like a criminal. Sad.

[ashbury]

Sadly, this seems to be an accurate description of the Senators on the judicial committee as well, not to mention the Thing in the White House. 

Moderator's note: The purpose isn't to pick on this post specifically, as there is a lot of it in the political threads here, but please avoid language that de-humanizes an individual or group of people. If you wouldn't stand for certain language being used against someone you support, don't use it against someone you don't. The site's Comment Policy is pretty clear about respectful posting, and if folks can't dial it back a bit then the moderators will need to be a bit stricter and start handing out warning points. 'Nuff said.

[PseudoSABR]

Senate Democrats Investigate a New Allegation of Sexual Misconduct, from Brett Kavanaugh’s College Years

 

Senior Republican staffers also learned of the allegation last week and, in conversations with The New Yorker, expressed concern about its potential impact on Kavanaugh’s nomination. Soon after, Senate Republicans issued renewed calls to accelerate the timing of a committee vote.

After six days of carefully assessing her memories and consulting with her attorney, Ramirez said that she felt confident enough of her recollections to say that she remembers Kavanaugh had exposed himself at a drunken dormitory party, thrust his penis in her face, and caused her to touch it without her consent as she pushed him away. Ramirez is now calling for the F.B.I. to investigate Kavanaugh’s role in the incident. “I would think an F.B.I. investigation would be warranted,” she said.

 

[PseudoSABR]

This just dropped too, sounds like a different person.

 

Avenatti says he represents woman with ‘credible information’ about Kavanaugh

 

 

 

Michael Avenatti claims he is now representing a woman with “credible information regarding Judge Kavanaugh and Mark Judge.”

“We will be demanding the opportunity to present testimony to the committee and will likewise be demanding that Judge and others be subpoenaed to testify,” Avenatti tweeted Sunday night.

 

[ashbury]

I just had an epiphany. Kavanaugh's supporters are looking forward to years of, among other things, full-throated support of the Second Amendment. Many of the same are in favor of Stand Your Ground laws - "a right by which a person may defend themselves or others (right of self-defense) against threats or perceived threats, even to the point of applying lethal force, regardless of whether safely retreating from the situation might have been possible", to borrow wording from that fount of legal precision, Wikipedia - it at least matches my general understanding.

 

I wonder how this faction would have felt if young Christine Blasey Ford^* had extricated herself from being pinned down on a bed with a hand smothering her, and gone to find her purse, and taken out her handgun, and shot young Brett Michael Kavanaugh right between the eyes. I mean, if someone fears for their life, you take them at their word when they invoke this defense, right?

 

Just like we take her at her word, now.

 

^{* _{OK, she might have been too young to legally carry a firearm. That's the technicality you're going to use?}}