Live Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

[House Cat]

This is interesting to see what the same word means to different people. I always imagined the word in question to mean "jerk" more less. Now, what exactly that means is probably up for debate too. lol I think of it as meaning, crass, arrogant, ruthless, etc.

This is interesting!

 

[House Cat]

They should have brought the allegations to the committee in a confidential setting when they got them so it could all be handled protecting both the accuser and the accused. This is partisan bullshit at the extreme to hold it until after the hearings were over. Because what they wanted was this spectacle. I thought we want the identities of women to be protected in situations like this so they feel comfortable in coming forward? Maybe so unless it is politically expedient to do otherwise. They don't give a damn about Ford.

Both sides wanted this spectacle. That was proven in Graham’s dead eyes while he was foaming at the mouth.

The people you’re rubbing elbows with in your political party want reality TV out of their politicians, not real law making.

 

[redwood66]

Both sides wanted this spectacle. That was proven in Graham’s dead eyes while he was foaming at the mouth.

The people you’re rubbing elbows with in your political party want reality TV out of their politicians, not real law making.

So it isn't about the woman then. That's what I thought.

 

[House Cat]

So it isn't about the woman then. That's what I thought.

I think the Dems wanted to make a “spectacle” out of his assault to stop the vote. I think an FBI investigation would have been a better route..but then again, they can call one but doesn’t Trump have to approve it? If that is the case, Trump himself said he wouldn’t approve an FBI investigation due to the fact that the “FBI hasn’t been doing such a great job lately.”

This leaves the Dems very little choice than to do what they did.

The republicans could have had more class. They could have treated a sexual assault victim with dignity but they aren’t known for that. They’re shit.

 

[redwood66]

I think the Dems wanted to make a “spectacle” out of his assault to stop the vote. I think an FBI investigation would have been a better route..but then again, they can call one but doesn’t Trump have to approve it? If that is the case, Trump himself said he wouldn’t approve an FBI investigation due to the fact that the “FBI hasn’t been doing such a great job lately.”

This leaves the Dems very little choice than to do what they did.

The republicans could have had more class. They could have treated a sexual assault victim with dignity but they aren’t known for that. They’re shit.

Glad to hear you admit the first bold. It certainly wasn't to protect Ford.

What more could they have done in this situation to treat her with dignity? Dems put her in this position. They worked with her at every request/demand her lawyers made. I am glad they decided not to give the Dems the satisfaction and video clips of "old white men" questioning her. Though Cruz I am sure would balk at being called an old white man.

 

[Bonfire]

Kavanaugh’s nomination should be withdrawn period

 

[redwood66]

Kavanaugh’s nomination should be withdrawn period

I disagree respectfully. The entire process has been made a circus and doing that will send the message that this is the new way to go. Have a vote and it happens or it doesn't.

 

[soxfan]

I disagree respectfully. The entire process has been made a circus and doing that will send the message that this is the new way to go. Have a vote and it happens or it doesn't.

Red, do you still think he has the temperament to sit on the highest court in the land? After his behavior yesterday?

 

[redwood66]

Red, do you still think he has the temperament to sit on the highest court in the land? After his behavior yesterday?

If you take into consideration 12 years of stellar work on the DC bench, and the fact that he has been accused of charges with no evidence that he denies, and the disgusting tactics employed by the Dems, then yes I will forgive the lashing he gave them that they so richly deserved.

 

[House Cat]

Glad to hear you admit the first bold. It certainly wasn't to protect Ford.

What more could they have done in this situation to treat her with dignity? Dems put her in this position. They worked with her at every request/demand her lawyers made. I am glad they decided not to give the Dems the satisfaction and video clips of "old white men" questioning her. Though Cruz I am sure would balk at being called an old white man.

Yelling and treating her as if she’s lying isn’t treating her with dignity. They could have pressed for an FBI investigation.

I am not happy that Ford was paraded in front of everyone. No decent person should be. “Admitting “ that means nothing.

 

[redwood66]

Yelling and treating her as if she’s lying isn’t treating her with dignity. They could have pressed for an FBI investigation.

I am not happy that Ford was paraded in front of everyone. No decent person should be. “Admitting “ that means nothing.

Oh come on. You aren't seriously trying to tie the afternoon's words into their treatment of her are you? It was directed at those Dems on the dais and you know it.

 

[Arcadian]

While I hope that he dosen't get confirmed, he'll likely get confirmed. This isn't his only red flag just the biggest, though I think he's probably a fine judge. I hate to say this but he's damaged goods. Clarence Thomas is also damaged goods and for those of us who remember that whole thing, it was offputting that he got seated.

Candidates for SCOTUS should be exemplary of what is strived for in the judiciary and should not have stuff like this in their closets.

But, Republicans will get him in.

 

[Bonfire]

I disagree respectfully. The entire process has been made a circus and doing that will send the message that this is the new way to go. Have a vote and it happens or it doesn't.

Thanks red. There are other equally qualified judges that could be nominated. After yesterday’s hearing, pushing the vote today on Kavanaugh is not the way for the Reps to go. My 2c

 

[Bonfire]

While I hope that he dosen't get confirmed, he'll likely get confirmed. This isn't his only red flag just the biggest, though I think he's probably a fine judge. I hate to say this but he's damaged goods. Clarence Thomas is also damaged goods and for those of us who remember that whole thing, it was offputting that he got seated.

Candidates for SCOTUS should be exemplary of what is strived for in the judiciary and should not have stuff like this in their closets.

But, Republicans will get him in.

I agree. Clarence Thomas is a stain on the bench. And now the Reps want to follow that same formula? No thanks!

 

[Matata]

I disagree respectfully. The entire process has been made a circus and doing that will send the message that this is the new way to go. Have a vote and it happens or it doesn't.

That message was sent with Merrick Garland and the dumb dems chose to use that playbook.

 

[soxfan]

Watch the reactions of the people behind Mike Lee right now!!!

 

[Tekate]

Her personal call was to remain silent as per the request of Dr Ford, her duty was to Dr Ford first.
What if she had taken it to committee there are 11 republicans and 10 democrats, sooo she must have felt the republicans would NOT hold the accuser in confidence. Yes I would say 11 against 10 is total partisan wouldn't you? What chance would Feinstein had? Let's face it, these are the people who refused to EVEN TALK TO JUDGE GARLAND. He should be on that court. The total disrespect and partisan attitude by the republicans to President Obama was beyond horrendous, so why do democrats have to follow the established procedure if Republicans didn't in 2016? THAT is partisan.

Are you saying the republicans don't want spectacles? Ding dong 11 hours of torture of Hillary Clinton by zealots who believe SATAN himself is a good guy compared to her..It's only partisan Red when it's your/rhetorical your that is. I have never seen such a disgusting performance as I saw by the conservatives/republicans of the public lynching of Clinton, but hey that 'our' side. I don't know how or why they don't give a damn about Ford.. she has an adult and could have said no at any time, seriously she has a PhD and is a psychologist, you think she has no say or a brain? I don't.

This was disgusting, demeaning and unncecessary by Gowdy, a horrible display of disrepect of a person who gave her adult life for the betterment of others.. this was a speech by Gowdy full of innuendo, lies and THEN he found no evidence of wrong doing. She was crucified. So is it that only republicans are allowed to be indignant, allow to crucify, allow to disrespect?

They should have brought the allegations to the committee in a confidential setting when they got them so it could all be handled protecting both the accuser and the accused. This is partisan bullshit at the extreme to hold it until after the hearings were over. Because what they wanted was this spectacle. I thought we want the identities of women to be protected in situations like this so they feel comfortable in coming forward? Maybe so unless it is politically expedient to do otherwise. They don't give a damn about Ford.

 

[JPie]

I think the most disheartening aspect of this whole process is that it reveals how low we’ve sunk as a nation. Kavanaugh is supremely flawed as a candidate, with at least one credible allegation of sexual assault against him, and people still support his nomination. If that’s not crazy, I don’t know what is.

If this had been a job interview for a regular position, no one in their right mind would think he’s the man for the job. If this was a day care, parents would be out for blood if they were told that a new employee had sexual assault allegations against him, but don’t worry, he has years of fine job performance under his belt.

Decades of exemplary work mean nothing when the allegations are this serious. Larry Nassar, Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, and Jimmy Savile were all highly respected in their fields, and they used their reputations and power to avoid the consequences of their actions for far too long. The signs were all there, but no one wanted to listen to the women until there were too many to ignore. Is that what it takes? What’s the threshold? Innocent until at least 25 speak up? 50?

This is the Supreme Court at stake, and there is no reason to follow the process when the process is this flawed and broken. What needs to happen is an investigation by the FBI, and the Republicans in charge have refused. If the accusations against Kavanaugh were for murder instead, no one would try to push this confirmation through; they would demand a thorough investigation instead of yelling at Feinstein for not speaking up sooner. Why does that standard change because the possible victims are alive instead of dead? Why do we place so little value on the past trauma of women and so much on the future of one very flawed man?

 

[soxfan]

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/09/27/gop-senators-outside-ford-questioner-mistake-849246

 

[Tekate]

@Matata I don't understand you are saying that the republicans were nefarious, devious, unkind, disrespectful etc to a find judge Merrick Garland, so then the dumb dems did the same thing? I dunno, what else could they do, unless the republicans are allowed to be despicable and democrats aren't, maybe I misunderstood you?

That message was sent with Merrick Garland and the dumb dems chose to use that playbook.

 

[cmd2014]

I think this whole thing has shown how much the system is broken. How much the US is broken. How Putin must be laughing at you right now. And Al Qaeda. And Isis. Your allies on the other hand are watching this train wreck feeling slightly stunned. And sick. And more than a little sorry for you.

I am stunned at Democrats like Flake who would turn and vote for this man simply to try to save their own skins in upcoming elections. They deserve to lose their seats if self-interest trumps making decisions for the good of the country. I am stunned at Republicans who are happy to go home and face the women in their lives and tell them that their wellbeing does not matter, that their voices do not matter, that their safety does not matter. Honestly, every single person on that committee (with a few notable exceptions) probably deserves to lose their seats. (ETA: honestly, any person voting yes for this disaster of a candidate probably needs to lose their seats. Politics aside, the US can do better. Surely in a place as large, as wealthy, and as educated as the US, there would be a whole list of candidates who would be better. That everyone can agree on and feel proud of. Not this bizarre broken circus where once again control over women's rights and women's bodies seems to be the battle ground. Honestly, is that the biggest issue facing the US right now? If no, then let it go and move on with actually governing your country for the good of your people, and stop these childish squabbles over whose team is better - making everyone lose).

The best thing might be to have equal numbers of representatives on both sides sitting on the judiciary committee. Make it so that both parties need to agree with each other before someone is confirmed. Make it so that if one committee gest deadlocked, an alternate committee gets formed to consider a new set of nominees (and had both sides nominate candidates for consideration). Yes it would stick things up a bit, but you'd probably end up with a whole bunch more moderates on the bench and a whole lot more cohesiveness in the country.

 

[Matata]

I dunno, what else could they do, unless the republicans are allowed to be despicable and democrats aren't, maybe I misunderstood you?

Dems could have worked to ensure that a decent nominee was selected instead of immediately refusing to support reps choice. Dems blew it. I think if they had attempted to set the bar higher, perhaps the reps would have given more credence to Ford's allegations. I understand that the dems had to idea in the beginning when they refused to consider kav that they would be handed credible ammunition to discredit him. It just goes to show that lowering yourself to the level they did has unintended consequences. We will get nowhere if we continue to play tit or tat. I would like to see the dems refuse to meet the low bar and force the reps to rise to a higher bar.

 

[cmd2014]

Special place in hell...

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/politics/with-a-key-vote-secured-senators-will-advance-kavanaugh’s-nomination/ar-BBNFWin?li=AAggNb9&ocid=ASUDHP

I had thought he was a Democrat, but I must have been mistaken.

 

[Matata]

I am stunned at Democrats like Flake who would turn and vote for this man simply to try to save their own skins in upcoming elections.

I'm irate at Flake. He's retiring and doing the right thing would not have cost him a damn thing. He's using the lack of corroborating evidence crap instead of focusing on the flawed process.

 

[cmd2014]

He's retiring??? That's even worse. Especially after the elevator moment.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics...-confronted-by-protesters-elevator-nr-vpx.cnn

 

[soxfan]

I think Flake is still undecided.

 

[soxfan]

I think Flake is going to vote no. Holy shit.

 

[Bonfire]

Politicians are slime, all of them. This hearing was theater...opera. The dems trot out this poor woman in an 11th hour attempted to smear and destroy Kavanaugh. The reps are defending him at all costs. All of this is political jostling. This all could have been avoided in a confidential forum. My heart breaks for her. She’s been used by the dems as a pawn. There is plenty of shame attached to both sides. Trump true to form pushes him through. I’m beyond disgusted with our political climate. This is extremely damaging to, not only every woman in this country, but to EVERONE

 

[soxfan]

WHAT is going on right now? Anyone know?

 

[the_mother_thing]

I can’t even anymore.

I believe politics - ALL SIDES - have irreparably sunk below the lowest level of pond scum.

This feels like the moment in the move “Crimson Tide” and the turning of the nuclear missile key.

It should NEVER get to this point in this country. I’m just disgusted.