We are wondering how someone like Judge Kavanaugh (or, anyone for that matter) can say he can’t remember the situation in question but he denies it. How can you deny something which you say you can’t remember? Contradictory?
7
What struck me, other than the clarity of Dr. Ford's account, is that if Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed he will be the second alumni of Georgetown Prep on the Supreme Counrt, that exclusive rich boy school, along with Neil Gorsuch. It confounds me that Trump supporters, feeling neglected by the so-called establishment, buy into their populism. No one surrounding Mr. Trump had any interest in the middle class, other than a means to their ends.
Just to get Roe v Wade overturned, prayers back in schools, minorities disparaged, etc. they're willing to watch his rich friends grab all they can, while everything else goes up in flames. Can they honestly ask themselves if anything in their lives is better under Trump policies other than an outlet to vent their anger at his enemies?
69
This is so very sad.
Ms. Ford has clearly suffered psychological damage and continued pain as a result of this episode. I think men, myself included, have a hard time understanding just how traumatic this can be for a women. That this came out in marriage counseling is particularly telling.
Now, having suffered from this for decades, the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary will no doubt do their best to inflict more pain on this woman – a message to all women: keep silent, don't come forward.
60
I was a criminal defense lawyer for over 30 years. Sex predators do not attack only once, and then shut it down indefinitely.
Private lie detector tests, like the one the alleged victim took, mean absolutely nothing. If the subject knows what questions are coming, they are far less likely to evoke the emotional reactions which the test seeks to measure. And if the subject takes the same test over and over, in time all answers will register as being truthful. Let the alleged perp and the alleged victim take a test from an independent administrator, and you might have some indication which one is lying. But there's a reason such results are not allowed in a criminal trial -- sociopaths will pass them, and in any event the "test" is one of emotional response, and not of "truth," and as a truth-telling mechanism is not reliable.
17
Kavanah and Judge possibly do not remember specific occurances as being the party boys but they certainly have memory of those times, the drinking too much, the girls they chased or harassed. This does not fade from a man's memory of their youth. Elites in their mighty schools do not make it any different than the rest of us, it just provides for more entitledness in their minds.
19
Triggering the fight or flight response in the mainly white male privileged, so-called conservative Federal Society and Catholic cults such as Opus Dei will likely cause them to fight. Media exposure of hot-headedness with the old chauvinist blinders on could very well see their long terms goals more quickly into the dustbin of idealogical history than a sudden and quiet retreat. The exposure of a fight response seems a victory for the democratic and Democratic case. But the paternal-coated machismo may appear under the surface or be regarded more basically as a child just before a time-out.
1
This is terrific journalism.
7
This is a good account of how an assault was handled by teenage girls in that era and of what the behavior of private school teens was like. I grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and went to very good public schools. But my best friend went to an exclusive private girls school, where this kind of drunken behavior was not unknown.
That must have been some party that these 2 teenagers ended up at. Where were the parents? My friend told me stories about such parties attended by rich kids without much parental supervision. Where were the parents? Often deeply involved in their own social world, networking, and status climbing--at least the kinds of parents who allowed such raucous parties at their homes.
This is also a good account of how a frightening, traumatic experience such as this was handled by girls then, and how such an experience has lingering and often lifelong effects, especially if you try hard to forget it, but it keeps creeping back into your psyche decades later.
It's called character, and I doubt Dr. Blasey-Ford is lying about the incident, which has haunted her, but evidently not her predator, who doesn't remember it. Maybe he was too drunk to remember, or maybe assaulting a teenage girl was no big thing to him.
I do not find much in Kavanaugh's record to indicate either a stellar, outstanding jurist, or a person of high integrity and character. More like a good-old boy with the right credentials, who knows how to climb the GOP career ladder.
61
I have been the "designated driver" since I got my license in 1964, because I don't drink (daughter of alcoholic father--learned that lesson from him). However, in 1966-67, I went to a number of fraternity parties with some of my friends, and, since I was always sober, I can tell you that I saved a few of them from situations similar to this pretty much every week. One of my friends liked to drink Southern Comfort, a la Janis Joplin, and she'd start getting tipsy. Some guy would notice this, try to "take her upstairs," and I'd go grab her by the arm and say, "I guess it's time to leave." I'd tell the guy I was her ride home. Most of the time, he'd say something like, "I got a car. I'll take her home." "Nope, that's my job." Reaction from the guy? "Sheesh, who's your wet blanket friend?"
This was standard operating procedure at frat parties back then, and i'm not sure if anything has changed. Alcohol, drugs, and sheer testosterone poisoning (yes, I said it) empower men to act this way. I'm glad I stepped in back then. And with four grandsons and a granddaughter, you can bet your life I'll be telling them these stories before they go out into the world--just like I did to their parents before THEY left for college.
45
"I believe her".
I find Ms. Blasey Ford's account to be truthful. Ms. Ford has nothing to hide, nothing to gain and now her own life and her family's have been threatened. How awful is this to prevent one from telling the truth.
In contrast, Mr. Kavanaugh, the Senators on the Judiciary Committee and President Trump will not tell the truth in order to get Kavanaugh confirmed as quickly as possible. Indeed if they wanted to learn the truth then why not offer Ms. Ford security protection and expense-paid to testify in Washington at a a public hearing? Her corroboration comes from Mr. Kavanaugh and Mr. Judge's prep school Year Book. Why not subpoena Mr. Judge.
I do not excuse Brett Kavanaugh's youthful indiscretions nor his inability to take responsibility for past acts of sexual assault and out of control drinking. Alcohol inebriation is no defense.
Mr. Kavanaugh needs to act like an honorable man and a decent human being. Only then will all Americans respect him. Recently he has shown no respect for women and no respect for the law by his recent court order delaying a pregnant immigrant teenager's right to an abortion under the U. S. Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade decision.
The first thing Judge Kavanaugh must do, whether he remembers the Blasey-Ford incident at issue or not, is to sincerely apology to Dr. Blasey Ford. Otherwise this issue will forever stain his character and career.
26
Passivity is a common survival instinct in someone. Fight/Flight/Freeze. It seems she could flee the scene. Imo,it's no wonder Dr. Blasey remained silent for many years. He had his hand over her mouth so she couldn't cry out for help.
Plus, at 15, she was still a minor. A young adolescent wouldn't have had the inner resources of an adult to help her deal with the aftermath.
The effects of trauma aren't necessarily limited to the traumatic event. I don't doubt that it's retraumatizing to her to go public with this.
I survived an attempted date rape, too. If you're reading this, Dr. Blasey, I support you 100%.
57
I think when you look at this and read the " yearbook entry for Judge Kavanaugh, a varsity football and basketball player at Georgetown Prep, described him as “Keg City Club (Treasurer) — 100 Kegs or Bust.” Mark Judge, a classmate and close friend, describes his own blackout drinking during those years in “Wasted: Tales of a Gen X Drunk,” his 1997 memoir about his experiences as a teenage alcoholic. The book mentions a person named “Bart O’Kavanaugh” who had “puked in someone’s car” and “passed out on his way back from a party.” ; it pretty much says it all.
Add to that Brett Kavanaugh little joke during a speech about "what happens at Georgetown Prep, stays at Georgetown Prep"; most likely the Judge doesn't remember because he probably blacked out drunk, but that doesn't excuse the behavior of the pain he caused a young girl that lasted a lifetime.
72
We women never, but never forget!
I am an 81-year-old female who was set up by five high school football jocks. My older sister and I was driving around one summer when the guys yelled from their hot convertible. “Holly, why don’t you and your friend come to our party tonight.” Fortunately, my sister did not want to go.
So I arrived at their party around 8:30 pm. When I walked in I was surprised since all I saw were the same boys, now totally inebriated.
I asked, “Where’s the party…did I have the wrong night?”
The one guy I slightly knew said, “Don’t worry, Holly, we’re going to have a blast -- you’re our party.”
He grabbed my arm and brought me into a bedroom. I was horrified, but I knew, or prayed, somehow my verbal ability to extricate myself from difficult situations might work.
And it did. I left there and quickly drove home..
I do not remember what I said, but who cares, the event happened and I was safe. And, like Dr. Ford, I never said a word to anyone all of these 64 years. However, I have also never forgotten the main football player’s ugly face.
100
The motto for the Republican Party should be Trump's Orwellian statement:
"What you are seeing and what you are reading is not what is happening."
And how many Democrats make death threats against a traumatized Republican woman who had accused some high-profile Democratic politician or Supreme Court nominee of sexual assault that happened when she was a teenager?
Be careful who and what you vote for on Nov. 6.
We can do much better than this Kavanaugh spectacle, GOP circus, and Trump chaos. But it won't be by electing Republicans who have no idea how to govern all the people in the U.S.
74
Diving into the slough of the Republican-led Judiciary Committee is comparable to diving into a school of sharks.
Not nice people. Not honest or punctilious.
They will smear her, and then they'll vote to confirm man-of-the-people Kavanaugh, who will be one step closer to discovering that the Constitution intended the president to be a monarch.
32
I'm so happy I had a "humble" social life without drunkenness and wild parties when attending a public high school in a place where adults paid their share of taxes because they wanted their children and other people's children in their community to get a decent education.
26
Dr. Ford was the one who choose to put herself into the spotlight. If she had come forward with sexual abuse allegations against Brett Kavanaugh 36 years ago she would not find herself under the microscope. Why did she wait so long? That is the question that should be repeatedly asked?
There is also someone else who has been affected by these revelations. Brett Kavanaugh. He and his wife have also been threatened and had vulgar and obscene language hurled at them. They did not have any say in this matter but were thrown into this fiasco. I believe he is innocent of all charges. This is nothing more than a witch hunt. He will find him on the Supreme Court very soon.
11
Could we just please not have any more Catholic, establishment type lawyers named as candidates for SCOTUS? Let's balance this out with at least 1 atheist/agnostic. And keep the conservative Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation out of the mix also. We are sick of this Conservative Gang.
121
And the same disgusting, entitled old men, caring for nothing other than getting 'their boy' on the SC, have already announced that they 'are inclined to believe him' rather than her, that she is not entitled to an independent investigation or corroborating witnesses, that she has to sit at a table next to her attacker and she has to do it on their timetable.
All because they found a shill who will protect Trump from impeachment.
And they ridicule the idea that they and their party is anti-woman.
39
A sidebar to all of this is the fact -- then and now -- so many kids don't confide in their parents when something bad goes down at a party or other in-school or out-of-school activity. Parents should really encourage full transparency, a come-to-me-no-matter-how-embarrassing the event or issue. If more kids didn't bury and feel shame, they could work on the issue, challenge perpetrators, inform leaders, and get real-time counseling.
19
A Senator needs to ask Kavanaugh, "Did you ever get drunk and pass out or black out while you were in high school?" Doing so was clearly very common, and Kavanaugh's own remarks in other contexts ("What happened at Georgetown Prep stays at Georgetown Prep"), speak to his comfort with such a culture.
If he says no, then intrepid reporters will be in a position to confirm or deny. If he turns out to be lying, that's disqualifying, or, should he be seated and the Ds take the House in November, grounds for impeachment.
If he says yes, then he is in effect admitting that he lied by categorically denying something he might not have been in a position to remember.
30
Sadly, if Ms. Blasey Ford did not have all of the high end schooling, credentials, career, et al, she would never be believed for a second. And even with her sterling reputation, academic excellence and moneyed background she is still doubted.
49
Running through these comments are those that boil down to: You should have reported it then/ Get over it.
Assault is a crime then and now.
All the men who got over their assault on a teenage girl when they were younger, also failed to report it, but they’re not up for
nomination to the Supreme Court.
We have a disfuntional Congress. Citizens living through these hellish presidential times have a part to play, big or small, to make it stop.
It is now down to one person, Dr Ford, to try to change the course of history for all of us women who have felt ashamed and silenced
at the hands of men who continue to want to exert control over our bodies.
36
Sadly, I do not believe there will be an FBI investigation on this matter. And if an investigation does take place, assuredly our Tweet-in-Chief will do his utmost to place a finger on the scales of justice by bringing attention to a "biased" FBI. This nomination screams to an enraged electorate to show up at the polls this November. Posts alone don't change many Senate votes, let alone electoral maps. More Supreme Court judges are getting older; at least one is holding out for you guys.
9
Yea: Like she was a saint. Non drinker/partyer .
I want her high school friends to testify about her social life during this period.
She was probably out there with her friends but now wants attention.
You can bet she has democratic backers digging and making up stories.
There is no one in America who has not been in a situation parting and went over the top
9
I weep for these poor people. How they have suffered...
5
Kavanaugh is a "staunch Catholic conservative" and that says it all when you consider what some of the staunchest Catholics - priests, bishops, and cardinals - have been up to for the past several decades.
48
I have no doubt that the incident Dr. Blasey describe took place. However her actions after that moment have done nothing but neuter her credibility. Even in the early Eighties, after two decades of Women's Lib, her coming forward at that time would not have been impossible. Had she knocked Kavanough one degree of course at that time, he would not be where he is now. As for the more recent handling of the situation, she seems to be looking for ways to self destruct.
5
How is it ok for victims of sexual abuse by priests to come forward after 30 years from not her? There is a huge double standard here. Assault and abuse are wrong and should hold consequences no matter how much time has passed.
35
It takes a lot of courage for a woman to speak out against a powerful man. She knows that she will be told that she is lying, that she doesn’t remember.
In 1949 when I was a high school junior I went to a party with a senior named Bill (last name omitted.) Bill tried to rape me that night. I managed to get away. I remember that night as clearly as if it had happened last night.
Had Bill been nominated for a high position I would have revealed what happened on that night in 1949.
256
I was hoping and I'm still hoping for an article that takes a broader view of the culture of these institution as they were in the 1980s and if it has changed in the ensuing decades.
4
It is entirely possible that Judge K can deny the accusations by Prof Blasey and believe himself to be truthful. It’s a defense mechanism if the brain to block out the traumatic events that run counter to our upbringing and basic beliefs. On the other hand, Prof B has had to live with a traumatic event since she was 15 and it has affected her greatly. It’s impossible for random observers like us to know who is telling the truth but the members of the Senate have to know and thus some investigation is warranted.
21
Christine Blasey Ford's allegations have the ring of truth, both because of her background and character and because it is an all-too-common story. Those who deride, condemn or threaten her have their priorities completely reversed. She's the victim, not Kavanaugh. His lack of integrity is found in his evasive answers to questions regarding his nomination, a habit he has likely had for a very long time. I trust her, absolutely not him.
Eclectic Pragmatism — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
48
@Eduardo B:
When I read your first sentence, I was struck by how it identically matched the rationale that racists jurors utilized to convict Black defendants!
Sheriff Bull Connor would be so proud!
3
I find during the discourse here, we lose the standard of the reasonable man, often the benchmark for reviewing application of laws.
In this particular case, in my humble opinion this Ms Ford should back off. I dont think teens' actions should be judged. And when they are, they should not be with the weight of an adult action or offence.
Perhaps he misbehaved, he got drunk, he got scared, but nothing else happened. Where is the forgiveness of childhood indiscretions people. We are not getting a saint but a judge. Lets move on as adults.
14
Well, if as you say, he misbehaved, so be it. He was young. Let bygones be bygones. The problem with your thinking is that he soundly denies that the events happened, which if you are correct, would make Kavanaugh a liar. And, it would appear, he is prepared to lie under oath. That is not youthful indiscretion but a present day occasion of perjury. This is why an investigation is called for, an investigation the GOP, Trump and Kavanaugh don't want. Why?
177
What about the accusations of excessive drinking? And how about his mother being a judge? It's not unreasonable to see if any drunk driving incidents were swept under the table.
5
@David Very well said. I might add that as a victim of actual sexual abuse at 6 years of age Blasey Ford's accusations of what allegedly took place at a high school party offend me.
2
Some people (like the POTUS) keep talking about how terrible this is for Kavanaugh and how this mere accusation can destroy his life.
Huh?
If the event happened, and Dr. Blasey came forward like this despite everything she thought might happen (and she was right, wasn't she?), doesn't that say something about the deep, lasting effect Kavanaugh has had on her life for 35 years while he has had a free ticket to ride all this time? Yet, being a victim didn't destroy her.
You want to compare lives to say whose is worthier, and who deserves belief more? Show me the episodes of probable professional con artistry similar to those coming to light around Kavanaugh. Why isn't he demanding an FBI investigation to clear his own name? What did he do while at Georgetown Prep, with his drunk-teen friend Mark Judge, that he needs to "stay at Georgetown Prep"?
A President of the United States and a janitor, doing their jobs, are worthy of the same human respect and benefit of the doubt. LOL, that's obvious when you consider the current POTUS.
You can't tell me that all the Republicans are so invested in Kavanaugh's rightness for the SC that they are running like dogs, politics aside, rather than ask Trump to pick someone else. No, Blasey's problem is that this nomination came so close to Nov. 6 that the Reps are desperate to get this win in before they lose the House and possibly even the senate. (How you like that nuclear option now, McConnell?)
42
Of course an FBI investigation, subpoenas and sworn testimony is called for to resolve this matter. At present Ms. Ford’s story can be dismissed by unverified and unsworn remarks from the alleged co-conspirator in the crime Mark Judge, or by simple unverified denials from Kavanaugh. Surely the US Senate would take the high road and investigate serious charges levied against a potential USSupreme Court Justice?
215
@tony
"Surely the US Senate would take the high road and investigate serious charges levied against a potential USSupreme Court Justice?"
Been away from the news for a while, Tony?
9
@tony:
Who beyond Ford and Kavanaugh would be the witnesses? Where would the FBI look for evidence?
This is simply a stall tactic.
1
@tony All women should send prayers for this investigation to go on. Dr Ford is a brave and strong woman who is standing in for their experiences not being taken seriously over the years.
7
Like the larger Me,Too movement, Dr. Blasey's story has struck a chord. Many others now have shared their experiences of rape or assault in high school. The Me,Too movement brought out narratives from the workplace.
In many respects, this is far worse. Young girls are still developing. They are very vulnerable. They don't know who to trust. This is a type of sexual bullying -- not just the assaults, but the shaming and silencing.
Dr. Blasey's courage is even more admirable against this backdrop. To have her forced out of her home with her family with security protecting them due to the death threats is bad enough.
Republican senators' insults are even worse in this context. There is an assumption of guilt towards her, and an affirmation that their support for Kavanaugh is unconditional. An investigation is urgently needed.
This is already far beyond the "She said, he said" dynamic. There was too much drinking, too much of a rape culture in these schools, too many victimized girls.
Something deep and serious in this country's psyche and memories is stirring now. Republicans ignore it at their peril. This is still exploding. If witnesses come forward later, and Kavanaugh is a sitting Supreme Court justice, the country will be watching an impeachment trial and hearing even more details.
41
It is false to assume that private schools, especially the expensive ones, provide good education. Like in any school, public or private, there are good, average and poor performing kids. The disadvantage with private schools are that the kids will have trouble in navigating in society at large. The disadvantage in public schools, there aren’t many alcohol binge parties. The public education is as good as any. Many of these private school kids get into these elite colleges, because they buy their way. If your parents are rich and influential, there is very little one could do to stop a brat becoming a president or a Supreme Court Jude.
13
@Kodali: Did you really just claim that there "aren't many alcohol binge parties" in public schools?
Public education is a disgrace. An unacceptable percentage of children can neither read nor do simple math. The US lags far behind the world in education due to teacher unions control.
1
@Kodali There is absoluely noting wrong with private schools. My daughter went to a very pestigious private school and one of the top universities in the country. She did it strictly on merit. Do not over generalize things;this has nothing to do with the Ford matter.
3
People are questioning why she is putting herself and her family through this and is willing to be subjected to a hostile, partisan showdown in Congress. Certain types of men may not have changed in 30 years, but by God we have! That's why she's doing this.
415
@Wally Wolf
Because someone has to take a stand. How else to teach your children than through resolve in fighting the good fight and standing up for a principle bigger than yourself. I know this first-hand through the stand-up actions of my parents.
7
Try to find a big shot who wasn't a bully in high school.
14
With all due respect to the living, it is the Ghost of Merrick Garland haunts the hallowed halls of the Senate these days.
If there was real justice here, and not just politics, the feckless Mitch McConnell would be haunted three times before Monday--first by Anita Hill, then by Stormy Daniels and lastly by Gloria Allred, if for no other reason just to make him miserable.
32
Most of the "elite" social circles that I encountered in my youth, whether in private schools or in fraternities/sororities, were rife with alcoholism, substance abuse, and rampant sexual predation toward women. The veneer of superior class and sophistication that is aggressively marketed to the public by these organizations is nothing more than a smokescreen for their base behavior.
25
As a man who attended high school and college parties and got drunk and lusted after girls, I do declare that I never forced myself onto a woman or attempted to have sex with anyone by force. Or come on to them if unwelcome. That is how I was brought up.
I dare say that the majority of my friends behaved in the same way. However, there were other "machos" and/or privileged boys who thought that hey could get away with such assaults.
Brett Kavanaugh and his pals appear to be in this category. He does not belong in the Supreme Court.
82
She is more credible to me than he is.
I am surprised that she is the only woman who has come forward. If he did this, it seems it would not be a one-time-only thing.
18
The corroborating information is building to what I believe is compelling evidence, evidence the Senate Committee does not want to hear. I keep hearing the word "proof" throw around on the news but that does not mean beyond a reasonable doubt (the standard for a criminal case) but what is the most probable (an area of expertise by Dr. Ford). I detailed the evidence but had to cut to meet size guidelines for a letter.
It is clear that the available information strongly favors Dr. Ford. Nevertheless. that will not make a difference to Republicans who want to stock the Supreme Court with prep school judges that support their interests and not the American people's interest.
What is also concerning is Kavanaugh is willing to lie under oath just as I believe Thomas did after Anita Hill testimony. We will have a Supreme court with at least two liars and two sexual predators.
43
What struck me, other than the clarity of Dr. Ford's account, is that if Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed he will be the second alumni of Georgetown Prep on the Supreme Counrt, that exclusive rich boy school, along with Neil Gorsuch. It confounds me that Trump supporters, feeling neglected by the so-called establishment, buy into their populism. No one surrounding Mr. Trump has any interest in the middle class, other than a means to their ends.
Just to get Roe v Wade overturned, prayers back in schools, minorities disparaged, etc. they're willing to watch his rich friends grab all they can, while everything else goes up in flames. Can they honestly ask themselves if anything in their lives is better under Trump policies other than an outlet to vent their anger at his enemies?
32
I'm a man who graduated from a good and meritocratic state university in the early 1980s. Starting in sophomore year, and recurring a few times in the next few years, I encountered "preppy" type guys from time to time, sometimes at a marquis university up the road, but also in D.C. It was my experience that many of these ex "preppies" were arrogant and clannish guys "born on first base" (or further up), who looked down on people like me. Of course, people are in their peak years of their arrogance around that time in life, but the experiences remain in the forefront of my memory now since this allegation emerged.
19
There is no shortage of non denial denials flowing from the judge and Mr. Judge. That plus the chauvinistic narratives rife throughout Judge's book(s) combined with Ms. Blasey's spontaneous confession in marriage counseling/therapy ALL add up to: He's lying and she's telling the truth.
As the Rs take a page from Melania's stupid wardrobe here: "I really don't care, do you?", they also try to
1) cram this nomination through and
2) change the narrative to "if the victim doesn't testify, she must be lying".
All that's left to do now is watch the Establishment scramble to preserve Kavanaugh's white male privilege (the absolute right to assault "lesser" beings with impunity and WITH the Establishment's all too convenient acquiescence).
24
People keep talking about how Kavanaugh shouldn’t be held accountable for what he may have done because he was a teenager. It is clear that most of these people live in a privileged bubble.
Do they not realize that our nation is awash in juvenile detention centers and that many states hold teens in adult prisons for crimes committed while teens, even for non violent crimes.
If we applied the teenager get out of jail card for every teen then we wouldn’t need juvenile prisons.
A crime is a crime no matter what age. In many nations 17 year olds are married, working or fighting wars. We here in the US simultaneously call liberal college students snowflakes and babies and call on them to buck up and grow up, but when it comes to conservative teens we excuse them as still immature children not responsible for themselves or their actions.
The truth is that while Kavanaugh will probably not do jail time nor should he at this juncture, he certainly should NEVER be rewarded with a Supreme Court seat, those should be reserved for human beings with more integrity and moral decency, and have never been accused of such a violent crime as attempted gang rape. Wake up, this isn’t some careless act, it was premeditated and violent.
60
She should have reported any sexual assault when it happened - she is obviously doing this for political gain or she would have reported it sooner. Does she think he will assault women when he got to the supreme court? The answer is no. She didn't care that he could have been assaulting many, many women throughout his entire life. Oh yeah, he didnt. Ask his many female athletes that he coached or his many female interns that he employed. In fact, they love him. She is the liar that should be punished for defamation.
38
@Patrick McCord - Wow, that is a nasty interpretation of events and of character, and one which I think I will hear a lot of in the next few weeks. The GOP machine is working overtime on this.
Why didn't the victim stop feeling assaulted long enough to fit her trauma into our timetable?
By your logic, Mr. McCord, the victim is responsible for all the future actions of the perpetrator.
I do no know what an immature, drunken high school athlete did all those years ago. But whatever it was, I don't think an apology was part of it. We can argue whether or not he is a good candidate for the Court.
But assuming that a woman must be a liar because we don't like her story or her timing? That's just nasty.
5
@Patrick McCord You seem pretty sure of yourself. Historically, women frequently haven’t reported these issues. And sure there are questions on both sides.
For me, my gut tells me there is something to her claim and that it should be investigated thoroughly.
I ask you what’s the rush? The GOP were OK for the court to be 8 members for quite some time. Wouldn’t it be a travesty if it was just all done in a rush and later we find that a sitting Supreme Court judge did commit this assault?
5
@Patrick McCord character counts.
2
I'm sorry but I'm not buying it. As a woman/girl I partied harder than most, remember every boy who copped a feel or tried for more. My high school days were 44 years ago and I remember where I was, who was there and how I got home from each and every encounter. (days of ludes, acid, pot, Annie Green Springs, Kentucky bourbon, animal tranquilizers, you name it we popped it) I also never went to some random party without a friend/s of either sex. Girls share their experiences with other girls or boys.This event was so benign, nothing really happened other than some groping. If she can't remember where she was or how she got home how can she be SO sure who?
I think Ms Ford had a dream about a boy, maybe she admired him from afar, maybe he ignored her. Why was she in couples therapy? was it due to disinterest in sexual activity? Did this regressed memory, (with no name attached) explain her disinterest?
I don't buy it, this is a political tactic to take down an honorable man and resist Trump by all means necessary. Someone told her to use this and put his name to it assuring her she would never have to come forward.
I filed a sexual harassment case when I was 28 against a pig of a man who verbally sexually abused me, then tried to fire me. I received the balance of my contract and moved on.
13
Based on the comments here, before ANY evidence has been presented, I would suggest that if this matter would ever be adjudicated, Mr. Kavanaugh's lawyer's first question in voix dire be "Do you read The New York Times?"
4
I think it is crazy to be judged for something that happened in high school. Haven't we all changed since then?
I also think she needs to have moved on from this long ago.
This whole thing is a ridiculous charade.
12
He's lying about it now. If he took responsibility and showed remorse it might be different. First he said it didn't happen. Now it seems to be framed as teenage horseplay. Lack of forthrightness is not a quality that we want at the SCOTUS.
28
From Pete Souza:
"Attention Mr. Grassley, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Corker, Mr. Graham, Mr. Cornyn and Mr. 46 minus 1: this is Mr. Merrick Garland. Remember him. You held his Supreme Court nomination open for 293 days without a single hearing. During those 293 days, no one came forward with a shred of evidence about anything that would disqualify him. You just didn’t schedule a hearing or vote for purely political reasons. There is now a credible attempted rape allegation against your Court nominee. For a lifetime appointment. Whose nomination has been open only for 71 days. And your plan is to rush a vote on his nomination without an FBI investigation into a sexual assault he may have committed? Because 46 minus 1 says about the FBI, “this is not their thing.” The “I” in FBI stands for “investigation.” Even I (and everyone that works at the White House) had two FBI investigations into my background as the White House photographer, though I had never committed a crime. So you don’t want the FBI to investigate someone for the Supreme Court about a credible attempted rape allegation? Please explain."
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn6cMTal6uk/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&i...
36
A few considerations:
- If Dems are using this politically, does it really change anything? The political value Dems may gain from this neither delegitimizes Ford's victimhood, nor absolves Kavanaugh’s culpability
- To those asking, “Why now”: Is too hard to think a victim of sexual assault might want to forget it all and move on, until finding out the guy is about to become a JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT?
- To those peddling false equivalencies like, “Who isn’t ashamed of what they did in high school”: Most of us got through high school without trying to rape someone. At least I can speak for myself. Is the GOP's stable of non-assaulting judges really that dry? I suppose if we look at their stable of presidential candidates...
- Those clamoring for presumption of innocence - this isn’t a criminal trial. If he did these things, he’ll probably never be truly held accountable. We’re just trying to decide whether he should get a job. You get fired at McDonalds for not washing your hands, but you can treat women like garbage and become President of the U.S.,, and now join SCOTUS!
- To those impugning Ford: if I offered you a life where you had a Ph.D., a successful and esteemed career in academia, a happy family, and a cultivated hobby of surfing California's beaches, would any of you risk all that to lie about something that you knew was going to be cross-examined and attacked mercilessly, in the full public eye? Doubtful.
57
Not too complicated, make Kavanaugh take a lie detecter test.
That would be interesting. Maybe not stop there, give Trump one too.
13
"Judge Kavanaugh, a Republican, is a staunch Catholic conservative..."
Correct. So his 15th Century ideology will simplify the decision making process: no abortions, no contraceptives, women as second class citizens. Drinking and lying are OK. Just hit the confessional.
And bible over Constitution, just like the evangelical fanatics.
44
To me, as a retired Clinical Psychologist, the crucial piece of new information here is that following her traumatic experience, Dr. Ford is described by a male friend as “having dropped off the face of the earth socially.”
This completely fits with Dr. Ford’s own description of 4-5 years of great difficulty. And it fits with so many experiences of sexual assault trauma.
Brett Kavanaugh seems to be hiding the evidence - in plain sight - of his high school and college hijinks, which clearly involved alcohol and sex. This is not a good sign.
There are also the questions of whether Kavanaugh has been a heavy gambler. No direct evidence of that seems to have surfaced, but there’s no doubt that Kavanaugh seems to have a history of risky behavior - and gambling certainly qualifies.
I am heartsick on behalf of Dr. Ford. My strong tendency and my experience as a clinician leave me with the strong sense that every aspect of her story rings true. On the other hand, the shifty character of Kavanaugh’s evasiveness regarding his own past educational extracurricular misadventures is not a good sign.
The Nation would be best served with a Supreme Court with people whose own backgrounds lack worrisome allegations against them. Proven or unproven, they hang like a dark cloud over a Court which should bring Justice to the least among us. Not crimes of their own!
68
This entire debacle is just nonsense!
If women wish to be treated as equals, they need to accept the civic responsibility that it entails. That includes a civic duty to report crime WHEN IT OCCURS! If there is shame, in being the VICTIM, it is only because women have allowed it to continue. Shame is ALWAYS self-imposed.
From even a leftist perspective it is self-evident that had the first woman that Harvey Weinstein assaulted spoken out PUBLICLY to the police, the second would not have been victimized. If you do not believe that, how about if the first 3 or the first 5 had gone to the police?
The bottom line is that Weinstein DEPENDED ON that silence to victimize other women. The calculation was certainly part of his decision to continue.
Mainstream Feminist dogma along with common sense defines rape and sexual assault as crimes of VIOLENCE. They are not SEX crimes. Their should be no shame in being the victim. Are victims of battery, or armed robbery, or assault shamed?
If women know that they can wait an indeterminate time (37 years???) and still be believed, then it exposes other women to become victims of the predator in the meantime!
Lastly, if a woman became aware that a teacher was sexually assaulting children, could she morally stay silent in order to save the child trauma or embarrassment? Or is that a consideration that a woman can selfishly reserve for herself?
Women can not have it both ways! Full citizenship for all!
8
We are talking about a child. Sexual assault against a child. Are you implying that if children don't report crimes the perpetrator gets a pass? Do you feel differently about male children? Or are they all fair game?
23
@vonmisian "If there is shame, in being the VICTIM, it is only because women have allowed it to continue. Shame is ALWAYS self-imposed"
Congratulations on your victim shaming by telling victims it's their own fault for feeling shame as a result of someone assaulting them. That's impressively uneducated and awful.
7
In the 80s I attended a co-ed Midwestern public high school. As a girl with a fairly typical social life I never witnessed or experienced this kind of behavior. Surely it happened in some quarters. But overall teen parties were pretty tame affairs. I’d take my experience over this supposedly “elitist” one any day.
7
Upon learning of Blasey's allegations Kavanaugh should have immediately acknowledged having been an out of control drinker in high school, apologized IF he had done this terrible thing but that he had no memory of it, and expressed some concern for Blasey. This would have shown good character. Most people would have been inclined to see this as a case of a man who did a terrible thing as a youth, took responsibility for his behavior and then cleaned up his life. But Kavanaugh failed this test of character by denying the incident did or could have happened even though he might have done it while so drunk he couldn't remember. For that failure alone he should be denied a seat on the Supreme Court.
525
@Lisa
So, you're assuming the allegations are true? Before she testifies?
Wouldn't want you on a jury...
If one single senator asks her why she didn't say something sooner, they just don't get it! And frankly, that question demeans the victim and absolves the perpetrator. As a white woman, I can tell you right now a committee of almost all white men see only the male misogynistic point of view. Not only do I believe her, I know too many sisters who have had the same experience.I know what has happened to young prep school girls who have told what happened. The male perpetrator always wins. I believed Anita Hill and they managed to beat her up. These are brave women.
It won't matter that she is learned, talented, attractive, white, well -spoken, highly thought of in her profession or successful and well liked. My own senator wrote to tell me that he supported Kavanaugh for appointments before so he will again. This new development-a character issue- will have no sway on his opinion. Did I say that my senator is Republican, white and male?
20
And to think this is America's entitlement-superhighway: prep school to Ivy League to Yale Law/Harvard Bus. to Wall Street/Big Law to CEO/Supreme Court/White House. I'm actually sad for some of these kids.
6
I'm familiar with kids in private high school and what struck me was that these are middle class kids in a school that was hard to get into and I think they did not want to risk what they had.
I have a hard time believing the accusation.
I believe Dr. Ford 200%. No question. But leaving the politics out of it, and the fact that it involves a Supreme Court nominee, I have to ask if it's reasonable to destroy a person's career because of what they did when they were teenagers? Teenagers! Think of it. If this is our standard, it's likely that more than 50% of men in our society are guilty - of something. I don't know what the answer is.
Despite the parallels, this is not another Anita vs. Clarence moment. It's just not. And I'm one who does NOT want another Trump (or any Republican) nominee on the SCOTUS.
4
You believe her. Fine. However he made it totally relevant by denying it. Not 30 years ago. Last week. Had he owned up to it, there would only be the question of an immature high schooler. Today, assuming it happened, he has turned it into a question of integrity.
15
@Mary Ann
Brett Kavanaugh has not suffered one nanosecond as a result of his planned and plotted assault and attempted rape of the then 15-year-old Christine Blasey. He, like his parents, have been nestled safely in the DC halls of lawyers, courts, power and money for 50+ years. If he is not confirmed to SCOTUS, Kavanaugh will return to his DC court and remain on the government dole, as well as write books and receive speaking engagements - along with Vatican Inc. communion befitting a sexual predator of minors.
20
@Mary Ann Kavanaugh's career is not destroyed. He is a federal judge.
7
The more detail I read about these people, Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Blasey, the more Dr. Blasey's account rings true. I have no doubt that a whole industry of Republican researcher hitmen are now scouring Dr. Blasey's past, trying to turn up any information that would weaken her credibility.
You know, it's not just that Kavanaugh got drunk and made big mistakes (physically harming a girl)) in high school (and why wouldn't we also expect drunken driving there too). It's the whole pattern of deceptive and and evasive behavior. it's hiding 90% of his documentation. It's ramrodding through a poor candidate for the Supreme Court.
The dirtier the Republicans play to hold on to power, the more likely Democrats get dirty back. This behavior will never help Republicans. We can see though that they've been threatened. Just like their donors threatened to pull out if the Republicans didn't pass the tax bill, the evangelicals are threatening to blow off the polls. They don't care if this man sold women into bondage, so long as he is their fifth vote against abortion. And presumably prayer in schools and voucher funding.
Women should leave these churches (which have also had repeated abuse allegations) and vote for Democrats. Even if you are deeply committed to ending abortion, this is a devil's bargain. There are better churches out there, with more focus on your spirit than your politics. Render unto Caesar ...
23
Ok news flash - Mrs. Blasey Ford's Lawyers are negotiating the meeting next week.
No later than Sunday, September 23rd. Brett Kavanaugh will issue a statement as follows.... For the good of the country and to preserve the integrity of ( My country, my family, our beloved dog, Billie, etc) I withdraw my nomination for the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
8
Here’s hoping!
4
@Henry That would be the honorable thing to do -- the longer he hangs on, the more he taints the Supreme Court's credibility. If he were a patriot and supporter of democratic institutions, he would withdraw from the process, but instead, he carries on stirring up scandal and distrust, just to protect himself. Self over country -- not surprising he was nominated by this White House, which runs on that imperative.
3
I am so angry at how little Feinstein did to protect Dr. Ford from this vicious circus. She completely bungled this. If she had called Dr. Ford and asked for permission to forward the accusation to the FBI, and then secured FBI promise of discretion, Dr. Ford and her family would least have had a shot at normalcy moving forward. Feinstein’s staff should be pilloried as well. This was NOT inevitable. Boo!
11
Two spoiled products of the Swamp meet the real world. The real world burns them. Two openings for those who had to truly struggle and suffer.
Cry me a river.
2
And what was Kavanaugh’s comment about the partying culture at Georgetown prep? In 2015, he said to a group of alumni, “What happens at Georgetown Prep stays at Getorgetwon Prep.”!
Even if Dr. Ford remembered incorrectly, kavanaugh’s privileged and amoral attitude is clear: at Georgetown Prep we do things we don’t want people to know about, i.e. morally wrong—but it is ok because we keep them secret. Mark Judge’s book pretty clearly documents Kavanaugh’s character at that time. And Kavanaugh recently pretty clearly stated he wants it to stay secret.
Imagine a black boy engaging in this kind of substance abuse and behavior? Imagine him growing up to say those words to a primarily black school? Everyone would say he was encouraging bad moral behavior. He probably would have been arrested as a teen. He certainly never would have made it to Supreme Court nominee.
This is classic white privilege. White boys do bad things, but who cares? They grow up to be priveleged men!
We already have one Georgetown Prep alum on the Supreme Court: Neil Gorsuch. We don’t need another white privileged male, who cannot even see his white privilege, on the court.
We are diverse nation. America needs more POVs, not fewer.
45
I have no idea of the academic standards of Kavanaugh's alma mater, the Georgetown Preparatory School.
But I sure do have an idea now of this school's approach to disciplinary and ethical grooming of its young male students (at least back in the '80s, when Kavanaugh attended).
At best, lazy and lax.
At worst, absent or wholly nonexistent.
7
What's troubling me is not what drinking teenagers may have done at a party 30 years ago but, presuming Dr. Blasey's truthfulness, we have a prospective Supreme Court justice in Brett Kavanaugh that insists on a categorical denial -- he is willing to lie under oath today.
32
The Senate hearing is a job interview. It is not a trial in a court of law. The crass GOP and its leadership desperately need Kavanaugh so as to push through their foul agenda. Most records about Kavanaugh past are hidden; yet the GOP wants him pushed through.
Ms Ford's allegations are credible, the manipulation by Grassley and POTUS are disgusting and arrogant. Kavanaugh should be fully vetted; all his records made public; the GOP needs to back off. Ms Ford should appear with her attorneys AFTER the FBI has completed an investigation of Kavanaugh.
Think of Mitch McConnell and think of the GOP not even allowing President Obama's nominee interviews or a hearing. Now think about evangelicals and corporate supporters like the NRA pushing Kavanaugh's nomination. Our republic is sick.
24
What's being lost is the lying by Kavanaugh in his previous and current hearing. There were e-mails to back it up, found luckily as the republicans have hidden all but 10% of his writings. His credibility is already compromised. Christine Blasey Ford is displaying courage and honesty, a decent woman speaking out against this potential monster on the SCOTUS. There is no reason to rush this appointment except the republicans know he's a bad choice.
20
Based on Dr. Ford's assertions, all of the news coverage so far, and the unbelievable amount of pressure she is facing, I wonder if her best move is to simply make the appropriate, official complaint to the Montgomery County authorities and/or state police (as there is no statute of limitations for sexual assault charges) and remove herself from the rest of the maelstrom. That is one way to get an investigation started and put the brakes on this rushed appointment process. That would certainly get the attention of those who are trying to cast aspersions on her and those who are refusing to ask the FBI to investigate, and hopefully allow her a measure of control over this mess.
3
I find it easy to believe that someone would hold back a distressing episode for decades. I find it impossible that someone with a family, title, career would make up something distressing which would thrust them into the scrutiny of the media spotlight. I totally believe this woman and wish her god speed in her interrogation testimony etc.
18
Dr. Beasley would have probably been a rape victim if she did not have the opportunity to flee. No wonder that she chose to major in psychology, conducted research into trauma and became a professor at a university. She is on a lifelong quest for resolution. Many people chose careers that can be traced back to life experiences. What percentage of women are accosted in their lifetimes? This is not an individual's problem. This problem belongs to our society. The world.
15
I identify with her story and I believe her.
I was sexually assaulted at a high school party by a drunken classmate, it was traumatic, and I never spoke about it to any adults, except to a therapist. My assault happened ten years later than the one she describes, and I think because of changing societal norms, I did talk about it to friends, to the assaulter, to other peers. The (now) man who assaulted me mocked me afterwards in public, which at the time seemed like an indication of how the rest of the world would respond. He's a lawyer now, and while I regret not speaking up then, I like to think that if he ever ran for office or was in line for a judge-ship, I would. I don't know if I'd have the courage she does, but I hope so. Because I don't believe that all men force themselves on women, and I definitely don't think men who do should be in a position to set legal precedent that impacts the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Violent sexual aggression is a red flag, regardless of the "party culture" in which it evolved.
505
I have no doubt that there was a lot of bad behavior at the underage drinking party described by Ms. Ford. That's what happens at parties full of drunken teenagers who are just learning the "rules of engagement." But Ms. Ford was only 15. Way to young and inexperienced to be at such a party and I'm sure whatever occurred was very frightening. There are very significant reasons why a 15 year old should not be at such a party and I'm quite sure her parents would have been very angry with her for attending. No wonder she did not want to tell them.
7
I understand the gravitas of this issue and the emotions around it. But I would rather see the 100K documents from Kavanaugh's time in the White House as a measure of the man and what we can expect.
3
There are 1000 lawyers or judges who are well qualified to serve as a Supreme Court justice. Nominate another one.
13
I don’t know if Dr Blasey is mis-remembering or not
But I do know that these elite schools - from pre-high school through graduate school - not only provide first class education for their students, but also protection
Protection from the criminal justice system and the real world consequences of one’s actions
Students can “explore” alcohol and illegal drugs as part of a rights of passage. And the schools will cover for public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia, and even rape.
For the rest of us, and particularly for the poor these protections do not exist
It’s hard and bitter to accept that if Kavanough did this, trained by his protected elite upbringing that he had no boundaries will now apply his standards to the rest of us
6
I am a little surprised at the drinking at Georgetown Prep. I went to Kent in Ct as a boarder, and there was no drinking, parties were heavily chaperoned by the faculty. We weren't even allowed to own cars. That was in the middle seventies. Did the drinking change so much in a few short years, or was Kent an out-lier..
Boarding schools are a completely different situation. In my day (late 60s) drugs were much more prevalent in that environment, since it’s easier to conceal being stoned than being drunk in front of faculty members.
2
You know what scares me?
What if she hadn't lived a damned near perfect life?
What if he had attacked a single mother who had a couple of boyfriends?
God bless Dr. Blasey and she's an amazing person and I believe her totally.
But what if she weren't Dr. Christina Blasey of Palo Alto and just Chrissy Blasey of Pasedena, single mother of three?
865
@Curtis Sumpter
Excellent point and I'm afraid you're right. Not much has really changed, has it? Women are still considered inferior by older white men, even perfect women.
9
@Curtis Sumpter And that is part of the issue. What if this was not a one off, only in this case he chose the wrong victim?
7
"Why is there unquestioning outrage at the priests' abusive behavior but, among some people, not equally unquestioning outrage at Kavanaugh's behavior?"
Regarding the RCC:
The outrage is not unquestioning to many of us. Accusations abound in front-page headlines, but exonerations get page 22 coverage, if any at all. The most recent example is the exculpated Bishop Kevin Rhoades.
Regarding Prof. Ford:
She can be taken seriously without being believed prima facie and wholly. Example: If she cannot recall the year or the home, it is not inappropriate to at least ask whether she is not correctly remembering the identity of her assailant.
2
@Just sipping my tea
Correction:
to the extent there is unquestioning outrage when many (perhaps not all) hear about priests' potential sexual abuse 30 years ago, why is it not equally outrageous to hear of Kavanaugh's potential abuse?
Perhaps not you, sipping tea, but there are many who do have a double standard about this. I've communicated with them. They don't see the double standard.
Now, to your last point:
Ask some people who are outraged about instances where a man claims a priest abused him 30 years ago, but can't remember the exact year. See how many don't care.
As far as remembering which classmate's home it took place in 30 years ago, I just can't follow you that far down the rabbit hole.
Finally, try this thought experiment:
Mark Judge accuses Kavanaugh of attempted rape at the same party (rape of him).
Everything else is the same. He can't remember the exact time or place.
How fast do you think Ralph Reed, Franklin Graham, and rest would drop Kavanaugh like a hot potato?
(that's a rhetorical question; you don't need to answer)
4
@mg the MeToo movement is about women not being afraid of any man, white black Hispanic yellow purple you name it. I’m tired of white men being picked on! I’m a white woman!
2
It is not uncommon for women who have been sexually assulated not to tell anyone. Many like Dr, Blassey keep it to theselves for years. Does that mean it did not happen? This woman, Young girl at the time was traumatized. This woman put herslf and her family out there in the Public Arena. Why? One should ask. What's in it for her? She has Children. No Mother wants to talk about this in front of their children. Plus she has undergone a Poligraph test. Don't let me keep hearing one accusation can ruin a person's life. This is Attempted Rape we are talking about and this is Supreme Court Justice we are talking about.
49
I can emphasize with Dr. Ford’s desire to only testify if she is sure she will be listened to. The death threats, public attention, and upheavals lend credibility to her story; why would she bring all this on herself if it didn’t actually happen?
27
Orrin Hatch, read this story and tell us again how Ms Ford must be "mixed up."
What a loser you are - and have been your entire career in the Senate.
96
@John Doe Let me help you out a bit here. A boy wants to have sex with a girl and she DOES NOT want to. He forces her anyway. That's assault.
33
If everyone would take the politics out of this situation and instead consider their honest reaction if Christine Blasey Ford were a friend or family member. If a family member tells of an assault they have had difficulty talking about for a long time, or even a short time, how would we want our family member treated? How then would you feel about the perpetrator?
The victim always has more at stake than the the person who commits the assault. At that point in time a privileged young man probably thought he did nothing wrong if he didn't actually end up having sex. Why should he remember?
Kavanaugh has clearly lied in response to several lines of questioning by the committee. If the previous lies have been accepted then what's one more. The senators, Flake, Collins, and Corker who claimed they might actually show some compassion, have abandoned any pretense at this point and have rejoined the wolves seeking to further diminish Christine Blasey Ford by blaming her for fearing their planned assault. Ruthless is the only description fitting of the the Republicans at this juncture.
35
I notice that Judge Kavanaugh’s wife of 14 years hasn’t yet leaped to her husband’s defense.
If Dr. Blasey is forced to appear before the Judiciary Committee next week, perhaps Mrs. Kavanaugh should be as well
18
@A. Stanton She probably hasn't leaped to his defense because she is well aware of his misogynistic frat boy behavior, and his issues with alcohol. It's sad in this day and age that women are shamed for telling the truth about sexual assault....
2
attempted rape is a crime and people who are guilty of it belong in jail
24
She was recognized as a useful stooge by democrat operatives a while ago and they have had her waiting in the wings in case she was needed. While she has been waiting, she and her handlers have been laundering and destroying a paper trail.
The desperation here is pathetic and vividly demonstrates the stew the dems are in.
Just wait until Trump chooses a replacement for Justice Ginsburg for
some REAL wailing and gnashing of teeth!
6
I remember when Brock Turner was being sentenced for rape, many men (and his mother, among other women) asked “but what about his future”? When a woman brings up an assault that happened years ago, how quick people are to say “but that was years ago in the past when he was young - it shouldn’t matter now. He was just a stupid teenager.” When do the women who are assaulted get justice? We blame ourselves for these assaults and keep quiet because we are embarrassed and feel in some weird way, culpable. I believe Dr. Ford. She is so brave to subject herself to this ghastly Greek chorus and the possible interrogation by a bunch of hypocritical old white men of privilege. Disgusting.
83
First, my sympathy goes out to Dr. Ford. Blessings to you and your family.
Second, hasn't anyone noticed that Kavanaugh's alleged actions, if true, would not only make him guilty of the crime of sexual assault, but would also make him a pedophile?!!!
Third, there is no statute of limitations for the actions of a pedophile in Maryland.
(The fact the he was 17 years of age and she was two years younger - not one year - puts him into the statutory category of a sex predator. As such, he would have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.)
38
Can she still bring criminal charges against Kavanaugh in Maryland?
9
God speed Dr Ford. May the Force be with you and guide you through this.
37
Why hasn’t the world judged President John Kennedy, who had steady sexual intercourse with one of the teen-agers who were aides in The White House after luring them to the Presidential pool in bathing suits, so that he could inspect their bodies before he led one of them to the bed where he slept with his wife? The late beloved President had a well-known “problem” with the White House 18- year-olds in 1968 when he was leading The Free World. One of these kids wrote a detailed book, as a troubled adult, about the President’s sexual relation with her and its consequences in her personal life. The book and the troubled teen are forgotten; the book quickly fell out of print. Did it affect the President’s popularity? I recall voting for him. The public memory is very short.
4
@Alp Kennedy was murdered in 1963. You may want to test some of your other 'memories' for veracity. And many norms have changed since that time, one of which is the transparency we now demand of our elected representatives. The press stood by and watched Kennedy - that would never happen today. We know all about Trumps disgustingness. Did you vote for him anyway?
13
Congratulations!
You've scrapped the bottom of the barrel clean.
1
@Northern Sentinel
Yes, Brett Kavanaugh is that. However, never fear, when Kavanaugh steps aside the boys club Republicans, sexual predator Trump and Mitch McConnell will put forth some despicable Catholic white guy who is just as repulsive and just as intent on killing Roe v. Wade.
2
When I was maybe 13, 2 doors down lived 5 girls & we neighbor girls met to listen to music. No alcohol.
One afternoon, I think we had been learning the hula & I think I had to go check the laundry at home.
I left & had just closed the inner door. The dad had entered & closed the outer door.
When he got up to me, for I had waited , he grabbed & groped me, trying to kiss me with me stuck against a wall.
I recall saying no & struggling, hoping someone would come but the music was loud. I managed to push him away & get home shaking. My sister left with others. I somehow made sure no one was left alone with him but never said a word. They moved & I forgot.
That family & my mother exchanged cards & calls & when mentioned, I would flashback to that moment. Could not figure out how to tell dad.
In 2012, I think, he phoned me at work given my # by my mother.
His voice made my hands shake.
His wife died & he wanted to send me tickets to visit.
When I asked my mother why, it was because he asked about me & if I was seeing anyone.
I told her what he had done
(as I type this my insides shake)
& she said no he would not do that, he's a nice man.
He called a few more times but I had jotted down his # & had caller id.
At 85, my mother still gets an occassional call from this nice man.
At 56, I still remember the terror that I experienced at the hands of someone I had had no reason to distrust.
I cannot recall all the details & no one saw him attack me but he did & it affects me still.
96
@karen Sorry your Mom didn't believe you. I wish you peace.
9
The question Kavanaugh's defenders can't answer, Why would Ford lie?
34
@Diane Why would Kavanaugh lie? His entire career and reputation are shot if he did this and then refuses to admit it. The truth will come later if not sooner.
1
@Poutha. why would Kavanaugh lie? To secure a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. The truth will come out sooner or later? Without an investigation, he's counting on later. Check the Constitution and see how many Senate votes are needed to unseat a Supreme Courr Justice, even if the House were to impeach once the truth came out. Judge Kavanaugh is reputedly a gambler. Lying now and worrying later, if ever, looks like a good bet.
Who outed her?
1
I was once a teenage girl and then a mother of two sons and a daughter.
I remember the confusion over sex during adolescence from both sides of that equation. If there is anyone out there who doesn’t recall the awkwardness of their first encounters with sex during adolescence I’m suggesting that they are not remembering accurately.
Should one’s whole life’s work be determined by what transpired during that time?
I will not judge either party in this situation. Adolescence and memory are both slippery items.
What I am sure about having lived in Washington for 30 years, is that there is no moral high ground when it comes to politics. Everyone is looking for a advantage.
Marney Kennedy
Oakton, Virginia
46
@Marney Kennedy "Should one’s whole life’s work be determined by what transpired during that time?"
So the defense is that it didn't happen, but if it did, it's no big deal?
7
Putting your hand over a girl’s mouth after your buddy - who is present! - locked the door and turned up the music IS NOT awkwardness.
5
@Marney Kennedy with due respect, there's nothing "awkward" about forcing someone in a sexual encounter, period.
6
The Holton Arms mid 80s yearbook had been scrubbed from the web but someone had the foresight to save a copy. Just do a search for "WHY CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD’S HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS WERE SCRUBBED". I use duckduckgo search engine.
Pretty much a drunken sorority party year round. Might explain her fogginess when it comes to details. Quite a difference in her junior high pic (happy) - than her HS pic (pain/anger in her eyes). Sad situation. Rich parents who don't want to actually parent, drop their kid off at a prep school and give them access to their trust fund. See ya in four years kiddo. The girls at Holton Arms were pretty much allowed to run wild and the yearbook is pretty bizarre. Looks legit when compared to one that sold recently on ebay.
6
The men often try to contend that it is a he said/she said situation (note the he said always comes first) as if the two sides were equal, but that is not the case. What does Dr Ford possibly have to gain by her accusations? Coming out with them can only cause her problems. There is no reason for her to lie. There is however plenty of reason for Kavanaugh to lie, and apparently he has lied before to a senate committee. Consider the source and look to motive. I have no doubt he did it. Believe the women. But to Trump and the nearly all male GOP, if the man denies it, than he didn't do it, doesn't matter what the woman says.
11
She should not testify if there is no investigation prior to the hearing. It is obvious from their statements that the republicans on the committee have made up their minds regarding the veracity of her statements against Kavanaugh. Of course, they did not need to hear any evidence because they have every intention of confirming Kavanaugh no matter what came up during these hearings. To refuse to let an objective party like the FBI investigate and perform polygraph tests on both of them, tarnishes this already failed process for appointing Justices. Hopefully, the democrats have learned their lessons from these people and will exploit their electoral advantage as aggressively and cold bloodedly as the republicans have.
8
Do some people really believe that Dr. Blasey, who has thus far led a life filled with statistics, family, and surfing, suddenly decided to fabricate the alleged sexual abuse? If so, did she explode from her very private life to subject her family and herself to hate mongering simply to derail a Supreme Court nomination for political reasons? Did she suspect years ago that Brett Kavanaugh could be nominated to SCOTUS and, thus, diabolically spoke of the alleged attack to her husband and therapist years ago simply to solidify her story? If this is all true, Dr. Blasey is a criminal mastermind playing an extremely long game.
We deserve a FBI investigation into this very serious matter, either to free Mr. Kavanaugh from this allegation or ensure that he is not rewarded with a SCOTUS life appointment.
37
An observation:
Judge Brett Kavanaugh chose the wrong person to sexually assault, as he is quickly finding out.
Brava brava Christine (Chrissy) Blasey—
An inspiration to us all. Millions of people thank you.
20
This brave woman's story is drenched with truth and tears. Shame on those who lie about her, harass her and deny the truth to take its rightful course. I am especially appalled by Senator Collins--I am glad she helped save Affordable Care, but in this case, she shows herself to be just another partisan.
34
Regardless of Blasey's past, what she has done here is to throw a firebomb that smears Kavanaugh and she is unwilling to back that up with any sort of statement under oath. It would be easy enough just for her to walk down to a notary and swear to the notary.
4
@Cazanoma The GOP heading the committee have made it clear that her testimony won't lead to anything but pushing through Kavanaugh's confirmation.
2
I so admire this woman. She pays such a tough choice but in the end she had to do it. Her integrity and her sense of self was at stake. I have no doubt that the attack happened. Whether it should be real Kavanaugh is another question but it's pretty clear that he's lied under oath about this and will continue to lie. It would have been so much better for everybody if he had just told the truth. Kavanaugh apparently has lied before though. He lied several times to become a judge in the first place. For some reason those lies have been ignored.
It seems that there's something unstable about Kavanaugh. The debts he rolled up in pursuit of baseball, the very heavy drinking as a teenager and of course this. We all make mistakes but he is trying to become a member of the highest court of the land....
26
“She was the sort of person a lot of people paid attention to — she was a leader, she was great. I was like, where did she go?”
How many women suffer trauma at the hands of men and shrink from their greatness? I’m amazed at Dr. Blasey’s (and so many others’) resilience and wonder how all of our lives would be different if women’s brilliance shined fully.
38
I believe Dr. Blasey. Who could “misremember” the identity of a known acquaintance who assaulted them? It’s not possible.
23
Why now, some ask? Imagine if that happened to you and of course you remembered it. It's not everyday that someone tries to rape and smother you, so yes, you did remember and also tried to forget and move on.
Then 35 years later that person who did that to you was nominated to the supreme court. The memories came flooding back.
Then you wondered if it was important to speak up. Like you should have but didn't feel you could back then. But to speak would change your life and put you in an unwanted spotlight for the rest of your life.
She is wonderful. Her bravery will likely save many young woman from the same and give them the courage to speak up when it happened. I never did speak up. And it happened to me a number of times between age 5 and 16. Multiple men. Because I was attractive, quiet and small. I remember them all clearly even though I had no clue what had happened.
18
This has all the earmarks of the hearing conducted by the Judiciary Committee in the early nineties, which had some of the same senators who serve on this committee today. We can expect that Dr. Ford would be treated with the same contempt Ms. Hill had to endure, should she decide to testify. Could this be deja vu all over, again?
5
@Ellen. I’d love to know that as well!
Sadly, this appears to be a last-minute "Hail Mary monkey wrench" that the DEMS are throwing into the machinery to bring our system of government to a screeching halt...fueled by "mob hysteria".
But seriously...is this all it takes to ruin someone's life and reputation? Someone who suddenly comes out of nowhere at the 11th hour...with an unsubstantiated story about something that allegedly happened DECADES ago?
Given the seriousness of the accusation and the grave nationwide consequences involved, if Dr. Christine Blasey Ford really wants to be taken seriously then she must come forward and state her case under oath. Common sense dictates that anything short of that wreaks of political manipulation and foul play...irrespective of party affiliation. [The same would apply if the situation were politically in reverse].
Having said that, Judge Kavanaugh has already endured extensive vetting throughout his legal career on the bench, including a thorough background check prior to his service...not to mention the recent grueling (and in many ways outrageous) interrogation by the DEMS on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Compared to how other Supreme Court Nominees have been questioned and screened in the past, how can anyone even suggest that the Republicans are trying to “rush” him through the system to become a SC Justice?
Curious minds need to know!
4
There is a massive assault on the character of Christine Blasey Ford in comment sections across all news organizations. Indeed I am finding that Discus and Facebook profiles appear to have been created overnight in an attempt to "swamp" comment boards with incendiary remarks means to dissuade anyone who might support her, from commenting. Frankly, it's unconscionable!
17
Why do we sustain the custom of having a majority of the Justices being of the Catholic faith?
Mike Pence has said “I’m a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order.” How many of the Justices would echo that statement?
7
@Bartolo Mike Pence was raised Catholic.
If Dr. Blasey does not come forward and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee next week she should be prosecuted for slander.
4
@Mike Murray MD hmmm, so you think she should be prosecuted before law enforcement pronounces on whether or not there is reason to believe her? Wow. Good thing our courts don’t work that way.
24
what was the purpose of FORD's letter if was to remain a secret with FEINSTEIN?
4
@john, to warn Sen Feinstein about the character of the nominee.
4
It is sad to see how the morally bankrupt Republican party is reacting to Dr. Ford’s allegation. Brett is unfit to serve. He got the current job because of his pathetic work with Ken Starr. The job was a payback from the corrupt Republican Party. Shame on Senator Grassley, McConell and other puppets- you lost your moral authority many years ago. You are driven by your paymasters. I am sure con man’s mentor Vladimir the thug is behind the scene to manipulate con man’s supporters. What’s the reason for not having a FBI investigation? What they are afraid of? Is it related to save Trump from going to prison for his connection with KGB by ensuring a majority of corrupt judges in the supreme court? It is a shame and disgrace to note what our great nation has turned into in less than two years.
18
Can the NYT clarify the following:
Is /was sexual assault in the state of Maryland a federal crime?
Unless it is a federal crime—which it to the best of my knowledge is not—why would the FBI be asked to investigate?
IF we were talking about a federal crime “...the Senate Republican leadership has rejected the idea...”
Does the Senate Republican leadership have jurisdiction over the FBI and what it can/cannot investigate?
5
@Lee, Because the FBI does background checks, including reopening Clarence thomas' in 1991 after Anita Hill came forward. There were 4 women to back her story and none were allowed to testify.
8
@Lee FBI investigates all federal judicial nominees. FBI also investigates witnesses on behalf of Senate and House Committees. (FBI also investigates situations such as Rand Paul's 'shrubbery spat' with his neighbor).
FBI investigates intimidation, threats and interference with witnesses of Senate and Congressional Committees.
3
Look at the effect this sexual assault had on young Chrissy Blasey’s life, as related by friends—
Complete social withdrawl of an active, bright spirited young woman. “Where’s Chrissy Blasey?” they asked.
This is one of the most telling aspects of this excellent reconstruction of events.
20
The Washington Post has people writing in their comment section about women from her school who are discussing a willingness to come forward and testify about these parties. They are all concerned about being attacked and harassed further the way Dr. Blasey has been.
20
<i>Dr. Blasey’s lawyers, Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, say that since she went public with her story last weekend, she has been subjected to death threats, had her email hacked and had to leave her home.</i>
And people question why victims don't come forward in sexual assault cases.
53
Prep school problems ... This exposes a world of which 99% of the people have no knowledge. Yet, it is these upper class individuals who decide matters of life and death for this 99%.
21
@joseph gmuca: Having attended public high schools for three years of my secondary school time, I can speak to both. The prep school boys were no different than the boys who took school seriously in public high school. The difference was that those who were incapable or not interested in mastering the requisite college prep curriuclum could be refused admission or tossed out of the prep school. They were.
Those from more affluent families who had behavior problems more likely were shipped off by their parents to military schools. Gosh, who comes to mind?
This article is useful in providing the cultural background of Dr. Blasey and Judge Kavanaugh. When considering the norm of partying and drinking when teenagers, Dr. Blasey's keeping this attempted rape to herself for so long logically makes sense. If I were a high school girl, drinking at a party with other kids, and had been sexually assaulted by a boy, I certainly would not tell my parents. Why? Because I would have been scolded for drinking and putting myself into a situation where I could be the victim of a drunken boy. I would have no sympathy nor support from my parents because of the bad decision I had made and that I knew the rules and had broken them. I would figure that keeping the memory of the horrific incident to myself would be the best thing to do so as not to face negative judgement.
275
Right now, apart from the president, Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh are the two most important people in the US. What happens in the next week regarding these two will have a profound impact on the Supreme Court, the mid-term elections, and possibly the leadership of both the House and Senate. Once she elected to write to Sen Feinstein she set this process in motion. I feel she must testify Monday, FBI or no, to put her account in the national public record. To the extent she is credible, then Kavanagh's denial may be regarded as lying under oath and grounds for disqualification to the Court.
9
@rob56, Why MUST Ford accede to the arrangements dictated by Republicans on the Judiciary Committee. These politicians appear dedicated to Trump's presidency, several of whom guilty of unseemly questioning of Anita Hill when she testified? Ford wants justice and not to be victimized again.
13
Wow, I have to ask my friend if I ever told anybody about something I want to bring down a man's career with? I don't know that? Perhaps it tells us something about the veracity of the claim.
7
A boy wants to have sex with a girl and it’s assault.
A girl wants to have sex with a boy and she’s only loose.
Men are doomed from the moment they’re born.
15
“Wanting to have sex” is NOT assault!! Assaulting a girl or woman against her will bc you want to IS! (And if you are sexually assaulting someone, That is not “having sex” — it is rape.)
17
Cutting off her airway so that she couldn't cry out for help took this far out of the 'wanting to have sex' category.
25
The Guardian has a front page story on how female clerks chosen for clerkship in Kavenaugh's Offie had to look like Models. Read it.....quite revealing.
29
@Philip W: That is a lie!
And sounds like Amy Chua’s husband is now under investigation for inappropriate behavior. Good lord, when did these elites decide that the rules do not apply to them or their cronies?
2
It's true, vonmisian. Here's the article. It's not a lie that the Guardian article reported this:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/20/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-...
2
Refusing to allow an illegal teenaged immigrant an abortion - pinning a teenaged girl down and blocking her airway...
At nominal best, he's a man intent on controlling a woman's body; at worst, he shows complete disregard for human life as long as he gets what he wants.
That's not (a) Justice, of any kind.
#42,000reasonswhynot
60
@common sense advocate:
One would think that a person who, first, self anointed themselves as "Common Sense Advocate," and then second included the hash tag #42,000reasonswhynot in their post, would at least have the common sense to wonder why, now that the leftists have had two full weeks to examine those 42,000 pages, those leftists have not found a single issue contained in those 42,000 pages worth raising.
How then is it still an issue that passes the common sense standard?
This is why the 'mainstream' media has zero credibility with the vast majority of the American people. Stories like this.
Pretending as though this is something other than a Democratic "hail Mary" to derail a fine judicial mind from his rightful place on the nation's highest court is journalistic malpractice of the highest order. More insulting is the fact that you assigned five reporters to this piece of garbage.
And for the record, Dr. Ford chose this chaos when she 'allegedly' contacted one of the biggest partisan Democrats in the Senate. Boo-hoo.
18
@The Commoner Actually Ford contacted her local representative, who passed on the letter to Feinstein.
Facts matter.
And Kavanaugh has no "rightful" place on the Supreme Court unless he is found to be appropriate and qualified. Being qualified includes not lying about sexual assault in your past (or about any of the four other things he's misled or lied about). That is why an investigation is needed to bring out the full facts for evaluation -- and why all the documents from his Bush years also need to be released for evaluation.
4
too bad Republicans lost all credibility by stealing a nomination for the Supreme Court from President Obama. Boohoo!
11
@The Commoner
Neither Judge Kavanaugh nor any other SCOTUS nominee has a "rightful place" on the Court until their nomination is approved and confirmed by vote of the full Senate.
If you want to talk about a "rightful place", that was Merrick Garland's seat at the table before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2016 after being nominated for SCOTUS by President Obama. Who or what would you say the Republicans were hailing two years ago when they derailed Judge Garland's nomination?
15
Tread carefully old white men of the senate.
Women are not afraid.
Perhaps your wives will remain silent for you.
But.
Women voters will not remain silent.
There is no question.
We can do better.
Than this.
Than Kavanaugh.
Restore dignity and honor to our government.
READ, THINK and VOTE Nov. 6, 2018
36
Misogyny is very rightly condemned in this article so I found it a bit rich to learn that Dr. Ford's father is a past President of Burning Tree Country Club - which is a males only private club. And since the article describes rampant drinking in Dr. Ford's high school circles is it not unreasonable to assume that she too may have been inebriated that evening and engaged in behavior she now mis-remembers or regrets? I would suggest that many of the folks reading this piece and making judgements about it have been in that very same situation back in the day - myself very much included.
10
Very impressive effort on the part of the Times to make Blasey seem sympathetic – as opposed to its coverage of Kavanaugh, for example. I would have thought that this duplicity would be transparent even to liberal readers, but judging from many of the comments that's not the case. To state the obvious, it is simply impossible to determine whether there is anything to Blasey's allegations. But we do know that it's full of holes. She doesn't remember where it happened, how she got there, how she got home, or how much she'd been drinking. She appears not to have confided in a single person at the time. Blasey herself, after over 30 years, is not a reliable witness of her own experience, as she herself cannot know to what extent she has edited, removed, or embellished elements of her alleged memories. Moreover, she has plenty of motives to lie. She's a partisan and opposes Kavanaugh's appointment to the Court, and as a result of her allegations she has achieved a celebrity that will result in lucrative publishing and speaking opportunities. We can see from the comments that she's already made herself into a heroine and cause for the left.
Even if it did happen – as it may well have, given the nature of drunk and unsupervised teenagers – it's absurd to hold an adult responsible for the mistakes of his 17-year-old self, especially when we have no reason to believe that the behavior alleged was repeated.
15
Silly and sexist.
You clearly have never been sexually assaulted or a victim of a crime. Many details are quite vivid, others forgotten, others are immaterial.
In their social circles, it was common to go to someone's house for a party, even though you might not know the person or where the house was. Some friends would pick you up, you'd be talking, and end up somewhere!
The problem was that the party culture of the elite private was filled with heavy drinking and boys making passes, even assaulting girls. It'd be worth your while reading the following account. It makes Professor Ford's story incredibly plausible. The key is that she knew her attacker and has identified him.
"‘These are the stories of our lives’: Prep school alumni hear echoes in assault claim"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/these-are-the-stories-of-our-lives-...
Add in Kavanaugh's own speeches about his heavy drinking and partying that continued from high school through college and law school at Yale, and Professor Ford identifying him and you have a clear and convincing charge.
I believe her! As do the more than 300 classmates and alumni of Horton Arms and the girls' school neighboring Georgetown Prep.
The FBI needs to conduct a full investigation rather than go through the politicized theatrics of a grandstanding Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing.
15
@FusteldeCoulanges
Its not absurd to hold the adult Judge Kavanaugh responsible for perjury, if his categorical denial of this incident turns out to be a lie - as you acknowledge it may well be.
10
It's not the action, it's the actions that the adult "Kavanaugh " has taken to completely DENY that this ever occurred. It is his refusal to "Man up" to "the Truth" that eliminates him for consideration for this job.
It ain't the crime, it's the cover up.
2
The GOP has once again turned the victimizer into the victim. They will stick with this narrative until they are all dead and gone. It is called "throw out your moral compass to retain power". That happened in 2016.
21
My sympathy is with Dr. Blasey, and I can only reiterate all comments about the struggles of women. That said, I return time and time again to the fact that both she and Kavanaugh were teenagers, that they and all their friends partied all the time, abused alcohol, and boys trying to force girls was considered part of the game, and the blame for assault was placed on the girl who "gave permission" simply by being female at a party. Repugnant! Horrible! Utterly immoral! But can a person truly be judged 30 years later by what he or she did as a teenager in that culture? I believe that Kavanaugh lied about the episode, and that's what should immediately disqualify him. How many people of any political persuasion would be qualified for public office, or any responsible position, based on their behavior in high school?
166
@Virginia Graziani YES a nominee for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court must be judged for committing or lying about attempted rape as a teenager. Yes yes yes. This isn't just any "public office." This is the Supreme Court.
1
@Virginia Graziani Thank you for asking this question. The answer is: Yes, they can be judged.
Plenty of people never succumbed to the urge to attempt rape. Even more people never had the urge in the first place, no matter how much alcohol was involved...
Blame the culture, blame his mother, blame whoever except him, but the answer is the same: an attempted rapist does not belong on the Supreme Court, no matter how much alcohol was involved.
Further, if you do believe that he did this, and you are willing to excuse this deviant behavior, are you comfortable with him lying under oath about it?
Surely, we can expect those that serve on the highest court in the land would not lie under oath. Otherwise, what's the point of the court at all?
The FBI should investigate. Then they should both testify.
1
@Virginia Graziani I agree. It's the lying that should mostly disqualify Kavanaugh, and he's lied several times. He lied to get on the federal bench on the first place. Why that's being ignored I can't imagine.
Even if Dr. Ford tells her story do you think it will be believed by those that decide his confirmation? This is a kangaroo court that just wants to say we treated Ford with respect.
7
@DSS There is no such thing as a Lie Detector Test and the notion that there is has become an act of magical thinking. The polygraph measures changes in the activity of the autonomic nervous system during questioning. Anxious people will fail the test and calm people will pass it without any connection to truth telling.
3
If Ford tells her story, Kavanaugh will say I don’t remember, they will vote and Kavanaugh will be confirmed. Not fair.
4
@DSS, either way, it will hang on his head for his whole life. And anytime he appears on TV, children will say oh look at that judge, he once allegedly assaulted a girl in his teen years.
Please, please, please, Christine - go and testify. Don't let this opportunity to do critical good for the nation escape you. Stand tall and be proud and make the best use of your resources.
Andrew
10
If she can't remember where and when the incident happened, how can she remember that she didn't give her consent to the behavior ... if it happened? (Spare me, women sometimes consent to much worse than she describes.)
8
There are two things in the article that no one has brought up. First she passed a polygraph which would signify truth to the allegations. Second the Judge's friend who was present during the attack denies it occurred.
Of course we can say that the witness is biased and part of the boys club but a polygraph is beatable only a few.
I would conclude that the polygraph trumps (pardon the pun) the witness.
9
Judge has changed his story several times, falling back on Kavanaugh's own "do not recall" or "do not remember" formulation.
Let's put him under oath and let him get raked over the coals. He was a heavy drinker, and partier as Kavanaugh was and had many blackouts, He is not a credible witness, just as Kavanaugh is not.
She has little to gain and much to lose by coming forward.
Kavanaugh has much to gain by lying and much to lose by telling the truth.
There is corroborating evidence for Professor Ford's charges. Kavanaugh's only defense is his partner in the attempted rape of an underaged girl.
Don't forget that the Republicans have rigged the process, are rushing through the nomination, and that hundreds of thousands of Kavanaugh's documents remain secret.
What else are they hiding?
8
Everyone seems to forget that the only other witness (Mark Judge) isn’t under oath when he says the alleged events didn’t happen. If it really didn’t happen as Dr Ford is claiming, wouldn’t Kavanaugh want Judge to back him up (under oath)?
6
She may have been reluctant to come forward, but she is now being used by democrat politicians who are now using her reluctance to achieve the delay they covet.
10
My daughter wept when she heard Trump was elected; tears of disbelief because a misogynist molester became president. Her sadness, anger, frustration and fear grew from empathy for friends also victims to above mentioned behavior.
Here we go again.
I believe Christine Blasey Ford.
29
Little girls are sugar and spice and everything nice.
Little boys are snakes and snails and puppy dog tails.
Things are no different except for all the noise we make.
Each day seems more pointless than the one that came before it.
4
Mrs Fords statement about Brett Kavenaugh needs to be investigated by the FBI. Mrs Ford is a respected professional and needs to have her statement verified by the FBI. The country deserves to know the truth. Brett Kavenaugh should welcome an investigation by the FBI so everyone knows he is honest. Mike Davis; Chief Counsel for Nominations for Senator Grasselry; posted today that Brett Kavenaugh will be confirmed and attacked Mrs Fords attorney. Mike Davis post proves the Republicans are determined to confirm Brett Kavenaugh regardless of the facts. FBI must investigate. Ray Sipe
9
It’s Dr. Blasey.
13
It is not the job of the FBI to investigate alleged, 30 year old,
possible intoxicated trysts between teenage (child) partygoers.
He's had more background investigation than darned near
anybody.
2
Wrong again "Dr." Sherman. In this case, the FBI would be doing its required duty to investigate any nominee to SCOTUS. This would simply be a continuation of its Kavanaugh case with the addition of a new accusation. It would not be investigating an alleged crime from scratch. If both Grassley and Hatch supported (and George H.W. Bush ordered) an FBI investigation after Anita Hill brought her accusations against Clarence Thomas in 1991, what's different in the current situation?
3
I do not doubt that Dr. Blasey Ford feels she has the right to seek Judge Kavanaugh's accountability for his alleged actions. I am not sure why she waited so long - other than to say, I think we all have skeletons in our closets and from time to time memories from uncomfortable, offensive incidents come back to haunt us... Such as her therapy session in 2012. But, based on what I have read of her political affiliations and past actions, I think her sole purpose in bringing this incident forward at this time goes beyond the issue of accountability. I think her agenda is much bigger than personal and I question her timing and am confused: Is she trying to save the country from Judge Kavanaugh being a Supreme Court Justice? Plus, see that Judge Kavanaugh, or Brett Kavanaugh, an inebriated teenager at the time, is held accountable? Why now? In many ways, I feel that that the timing of Dr Blasey's allegations undermines her charges of sexual assault and the issue of accountability. This "matter" is a trifecta for the Democratic Party - the party gets to seek accountability for a sexual assault victim, thwart the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh and influence the mid-term elections. I feel sad for Dr. Blasey and the Democratic Party.
8
@Marie Because *now* he is on the verge of ascending to the highest court in the land.
14
There is absolutely no way in the world she would forget where this happened and when. Think about the worst thing that ever happened to you. Go ahead, take a second and do that. You remember where you were and when it happened, don't you? Big events tend to crystallize like that. Especially ones that culminate in "the fight for your life." She didn't tell anyone because it didn't happen. I'd love to know how this happened to come up in marital counseling.
20
@Ellen hmmm, she remembers how old she was and that it happened upstairs in someone’ house. What would satisfy you? If she gave us the address of the house? The longitude and latitude? If she said it was Friday May 10 at 9:38 pm? Should she have to show a video? But what if she hired an actor to play him!! She must be lying if all she remembers are the exact things he did to her, right?
1
@Ellen
OK Ellen, what was the exact date and what was the exact address where it took place for you? Let’s say it was a house you’ve never been to before in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
Go ahead, take a second, hey take a day or two.
2
@Ellen
Pfft. I went to plenty of parties as a tag along with a larger group of friends of friends. Parents were out of town and their liquor cabinet was open season, along with the drugs an alcohol everyone else picked up with their fake IDs. It is what teens have done for 50 years.
I have a question: if and when the date of this incident is established, was Brett Kavanaugh 17, or 18. Big difference.
4
@KES, 17
I didn’t know the date was determined since Dr. Blasey has not yet been interviewed. Judge Kavanaugh has a February birthday.
Blasey i believe. Kavanaugh, a staunch Catholic, I question. If confirmed it should be signal that the confirmation process is rigged and all Republicans are complicit and MUST be voted out of office. I mean all.
7
@DSS, poor Catholics, in almost every country the diocese are apologizing for sexual abuse by priests who preyed on thousands of innocent girls and boys, worldwide. The Catholic church ought to look at itself in the mirror.
2
I am furious with these politicians who refuse to take Dr Blasey seriously. It is evident that Kavanaugh has an intentionally faulty memory when it comes to things in his past that show his true character. Why are these folks not upset by the lie about information stolen from the Democrats. Do they think it is acceptable for a Supreme Court justice to have accepted this in his " political days?" Where are the candidates who have a sense of integrity no matter what their job.
Dear Christine,
Please go to Washington despite the Committee's outrageous behavior and tell people about your experience with the sleazy character they now want to put on OUR court. What I hope is that the women that organize will bring thousands of women to DC to stand beside you and give you courage. Because of the short time this may not happen but believe that we are all behind you, spread as we are around the country. Be brave. You have integrity and truth on your side,Sunny
14
Today NPR aired some of the "questions" that Anita Hill was subjected to in 1991. More like accusations, innuendo, and blatant intimidation.
"Questions like: "Are you a scorned woman? (Howell Heflin (R-Alabama);
"The question which I have for you is, how reliable is your testimony...?" (Specter (R-Pennsylvania)
The REAL question is have we advanced at all?
24
IMHO, there is no way that a wildly popular and outgoing teen-age girl does not tell at least ONE person that some drunk guys from from another fancy school tried to mess around with her. Even if it did happen, which it probably did given that drunk teenagers are drunk teenagers, this does not in any way rise to the level of sexual assault. In my "social circles" we played spin-the-bottle when we were drunk. Had to kiss some people we didn't want to. None of us was traumatized for life.
25
Yuck I’m traumatize just reading your account.
6
@Nadia - Better look up forcibly holding down, groping and attempts at disrobing - they all qualify as sexual assault.
9
@Nadia Dr. Ford's description of the alleged incident is extremely different than a game of spin the bottle in which participants willingly participated. It's very irresponsible for you to suggest otherwise.
The SCOTUS selection process is truly broken when a citizen has important information about a candidate and the Senate is in too big a hurry to ram a flawed candidate into a lifetime appointment.
Vote Blue in November and over and over until the process is fixed - end lifetime appointments.
17
@Suzanne: Was it not just as important in July? Was it not important in 2006 when he went through the confirmation to the SECOND highest court in the land?
Professor Ford is a brave woman. In the accompanying article Kevin Roose refers to "internet investigators." Why not call a troll what it is: A TROLL. Women are silenced by this vicious internet culture of toxic masculinity. We are pilloried in public spaces to protect elite males. A seventeen year old is responsible for his actions.
11
Whenever I see the phrase "pillar of the community" used, I know to observe very carefully the person who is being described in this way. And I know if the situation requires me to work with this person, to take my time to get to know them; to get to know them over time…with my eyes wide open.
At almost 60 years old, how many "pillars of the community" have I been acquainted with who are later discovered to be engaging in damaging and destructive behaviors involving money, sex, alcohol, drugs, manipulation, abuse, pornography?
Dozens.
I rarely use this word, but sadly..."evil" almost always lurks in plain sight. Our challenge is our willingness to see it.
14
Yes, reluctant because she isn't sure its even him! She conveniently provides no facts. This is a meritless case from a left wing lunatic that hates conservatives. She cant be trusted to remember accurately from so long ago. And her timing would indicate it didn't matter till now - why? Because she is fabricating this event to fit her own anti-Trump narrative.
20
@Patrick McCord Fact: he put his hand over her mouth and she thought he might kill her.
1
Yes, women have been harassed for a very long time. Men to some degree too, especially when it comes to bullying. However, I'm confused about the motives here. A similar thing happened to me, except I remember when and where it happened, I too escaped, and put it behind me. I have no desire to go after the boy, I was not damaged. Was Dr. Ford? Why is she bringing this forward, is she part of the resistance? What is motivating her?
14
@Ma: So why did Dr. Blasey wait until Judge Kavanough was nominated to become a Supreme Court justice to submit her accusation? Naming her assaulter at this time in our country’s history would be because of the responsibility she must feel she has for our country's judicial system. Accusing Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers, at an earlier time as an adult, before he was nominated, would be more problematic to her personal life than handling this as she had been and keeping it out of public knowledge. Perhaps she was still holding this information to herself to see how Kavanaugh responded to the initial questions in his confirmation hearings and to learn the responses from the Senators who questioned him. Perhaps when she could see the outcome of these hearings and was pretty sure Kavanaugh would be confirmed, Dr. Blasey decided it was her responsibility to allow others to be aware that this he committed a crime by sexually assaulting her as a teenager. Maybe she thought if she could avoid putting her information about Kavanaugh into public knowledge by seeing the likelihood of his nomination, but she realized her input was essential for more questioning about his past to be brought to the forefront of this judge’s nomination to the Supreme Court.
5
@Ma so if someone does not react like you did then she must be lying? Wow
3
Her life is already destroyed.
She has to show up on Monday, at a minimum, otherwise they entire disaster will have been for naught.
9
"But she became close with Ms. Piwowarski. They would watch new bands perform in bars on the town’s Franklin Street.."
Going to bars? I presume she was drinking and socializing there. Apparently the traumatic experience with Kavanaugh she alleges did not impede her social life to the extent she claims.
11
@MCH - What did you want? For her to hide in her room for the last 30 years? Sheesh...
21
Yes going to bars. She probably laughed and had fun and maybe even had some “casual” relationships. Its called living life. It’s called consent. It’s called life going on.
10
@PM No mention of seeing a therapist all those years. Why not if she were so traumatized? Sheesh..
Bravo, Dr. Blasey. You’re forging a better future for everyone,...your research career will survive and thrive, your personal air will be cleared, we’ll keep a cretin off the Supreme Court, predators will know they’re less protected now. Thank you!!
5
Ms. Ford tells of sexual abuse that happened 30 years ago, and the first thing she is asked is why she waited so long to talk about it.
Men tell of being sexually abused by priests 30 or more years ago, and - to the best of my recollection - not one question about why they waited so long to talk about it, only outrage at the priests.
Why is there unquestioning outrage at the priests' abusive behavior but, among some people, not equally unquestioning outrage at Kavanaugh's behavior?
1306
@don salmon
That's not the first question she was asked. I am sure her friend and therapist asked other more pertinent questions.
Judge Kavanaugh has not been accused by hundreds, if not thousands of men molested by priests when they were young. He is being accused by one woman who cannot remember much about the night, anymore than Judge Kavanaugh.
11
@don salmon In the case of the abuse by priests, we have much more evidence on which to rely than the boys' memories. In many cases they and their parents complained at the time, and there is documentation of the Church's attempts to conceal and even enable the abusers. Moreover, not all of the victims were boys. Plenty of girls were abused as well.
6
@don salmon
Because he was a teenager - like her - not an adult priest.
c.f. a mother slapping her child, vs a child slapping another child - the implications are vastly different.
3
Thank you for a balanced and informative article that brings to bear the trauma and suffering of the alleged victim and many women like her. Coming forward is courageous and brave. Whether Christine testifies next week or not, I hope she hears from me and others that she is strong and brave. I hope she can regain some control over her life in the coming months.
15
Kavanaugh has not requested an independent investigation of this claim. Why? If he is guilty he could apologize and seek forgiveness. If he is innocent, he could welcome a complete investigation with as much discovery as possible of events 30 years ago.
21
You might as well ask him when he stopped beating his wife. C'mon.
4
@J. Larimer Oh please. If he were to admit that there is even a kernel of truth to Blasey's unverifiable allegations, not only his appointment to the Supreme Court but his entire career (and perhaps much else) would be over. What is there for the FBI to investigate? Beyond Blasey's sketchy alleged memories, nothing. We know in advance that the result of the investigation will be "we don't know what happened." The call for an investigation is transparently motivated by the Dems' hope that the vote can be delayed till after the elections. This is politics, not some silly academic exercise.
7
The Old Boys Club deserves a big public punch in the political mouth.
I hope Christine Blasey Ford delivers it on Monday for the sake of her country.
(full disclosure: I am a man)
27
If she’s not willing to come forward and testify, she should have kept silent.
20
Dr. Blasey Ford has to come forward and face the individual who she says sexually assaulted her. Unless she does so, we will assuredly see another sexual deviant become a member of the so-called Supreme Court. Which prompts the question: when is the country going to do away with this lifetime boondoggle for some extremely questionable members? Sooner rather than later, one hopes.
9
@James Murphy "Sexual deviant"? Even assuming Blasey's sketchy memories are accurate, we are talking about a mistake by a drunk, unsupervised 17-year-old. We've been given no reason to believe he ever did anything like this again. Get a grip, man!
10
The "mistake" by a drunk, unsupervised 17 year old could have been acknowledged and then apologized for, instead of lied about.
Dr. Blasey surely understood what these claims would do to her life, having watched how the twitterverse works and how some of its corners reflexively trash women. So I tend to believe her charges. In my mind, three questions come to the fore: behavior of this sort was common in the early-mid 80s among immature boys and girls; the understandings and awareness of sexual assault today are far different than that era. So do we judge the Judge for his alleged actions by the standards of that day, or by standards of today?
Second, this clearly has weighed on Dr. Blasey for years; yet Kavanaugh has been before the Senate for confirmation before. Surely confirmation to a federal court of appeals is nearly as important, with standards of conduct equal to those of the high court. Why not raise the matter then?
And 3rd, why do we continually get SCOTUS judges from such privileged backgrounds? Georgetown Prep Yale Law,
blah, blah blah. Surely their intellects and resume's are impeccable, but can't we find judges of equal intellect who have a grittier, more hands-on appreciation for life in America? The high court is the least diverse institution in America, as Justice Scalia himself bemoaned.
21
I am baffled by the meme that this behavior used to be ok. I was 17 in 1972. I was raised to protect and defend women. No young man I knew thought raping women was ok then. There were men then and now who didn’t get the memo. Why does the myth persist that at one time this was the norm. Rape has always been a crime.
58
@Jim R. I agree that she understood what these allegations would do to her life: with the help of liberal media like the Times, she would become a celebrated heroine of the left and be the beneficiary of lucrative publishing and speaking opportunities. And she'd have the satisfaction of preventing an appointment she opposed. She has many motives to lie, not only to us but to herself.
5
Was reluctant to come forward.
1. Did a polygraph test
2. Hired a high powered lawyer
3. Sent "anonymous" tip to Washington Post which could be traced to her.
4. Visited personally with her Democratic Congresswoman
5. Had her send a letter to Feinstein
Oh, yes. She was reluctant to come forward.
The whole thing is a joke.
18
She is so diabolical that she told her therapist about it 6 years ago just so she could bring it up now!
34
@Michelle Seigal:
No, she used it in "couples therapy" to excuse her sudden disinterest in sex with her husband after hubby complained and grew increasingly tired of the old "I have a headache" excuse.
@True Observer I agree. The entire thing is really silly. Come on.
I firmly believe that no one comes forward to face what Ms. Ford is facing without it being the truth.
Who among all the commentators to this article would come forward and face death threats if it was not true?
How can we even consider a Supreme Court nominee like this? Surely there are other qualified judges.
62
@Irene:
Who? Duke Lacrosse accuser, Chrystal Magnum, disgraced, mattress girl, Emma Sulkowicz, Tawana Brawley, UVA/Rolling Stone accuser Jackie Coakley, etc, etc, ad nauseum!!!!
1
The geriatric Republican senators in Congress don't want to go up against someone as intelligent and precise as Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.
20
@Jacquie
No, there's more layers to it than that. Read Ford lawyer's letter to the committee
@SusanS
Yes, there are many layers but what they really want is to remain in power at all costs, nothing else matters period.
I find it sickening and sad that in this day and age there are still people who "blame the victim". What if someone tried to rape your 15 year old daughter? Would you believe her? Why is this the only crime where the victim is blamed?
108
@Dem in CA Your comment is an example of the fallacy known as begging the question: you assume the truth of the proposition that needs to be proved. Obviously, if someone tried to rape your daughter, you wouldn't blame her. But we don't know that Kavanaugh tried to rape anyone. (Actually, rape isn't even being alleged, but let that pass.)
4
@Dem in CA: I would certainly NOT believe her if she waited a significant amount of time AND until she had an ulterior motive to tell me.
Get real. If she has something to say, testify, to do otherwise is just a smear job.
1
Women are always on trial for men’s bad behavior what a shame. I wonder if she can sue for defamation over all the false stories being floated around about her.
20
Dr. Blasey was victimized as a teen. Suffering in silence-yes deep down it affected her life choices & behavior. Her feelings of safety & trust.
Dr. Blasey finally had the courage to tell her husband & therapist as a stepping stone to further recovery. She wrote a letter in the hopes of citing truth that it would be enough & when it was not she had the utmost courage to face the world.
Dr. Blasey took the world head on & the white male 'leaders' sought to protect their boy who would protect their savior & victimized her again as a lynch mob.
These 'leaders' have criminalized her, sought to ruin her name, destroy her family, allow strangers to threaten harm to her & her family.
Victimizing, shaming, threatening all in order to get their boy in a position of lordly robed power to put forth their agenda of division & gain greater control of the white male agenda over all America.
They wish to sit in condemnation not to listen.
They wish to sit already having judged Dr. Blasey in order to seem fair.
They wish to dissect Dr. Blasey's memories but their boy's uh-uh is sacred.
They wish not to seek the truth but to seek out any other smoking guns & dissuade any others.
These supposedly powerful white males have only the power we allow them.
They are bullies & enjoy victimizing & debasing those that refuse to bow.
They will rudely question & interrupt.
They have no intentions of listening.
That would mean investigating. Discovering the truth.
That is the last thing they what.
43
@karen: Congratulations! You have won the award for the post with the most unsubstantiated assumptions in the history of the New York Times.
1
“I’ve been trying to forget this all my life, and now I’m supposed to remember every little detail,”
That's the problem I see. Richard Ofshe and Elizabeth Loftus research stuff on memory. Meanwhile, we have two adults with impeccable credentials facing off over something alleged to have happened 35 yrs ago in High School, when booze was flowing freely. Everyone wants black v white answers. What could go wrong?
Maybe they are both right: it happened, but "Bart" and friend were blind drunk. But the brother of a good friend of mine from grad school got stinking drunk one night at his birthday party (he was roughly 18 at the time) and killed someone while driving home drunk. He served jail time but there was no doubt what he did and he pled guilty.
Politics aside, what is the answer here?
8
@Khal Spencer An investigation! Why is Kavanaugh not as adamant in requesting a thorough investigation as Blasey?
9
Let him make good somewhere other than the Supreme Court.
4
@J. Larimer:
Then, why not in July?????
The answer is obvious!
Well, maybe the idiot senator Orrin Hatch who called her mixed up should offer evidence that she is. That i why she is smart insisting on FBI investigation because it seems the old white men of the GOP have made up their minds and trying to pose her as insane or something.
My advise to her would be, unless there is an FBI investigation, not to waste her time to be ridiculed by these idiots in open setting. And the democrats and moderate independents should work to minimize the impact of SCOTUS as it has a become a political arm of Corporations and religious fanatics.
21
I back Kavanaugh, who in my view, is eminently qualified to be a Justice - no matter what liberals/Democrats/The New York Times (All the liberal news that's fit to print) say.
Kavanaugh's record on the bench speaks for itself to me.
A weakly corroborated / uncorroborated (choose one) / unprovable / alleged 35-year-old incident, IF it happened, tells me little - his adult life tells all of us much more, and it's good.
Ford and Kavanaugh should testify under oath Monday, and Feinstein should apologize for bringing up this allegation so late when she had known of it for months.
12
Your elite SCOTUS nominee should take a lie detector test, just as you would demand if Obama had nominated him.
59
@I Vote - I vote too - and also serve as a volunteer poll worker in every election where I live.
I agree that K should take a lie detector test, and I believe also F should take another one now, both administered by the same professional under identical conditions.
Lie detectors tests are famously imperfect, but this is my view.
Mr. Stewart
Kavanagh: a principled life, nothing to hide. A man proud of his achievements and reputation.
But not willing to do what an honorable person does: face the charges, which yes, includes a lie detector. Which yes, includes welcoming an investigation.
Because he has character and integrity, and aspires to be one of nine who say what the Law is. Because he owes it to me as a citizen.
12
"She’s obsessive about making sure it’s right,” she added. “If Christine says something happened, I absolutely believe her.”
We all assign credibility ratings to those we know--consciously or not. They are informal--from high (as above) to low (typical politicians) to off the charts (Trump).
If we assigned numbers as in probability ratings from 0 to 1 (an infinite range) Trump would be minus numbers--if he says something you tend to believe the opposite.
Cred ratings are not just assigned on the basis of past performance--x truths divided by y lies and/or falsehoods; it also depends on how much they care about getting it right time/deliberation (Trump's wake up twits) and what they do to correct mistakes (Trump doubles down on the lies).
Academics stock in trade is credibility--due care and deliberation--search, re-search, dialectical discourse with critics. Proof--as in "proving grounds" is testing; testing is trying to make it fail. Proof is passing the tests.
It's the opposite with marketing--the goal is sales; sales often require cosmetics and camouflage--coverups and super models. "Hyperbole"--truthful or not.
The slide from defending an academic hypothesis to marketing it is an academic perversion.
Dr. Blasey wants the FBI to test her accusation. She is reluctant to market it in Congress--which has become an arena for marketing political ideas and personas. Truth has as little to do with success or failure as TV jingles.
10
In case you ever read these comments, Dr. Blasey Ford, I totally believe you and am so, so sorry that this happened and that the media circus is now making your life hell.
91
@someone
She is a true patriot and will be celebrated for her courage for years to come. Hopefully, the rewards for her patriotic act will be greater than her pain. Unlikely, but hopefully.
Blasey needs to preempt any sense that she's participating in this at arms length until the Senate does what she wants. She should demand a prior investigation, but go to the steps of Congress and let America know that she is in Washington ready to risk her safety and tell her story - if the Grassley Boys Club really wants to hear it.
7
I immediately wondered if Dr. Blasey chose the field she studied as a way to assuage her demons.
This whole situation is playing out to the detriment of all: a victim whose fits and starts desire to get the truth out about a SCOTUS nominee; a new battle between Democrats and Republicans, as if more were needed; and the another layer of the extreme ambition of a quite arrogant Washington insider who has done everything but fall over backward to secure this nomination by kowtowing to Trump.
But you can also view the entire mess as the perfect reflection of the twisted society we have become--where the pursuit of power trumps power sharing, inconvenient truths attract death threats, and rank ambition fuels extreme risk taking, in the form of hardcore denials one knows will never be seriously challenged by an increasingly corrupt governing party.
13
Considering the parents of a child killed in the elementary school shooting in Connecticut have gotten death treats and had to go into hiding, it is no wonder she wants time to come forward. That she did at all is incredibly admirable.
83
Such a well rounded portrait and article of Christine Blasey Ford. Thank you for publishing this. I believe and support Christine. She has every right to a full investigation by the FBI which in fact is a common procedure and was followed in the Clarence Thomas hearings. The Republicans are ramming through. The Republicans are NOT the party of fairness or common decency. The Republicans are NOT the party for the fair treatment of women. The Republicans DON'T get it. It is sickening. The Republicans should be VOTED OUT IN NOVEMBER.
67
Chosen by Donald Trump to join a already conservative lead Supreme Court, serving a Donald Trump Republican House and Senate judge Cavanaugh fits right in.
9
With all my heart I support this woman. She is brave beyond belief. My contempt for the process that denies her a say, even if that say is weeks away, only grows. The men in charge have no idea how the effects from these attacks last forever. They are heartless and soulless creatures.
81
What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? This all stinks and is nothing more than a liberal attempt to derail a Trump pick for the Supreme Court. From Diane holding this since July to the Professor not being able to remember what year or what house this occurred in. She has not one witness but the Judge has the guy that she called out as being in the room when the rape allegedly occurred who can't remember the event. Has America come to this? Aren't we better than railroading someone without real evidence? Look to yourself liberals and see if you can recall every raucous moment when you were 15. I doubt it......Either she testifies on Monday and gives us something verifiable or the Republicans should confirm the Judge on the merits of 6 previous background checks.
7
This was not a "raucous moment ", this was sexual assault. If it has never happened to you, try to imagine what it would feel like if it happened to you.
Really, try to put yourself in a place where YOU were the victim of sexual assault.
How would you feel then?
6
@Dan Locker - This "liberal attempt to derail a Trump pick for the Supreme Court" may stink, but not near as strongly as the conservative (successful) attempt at derailing an Obama pick.
7
I do not want Brett Kavanaugh to be appointed to the Supreme Court. He is too conservative and could do great damage to the social fabric of this country. I have no doubt that Dr Blasey is truthfully recounting the incident. I also have no doubt that the culture of the "elite" private and parochial schools as detailed in the article probably means there are others out there who have had similar experiences with other students over the years. It seems the culture among the schools encouraged excessive teen drinking and partying as "coming of age" activities - which usually results in something bad happening to someone or many someones. Where were the parents when prep schoolers were purchasing kegs, having house parties? Where were school administrators when yearbooks publicized underage drinking - did they ever think to reach out to parents and to protect those in their care?
If Dr Blasey testifies perhaps the outcome may be something unexpected- an examination of the prep school culture- which is akin to a fraternity culture that is currently under examination by many universities. I have a problem with anyone coming out of a culture like that with an antiquated "kids will be kids" attitude that has not changed over the years and who may be appointed to the highest court in the country. Kavanaugh has not indicated he is remorseful and has spent 30 years changing his outlook and behavior -quite the opposite.
43
We have two very accomplished people who are highly respected by their friends and professional colleagues in the fight of their lives. They're fighting for principals, their reputations, and their families and careers.
As Daniel Kahneman warns in his classic book, Thinking, Fast and Slow, we all are driven and captured by our life experiences. Our biases affect our opinions about this case strongly.
What's clear to me is that these two have vastly different memories of a party. Neither has a complete memory of the event, and Brett Kavanaugh claims he wasn't at the party and never assaulted Dr. Ford or anyone else. But he did drink beer and get sick enough to puke, if not black out. Who knows?
I want to believe the woman. And I want to believe the man. At this point, how will we ever know who to believe?
Given the way Chuck Schumer and Diane Feinstein are playing this sordid game, I'm for confirming Kavanaugh and for respecting the trauma that Dr. Ford is suffering.
Haters will hate as always, and that is a waste of time.
9
Spoken by a truly sensitive Donald Trump Republican.
14
@Donald Johnson - Huh? Just what are Feinstein and Schumer doing that you find so offensive? Personally, it's what people like Grassley and Hatch are saying that make me wonder just what they really think happened if they are so afraid of an FBI investigation and if they are willing to claim--with no evidence whatsoever--that Dr. Ford must be mistaken or mixed up.
4
To Mark Judge - You saved Chris Blasey from being raped by Kavanaugh 33 years ago. Save her from being raped again. Tell what you know. Do it now.
"Mr. Judge, Dr. Blasey alleged, told his friend to alternately “go for it” and “stop.” ..... When Mr. Judge jumped on the bed, causing the three teenagers to tumble onto the floor, Dr. Blasey said she ran from the room, locked herself in the bathroom and escaped after hearing the two inebriated boys stumbling down the stairs."
83
@Finnie
How do you know that he saved her from being raped? Sounds more like a gang rape attempt to me, or as he called it, a “Devil’s Triangle”.
He absolutely should be called to testify under oath, and under subpoena if necessary. Maybe he can elaborate on the “wonderful beauty of uncontrollable male passion” too.
6
@Finnie
Mark Judge will only tell the truth if question under oath by the law enforcement. Trump's entire entourage fears under oath testimony almost like a plague and they fold eventually when caught in lies. They really need to hire good ol Bill C. to coach them. Submit them to Maury's "are you the father" test.
@Finnie
I hope you're right and he confesses, but I'm not sure he wasn't trying to join in.
If Dr. Ford were to concoct a lie she wouldn't have made up the 3rd party witness. If Kavanaugh were truly the "decent man" Orrin Hatch claims he is, he would have owned up to it. He would have said something like, "I truly regret that incident. I was 17 and drunk but that's no excuse. I'd like to apologize to Dr. Ford for the pain I've caused her. I'd like to say to young men out there that you cannot treat girls and women this way." That's what a decent, principled man would do. Ironically, he probably would have been appointed had he done this. But this honorable track probably never even occurred to a scheming politico like him. The modern GOP does not attract and reward fundamentally decent people.
209
Does anyone really believe the Republicans care a whit if Judge Kavanaugh tried to rape a woman when he was younger?
Trump's first wife swore under oath he raped her and nearly two dozen women have come forward claiming they were assaulted by The President who confessed on tape he enjoyed groping women and all it's produced is a collective Republican shrug. So why should this be any different?
Vote Blue in November. Preserve Democracy.
419
Thank you to the reporters of this profile of Christine Blasey Ford. You sensitively captured her personality, her background and her achievements. The trauma of sexual assault to anyone can be devastating and to a young, innocent teenage girl it cuts to core. I hope all people will more seriously consider the consequences on the victim of such a brutal attack and the appropriate consequences for the perpetrator.
14
I feel so sad and angry for Dr. Blasey. She is really in a no-win situation not of her own making. As a college professor myself who graduated high school in 1983, I understand the culture of the times that caused her silence and I’m also totally disheartened to read that internet trolls have used Rate My Professor to try and dig up dirt on her. Seriously? Just exactly how low will people go, to consider the rantings of disgruntled students as somehow an accurate character assessment? Who would subject themselves to this scrutiny intentionally? This should be viewed as part of the court candidate’s background check and vetted properly, without dragging people through the mud of the court of public opinion. I don’t blame her if she doesn’t want to be a part of this circus but I also think it will be horrible if the allegation is true- and I think it is - and this guy is sitting on the Supreme Court.
The other thing that strikes me from this insightful piece is how elitist our court is becoming or perhaps always has been. It’s depressing to see BOTH of Trump’s nominees coming from the same fancy DC prep school, brought up in a life of privilege most of us have only seen depicted in books and movies. Check your aspirations at the door, children of ordinary citizens!
113
Thanks for your comment. We have well educated people from CA-- the proud products of public schools, from k through grad school. Many of whom worked the whole time, and collaborated with people of diversity every step of their fine educations. We have so much more to offer America than these 2 spoiled white boy scions of privileged DC. No doubt ohio and Georgia residents would say the same about their native sons and daughters. Drain the swamp indeed.
9
@Laura Gorsuch and Kavanaugh seem to be the nasty flip side of the Catholic priest scandal as "conservative Catholics" who seem to have little respect for others, especially women, outside their closed social circle. Let's add that Thomas moves in that same conservative Catholic crowd. How is this able to see the larger context the Supreme Court needs to serve?
5
@Laura
We can help her with a go fund me account that she can use to pay her costs and hopefully then some to permanently relocate if she needs to. She is a reluctant patriot, but a patriot never the less.
2
Does anyone not recognize what is at stake and who is on trial this coming Monday? This shapes up to be a confrontation between a Supreme Court level Federal judge, backed by Republican, all-male Senatorial lawmakers--each with their own highly experienced staffs--against a woman who has no professional training in the law. She has hired lawyers, of course, but this will not be a court of law. It's to be a Congressional hearing, with its own rules, a situation quite familiar to the Senators. But how about Dr Blasey's lawyers. Are they familiar with these specialized rules? And with their every move shown on national t.v.? The Senators certainly are. And Judge Kavanaugh has had warm-ups with this very team.
Doesn't look like a very level playing field. Guess who's going to win?
561
@Son of the Sun While Ms. Blasey Ford's lead lawyer, Debra Katz, is known for her recent efforts on behalf of #MeToo accusers, she also has a history of downplaying or dismissing accusations made by women against Democratic politicians -- including former President Bill Clinton and former Minnesota Senator Al Franken.
You may be absolutely sure that Ms. Katz and other lawyers working with her are very familiar with Congressional procedures; indeed, Ms. Katz has been working with Ms. Blasey Ford for many weeks and, I am certain, has already coached her on possible questions and answers in the event Ms. Blasey Ford decides to testify.
Given that Ms. Katz and her associates are highly-recognized and highly-paid lawyers, I do wonder who is paying their fees.
3
@Son of the Sun She hasn't 'hired lawyers,' she's hired Left-wing activists.
There is nothing to this case. It's insulting to our intelligence that the Times and the rest of the Democrat-aligned "mainstream" media is pretending that there is.
2
@The Commoner What is insulting to our intelligence is people who want to so quickly dismiss what both Dr. Blasey Ford and Judge Kavanaugh have to say about the allegations after all information has been presented to the Senate. The rush to confirm Kavanaugh has been suspicious all along especially since Mitch McConnell said he didn't believe President Obama's choice for a Supreme Court Justice should have a confirmation hearing during an election year. So, guess what? It's an election year and oh wait, that's right the same rules don't apply to Republicans that apply to Democrats. If in fact there is nothing to this case, then why not let both sides have their say. Don't you think Judge Kavanaugh would like to have the opportunity to defend his honor rather than having a cloud hang over his confirmation?
1
You certainly hope there is a full airing of this controversy. But now that it's out there, given the unsolicited allegations she had made she absolutely must testify and make her case regardless of her demand for an FBI investigating. That testimony should also carefully identify what she knows and all the potential sources of corroboration with the goal of forcing the Senate to broaden its investigation. Then the chips will fall where they may, that's all she can do.
But the fact remains, even with all that, the extremely long delay in coming forward or otherwise making the extremely serious charge of attempted rape to the proper authories, even if explainable by trauma, social scientists and other supporters, weighs heavy against her credibility.
No one knows for sure what happened, but if anything, one hopes that women or victims of the kind of this kind of act must recognize that if they want justice or a so-called reckoning, inordinate delay in raising the alarm undermines, and often fatally damages their charges.
39
@Cazanoma The 'extremely long delay' is pretty typical of sexual assault victims, and it is quite likely that if she had tried to do anything back when this happened, she would have been ignored, socially ostracized among the prep school crowd, and the legal system would have done nothing whatsoever to her assailant. It would have done her no good to bring it up back then. Let's assume for a moment that her story is true, it is extremely unlikely that the authorities would have actually charged Kavanaugh with anything at all.
7
@Cazanoma I'm guessing that you're a man if you think traumatized women can just get on with things after being sexually attacked. Mark Judge knows what's going on, but he has no vested interest in telling the truth since it's his bud who did the deed. Cristina King wrote that everyone at school knew about the attack and was talking about afterwards. If Ford didn't say anything, I'm guessing Kavanaugh and/or Judge bragged about it. Did you see the June 27 2018 text messages between Virginia Hume and Judge (Judge's side now deleted) regarding Kavanaugh's "youthful indiscretion"? These were written the day Justice Kennedy wrote his letter and before Ford sent her letter. A lot of people know about this attack and are covering it up. We need some subpoenas and the FBI to get at the truth. Ford wants to talk with the FBI, but no one else does. Is it because lying to the FBI is a felony?
76
@Cazanoma, please read the story of Amber Wyatt, a rape victim, who came forward the very same night as she was raped. Not only was she dismissed, she was ostracized by most of her community. Neither of the boys was even tried, despite physical and DNA evidence against one of them. Unfortunately, it is a no win situation. darned if you do, darned if you don't.
4
After a sexual assault, the details (including the name of the perpetrator obviously) are etched in the memory, partly because of the terror and helplessness that is experienced which facilitates storage in long term memory areas of the brain. Following such a trauma, sometimes the response is dissociation ( a form of denial), however this mechanism does not work long term.
It saddens me to read comments where the target is vilified or not taken seriously.
It saddens me how (usually) white men of privilege feel entitled to treat girls and women this way, and how the target often holds the shame for years and years..yet often is so successful in relationships and career.
45
So let’s look what has been said about Kavanaugh about his drinking since he was in high school. He was a binge drinker and seems to have enjoyed it as did his friend, Mark Judge, who was in that bedroom that night.
How does Kavanaugh explain how clear his memory is with all that drinking?
He has an elite groups of friends with whom he takes a trip with once a year, no wives. In fact, emails that have surfaced say that the men should not tell their wives all that took place on a trip.
So there appears to be one addiction.
Then there was the monumental debt he created buying sports tickets. Who goes into debt buying tickets to baseball games?
That only 36% of Americans support his nomination should tell you something.
That someone who is lying would never ask for an FBI investigation should tell you something.
The good news is that even if confirmed, he can be impeached. Not for this incident but the lying that came before on other issues.
If Kavanaugh gets on the Court, he will join Justice Thomas with having not just an asterisk next to his name but also a stain that no black robe can cover.
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If Dr. Blasey Ford is lying, why would she request an FBI investigation and voluntarily take a polygraph?
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@D. Lieberson
Ummm. What is the FBI supposed to investigate? How can anyone confirm what a bunch of drunk teenagers did 30 years ago? Most of them probably don't even remember the party.
I don't want this guy to get confirmed. But the FBI has better things to do. Like, almost anything.
She is incredibly brave.
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Christine Blasey Ford is the most powerful American today. She should be respected accordingly.
20
No one, especially a highly intelligent woman like Dr. Blasey, would put themselves through this hellish publicity unless the attack were true. I believe her completely, and any intelligent, critical thinker should, too.
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"All I want is the Truth" - John Lennon. We all have lied. Some more than others. We cover up and instantly lie when caught in an act we are ashamed of. We protect ourselves and our friends by lying. "A lie can travel half-way around the world while the truth is putting it's shoes on" - Mark Twain. So many different ways to lie- misspeak, deception, misinformation, distortion, fabrication, inaccuracy, propaganda, falsehood, perjury.... Now that the Judge has lied, he is unable to admit it and maintain is carefully curated image as a family man and good citizen.
12
This article reveals that Ms. Blasey Ford has been contacting friends and acquaintances to ask if she ever told them she had been sexually assaulted in high school.
This suggests to me that she has been asked by her high-powered lawyers and Democratic pols like Diane Feinstein to seek corroboration of her story via people to whom she might have mentioned the alleged attack back in the day or between now and then.
If Ms. Blasey Ford had been able to find such confidants and corroboration I'm sure the parties' names would have been leaked to the media and the parties would be on all the talk shows.
Without corroboration Ms. Blasey Ford's allegation descends to the level of a she says-he says dispute based on the memory of someone who is unable to recall such basic facts as the day, month, year or city in which the alleged incident took place; in whose house the alleged incident occurred; whether 2 or 4 boys were present; and how she got to/from the house where the alleged attack took place.
In the US anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Ms. Blasey Ford had 35 years in which to file a civil or criminal case against Mr. Kavanaugh, but has not done so. She had 35 years to share her story with friends, family, the media and others, but hasn't.
Surely anyone with a grain of intelligence realizes that the timing and circumstances of this accusation indicate that this is political theater rather than a search for justice.
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@Ro Ma If it didn't happen, then why would she be looking for people who could corroborate it? If it didn't happen, why did her story include an eyewitness's name?
12
@Ro Ma This is NOT a court of law. She is not accusing him of a crime in this forum, she is saying that this is an incident that reflects on his character and should be considered in deciding whether this man should be appointed to a lifetime, highly sensitive post. She has mentioned it to her therapist long before he was a nominee, and the fact that she didn't blab it all over everyplace just shows how deeply she has been trying to forget it. Surely anyone with a grain of intelligence realizes that this is a very difficult thing for a woman to do, and that any political theater arising out of it is strictly the republicans and democrats who are using it to advance their own agenda. Stop blaming the victim.
1
@Ro Ma Well, that's a condescending response. You must be another friend of Kavanaugh's. People who are sexually traumatized (women or men) tend not to report sexual assault because, surprise, they are traumatized and feel shame. Also, they fear they won't be believed or that they will be attacked for reporting the assault, especially if the attacker is well known or powerful (e.g., Weinstein, Cosby, and popular athletes from "good" families). I know people who have not discussed their assault until decades after it occurred. Cristina King, a schoolmate of Ford's, has written that kids talked about it at school for days after it happened. And there is Virginia Hume's twitter discussion with Judge from June 27 referring to Kavanaugh's "youthful indiscretion." The evidence is there. You just don't want to find it.
5
Alas, a Bush 43 lawyer sees the frontline in the war on terror.
Why hasn’t her letter been sent to Grassley? Without that, this can’t be taken seriously. This story is over. Another great media hoax.
5
@Shamrock Are you serious? Grassley has her letter. They all have it by now. The FBI needs to do some interviews with Kavanaugh, Ford, Judge, Smyth, and King. It's a felony to lie to the FBI.
13
First I'm hearing of Judge's book about blacking out as a teenage alcohol abuser. That's pretty interesting detail.
13
@Cherie
Not to mention some not too subtle references to drinking and sexual perversion in both Judge's and Kavanaugh's HS yearbook entries.
2
At a girls catholic high school in the 70's we met as seniors with the school chaplin for "the sex talk". This was always a joke that we all looked forward to. The part that was always the funniest is this--according to the chaplin (priest), when a boy gets aroused it's always the girls fault because he can't help himself and, the girl then is responsible for two mortal sins, hers and the boys.
My guess is that this sentiment wasn't confined to only my school. Catholic boys weren't expected to be responsible for sexual encounters. This might explain Judge Kavanaugh's lack of memory.
141
@rainbow
Wow! After all of these decades I finally understand the Kennedy clan's sense of entitlement and why voters, particularly female voters, have always forgiven their caddish behavior. It all makes perfect sense to me now. Thank you for enlightening me.
20
If Mr. Kavanaugh had been a teacher at an all-girls high school, he would have been fired by now, after the allegations of sexual assault had become known. Or the parents would have protested daily at the gates of the school.
So, why are we even considering him for a Supreme Court job?
This is not a partisan issue. It is about a person's character fitness for any job.
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@Thomas Why him??? We have a lot of smart honest judges who can replace him!
2
"a precise, logical scientific thinker, a woman of character and integrity" is not what Republican Senators want to testify against their nominee for the Court. The have to besmirch and sully Ms. Blasey and attack her credibility to protect their preferred Court nominee. As her husband said, a Court Justice must be held to a higher standard of conduct, ethics and morals. In rushing through this now-flawed nominee, Republicans are showing their own lack of respect for what the Court stands for, which is justice and fair play for all.
537
I am a decade older than Dr Blasey but grew up in the NYC private school world and can confirm that parties, substances and lax supervision were the rule. People milled around, drank heavily, smoked pot and went in and out of bedrooms. I always felt intensely vulnerable.
I dealt with some mildly annoying behavior, pursued as “playful”-and even that, while not scary, sticks in my mind.
But the attack she experienced was no joke. It was truly dark-and the way she’s being treated now by a cohort of conservative men is extremely dark as well.
How DARE they suggest that a woman would lie about something like this? Such charges reveal their complete lack of respect and empathy for women.
Their idea of “adjudicating” the matter by exposing her to hostile cross-examination before millions further underscores their contempt for women.
I believe she is right not to play this rigged game: let them ram through this nomination and live with the fallout.
704
@Virginia
So women don't lie? How many men have been victimized by false claims of pregnancy or even paternity because the woman didn't know who the father was? Say anything to keep a man around and the money flowing. Women are no more saints than men are, we just don't hide it as well.
5
@Virginia: You make the statement: "How DARE they suggest that a woman would lie about something like this?"
That was the IDENTICAL argument raised to attack the Duke Lacrosse team, Tawana Brawley, the UVA fraternity/Rolling Stone lynch mob, Emma Sulkowicz, etc, etc!
How Ironic!
Virginia, regardless of other considerations, nobody's accusations of this sort should be immune from scrutiny.
But scrutiny is exactly what the Republicans are not doing.
Still her word versus his word. Both seem to have been rowdy, rich white kids as teens. Both seem to have grown up into competent professionals although diametrically opposed politically.
The two characters at the dead center of this story need to testify. Kavanaugh is willing but she isn't. That doesn't look good in my book.
Also, society didn't despise women before MeToo despite what this article and others say. Why this paper would blanket generations with that term is beyond me.
52
Not a court of law, but certainly the issue of motive has to come into play before dismissing claims of fact. Ms. Blasey --going essentially into something like protective custody-- has a huge amount to lose in making her statements-- in terms of her life, privacy and safety. (Usually informants are not put into police or FBI custody without serious evidence at play) Kavanaugh appears to have little motive to truth-tell and much to lose by possibly disclosing inappropriate behavior as a young man-- in a high-stakes bid to become judge for life.
5
@LR
Your assertion that she won’t testify is wrong. She took a polygraph in anticipation of testifying; and she is advocating the FBI conduct an investigation prior to her testifying to ensure the process is as nonpartisan as possible. All reasonable measures to counter what will certainly be a difficult cross examination from ideologically driven political hacks.
6
@LR
Her psychologist's notes, her friend who said she vanished socially after the incident, letters in support of her credibility, her polygraph and her call for an FBI investigation are all important details that should be included in "your book".
It's not his word versus hers, it's her being silenced by death threats, having her email hacked and her being forced to move. These are CRIMES that the FBI should absolutely investigate as witness tampering.
Republican Senators are cowards for precluding FBI investigation. But I am bewildered that the Senate can tell the FBI not to investigate.
And FWIW society doesn't "despise women", that's your externalization that apparently doesn't even include women as part of "society".
13
I haven’t met a single woman who wasn’t bullied, harassed, abused, or assaulted by a man at least once in her lifetime.
I am glad that, as a culture, we are just beginning to imagine trauma’s effects upon a person’s confidence, their decisions, their trajectory in life. Trauma, long suppressed, eventually bubbles up again—and people who have *seemed* competent and stable their entire lives can suddenly falter under the weight of their secret shame and go insane or drink themselves to death. Trauma corrodes even the strongest among us. I’ve seen it happen over and over.
To the extent that we erase or silence a victim coming forward, we collectively agree that trauma is right and correct and the victim is worthless, never worthy or our consideration at all, and she ought to be ashamed and punished for stepping on her abuser’s shadow. Our collective silencing is the hand over the mouth and the music turned up.
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@Cybil M
I agree that every woman has been bullied or harassed or abused or assaulted sometime in her life. EVERY.
1
@Cybil M
"I haven’t met a single woman who wasn’t bullied, harassed, abused, or assaulted by a man at least once in her lifetime. ..."
I can believe that of your intimate friends, but to make that claim of ALL women you have met is a reaching a bit.
Men can also make that claim of women.
@Cybil M
I haven’t met a single man who wasn’t bullied, harassed, abused, or assaulted by a woman at least once in his lifetime.
1
Christine Blasey Ford must hear from the women in America who support her. She needs to hear that hundreds of millions of women around the world share her pain.
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And men, too--every man I call a "friend" is equally repulsed and outraged by this hijacking of due process.
7
@JM - I Agree. I am with Christine.
1
A woman who was sexually assaulted as a 15 year old child, by a man legally able to drink liquor in an elite Jesuit school, has a medical condition known as PTSD.
It is time for our elected officials in Congress to learn how to properly interview an American, who through no fault of her own had her airway compromised by a drunk spoiled brat, while he sexually molested this child.
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“Sexual assault”? This sounds like revisionist history from “repressed memory therapy.” Whatever happened wasn’t good and I can understand why Dr. Ford did not appreciate it, but to call a groping where no one disrobed, no one was penetrated, forced to perform oral sex, or even fondled a “sexual assault” as if it were a rape is a huge stretch and quite frankly an insult to true rape victims.
6
@Dr. M
You conveniently omit that he throttled her mouth to keep her from calling out for help. Why isn't her fear that he was clearly intent on raping her, and maybe even "inadvertently killing her" plausible to you? I'm a 69yo man, who went to plenty of drunken parties as a teenager, and I cannot even conceive of the level on violence in her account.
No, all teenagers would NOT have acted the same way...
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@Dr. M And if someone put a gun to a person’s head and threatened to shoot their brains all over the wall, and they were able to run away because of a distraction, then it doesn’t count because the gun didn’t go off? You dont think, maybe, that person might need some therapy for a while? Or that the person who pointed that gun might do it again to someone else? Rape and the threat of rape is just like that gun to the head. So if you cannot relate to a sexual assault because it never happened to you, just think about how it would feel to have that gun pointed at your head.
42
@Dr. M
You are conflating terms and denigrating her experience in which she was sexually assaulted. In no manner does this insult true rape victims.
24
When did the name Kavanaugh first come to her? Did she read his friends novel citing Kavanaugh as a fictional drunk? Clearly something happened to her but it is unclear who, when, where. My experience with abuse survivors is that they are desperate to be heard and listened to. Her not having told anyone but a therapist one time, providing different facts, and her apparent decision not to testify Monday, legitimately raises concerns about her story. And what if there is a FBI investigation, what new conditions will she and her lawyers then require. Remember the Duke lacrosse team; sympathy for victims is harmed by liars.
8
@Princess Leia - Clearly, you are implying that she is a liar. One wonders exactly why you would believe this. The woman in the Duke lacrosse team case has a troubled history dating back to her late teens; Dr. Ford does not. But it's opinions like yours, implying as it does that any woman making an accusation of sexual abuse who has not been "desperate to be heard and listened to" must be lying that discourage sexual abuse victims from coming forward. And while it may be true that YOUR experience with abuse survivors is that they are "desperate to be heard and listened to," that does not at all square what we have learned about such abuse victims in the past couple of years. Many of them, perhaps most, are reluctant to talk about it at all. It does make determining the validity of any claims more difficult, but the hostile reactions abuse victims get are a large contributor to the years-long delay in speaking about what happened.
4
When you consider how many acts of mendacity have been committed by this administration thus far, you must also ask yourself the proverbial question: How many straws does it take to break a camel's back?
Something tells me this time won't be the last.
11
Thank you for the reporting in this article. It clarifies a lot, particularly in regard to explaining why so much partying existed without parental control.
44
She is obviously an intelligent, accomplished woman with a career and family. If she is willing to subject herself and her family to the storm of publicity, threats, attention, etc., then I'm inclined to believe she's got a very good reason.
Kavanaugh is up for a lifetime position on the highest court in the country. This notion that he's got to be rammed through ASAP is simply political maneuvering by a party afraid of losing some of its power in the next election.
The rest of us should demand better before someone is given lifetime influence over potentially every aspect of our lives.
360
@Pat
Demand that Grassley delay this confirmation until the FBI investigates this matter fully.
https://www.grassley.senate.gov/contact
25
She’s taking on the entire Republican establishment. Not only that but all these boys belong to the Donald Trump club now, a known sexual abuser. If they’re willing to overlook a sexual abuser in the office of the presidency certainly they could allow Kavanaugh a seat on the highest court.
One thing it does remind me of is how strong of a person Hillary Clinton is. She has taken them on for over 30 years. They have lied about her and investigated her about everything they could conjure up. They are in unrelenting group of men.
30
I think the dems need to stand behind dianne, support Christine's request for an fbi investigation, and behind the scenes tell their gop colleagues to prepare another list of candidates-- hopefully nobody else with this spoiled background. The dems need to ask for patience from their employers--US-- with this reminder: "democracy is messy." And then say nothing else. Rinse, repeat. Hang tight against this currently empowered minority of blustery old foagies. We might just win. Democracy is worth the fight.
6
When times are fraught and overwrought
How nice to have carefully sought
A candidate in drunken state
Who a rape try did not abate,
And being sly does now deny
His tipsy teenage tawdry try,
To SCOTUS he will now ascend
Each spineless Repub is his friend
To primly pry into each lie
Is not attractive by the by
So hold two fingers to your nose
As to the hallowed Court he goes.
If Ms Ford decides she won’t come
As a pawn in game zero sum
Repubs would deep sigh with relief
They don’t want to know ‘Where’s the beef?”
But if she does, tremble they will,
Rigged though it is, the Truth will spill!
96
@Larry Eisenberg
Wish I knew how to share. This poem needs to be printed and posted everywhere. Are you going to copyright?
1