Kavanaugh Can Join Thomas.

[LadyForCamus]

Must one automatically believe a woman's sexual assault charge in order to be human?

Nope, but one should be intellectually honest and take it seriously, especially when the accuser has demonstrated herself during a formal hearing to be FAR more credible than the accused.

Another point - shouldn't I be considered human because I am, in fact, a human?

Meh.  I’m not sure in what meaningful way a person who lacks empathy is human.  Sociopaths are technically human, but I don’t expect society to view them in the same way as people who are not-sociopaths. Not that I think you’re a sociopath.  I think you’re just a misogynist, like you and your pals in Congress.  *shrugs*

[Mister Agenda]

Yes, though an imperfect institution that often drops the ball on the routine, they can be frighteningly effective once they're on the scent. There's a difference between sending a couple of agents around to ask routine questions, and turning a neighborhood upside down to find answers when you know what the question is.

I was not aware that Kavanaugh was accused of being a serial rapist. Can you tell me more about that? I thought the worst he was accused of was groping and attempted sexual assault.

The second accuser implied that he was a serial rapist, because she saw him in line waiting for his turn to rape a drugged girl in a rape room. She saw this numerous times, but kept going to the parties, until she was a victim herself (but Kavanaugh, although at that rape party, didn't participate). Go figure.

You mean the third accuser, Swetnick? I did not pick up that she claimed to have seen him standing in line to rape a drunk or high woman more than once, though I did get that Kavanaugh was supposed to have been at several parties where there was an effort to get women drunk.

I think Delta Kappa Epsilon is a poor choice of frat for those hoping to attain high office.

[Pat Mustard]

Conservatives defend rapists because they like raping people.  If their own children were raped, they'd tell them to get over it and have a beer with the rapist.  That's the kind of people these people are.  Unless, of course, their rapist was a black democrat.  Then they'd crucify him.

They'd sell their child to the rapist for 50 shekels. It's biblical law.

[Mister Agenda]

As a victim who was never able to report my abuse, I am sickened by the behavior of those in the committee who have refused to follow the rules of the committee, starting with the first day of this confirmation hearing.

You mean like Feinstein?

---

@Mister Agenda:

alpha, that 54% of Republicans would vote to confirm Kavanaugh even if Ford's allegations are true and Kavanaugh is a liar is ethically inexcusable.  I don't know that this makes them less than human, but something is very wrong with them.  That you continue to defend them as if this were not the case makes something very wrong with you.

Emphasis addded.

Thanks for pointing that out. It's an odd thing to fixate on, IMHO, since Kavanaugh lying is an inescapable conclusion from the allegations being true; and that's not the wording of the poll and isn't claimed to have been, but it's not nothing.

[John V]

Nope, but one should be intellectually honest and take it seriously,

I agree. She named four other people as being there.

The two involved deny it, but that of course counts for little.

A male who wasn't involved can't recall it.

Ford's female friend, Leland Keyser, said through her lawyer: "Ms. Keyser does not know Mr. Kavanaugh and she has no recollection of ever being at a party or gathering where he was present, with, or without, Dr. Ford."

"Does not know Mr. Kavanaugh" is a positive statement which directly contradicts Ford's account. There were only 5 people there, yet Leland says she doesn't even know Kavanaugh. For people who are intellectually honest and taking it seriously, that's case closed.

[Crossless2.0]

For fuck's sake just put another dumb conservative without rape accusations on the Court. I'm sure they can find plenty of other qualified judges who dont think a president should be liable for his crimes.

Kavanaugh is a conservative operative, not a goody bipartisan, upstanding citizen. Groomed for years to be in this position. They're mad their efforts are being wasted.

I feel bad for his family though, that's for damn sure.

Bingo!

The Federalist Society could easily place a list of names in front of the President three times longer than he is accustomed to reading in a single sitting.

[John V]

You mean the third accuser, Swetnick? I did not pick up that she claimed to have seen him standing in line to rape a drunk or high woman more than once, though I did get that Kavanaugh was supposed to have been at several parties where there was an effort to get women drunk.

I think Delta Kappa Epsilon is a poor choice of frat for those hoping to attain high office.

Yes, I'm using hyperbole because numerous people here are referring to him as a rapist. You're one of the few who uses the actual charges.

[Joods]

Since it's clear he's going to get appointed - I say let the victims bring actual charges against Kavanaugh. Dr. Ford has nothing to lose by doing this since she's already been in front of the entire country. Since the other victims were denied the opportunity to testify, let them do so in an actual court of law.

[Angrboda]

Just as a technical point, Christine Blasey Ford's allegations being true doesn't prove that Kavanaugh is lying. I can imagine rationalizations or reasonings which lead to the conclusion that he should be confirmed in spite of Ford's allegations being true. I find it hard to believe that the difference between Republicans being able to reach the conclusion and Democrats being able to reach the conclusion can have any other explanation than that there is something wrong with the way Republicans are reaching their conclusions. Moreover, I think that, given the Democratic response, it's unreasonable to conclude that the bulk of those Republicans are not premising their conclusion on acceptance of the premise that Kavanaugh has either lied about the assault, or about not having any memory lapses. The only thing which would exonerate those 54% of Republicans is if they believe that Kavanaugh is not lying if the allegations are true. Is it posssible that they are reasoning thusly? Sure. Is it reasonable to believe they are? No it is not. There are certainly multiple paths one can take to the conclusion that Kavanaugh should be confirmed if the allegations are true. I would maintain, without an examination of all the cases, they are still good evidence that something is wrong with those who have reached that conclusion when over half of them come to that conclusion. In the 12% of Democrats, there may be multiple reasons for the conclusion, including doing so even given that Kavanaugh is lying. That doesn't explain either why Republicans were in the majority case able to reach that conclusion, nor the difference between the Democratic and Republican response. Whether you want to attribute it to a moral failing, a willingness to forego ethics in favor of partisanship, or because they are simply less competent regarding reasoning about moral matters, or some other reason, something is wrong with them.

[julep]

Since it's clear he's going to get appointed - I say let the victims bring actual charges against Kavanaugh. Dr. Ford has nothing to lose by doing this since she's already been in front of the entire country. Since the other victims were denied the opportunity to testify, let them do so in an actual court of law.

As far as I know there's no rule prohibiting suing or charging a sitting Supreme Court Justice.  I think they should go for it.   

And then he could be impeached, if convicted.