Will ‘God’ Save Kavanaugh?

That attitudes may not have changed from an older generation to Kavanaugh’s — and may have gotten still worse, and not only at elitist Georgetown Prep, but in society at large — is sad beyond telling, says Ray McGovern.

By Ray McGovern
Special to Consortium News

Are boys really better than girls? I know you are one, but please try to be fair,” asked eight year-old Helen in a letter to God.

From my own experience while a callow youth at a Jesuit boys-only high school, I believe it highly unlikely that Georgetown Jesuit Prepster Brent Kavanaugh ever thought of asking God the question Helen posed. For Kavanaugh, as for the rest of us, the answer was self-evident — much clearer than 13th century Thomas Aquinas’s “proofs” for the existence of God.

At my Jesuit high school, as at Kavanaugh’s, the concept of God-like male supremacy was deeply entrenched — from the priests and other all-male faculty to the bonhomie of the young “good-natured men” in the smoke-infested Senior Room.

The Jesuits encouraged us to think of ourselves — each one of us — as exceptional, down to the last man, so to speak.  It was Lake Wobegone on steroids.  We had been pre-selected to become the future leaders of the sole exceptional country in the world — an ethos that prevails, in spades, at Georgetown Prep.

Happily, we were spared Aquinas’s “insights” on women, whom he described as defective, misbegotten males.  It was not until college that I learned Thomas deemed women “the result of some debility … or of some change effected by external influences, like the south wind, for example, which is damp, as we are told by Aristotle.”

Is God ‘One of the Boys’

Even without Aquinas, though, the culture of the Prep spoke loudly, if less directly, of the subordinate status of women.  It should come as no surprise, then, that this prep-school milieu left us precocious adolescents quite comfortable with an all-powerful God who was “one of the boys.”

For me, though, high school was a half-century ago.  The reality that attitudes have not changed between my generation and Kavanaugh’s — and may have gotten still worse, not only at Jesuit-run elitist Georgetown Prep, but in society at large — is sad beyond telling. Can we forget that the 2016 election went to a man who bragged about sexually assaulting women? “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.” … and that this same man is now defending Kavanaugh “all the way.”

To Be Fair

Taking a cue from eight year-old Helen, let’s try to be fair.  Who among us is without blame?  Most of us still refer to God as “he.”  And how many of us still visualize the Last Supper, through the oils of Leonardo da Vinci, as a stag party rather than the traditional Passover meal it was — with women and children galore. (Psst! DaVinci wasn’t even there.)

Perhaps worst of all, how many of Catholics join Kavanaugh in bowing submissively to the arbitrary ban on women priests, a prohibition based not on Scripture or the practice of the first-century Church, but rather on out-and-out misogyny.

In his kid-gloves interview on Fox Tuesday evening, Kavanaugh again denied having sexually assaulted anyone, pointedly adding, “I have faith in God.”  But the tide has turned.  This has become clearer with every new accusation against him, plus the unseemly rush by Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Grassley (R, Iowa) and his ten white male Republican apostles to ram through the confirmation.  Like the protagonists of the Greek tragedies — Kavanaugh will need a Deus ex Machina to pluck him out of his distress. “Supportive” comments on Wednesday from the aforementioned “star,” who now happens to be president, are not going to help.

Those who know Washington are aware that the closest thing to an all-powerful God is a congressional committee chairman.  But it does not help Kavanaugh’s candidacy when Sen. Grassley seems to know nothing other than the power-over type of God — the same model that dominated what Kavanaugh calls his “formative years” at Georgetown Prep.

Throw in Grassley’s obtuseness and insensitivity, and add a pinch of omniscience from the likes of Sen. Orin Hatch (R, Utah) and you have a recipe that could spell defeat.  Asked why he branded “phony” the very recent allegation by Deborah Ramirez, a Yale classmate of Kavanaugh, Hatch snapped, “Because I know it is, that’s why.”

If Kavanaugh’s nomination does reach the Senate floor, what will be most interesting of all will be to observe the degree to which Senators Susan Collins (R, Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R, Alaska) have themselves internalized male supremacy — whether of God or of demigod Republican committee chairmen.

Ray McGovern works with Tell the Word, a publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in inner-city Washington. He holds a Certificate in Theological Studies from Georgetown University.

549 comments for “Will ‘God’ Save Kavanaugh?

  1. delia ruhe
    October 9, 2018 at 10:37

    Conservatives never got over the New Left and the revolution of the sixties. Why should anyone expect men to get over the assault on male sexual privilege?

  2. JOHN CHUCKMAN
    October 5, 2018 at 13:34

    Readers may well enjoy this article just put up on Britain’s newspaper, The Independent.

    The author, a contemporary of Kavanaugh’s at Yale and supported by two others, is clear and concise in saying the candidate lied under oath about his drinking

    https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brett-kavanaugh-drinking-buddies-yale-senate-supreme-court-fbi-investigation-a8569676.html

  3. Tom
    October 4, 2018 at 22:56

    I’m a guy rape survivor. I was repeatedly raped between the ages of 8 to 10 by three pyscho pedophiles who were never prosecuted. None of their accomplices were ever prosecuted. One of these psychos loved to drug his victims before he tortured and raped them. Imagine you’re in a room terrified with someone else, and you have no control over your body. Another was a racist alcoholic pedophile grandfather who’s now dead. The third one was so terrifying I still can’t see the face. Everything else I can see. But not that.

    Because the statute of limitations has run out, I can’t file criminal charges. A civil case? Same thing. Keep in mind that prosecutors will almost never prosecute unless they think they have a high chance of a conviction. I have CDD (complex dissociative disorder). This is worst type of PTSD. All types of PTSD are incurable. This pain (nightmares, anal pain, adrenalin surges, flashbacks, psychotic episodes) will never go away.

    I’ve called various Judiciary Committee Democrats to offer my story and inside information on being a survivor. Not one of them has responded. On really bad days, I ask, where’s my justice? How come no cops ever did a rape testing kit for me? Because of my pain, I have no desire to hurt myself or anybody else. But again, the pain will never ever go away.

  4. October 4, 2018 at 14:28

    Stacking the Supreme Court along political and ideological inclinations will have predictable results. A recent (incestuously related) example is the Israeli Supreme Court; that august body recently approved the demolition of entire communities to clear ground for more settlements.
    https://middle-east-online.com/en/israels-top-court-oks-razing-bedouin-village

    And against those who resist such actions, that same Court has approved the use of torture.
    https://tinyurl.com/yclwoewk

    Not coincidentally, the U.S. president is on-board with such sentiments.
    https://www.factcheck.org/2016/07/trump-torture/
    https://tinyurl.com/y8zgh2m8

    Ray, misogyny may be the lesser of your worries.

  5. October 3, 2018 at 12:55

    Ray, I wonder if God will save the good old USofA? And if so, at what cost? Keep up the great work my friend.

    • Mild -ly -Facetious
      October 3, 2018 at 16:26

      With the philandering, lying Trump as POTUS
      and the alcoholic Jesuit ‘Bart on the SCOTUS,

      let’s look behind at re-collections of GOYA,
      Catholic Inquisition/torture – Stake burning

      Donations to ‘CLERGY’ as catho/logical
      “Forgiveness” of sin/ according to Rome

      Is absolution of Guilt, as if Kavanaugh is,
      Under Trump,Cleansed of sin/pardoned

      And Placarded as a mini-me of Trump,
      A sustainer of the Rape & Beer Culture.

      WELCOME TO THE CLUB OF THE DECEIVED,
      CHILDREN OF THE DEMONICALLY DRIVEN

      Who all sit in contempt of the common society
      That only seeks an equanimity of opportunity

      As opposed to Prejudicial Bias that does Erase
      Pretensions of “Equal Access/ Under Law”

      Which “legal language” is Pure Bullshit as
      carried out in actual – Performance of Law

      … Kavanaugh, the DRUNK attempted rapist
      is now apt to be admitted onto the SCOTUS.

      … “Catholic Clergy” of the period of Inquisition
      … and Brutalized Torture are now Reinstated

      as lifetime Judge in SCOTUS inside the
      ‘land of the free & brave’ another coup d’atet ?

      Another ROBBERY of our “freedoms” ?
      can we possibly be this stupid – Again… ?

      Is Kavanaugh a new WTC type of EXTORTION leading to
      a UNITARY GOVERNMENT PERIDIAM of TRUMP-ISM ???

      XXXXXXXXXXXXXX …

      (For us, A Descent into the Maelstrom)

    • Tom Kath
      October 4, 2018 at 01:21

      The sheer volume of comments here reveal the acute polarisation of the American public on every single issue. I keep groping for the fundamental divide? It is certainly NOT pro or anti Kavanaugh. Not even pro/anti Trump, or Rep/Dem, metoo, etc. I have looked at many possible, some more credible than others – Borrowers/Lenders, pro/anti Globalism, simple left/right, but to me I see it as an age old conflict between fundamental perspectives/priorities of the masculine and feminine.
      A pity that even there people believe it must be one OR the other. They simply cannot see the need for both.

  6. October 3, 2018 at 01:09

    Listening to Dr. Ford triggered my own high school and university memories of very similar experiences. In the 1960s Kavanaugh’s type of behavior was considered “normal” especially if you were wealthy and belonged to a fraternity. Heavy drinking and forcing oneself on young coeds was a sign of real manhood! I bet most women have similar memories and that is why we know Dr. Ford is telling the truth. The “evidence” is that trauma memories are made in the amygdala—-the fear center of the brain—-and that is why they return as flashbacks and as though the traumatic event occurred only yesterday when it was actually 35 years ago. Traumatic memories are VIVID and detailed and stand in contrast to normal memories which are made in the hippocampus and which fade with time. Non-traumataic memories include who’s home, the date, just who else was there. Non-traumatic memories fade because they are not needed for survival. Traumatic memories are seared into victim’s brain and helps protect survivors from similar people and situations.

  7. Mild - ly - Facetious
    October 2, 2018 at 17:47

    Vincent Castigliola — “On the other hand, your disparaging the work of the Jesuit’s in high school education is off the mark and less than accurate. Much as you reference your own experience with Jesuit male education, I would like to respond in their defense using some of my own experiences with Jesuit priests.”
    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Mr Castidliota,your conviction and loyalty to the Jesuits may be commendable, (in Catholic circles) but the all compassing performance of Cardinals and Priests leave much to be desired in the sight of God and men. Father Malachi Martin had much to say, vis-a-vis the Jesuits. The centuries of atrocities committed by your “Clergy” will leave scores-of-thousands of them standing tearfully OUTSIDE the “Pearly Gates.”
    I suggest Mr Kavanaugh has many sins to atone for… .
    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Magazine of Jesuits urges withdrawal of Kavanaugh nomination

    By NICOLE WINFIELD

    ROME – The magazine of the Jesuit religious order in the United States has publicly withdrawn its endorsement of Judge Brett Kavanaugh as Supreme Court justice following testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee by the Jesuit-educated Kavanaugh and the woman accusing him of sexually assaulting her decades ago.

    In an editorial posted late Thursday, America magazine said it has no special insight into whether Kavanaugh or Christine Blasey Ford is telling the truth. But it said that the nomination was no longer in the interest of the country and “should be withdrawn.”

    “If Senate Republicans proceed with his nomination, they will be prioritizing policy aims over a woman’s report of an assault,” the editors wrote. “Were he to be confirmed without this allegation being firmly disproved, it would hang over his future decisions on the Supreme Court for decades and further divide the country.”

    The reversal is significant given Kavanaugh has repeatedly cited his Catholic faith and Jesuit education in defending himself against Ford’s accusations. In his opening statement Thursday, Kavanaugh twice referenced his days as a student at the Jesuit-run Georgeown Prep high school in Washington, when Ford said the alleged assault occurred.

    http://www.fortune.com/2018/09/28/american-bar-association-jesuits

  8. October 2, 2018 at 07:06

    Please

    I have to go to the bottom of the page to post?

    And you have some of the best computer players at your disposal

    “I Don’t Know What He Did” – Kavanaugh Accuser Backtracks On Assault Claims In NBC Interview

    “I cannot specifically say that he was one of the ones who assaulted me,”

    Swetnick
    told Snow. “But, before this happened to me, at that party, I saw Brett
    Kavanaugh there, I saw Mark Judge, and they were hanging out about
    where I started to feel disoriented and where the room was and where the
    other boys were hanging out and laughing.”

    Swetnick did not confirm that she saw Kavanaugh spike punch, one of
    the claims from her affidavit, she instead said that she merely “saw him
    around punch containers,” and that she wouldn’t have accepted a glass
    of punch if he were to hand it to her.

    “I don’t know what he did,” she added.
    Swetnick’s interviewer, Kate Snow, noted this before the interview
    and added that some details of Swetnick’s account differed from her
    sworn affidavit.

    “NBC News, for the record, has not been able to independently verify her claims. There are things she told us on camera that differ from her written statements last week.”
    https://www.zerohedge.com/n

    They link to the NBC news interview where she admitted Kavanugh never attacked her and she never saw him spike a drink or rape anyone

    So you think it’s appropriate to claim a man raped woman with not only zero evidence but based it on someone who admitted Kavanugh did nothing to her!

    You are making a mockery of women who were really raped and violently assaulted and make them less likely to be believed.

    Because you care about women

    Good job

  9. October 1, 2018 at 16:28

    Mr. McGovern must have acted like a Catholic when he was with the Jesuits, which is why he feels he knows their thinking. But he should recall the teachings of Ignatius to be all things to all people. If you are with a Jew, be a Jew; if you are with a sinner, use your best casuistic teachings to get them off the hook. No women priests, Mr. McGovern says? Well, they are now embracing the Me-Too movement. This does not surprise me about the Jesuits at all. It’s been going on since their inception in 1539 A.D. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kavanaugh-confirmation-america-magazine-jesuit-urges-nomination-withdrawal-2018-09-28/

  10. October 1, 2018 at 13:10

    Kavanaugh’s own defense of himself was evidence enough that he does not belong on the Supreme Court and it has nothing to do with his relationship with women. He gave a very complete and detailed accounting of how much time he spent with Bush, how close an advisor he was, how important his advice was, and how much help he was to the President. Well Bush was a liar, a cheat, and a war criminal. And his support of Bush and lack of support to the Constitution shows that he is unfit to occupy any high government office. One US attorney general prepared an impeachment document outlining Bush’s crimes and I prepared one, if memory serves, listing 22 crimes that should have been enough to get him impeached. What this hearing reveals is not only Kavanaugh unqualified to hold high office, but so is every member of Congress and the Trump administration. And the same could be said of Obama.

  11. Vincent Castigliola
    October 1, 2018 at 12:46

    Dear Ray
    I appreciate that you have concerns regarding Judge Kavanaugh and assume they are most likely based upon his service in the Bush White House. That is an appropriate topic for inquiry which has been largely ignored, perhaps because of a reluctance to seriously question what was done in the rush to regime change.

    On the other hand, your disparaging the work of the Jesuit’s in high school education is off the mark and less than accurate. Much as you reference your own experience with Jesuit male education, I would like to respond in their defense using some of my own experiences with Jesuit priests.

    As I understand it, you attended a Jesuit high school, and went on to a very accomplished and respected career. Was that outcome despite or, in part a result of your Jesuit high school experience? Regarding Jesuit education, I can reference only my experience with Jesuits teachers of men, beginning around 1989 at Manresa Retreat house. It was then that I had the pleasure of getting to know Fr. Harry Thompson, SJ, who before Manresa, had served for many years, as an instructor and president of Jesuit High School in New Orleans. In my conversations with Fr. Thompson, he shared with me his approach to teaching and guiding high school age men, as part of the guidance he gave me as a then almost 40 year old father of 4. What I heard from Fr. Thompson and numerous other Jesuit priests was overarching respect people, be they men, women, boys or girls.

    Instructors lift up their pupils. If they are teaching to an all male audience, they reasonably will focus on God’s concern for men, much as the teachers of young women will focus on God’s love for women. Within the Catholic Church, the level of devotion for Mary, the mother of God, is in close proximity to love for her Son.

    Neither of us can do more that speculate about what Brett Kavanaugh was taught by his Jesuit high school teachers. If he learned well from men like Harry Thompson, Judge Kavanaugh should be a good man. This is obvious speculation, but the Jesuit teachers I’ve come to know deserve that level of respect and recognition.

    By definition, most young men of high school and early college age are callow. Accusations of misconduct by minors, particularly those relating to sexual immaturity, are of little value in evaluating the competence and character of a man 36 years later. To disparage the good men who dedicated their lives to Jesuit education of young men, without specific credible evidence of misconduct is not what I expect from a man with a Jesuit education.

    As a father and grandfather of girls and boys I suggest that, among other things, it be appreciated that an accuser of sexual misconduct is not a “victim” until there is at least a preponderance of evidence to support the accusation. Moreover, the accused is made the victim in the case of salacious or politically popular accusations which are not corroborated by credible evidence.

    Peace be with us

    Vincent

    • mike k
      October 1, 2018 at 13:50

      That comment is a pious plea for your guy. There is a problem however: your guy has been complicit in justifying torture and a whole slew of other decisions supporting executive power to commit crimes against humanity. How does that shape up with your piety?

      • Vincent Castigliola
        October 1, 2018 at 20:49

        Mike K
        I appreciate sincere replies to my comments.
        I was somewhat puzzled by your characterization of mine, which prompted me to search your pen name and I discovered approximately 60 comments by you in response to this essay by Ray McGovern. Your prolific comments might indicate that you don’t have time to read and comprehend the comments of others.
        Nothing in my comment would warrant a sincere person to conclude that Brett K was “my guy”
        I most certainly defend him, as I would anyone subjected to uncorroborated and implausible accusations. As I clearly said, I am concerned regarding his participation in the regime change activities of former President Bush. That issue does not warrant the gang rape of a man’s reputation.

        • October 2, 2018 at 15:04

          @ Vincent: “I am concerned regarding his participation in the regime change activities of former President Bush. That issue does not warrant the gang rape of a man’s reputation.”

          May I suggest your attitude might change had you been one of those tortured by the CIA? Does it somehow in your mind excuse his misconduct that Mr. Kavanaugh never met one of his victims? See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21h0G_gU9Tw

        • Mild-ly - Facetious
          October 3, 2018 at 12:05

          Vincent Castigliola — “On the other hand, your disparaging the work of the Jesuit’s in high school education is off the mark and less than accurate. Much as you reference your own experience with Jesuit male education, I would like to respond in their defense using some of my own experiences with Jesuit priests.”
          “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
          Mr Castidliota,your conviction and loyalty to the Jesuits may be commendable, (in Catholic circles) but the all compassing performance of Cardinals and Priests leave much to be desired in the sight of God and men. Father Malachi Martin had much to say, vis-a-vis the Jesuits. The centuries of atrocities committed by your “Clergy” will leave scores-of-thousands of them standing tearfully OUTSIDE the “Pearly Gates.”
          I suggest Mr Kavanaugh has many sins to atone for… .
          “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
          Magazine of Jesuits urges withdrawal of Kavanaugh nomination

          By NICOLE WINFIELD

          ROME – The magazine of the Jesuit religious order in the United States has publicly withdrawn its endorsement of Judge Brett Kavanaugh as Supreme Court justice following testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee by the Jesuit-educated Kavanaugh and the woman accusing him of sexually assaulting her decades ago.

          In an editorial posted late Thursday, America magazine said it has no special insight into whether Kavanaugh or Christine Blasey Ford is telling the truth. But it said that the nomination was no longer in the interest of the country and “should be withdrawn.”

          “If Senate Republicans proceed with his nomination, they will be prioritizing policy aims over a woman’s report of an assault,” the editors wrote. “Were he to be confirmed without this allegation being firmly disproved, it would hang over his future decisions on the Supreme Court for decades and further divide the country.”

          The reversal is significant given Kavanaugh has repeatedly cited his Catholic faith and Jesuit education in defending himself against Ford’s accusations. In his opening statement Thursday, Kavanaugh twice referenced his days as a student at the Jesuit-run Georgeown Prep high school in Washington, when Ford said the alleged assault occurred.

          http://www.fortune.com/2018/09/28/american-bar-association-jesuits

    • irina
      October 1, 2018 at 21:17

      Definitely agree with your last paragraph, Vincent.

      But I saw something much different than most people who tuned into
      at least some of the ‘hearing’ aka kabuki theater. To me, Ms. Ford
      looked either drugged or hypnotized (and she has authored articles
      on self-hypnosis). Mr. Kavanaugh may have fortified himself with a
      beer for lunch. Or not. To me, his anger had different roots than most
      people theorize (entitled white male, prep school grooming for Big Jobs).

      I saw a man who was enraged by two things: the overt thing was the
      salacious claims being made about him, which no doubt have torn his
      family apart. But the other thing, the covert thing, was the anger of a
      young male who can never, ever, talk about what may have happened
      to him as an ‘altar boy’. He seemed to have ‘alter personality syndrome’,
      which I am quite familiar with, having married a good man with that issue.
      (For the usual reason, involving an older male, who my husband still holds
      in high regard). This is such a complicated dynamic. But that is what I saw.

  12. October 1, 2018 at 11:31

    Thank you for inspiring another rant!

    https://opensociet.org/2018/10/01/the-left/

  13. DRS
    October 1, 2018 at 07:11

    I like many others I didn’t come away from the hearing with any sure feelings that one was truthful and the other was not. The main thing I got out of the hearing was that Brett Kavanaugh was NOT who he said he was. In his anger he revealed his true self. Not objective as he claimed but highly partisan with a distinct dislike for Democrats; prone to buck precedent and evade critical details if they trouble him; and a distinct lack of respect for our democratic processes. These qualities should convince anybody that he is not fit for the job.

  14. CitizenOne
    October 1, 2018 at 00:09

    Transactional politics or the nomination or promotion of any entity which supports the political ambitions of political leaders has become a replacement for deliberative jurisprudence of the legislative, judicial and administrative branches of government under the rule of the Republican Party. The entire force of the Republican Party has become focused on supporting special interests with one goal which is the disestablishment of government. The Constitution of the United States is despised by the leadership of the Republican Party and their aim is to make The Constitution null and void like a bad check bounced by the banks which declare our constitutional democracy is a debtor to be foreclosed on. Every effort from shutting down the government to anointing a plenary president with extra-constitutional powers to end our system of laws and replace them with a president with plenary or absolute authority hinges on preserving the current president and his powers to dismantle the government and all of the constitutional law which preceded.

    Make no mistake. We face a constitutional crisis where our president backed by republicans will seek to permanently control the three branches of government for the benefit of the wealthy and the money interests. The banks and the stock market and the billionaires in industry, securities and high finance see an opportunity to wrap up control of the government which is a long sought after goal using the current administration to close the deal to end all social programs. But that is not their real intent. Their real intent is to end government abolish the defense budget along with social spending, collapse the government by abolishing the income tax and establishing themselves as the rulers of the land by controlling all of the levers of power which they will use for their personal gain. Does this mean they will diminish our ability to defend the nation? Yes. There is nothing but profit for themselves if they are able to do it. How better to clean up if there is a war in which the economy is collapsed and the nation divided just like the Great Depression where labor is forced into servitude for the preservation of the nation and all monies flow to the wealthy defense contractors and the investors as the entire nation is plunged into a new global war.

    This is a very old plan. Render the nation defenseless and filled with ignorant propagandized paupers and wait for the inevitable external threat to attack. Then the populace will be willing to rise against the foreign threat and sign up for war to preserve their “freedom”.

    Here is a suggestion. Use the power of the vote to get rid of these plutocrats because they don’t give a damn if you live or die and elect some politicians who care about preserving our nation and its Constitution before it is too late. When the next financial collapse comes as it will and has done before many times do not fall prey to the propaganda that it is our Constitution and our system of laws and our system of justice which is to blame but focus efforts on removing the billionaires who wield too much power in government and in our supposed free press to be able to spin us all to the “fight for the right” and have us fight their battles and die for their monetary gain.

    Already we have failed and the propaganda is winning. We need to see our current situation for the ancient monster of unbridled greed in search of power that it is and vote to protect our democracy and its Constitution founded on the principle that everyone is in charge of where we go from here.

    Where we go from here is up to the populace of this free nation.

    • October 1, 2018 at 04:02

      Blame republicans all day long and it won’t change the fact that democrats are and have been accomplices to it all and worse.

      Obama had the only chance we had to correct it and did what?Let the bush criminal cabal walk and legalized their crimes.Worse he expanded their crimes and wars and let the criminal banks keep their loot and continue their crime spree.

      And then we get Hillary?Who is worse?

      Democrats long ago abandoned any pretense of caring about the country or working people who they are supposed to represent.They don’t even pretend anymore.

      “For every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia, and you can repeat that in Ohio and Illinois and Wisconsin.”

      Chuck Schumer

      And you wonder why we have Trump?

      Republicans control both houses and 2/3rds of the states?

      And you blame republicans?

      Democrats love republicans rule.Its empirical since they even rule like republicans when elected.

      We even got Romneycare instead of single payer healthcare that 80% of Democrats wanted.

    • mike k
      October 1, 2018 at 07:26

      Wise words CitizenOne. If only large numbers of citizens would heed them. They will not. Being a realist wedded to the truth, often means being a wet blanket on beautiful dreams. Still, we must dream those dreams in spite of the unlikely prospect of their being realized. To nourish our souls, we must keep the dream of a better world for all alive.

    • October 1, 2018 at 09:39

      Voting for the lesser of two evils is still evil.

      Where are the good candidates I am supposed to be voting for?

      None of them represent my interests or the interests of regular people in general. Fuck them. Ds. Rs. Fuck them all.

    • October 1, 2018 at 11:08

      This is incorrect—> Then the populace will be willing to rise against the foreign threat and sign up for war to preserve their “freedom”.

      The populace is divided on so many issues and some of those issues are extreme from crush ICE, erase the borders to destroy capitalism. There is a massive alliance between many “progressive” activists and outright communists.

      The notion that the American populace is going to rise up against some invading force is whimsical. Anyway… as the future moves ahead war won’t be fought with mass amounts of human soldiers… war is fought via economic coercion and missile strikes and soon more drones.

      This is incorrect—> Here is a suggestion. Use the power of the vote to get rid of these plutocrats…

      Who are you voting for? Both parties continue to wage war upon the Middle East, creating a massive invasion of the EU by refugees. There isn’t a single candidate that is a true statesman who will make America strong using reasonable methods.

      Anyway you also bring up good points. Just pointing out some things that are… outdated. Everything is moving at a breakneck speed and behooves all of us to keep up.

  15. September 30, 2018 at 21:58

    Aw man, McGovern went full SJW….but don’t believe me, I’m an evil white male.

    • backwardsevolution
      September 30, 2018 at 23:39

      Marc – this is what I said further down the page:

      “The Deep State and the Left have a symbiotic relationship. Unbeknownst to the Left, the Deep State are using them to take Trump down. Divide and conquer – get women, blacks and gays to join hands and attack the “white man”. Don’t look our way, says the Deep State. Look over there to that “white man”.

      The white man is the new villain in town.

      The story is all over the MSM. The white man is evil.”

      Your white armband will be arriving soon.

    • October 1, 2018 at 02:03

      You are confused. There has not been a left-wing in American government for decades.

      HillBillary Clinton, Gore, Obama, Biden, all of them are New Democrats going back to the ’80s following Reagan’s administration.

      These people call themselves centrists, but when I was a kid, we would have called Hillary and Obama moderate Republicans.

      Obama is BFF with John Brennan. The Democratic party is now BFF with the CIA because of Russiagate. None of these people are left-wing.

      The CIA specializes in overthrowing left-wing governments, setting up right-wing dictators. Think Netanyahu in Israel.

      Here’s Obama labeling himself a New Democrat and refusing labels such as progressive and socialist.

      https://www.politico.com/story/2009/03/obama-i-am-a-new-democrat-019862

      • backwardsevolution
        October 1, 2018 at 04:39

        O Society – the Left – or the Democrats, if you want to call them that – are playing Identity Politics. The mainstream media is almost exclusively pro-Left (or pro-Democrat).

        Their aim is to get everybody focused on blaming the “white man”. It’s all over the media – have a listen. You’d be surprised at how many times the “white man” is being blamed for everything wrong in the country.

        I know the Republicans and the Democrats are joined in a single uniparty, but the average person doesn’t know that. They think they’re are on the Left or the Right.

        The Democrat side of the uniparty is playing up Identity Politics in order to drum up campaign contributions and get votes and take everybody’s eyes off Clinton, Comey, McCabe, Strzok, Page – the criminals involved in conspiracy.

        This Kavanaugh business is being used to hide what’s going on behind the scenes – the unraveling of the criminal conspiracy to oust the President of the United States. Mustn’t let the Democrat voters hear about that!

        Don’t look at the conspiracy; look over here at Kavanaugh, the “white man”.

        • Mild- ly - Facetious
          October 1, 2018 at 14:11

          backwardsevolution – “Don’t look at the conspiracy; look over here at Kavanaugh, the “white man”.

          Yeah. As If the “white man’s” history isn’t one of World Conquest and Domination ever since Magellan’s Circumnavigation of the Globe disproved their Flat Earth Theory.
          After that came the “white man’s” military Conquest, Subjugation, Rape and Theft of resources — followed by the theft of Human Beings into the Human Brutality of enforced slavery THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRETY OF THE NON-“WHITE” WORLD.

          THIS WHITE MAN’S PRIVILEGE (subjugation of non-whites) CONTINUES; NOW INTO THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.
          Malevolent Military Might and the INHERENT RIGHT TO CONQUER AND SUBDUE / CONTROL AND OWN, PEOPLES AND RESOURCES HAS ALWAYS & FOREVER BEEN the RITUALISTIC RITE OF HOSTILE TAKEOVERS. IT IS AS A BIRTHRIGHT FOR THESE WHO CONTROL, AND HAVE CONTROLLED THE WORLD, IT’S PEOPLES AND IT’S RESOURCES FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

          … Kavanaugh is just the “white man’s” most recent INSULT TO HUMANITY. …

          • irina
            October 1, 2018 at 21:22

            However, I highly doubt that you are willing to give up your creature comforts !
            Driving ? Flying ? Food at the local Supermarket ? Eyeglasses ? And (the deal
            breaker for me) Modern Dentistry ? What about Birth Control ? Or a nice warm
            house which has water coming into it and waste carried away from it (at the
            expense of that good potable water . . .)

            It’s easy to rail against White Civilization. I have lived without most of the above
            amenities for considerable lengths of time (except Eyeglasses, without which I
            would be Helpless) and as a result I do not take them for granted. But I don’t
            want to go back to that lifestyle either. It was fun as a young vagabond, would
            not be so much now . . .

      • mike k
        October 1, 2018 at 07:32

        Exactly. The “left” has been shredded and ground to dust in America. It’s power is now nil. Selfishness and might makes right are now the only party in Amerika.

        • mike k
          October 1, 2018 at 07:35

          This comment is a reply to O Society above.

      • October 1, 2018 at 09:15

        I understand what you mean, Backwards.

        In America, people use the terms “Democrat” and “Liberal” and “Left-wing” interchangeably, as if they mean the same thing.

        But if they mean the same thing, why would we need 3 different words for the same thing? That’s redundant.

        Is this pedantic or semantic or picky? Well, no.

        No because Americans lack the words to say what is wrong. If we don’t have the words to say what is wrong with America, we have a difficult time thinking about it and fixing the problems.

        The Ds blame it on the Rs and the Rs blame it on the Ds.

        They are both wrong.

        The problem is both the Democratic and Republican parties are corrupt. The politicians pretend there is no other way except the D way and the R way. They are lying.

        Here’s an example of actual left-wing people (socialists) calling out the Democratic party for being in bed with the CIA:

        “An extraordinary number of former intelligence and military operatives from the CIA, Pentagon, National Security Council and State Department are seeking nomination as Democratic candidates for Congress in the 2018 midterm elections. The potential influx of military-intelligence personnel into the legislature has no precedent in US political history.”

        The CIA Democrats

  16. Joe Tedesky
    September 30, 2018 at 14:37

    To the consortiumnews administrator, please release my comment of 9/29/18 from moderation. Joe

  17. mike k
    September 30, 2018 at 11:54

    It is understood by the Super Rich that it is in their interest to corrupt, control, and purchase every important institution of our society and government. They have been busy doing that from the founding of America, and they have by now nearly perfect control of all our affairs. There remains only the struggles between competing Mafias for dominance. But they remain united in the goal of stripping our country and it’s citizens of everything they can get their hands on, by whatever means are necessary. If we don’t stop them, there will be nothing left soon but a ravaged planet and it’s murdered human population.

  18. mike k
    September 30, 2018 at 11:27

    I fully approve of the nonviolent harassment of senator Rubio, and whitehouse spokesperson Sarah Huckabee in restaurants and public places. I think these criminals should be called out whenever they appear in public. Let them cower together in their gated enclaves with others of their sickening kind. We need to let them know what we think of them. The rich do not deserve the deference they seek from others. In light of their crimes against humanity, they deserve only our contempt. If you see them in public, let them know how you feel about their despicable actions.

    • September 30, 2018 at 15:12

      Ditto Clinton’s who stole the nomination and gave us Trump who looked decent next to them.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 30, 2018 at 23:32

        Ditto Maxine Waters, who doesn’t even live in her own constituency. Ditto Pelosi, Diane Feinstein, Chuck Schumer. But it’s interesting that only those on the Right get targeted.

  19. Frank
    September 30, 2018 at 11:00

    One of the most important aspects of this hearing is being largely ignored. There was mass, peaceful protest in the halls of the powerful. People were occupying the space of injustice and confronting the powerful as they attempted to commit injustice. We out number these corrupt, evil people. They weren’t prepared for this. This was what the real fight for civil rights and justice looks like. This is what power of the people, for the people looks like.

    We can be certain the police state will be ready this next time. It is after all, the military and police’s job to protect the interests of the powerful, both at home and abroad. I hope people understand this. Whatever party is asking for your vote, they will not save you from the police state. They are part of the powerful. Therefore, we should look to each other and mass protest. It must be peaceful and the more massive it can be the better.

    This is a civil rights awakening. The hatred of women is showing itself as never before. That is a good thing because that hatred can no longer be easily denied. It can now be confronted by brave people who want justice in our society. This isn’t about voting, it’s not about a political party. It is about justice and equality for all people. Keep it peaceful and keep it going.

    • mike k
      September 30, 2018 at 11:14

      Thanks Frank. Those are powerful thoughts you have shared. I too hope that events such as this rape enquiry will wake people up to the nightmare that the rich and powerful are perpetrating on the rest of us. And they are presuming to define how we can protest their actions, so as to make them as innocuous as possible, and easily forgotten. It is up to us to break their false rules, and call them to account by means that we will choose, and that are designed to make them as uncomfortable and exposed as we can. My hat is off to Code Pink and all those risking themselves for truth and justice.

    • Mild -ly - Facetious
      September 30, 2018 at 11:15

      This link posted by O Society is a disturbing indicator of a dire American future.

      A Must! read.

      https://opensociet.org/2018/09/29/kavanaugh-and-the-unitary-executive-theory/

      • September 30, 2018 at 13:25

        Indeed. Identity politics is going to get us all killed… or worse.

  20. tjoe
    September 30, 2018 at 07:15

    I watched the man go from hate to rage to conspiracy to crying. He is NOT fit for a life appointment to the Supreme Court.

  21. Hrabanus
    September 30, 2018 at 06:01

    “Kavanaugh will need a Deus ex Machina to pluck him out of his distress.”

    Formerly mild-mannered Lindsey Grahm’s explosion?

  22. backwardsevolution
    September 30, 2018 at 04:36

    At least the girls at Holton-Arms are discussing the issue in classes. After reading the following article, it’s sounds like it’s just the culture at these schools – with both boys AND girls. Both sexes are merely doing what the generation before them did.

    https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/09/holton-arms-alumnae-ford-accusations-kavanaugh

    All I can say is: where are the parents? Where is the direction?

    • ML
      September 30, 2018 at 11:44

      I don’t think many of the parents cared enough about their offspring to intervene, counsel, or chaperone these parties. Many of these well connected, well educated people in high positions are too busy with their own affairs, drug and alcohol addictions, and other shenanigans to be bothered by what their teenaged children need. But the fact remains backwards, that though girls and boys are participating in these activities, it is the girls who pay most dearly from the actions of these entitled, misogynistic boys. Dr. Ford’s poignant story points this out very clearly. Mr. Kavanaugh is a poor excuse for a man, much less a judge already in a mighty position. Thanks for sharing this Vanity Fair article.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 30, 2018 at 23:26

        ML – with respect, you must have known different girls in high school than I did. The majority were nice, but there were some who would do “anything” to be popular, even if that meant having sex with the jock. They were bragging rights. I remember hearing them in class, “I slept with so and so,” and then they’d giggle. Years later, maybe feeling guilty, they want to blame the guy.

        I also remember hearing, “So and so got her pregnant.” I used to speak up and say, “Unless she was raped against her will, she had a lot to do with it.” The guy always got the blame, though, and I could never figure that one out.

        How about we all take responsibility for what we’ve done, the situations we’ve gotten ourselves into, instead of blaming someone else.

        In Ms. Ford’s situation, we don’t even know if what she is saying is true as she can’t remember details. Again, if it did happen, was it done in jest? Was it done to take her by surprise and scare her, as teenage boys would do, with no intention of rape? What was she doing upstairs to begin with? Why didn’t she use the bathroom downstairs? Did she continue going to parties after this occurred? So many questions, but unfortunately she was not questioned at all about what happened.

        Ms. Ford was responsible for having the hearing postponed from Monday until Thursday because she needed time to get there as she was afraid to fly. Then we find out she flew, and she apparently flies a lot.

        The Judicial Committee offered to fly out to California (where she lives) in order to interview her there (to save her from having to make the big drive). She did not inform the Judicial Committee that she was already back East, had been for quite some time, and was only a few hours away from Washington by car.

        These last two paragraphs add up to lies or omissions. What else does?

        • ML
          October 1, 2018 at 09:33

          Backwards, “ML- with respect, you must have known different girls in high school than I did.” I’m afraid you lost me with that first sentence. I cannot respond to a disrespectful statement- though I know- you mean no disrespect…

        • Sifting
          October 1, 2018 at 13:48

          Take a look at articles on Ford and Flack today at American Thinker dot com. Different take. Excellent comments as well, some exploring part go fund me may be playing.

          • backwardsevolution
            October 1, 2018 at 16:52

            Sifting – I saw this article (below) by the American Thinker, but don’t know if this is the one you’re referring to. It asks why she was upstairs in the first place. This is what I’ve wondered all along. There is always a bathroom on the main floor, so why did she go upstairs? People must look at facts and try to piece together what happened, but they don’t. Instead they just simply “believe”.

            https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/09/christine_blasey_ford_and_the_mysterious_case_of_the_missing_bathroom.html

            Ms. Ford appeared at times to be childish, cutesy, playing the crowd. Why were all of her social media pages scrubbed before she came forward? Ditto the yearbooks. Yes, I agree, her background should be looked into as well.

            Cheers, Sifting.

      • October 1, 2018 at 10:45

        “Dr. Ford’s poignant story”– that’s exactly what it is–a story, unless there is evidence to back it up. Dr. Ford is definitely a good story teller.

        • ML
          October 1, 2018 at 12:09

          Nancy, Dr. Ford is believable, credible, and I and millions of others believe her recounting of what happened to her. I have no doubt whatsoever that she is telling the truth about this lying, arrogant, belligerent misogynistic man. But what we all should be focusing on as well as his bad character, are his judicial opinions meant to lay waste to what is left of worker’s rights, women’s rights, not to mention his disregard for environmental protections. His position that the executive branch is infallible and untouchable is also a grave threat to the country. I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican, for the record. I dislike very much, both diseased and rotten parties.

          • October 1, 2018 at 12:43

            Whether she is credible, believable or that you and others believe her is irrelevant; she has no evidence or corroborating witnesses!
            I agree that there are many reasons to oppose Kavanaugh, but he is right– this spectacle is a circus. It just serves to distract the population from the real issues
            Just like Russiagate.

          • October 3, 2018 at 17:08

            She’s such a good, credible storyteller because the vast majority of us have been there and know exactly what she’s talking about. The problem though is that, if necessary, we can all lie about it too.

        • Sifting
          October 1, 2018 at 13:53

          Why not an FBI check on Ford, too? Unbelievably one sided!

  23. backwardsevolution
    September 30, 2018 at 03:30

    The Rubin Report had on Claire Lehmann. She said that our educators are not teaching the importance of institutions like due process and the presumption of innocence. There is no history being provided as to why these institutions came into being and why they are so important, or how they go against our instincts, our human nature.

    She said there appears to be a collective punishment in society, that it’s almost an instinct to want to desire retribution and vindictive justice. It’s part of our nature to want to punish people and punish groups. If we’ve been wronged by a member of a particular group, then, hell, they’re all guilty and they’re all going to pay!

    Presumption of innocence becomes: just shut up, you’re guilty.

    Due process becomes: somebody get the rope.

    • mike k
      September 30, 2018 at 07:20

      Violence in speech and action is a prominent feature of the typical “ugly American”.

    • DRS
      October 1, 2018 at 05:38

      As in “String her up”, right Backwards, in reference to Hillary’s email server. As if that’s a capital crime! It is our President who is driving the wedges this deep in our country right now. He campaigns on fear, scaring the ignorant to vote for him because if they don’t the Left will take over and then the country is DOOMED!! He is the main divider right now. And in fact; if you notice, most Republicans campaign using fear as the main motivator. Fear of the Left, fear of terrorists, fear of foreigners, fear of bad economy, etc. The only thing they don’t seem to fear but which they should, is environmental degradation and the consequences of that. At least they don’t campaign on that issue. Maybe they’re paid to keep their fears silent about that. Or more likely, they fear they’ll get voted out if the do.
      I hate the Republican Party right now! It seems they are constantly pulling dirty tricks to win. And constantly pushing the envelope to see what they can get away with. And at the same time being hypocritical and crying foul if Democrats try anything similar, i.e. Kavanaugh vs. Garland.
      BUT, I don’t want the Republican Party to go away. We need each other! This country runs best when there is a balance of power. We need the constructive criticism of others with a different view points. We need to remember we are brothers and sisters, not enemies. I fear we have become too much like enemies; unwilling to listen to other viewpoints. And it will destroy us if we don’t recognize it! “A house divided against itself cannot stand”.

  24. September 29, 2018 at 23:37

    “Ford, on the other hand, is the bane of university students unfortunate enough to be seated in her class. Her reviews on RateMyProfessors.com prove as much. “Christine ford is the worst educator I have ever experienced,” one student wrote. “Avoid taking her class and avoid any interaction with this person. I feel like she has something wrong with her and I am surprised no one has caught this.”

    “Prof. Ford is unprofessional, lacks appropriate filters, and I am honestly scared of her,” wrote another student. “She’s made comments both in class and in e-mails, if you cross her, you will be on her bad side. I fear to think of the poor clients that had to deal with her while she got her MSW and her LCSW. Absolutely the worst teacher I ever had.”https://madworldnews.com/ka…

    • mike k
      September 30, 2018 at 07:17

      It’s a great time for ad hominem attacks on the antagonist of your choice. Most Americans never matured much beyond the high school level, so gossip and dising ohers comes naturally.

      • Sifting
        October 1, 2018 at 13:56

        So let’s get the facts with an FBI check on Ford. She had no corroborating evidence. What is her character? What is her history?

        • Hrabanus
          October 1, 2018 at 18:14

          Exactly

    • MillyBloom54
      September 30, 2018 at 08:58

      Anastaia, as a university professor, students use these on-online venues to vent anger and frustration when said student does not achieve a grade to which he/she feels entitled. Entitled is the term that aptly describes Kavanaugh’s words and behaviors: act crudely, violently but refuse accountability (a term constantly thrown around by the plutocrats when accusing poor people that they have none). He believes he deserves this appointment because he worked hard. Well, many work hard at two and three jobs and never get more than minimum wage. Practically, I oppose Kavanaugh’s appointment because of his past rulings supporting corporate power 87% of the time over average workers. However, there were no questions by anyone on that committee that challenged his worldview of the primacy of elitists’ power over the powerless. I was at the gym yesterday, staring at multiple TVs on the wall, when, to my surprise Fox channel was showing a commercial promoting Kavanaugh’s appointment to the supreme court. I was too far away to see who paid for such an egregious add, but it was clear that the PLUTOCRATS must be getting nervous. Kavanaugh’s worldview, behaviors, and rulings epitomize the entrenchment of that plutocratic power.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 30, 2018 at 20:22

        Milly – sure.

        DON’T believe the students who might actually have a legitimate grievance!

        But by all means DO believe Ms. Ford who might not.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 30, 2018 at 11:03

      I just went to RateMyProfessors.com to check this. There is one Christine Blasey Ford there listed as teaching at Stanford U. Actually she teaches at Palo Alto U; and even the Blasey listed as teaching at Stanford has no reviews.

      • Andrew Dabrowski
        September 30, 2018 at 11:09

        Oops, she has taught at Stanford in the past. However I saw no reviews of her at RateMyProfessors.com.

  25. Joe Tedesky
    September 29, 2018 at 21:23

    While once again our MSM and our governing body push our society into another divide, this constant drift away from sensible governance keeps us citizen apart. For those who argue here of how evidence lacking Doctor Ford’s testimony was, as her introduction in the eleventh hour of the Hearings was quite disheartening to those who found her recollection of her and Judge Kavanaugh’s disturbing past, I hear you. On the other side of the coin, Kavanaugh’s outburst left some wondering to how temperamental he seemed to be in the clutch. Looking back on this past weeks events regarding the Senate Judicial Hearings, it was all good tv, and bad for a country so divided.

    I’ve written here earlier of how we should drill down on Bret Kavanaugh’s court record, and his opinions. I’m not saying we shouldn’t take serious an abused woman’s testimony, although I can’t see where this is going without corroboration by others who knew the judge in his younger days, who could support Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations. I also see Kavanaugh being a bit helpless, because people do pick sides in a ‘he said she said’ situation. I doubt either party will find comfort, as comfort is nowhere to found inside of a controversy as such.

    Matt Agorist explains my position very well here.

    https://www.sott.net/article/397145-MSM-uses-the-Kavanaugh-sex-scandal-to-distract-from-the-real-reason-he-shouldnt-be-appointed

    So while we watch the continuation of the DC circus, let’s take a look at Kavanaugh’s judicial record, and then decide to if you want him to be on the US Supreme Court. I personally don’t like Judge Kavanaugh’s judicial opinions, but learn for yourself, and then decide if this is the kind of judge you want for life.

  26. September 29, 2018 at 20:40

    Ever wonder why Trump promotes Kavanaugh? What’s he get out of the Kavanaugh transaction?

    Kavanaugh is faithfully devoted to the Unitary Executive Theory.  

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 21:51

      One man rule. That’s the name of the oligarch’s game. And behind the Man, they pull his strings. Just give him power over everything, and all will be well. That is the sick promise of Patriarchy. How it actually works out is very different from it’s promises. For instance the “security” you are promised turns out to be slavery and constant insecurity.

    • September 30, 2018 at 10:12
      • Andrew Dabrowski
        September 30, 2018 at 11:12

        How about the false resistance active at CN, pretending that Trump is protecting us from the Deep State?

        • backwardsevolution
          September 30, 2018 at 23:03

          Andrew – ha, the Deep State and the Left have a symbiotic relationship. Unbeknownst to the Left, the Deep State are using them to take Trump down. Divide and conquer – get women, blacks and gays to join hands and attack the “white man”. Don’t look our way, says the Deep State. Look over there to that “white man”.

          The white man is the new villain in town.

          The story is all over the MSM. The white man is evil.

      • September 30, 2018 at 13:02

        The thing about the Trump family grifters is they are so blatantly corrupt. They flaunt their graft and debauchery, so it cannot be ignored. We have to see it and talk about it.

        Therefore, we begin talking about the corruption of John Brennan, Paul Manafort, and so on too. Obvious criminals whose social positions would keep them from being arrested in normal circumstances.

        These are not normal circumstances, so people begin hoping the whole building will come down. Yes, Al Capone is a gangster. But so is Herbert Hoover.

        Trumps, Clintons, Adelesons, the Mercers, the Kochs, the Pelosis, Ryan, Clapper, Brennan, Kavanaugh… they’re all evil sons of bitches.

        There are no good guys. People want to see them take each other out.

        All of them.

        • September 30, 2018 at 15:19

          Bingo!

          And we have a winner!

    • Mild -ly - Facetious
      September 30, 2018 at 11:04

      Big “Thumb’s Up to your vitally important link, O Society.
      Our nation is in greater jeopardy than most realize and your link is a MUST READ.

  27. David C. MacMichael
    September 29, 2018 at 18:20

    Thanks Ray. And let”s not forget the ethnic aspects of the Catholic boyhood experience. Did the micks have inculcated in them by parents and priests a different concept about how one should behave with and toward girls than the woo or polack culture? and when did the concepts of “making out” or “hooking up” make it into the overall high school scene? Mae West was famous for saying, to girls/women in general, “You might not like being looked over, but it’s better than being overlooked.” Recent article in World Wildlife publication on male/female courtship techniques among our primate cousins. Food for thought. Question.–Does Kavenaugh qualify as a primate?
    Keep sharing your thoughts/insights, Ray.–Dave

  28. Steven F Hotho
    September 29, 2018 at 18:14

    So, you think that Mr. Kavanaugh believes that he is superior to women by divine right. And how do you know this? You think that you know this because he went to a private Catholic preparatory school. You also went to such a school, so therefore he believes what you believe. There is something a little screwy with this type of reasoning, I don’t know, guilt by association? Now, let’s imagine that he is what you think you know he is; a misogynist. Would that disqualify him from being a supreme court justice. Well, it would if it carried over into his judicial rulings. But, how do we know that it would? Do we know that Sotomayer does not have an animus against men? No, we don’t know that; one reason being that she was probably never asked that question. And, why was she not scrutinized over her feelings toward men; maybe because she was a woman and you do not ask women that kind of question. They are presumed to be above that kind of prejudice in our modern view of power relationships. Do you see where I’m going with this, Mr. McGovern? You’re a smart man, at least until you were corrupted by years in the CIA. Whoops, I think I just did to you what you have done to Kavanaugh.

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 21:45

      Nobody has done anything to Kavanaugh, he did it all to himself.

      • September 30, 2018 at 01:45

        As amusing as it was to see Kavanugh hoisted by his own petard this particular petard can be used on everyone now.

        Be careful what you wish for you might just get it and good.

    • Kim
      September 29, 2018 at 22:04

      or maybe she wasn’t asked the question because she didn’t have a number of people coming forward saying she mauled them. How stupid are you?

  29. September 29, 2018 at 17:48

    The real problem is Brett Kavanaugh’s record as a judge shows “reverence for authoritarian war powers, protecting government corruption and violence, and denying justice to citizens and noncitizens alike.”

    9/11 war criminals, corporate malfeasance, unconstrained growth of the police state… it’s all there.

    Brett Kavanaugh is a douchebag.

    https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/09/28/what-media-isnt-telling-you-about-brett-kavanaugh.html

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 18:12

      Thanks O. Kavanaugh is a real DC scumbag. His record stinks. It’s disgusting how these creeps pretend to be upstanding citizens.

    • September 29, 2018 at 19:03

      EXACTLY……there should be no teenage debauchery needed.He is a Bush criminal.

    • irina
      September 30, 2018 at 11:27

      Nevertheless, we must be ware of ‘destroying our democracy in order to save it.’

    • September 30, 2018 at 14:52

      They had no trouble throwing Stuart Smally under the bus as our so-called “democracy” spirals down the drain.

      https://www.vox.com/2018/5/21/17352230/al-franken-accusations-resignation-democrats-leann-tweeden-kirsten-gillibrand

    • Stephen M
      October 1, 2018 at 00:40

      Here’s a link to an article that says essentially the same thing — https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/09/28/why-do-we-tolerate-kavanaughs-complicity-with-torture/

      “What I don’t understand is: how did Kavanaugh’s candidacy get this far? How did his bid last long enough to get to the point where it was imperiled by #MeToo-related personal misbehavior? Why didn’t it founder first on the rockier shoals of his insane ideology?”

      “Supporting torture. Undermining Congress and the rule of law. Contempt for habeas corpus. Giving the president the powers of a king. Any of these are more than enough reason to oppose Kavanaugh but Democrats ignored or barely mentioned them during judiciary committee hearings. There were no rants, no floor speeches. Liberal protesters did not gather to condemn Kavanaugh on torture. Liberal groups did not air ads about it.”

  30. September 29, 2018 at 16:24

    “The Strange Disappearance of the Encounter Men”

    Title of TODAY post on YouTube – September 27, 2018: “2 Men Claim They, Not Brett Kavanaugh, Had Encounter With Christine Blasey Ford”. Who are these men, where are they, do their narratives line up with Dr. Ford’s details of the event, and why has this story seemingly disappeared – like a deleted Twitter posting an hour after publication? How did the revelation, brought forward by Committee staff hours before testimonies of Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh, manage to NOT be brought up during Ford and Kavanaugh’s testimonies and questioning?

    Durbin of Illinois indeed referenced the revelation before asking the level of certainty Dr. Ford had that Kavanaugh assaulted her, upon which she responded, “100%”. One assumes the F.B.I. will assign their investigators to talk to these (2) men.

    Can anyone provide more details on what developments have occurred on this aspect of the Ford-Kavanaugh story since the Judiciary Committee revealed these (2) men, – who apparently have provided a genuine alibi for Mr. Kavanaugh? It seems rather strange the revelation hasn’t received far more attention, especially given the profound interest in the Ford-Kavanaugh testimonies across the United States. …Around the Earth, actually.

    Thank you.

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 17:41

      A genuine alibi? You’ve got to be kidding Jerry. That a couple of guys claim to have had sex with Dr. Ford, is not an alibi for Kavanaugh. Sounds like a hoax by wannabes.

      • September 30, 2018 at 14:16

        Hello mike k,

        How are you. To clear up any misunderstanding as to the reasons behind bringing these (2) men to people’s attention, it seems clear the Judiciary Committee staff alerted media and asserted the (2) men “confessed” to assaulting Dr. Ford, – not Brett Kavanaugh and Mark Judge. Durbin of Illinois described this revelation as the “mistaken identity defense” when interacting with Dr. Ford, … again, where she identified Mr. Kavanaugh “100%”.

        Perhaps these (2) men have been identified and come forward for interviews, but thus far we haven’t seen them, so that explains the request for further details/knowledge from Consortium News readers. We would at this point find a remarkable comparison between these (2) men and Yulia and Sergei Skripal, particularly when it comes to disappearing from the scene.

        We are in no way concerned with who “wins” or who “loses” in this matter. We are like most reasonable people in simply wishing for the best outcome: total truth.

        Peace.

  31. September 29, 2018 at 16:02

    The real issue here is Kavanaugh is a corporate whore. He will flush We the People even further down the toilet.

    https://nader.org/2018/09/05/stop-brett-kavanaugh-a-corporation-masquerading-as-a-judge/

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 17:35

      Thanks for the good link O Society. Kavanaugh is really a corporate boot licker.

    • September 29, 2018 at 19:05

      Of course he is…….All the more reason democrats should have picked a less despicable candidate and risk it.Elections have consequences and democrats are to blame.

  32. September 29, 2018 at 13:46

    The battle of the sexes continues unabated from the misty origins of humanity to the present day.

    Physically abused women are just as victimized as emotionally abused men. Aborted children are collateral damage.

    It is sad to see this battle played out in a supreme court nomination, helping to enlarge the gulf between already divided Americans.

    The process resembles some kind of gladiatorial games. TV sets are filled with the spectacle of no-holds barred battle between teams of unbalanced advocates for opposing teams, as if a supreme court nomination is a football game.

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 14:46

      Our American culture regards all of life as a football game. And we are the football.

    • September 29, 2018 at 18:54

      I think both the accused and the accuser exaggerated in their testimony. Ford did everything possible to make sure her accusations were made public, and her use of the word “terrified” rings hollow, given that she was coached on her testimony by the same woman who coached Anita Hill. Ford does not seem, given her current academic position and family life, as someone who has suffered emotionally for 35 years. As for BK, I doubt that he was the altar boy he claims he was in high school. And his diary was not likely to include that he went after Blasey during a drunken night in Silver Spring. Millions of boys, in the past, have encountered alcohol in high school for the first time and have undoubtedly done things they later became ashamed of. I can understand BK’s emotions. He’s forever tarred, whether or not he’s confirmed. The GOP, meanwhile, has learned how to handle things. Sympathize with Ford while pushing the nominee slowly toward confirmation so as to offend fewer women voters.

  33. September 29, 2018 at 12:58

    Now we’re taking this to rape level, Dennis Rice? That’s what I was saying, we have reached absurd levels of discourse in America, and I wonder if ‘God’ can save America. What I find astounding is that the #metoo women seem to have little or no interest in the wars caused by the US, which have wrecked lives of millions of women and children, yet it’s all about ‘me, me, me’. We’re talking about white, privileged teenagers, sent to expensive, exclusive private schools. This is a ‘he-said, she-said’ case about teens, no DNA, no statement of rape, 36 years later, in the age when a women’s ‘sexual revolution’ occurred. Ms. magazine debuted about that time. Has rational thought disappeared? Looks like it to me. And I am certainly not impressed with Trump’s rational thinking, either. Nor Clinton’s, as she has blood of Libyans and Hondurans on her hands.

  34. Dennis Rice
    September 29, 2018 at 12:32

    I have not read all the comments, so I apologize if this has already been pointed out; Rachel Mitchell, the prosecutor from Arizona, hired by the Republican party, said to Dr. Ford, after questioning her, “I believe you.” And, admittedly, when Ms. Mitchell later met behind closed doors with the Republicans, told them she would not bring charges against Kavanaugh.

    If this was an ordinary, not extra-ordinary because it involves a seat on the Supreme Court, event, how many would even care if a rapists was found 35 years later? How many would want to prosecute then? How many of you would simply say “forget it.” Do you suppose the person raped has forgotten it?

    How many of you sitting on a jury 35 years later would vote to convict (if the evidence was there)? With today’s DNA technology, it is possible.

    I encourage you all to go beyond the political and see this for what it is, the exposure of a rape 35 years later and ask what is your position? Not your “political” position.

    • Mark
      September 29, 2018 at 13:47

      My position on this is the best one. I simply don’t care about any of it, our republic was lost along time ago. At this point we are just whistling past the graveyard.

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 14:53

      No statute of limitation on rape. Nor should there be. To violate a woman’s womb, the source of life, is a crime that reveals it’s perpetrator to be a permanent danger to all of us, and to all that is sacred. To make such a person a judge would be an abomination.

      • irina
        September 29, 2018 at 18:56

        And yet many of the men posting here had their phalluses, also a source of life,
        violated against their will as infants while strapped down to ‘circ boards’. This is fairly
        horrific also, too. I used to work in an infant nursery (as a clerk) and can still
        hear the screams. To the nurses, it was just business. “Oh, another circ screamer’.
        Enough to make me wonder about selective, inculcated deafness. Until we also
        acknowledge the routine and institutionalized violence against males, we will
        remain stalemated. And that’s a true fact.

    • September 29, 2018 at 19:11

      It wasnt Rape…..it was assault by her account.

      The other “victim” saw a penis at a drinking party …..again Not Rape

      and the 3rd wasnt raped by Kavanaugh only implied he was part of a date rape “gang”…..parties she continued to go to

      Is it your position someone should be jailed for NO RAPE?

      If he did these things he belongs in jail never mind lose a job.

      And I bet you think Trump is dangerous.

    • September 29, 2018 at 20:49

      Groping someone over their clothes is not rape. Trying to remove their clothes while groping is not rape. Agreed Mrs. Ford supplied little in the way of facts but those she did supply do not constitute rape. Be careful.

      • J2027
        September 30, 2018 at 18:15

        It may not be “officially rape”- but it is sexual assault/molestation.

  35. September 29, 2018 at 11:46

    My comment went down the rabbit hole again. To me, Jean’s points are most important, Kavanaugh has been part of coverups including Foster’s ‘suicide’, Bush stealing the 2000 election and lying in runup to Iraq invasion. However, Ford made it through the rigors of a doctoral program in psychology to become a professor at Stanford and published biostatistician, so her story does not compute, either. The rest of the world must be laughing at the teenage level of American discourse.

    • Mild -ly - Facetious
      September 29, 2018 at 14:06

      Jessika — “The rest of the world must be laughing at the teenage level of American discourse.”

      Yes, Jessika – it’s exasperating to us who live in “the real world” – that is, outside the realm of privilege and/or Spoiled Brat Advantages.
      The editing out of ‘selected’ statements is quite bewildering. It has happened to me at times and I’ve suspected some of my statements might be a bit too caustic for the editors. It has occurred on this very topic.
      For me, personally, I accept the rejection as a push toward a more ‘user friendly’ choice of words or characterization. At my advanced age, sometimes I just let the words and idioms fly – like the proverbial arrow “shot up into the sky.”

      My emphatic points ca be made by other speakers/writers whom hold “professional credibility” – their sanctioned words are the same as my words – so I used their Credentialed – Published opinions instead of mine, because they’re writing and expressing an opinion which channels my own — and that’s the beauty of a Free Press.

      To Wit ::
      A man like Kavanaugh, who has attended the “best” schools, excelled at academics and athletics and risen to the top of his profession, does not take kindly to being under suspicion.
      Once senators started to question him, his high dudgeon, which was defensible, turned into something darker and far more revealing about who he is: a political operative who had the great good fortune to be named as judge to a court that is a proving ground for future Supreme Court justices. Someone, it became clear, who likes beer, but does not want to be asked about drinking. In fact, he mentioned some version of liking beer at least 12 times, according to the hearing transcript.

      But there was something really odd about the way the 53-year-old Kavanaugh talked about beer.
      Questions about his high-school drinking, entirely relevant to Christine Blasey Ford’s accusation that he sexually assaulted her — when she was 15 and he was an inebriated 17-year-old — seemed to spark in him a combination of belligerence, sarcasm and defensiveness. The spectacle was uncomfortably familiar to those of us who have dealt with people who drink to excess.
      When Kavanaugh was asked by Rachel Mitchell — the prosecutor hired by committee Republicans to keep the proceedings civil — whether he consumed alcohol during high school, he could have simply said “Yes.”
      Instead, he began one of several alcohol-related rants. “Yes, we drank beer,” he said. “My friends and I, the boys and girls. Yes, we drank beer. I liked beer. Still like beer. We drank beer. The drinking age, as I noted, was 18, so the seniors were legal, senior year in high school, people were legal to drink, and we — yeah, we drank beer, and I said sometimes — sometimes probably had too many beers, and sometimes other people had too many beers…. We drank beer. We liked beer.”
      When Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse asked him whether the phrase “Ralph Club” in his high school yearbook referred to vomiting related to drinking, Kavanaugh could not even bear to entertain the question. He could have simply said “Yes.” Most people know that “ralphing” is a side effect of over-consumption.
      Instead, he obfuscated. “Senator, I was at the top of my class academically, busted my butt in school. Captain of the varsity basketball team. Got in Yale College. When I got into Yale College, got into Yale Law School. Worked my tail off.”
      “And did the word ‘ralph’ … refer to alcohol?” Whitehouse asked.
      “I like beer,” replied Kavanaugh. “I like beer. I don’t know if you do…. Do you like beer, Senator, or not? What do you like to drink? Senator, what do you like to drink?”
      Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy asked about a drinking memoir by Kavanaugh’s friend Mark Judge, who is alleged to have been present in the bedroom where Ford said she was assaulted. Leahy wondered if a drunk character in the book, Bart O’Kavanaugh, who vomited in a car, was based on Kavanaugh.
      Kavanaugh explained that Judge had developed an addiction to alcohol that almost killed him. The book, said Kavanaugh, was Judge’s way of “coming to grips with sobriety.”
      “So you don’t know whether that’s you or not?” Leahy asked.
      He responded with a puzzling non sequitur: “We can sit here, and you, like, make fun of some guy who has an addiction.”
      When it came time for Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar to ask questions, Kavanaugh, who at first expressed his greatest respect, gave her the same treatment.
      “Drinking is one thing,” Klobuchar said, “but the concern is about truthfulness, and in your written testimony, you said sometimes you had too many drinks. Was there ever a time when you drank so much that you couldn’t remember what happened, or part of what happened the night before?”
      Kavanaugh: “No. I remember what happened, and I think you’ve probably had beers, Senator, and so …”
      Klobuchar: “So you’re saying there’s never been a case where you drank so much that you didn’t remember what happened the night before, or part of what happened?”
      Kavanaugh: “You’re asking about, you know, blackout. I don’t know. Have you?”
      Klobuchar: “Could you answer the question, Judge? That’s not happened. Is that your answer?”
      Kavanaugh: “Yeah, and I’m curious if you have.”
      ///////////////////////////////////////////
      http://www.latimes.com/local/abcarian/la-meabcarian-kavanaugh-beer-20180928-story.html#

      My final word here,
      how in the world
      could this self-willed man
      be any sort of
      “UNBIASED ARBITER”
      in the Supreme Court of the United States ? ! ?

    • Mild -ly - Facetious
      September 29, 2018 at 14:11
    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 15:05

      In what way does Dr. Ford being a PHD make her story “not compute”? Is erudition of this woman later supposed to erase the traumatic effects of an attempted rape when she was fifteen? Either her story was a complete fabrication, or it actually happened more or less as she recounted it.

      Neither do I think this story is simply “the teenage level of American Discourse.” On the contrary I think it goes to the depth of our violent, male dominated culture. We are in many ways raping the world, and the world is saying to us ENOUGH!

      • mike k
        September 29, 2018 at 15:08

        Jessika, I respect you and your contributions here very much. What I said above is not an “attack” on you or your ideas, but simply sharing my own, in this case divergent thoughts on this important issue.

      • September 29, 2018 at 19:20

        Or there could be other explanations…..her experience was different from theirs……as she says they were laughing and jumping on the bed…..was it horseplay they got out of hand?…..she got scared and was allowed to leave with 2 boys supposedly bent on rape??I can easily see a scenario where there can be 2 differing interpretation of the same event……and no Rape .

        I don’t even like Kavanaugh and think he is a Bush Criminal but this will come back to bite democrats and hard.If you can do this to Kavanaugh they can do it to you……guilt by accusation is very dangerous ground.

        There is plenty of evidence that Kavanaugh isnt qualified since he was a Bush criminal and helped Bush steal a US election and worse.

        so you think unsubstantiated allegations are enough ?You know anyone can play this game right?You dont think this will come back good and hard on your side?

        Think again.Be careful what you ask for you might just get it.

        • Gregory Herr
          September 29, 2018 at 20:24

          “…guilt by accusation is very dangerous ground.”

          While the accusations against Kavenaugh are serious and should be respected, they pertain to Kavenaugh’s personal affairs. Personal “character” is important, but in the setting of determining the acceptance of a Supreme Court nomination, using a “circus” of character assassination to the exclusion of examining his professional record is disturbingingly unbalanced.

          I think we are missing the boat by not examining more closely what we as a people expect from our judgeship in their professional capacity and agree with you jean that although Kavenaugh may very well have major personal skeletons, this “circus” is treading on grounds we’d do better to bypass.

          • September 29, 2018 at 22:52

            That’s my worry.

            This is a new stage of hysteria like Russia gate

            Unsubstantiated allegations taken as fact is dangerous to us all never mind Kavanugh or Trump.

          • Frank
            September 30, 2018 at 00:31

            Gregory,

            Sexual assault is not a personal affair. It is a crime.

            The evidence can be examined and testimony taken. There is other evidence to consider such as calendars and books. A good examination of this can be found at counterpunch. If there is evidence which can be examined, which the victim has actually asked to have examined by law enforcement, then that is indeed a strange vision of character assassination.

          • Jill
            September 30, 2018 at 00:34

            Actually, they pertain to a crime–sexual assault. This isn’t a personal affair. It isn’t character assassination to request again and again that one’s allegations be examined by law enforcement.

          • Gregory Herr
            September 30, 2018 at 07:48

            Yep, and the circus that is the U.S. Senate “provides the ideal cover for a Democratic elite that colludes with the Republicans on nearly every issue of corporate dominance of the polity (both major parties oppose public financing of elections), coddling of the corrupt financial elites, job-draining investor-rights (“trade”) pacts like WTO/NAFTA, the omnivorous national security state, the bloated military, and disastrous imperialist aggressions abroad. Frantically wave the distracting handkerchief of concern over a high school party in 1983, and then hope that the electorate won’t notice your treachery on every other issue that affects their economic and ecological well-being.”

            https://dissidentvoice.org/2018/09/brett-kavanaughs-wayward-penis-a-new-twist/

          • September 30, 2018 at 18:39

            Indeed. I was fussed out recently for “not believing.”

            I told a woman in a case such as Bill Cosby’s, where who knows how many women describe events where Cosby gave them Rohypnol (or something), then had sex with them.

            Then I believe.

            It’s too consistent a motus operandi with too many women for Cliff Huxtable to be innocent. Same with that Winestein Hollywood producer dirtbag.

            But in a case like Kavanaugh, I neither believe nor disbelieve.

            Cosby needs to go to jail. I dunno what should happen to Kavanaugh.

            I’m not a judge or a jury. I try not to go too far above my paygrade. I do know the court of public opinion is frequently wrong, and rich people have much better legal outcomes than do regular people.

          • Gregory Herr
            October 1, 2018 at 20:04

            “Sexual assault is not a personal affair. It is a crime.”

            That is precisely why this shouldn’t be being played out in the U.S. Senate.

      • Kim
        September 29, 2018 at 22:21

        “We are in many ways raping the world, and the world is saying to us ENOUGH!”

        Well said, Mike K ! You nailed it.

    • September 29, 2018 at 20:15

      Yet again I cant even believe Im having to defend the bill of rights and Kavanughs rights as a citizen….as I have been forced to defend Trump and Putin, ALL of whom are despicable to me.

      Its beyond the looking glass

  36. Frank
    September 29, 2018 at 11:10

    What I saw yesterday was a potential rebirth of another civil rights movement. Women were filling the halls of congress and engaging in mass civil disobedience. Women were speaking up in ways that we seldom get to hear in our society. If we can keep going like this and not be corralled into “voting Democratic”, if we combine with other movements going to the heart of civil rights in this nation such as BLM, if we can link into to human rights for all including prisoners, Gitmo detainees, illegally detained immigrants and not fall into this being about political parties at all, but rather have it be a real, true awakening to justice, I believe we can prevail. I saw the powerful being confronted. They showed who they were and one of those things was they were scared.

    This should not be shoved into voting. This is about stopping the powerful from engaging in cruelty and injustice.

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 11:30

      Wouldn’t it be wonderful if women took up the message of Aristophanes in his play Lysistrata, where women refused to have sex with men until they created a peaceful society? By whatever means, I pray that women in America rise up and demand that the male culture of war and domination shall end. We are meant to nurture and care for each other, not oppress and kill each other. Unless this WAR CULTURE OF AMERICA ends – we will all be destroyed by it. Isn’t that obvious??

      • Frank
        September 29, 2018 at 12:47

        mike K,

        I think every person has to rise up and create a society which no longer accepts the death cult of US culture. It will take every person of good will pulling together for justice, kindness and peace. You are as much a part of this as anyone else. We all can be part of this!

        Jill (the system won’t let me comment under my own name)

      • September 29, 2018 at 19:21

        LOL!!

        Never heard of Hillary Clinton?

        • Frank
          September 30, 2018 at 00:25

          I don’t see any evidence that H. Clinton is a person of good will. I’m not quite sure what you mean in your comment. I’ll try to clarify for you what I’m saying.

          It will take as many people of good will as possible to make change. There are no saviors. It’s all of us or nothing. I hope we can succeed.

  37. September 29, 2018 at 10:20

    Here is a version of what i am sending to all Democratic senators:

    Dear Sen. Booker,

    This morning Sen. Whitehall said, “This may, may be powerful corroborating evidence that the assault happened. That it happened that day. And that it happened in that place. But with no FBI investigation, we can’t tell.” He was talking about Kavanaugh’s calendar entry for July 1, 1982 where all of the boys that Blasey Ford had named were in attendance at a party aimed at downing brewskis. This was doubtless the house Blasey Ford remembers so well and yet can not give an address for.

    When Rachel Mitchell was asking Judge Kavanaugh about this date in his diary, I was pulled away from the TV to save a kitty in danger. When I came back Sen. Graham had angrily taken over the questioning from Ms. Mitchell who never got the job back. I don’t know exactly what happened, but it appeared to me that Ms. Mitchell had gotten too close to a possible avenue to truth that Sen. Graham wanted to prevent her from going down.

    Sen. Booker, your line of questioning to Judge Kavanaugh, which he tried to slip out of, was about his drinking on week nights. July 1 was a Thursday. Are you following this line of questioning? Can you bring it to the attention of the FBI?

    Sincerely,

    Robert Locke

    Sacramento CA

    Damn Graham just wrested the job away from Mitchell, I don’t know exactly how since I was pulled away from the tv by the kitty in danger. Do you have any recollection about these moments?

  38. ML
    September 29, 2018 at 10:06

    In college, kids often drink to excess. I went to a party with a date. He told the bartender, without telling me until later, to “make her a double.” Not used to drinking, a double was one too many. I could barely stand up. He forced himself on me within the hour. A year later, I accepted a date to a fancy ball from another young man. I drank champagne and got too tipsy to enjoy myself. This particular young man, drove me home and gently deposited me into the arms of my parents. He never tried to hurt me, rape me, or even cop a feel. He did what good men of character, even though they are young, do in these situations. So, that said, I believe Dr. Ford. She was entirely credible. You don’t forget stuff like this- ever. And I do not want an entitled, arrogant liar on the Supreme Court. There is already at least one of them there now. I am disappointed that so many posters here whom I feel are good writers and critical thinkers, seem to feel the Judge is being so unfairly treated. No. He has made his bed. Now, he’s lying in it. Character matters.

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 10:29

      Excellent comments. Thank you.

      • ML
        September 29, 2018 at 11:32

        Thank you, mike k- always love to read your comments.

    • September 29, 2018 at 19:26

      So far, the best summation of the Kavanaugh hearing from a progressive left perspective is this one:

      https://www.wsws.org/en/art

      A short quote: “Kavanaugh seized the opportunity provided by the Democrats to portray himself as the victim of a left-wing crusade. In fact, there is nothing left-wing about either the use of sexual allegations to discredit an opponent, or the claim that all victims must be believed regardless of evidence. The Democrats are embracing the arguments that were traditionally those of the extreme right.”

      There are plenty of reasons to be against Kavanugh least of which is his enabling Bush to steal the election.

      Kavanaugh is a Bush criminal who stood by while Bush shredded the constitution and illegally spied on us.

      Why not go after his proven crimes?

      Could it be democrats are complicit and are left with nothing but unprovable accusations?

    • J2027
      September 30, 2018 at 18:22

      Yes, because it wasn’t “officially rape”,only sexual assault/molestation, as if the difference is enough to be relevant.

  39. September 29, 2018 at 06:20

    I’m surprised at Ray McGovern and his misrepresentation of Donald Trumps claims about “pussies” he, as does everybody else, suggests that Trump said that he had grabbed women’s “pussies” when in fact he stated the simple truth that , “Rich men can get away with anything with women, you can even grab their “pussies” which however reprehensible it may be to mention such a fact to timid little ex CIA man like McGovern to who it may sound shocking, it is in fact a figure of speech. This claim is used often in tandem with the claim that Trump wanted to ban all Muslims from entering the USA, a favourite misquote of most News outlets, when what he actually said was, “until we find out what the hell is going on.” McGovern is now going for the throat of Kavanaugh, who whether he went to a Jesuit school or not, is entitled to be taken to Court by Professor Ford, where she could deliver her evidence in the proper manner, instead of allowing herself to be used by those whom did not attend Jesuit schools, as they are mainly of another religion altogether and are well-known for grand deceptions.

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 07:17

      Your alibi for Trump’s pussy grabbing is really cute. I bet you have some good ones for climate change denial too. And how about Yemen? I guess the poor folks there need Donald’s kind assistance? Defending a monster is such hard work!

      • September 29, 2018 at 19:31

        Hmm…..how quickly we forget why we have Trump and Kavanaugh…..The rape enabler Hillary Clinton…… Obama created the genocide in Yemen and the biggest refugee crisis since WW2 and brought open air slavery markets to Libya……and you blame Trump?

    • Kim
      September 29, 2018 at 09:52

      “to who it may be shocking” ? “by those whom did not attend” ?

      I don’t know which is more reprehensible : your attempt to rationalize a misogynist’s behavior or your grammar.

  40. rife kimler
    September 29, 2018 at 06:02

    so what else do the Jesuits teach the scions of the DC elite?

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 10:35

      I am sure they teach many things, but the students have the responsibility to learn. Were any of us boys/men taught how to treat ladies by our schools? Wasn’t a subject in my education. Those were things you learned on the street, not always from the best sources either.

      • September 29, 2018 at 19:33

        Please

        this is kind of thing went on everywhere even popular culture

        “It’s the decade that gave us Revenge of the Nerds, which, as Noah Brand put it at the Good Men Project, “has so much rape culture, you could use it to make rape yogurt”; it gave us Police Academy and its “nonconsensual blowjobs are a fun and light-hearted prank” ethos. And perhaps most disturbingly, it gave us the comedic rape subplot in Sixteen Candles, John Hughes’s much beloved and iconic 1984 teen romance. Sixteen Candles isn’t a college sex romp like Revenge of the Nerds or Animal House. It’s a high school love story. It’s been celebrated for 34 years for its sweet, romantic heart. Yet it is entirely willing to feature a lengthy, supposedly hilarious subplot in which a drunk and unconscious girl is passed from one boy to another and then raped.”

        In 1984, you could be a perfect dream boy and also be an accessory to date rape. They were not mutually exclusive ideas. In fact, they reinforced each other. In Sixteen Candles, Caroline’s rape is presented as her fault — and as funny”

        https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/9/27/17906644/sixteen-candles-rape-culture-1980s-brett-kavanaugh

  41. backwardsevolution
    September 29, 2018 at 03:34

    Dr. Ford’s Go-Fund-Me account is now sitting at $530,000.00.

    Her lawyers stated on record at the hearing that they are working pro bono (for free).

    So where is the money going?

    Do the other accusers have Go-Fund-Me accounts?

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 11:17

      Maybe some of those funds will pay for security to protect her from those men who threaten to kill her for crying rape. But I’m sure those death threats are just “kidding around’ as her assailant Kavanaugh was characterized. Boys will be boys, why get upset by a few death threats? When will we wake up and realize how many men in our culture are dangerously insane, and feel empowered to do to women whatever they will? How many women have to die and be terrorized before men are turned from their hateful and deadly attitudes? Wake up America, your deep sickness is being called out!

      • steinbergfeldwitzcohen
        September 29, 2018 at 18:13

        Mike, please drink some cranberry juice, take a shower and change your pad.

        Your a joke. If you can’t see this latest performance of howling-feces throwing monkeys, sorry Democrats, then you are brain-dead. Americans are tired of diversity, judeo-bolshevism, Feminism and demorat lies. It’s not okay to hate whitey and leach off him.

        Do you not see 60 years of left wing media/Jewish subversion destroying America or are you just brain dead.
        Ask your bubble for some smelling salts. Sorry for the truth bomb vagina.

        • J2027
          September 30, 2018 at 18:17

          Oh yes, the white men in power are the victims in the USA now.Too funny.

          • backwardsevolution
            October 2, 2018 at 22:06

            J2027 – no, but white men are being made out to be the villains now. And more than that, they’re being made to hate themselves and feel shame and to denounce their “white privilege”.

  42. Kathy Woods
    September 29, 2018 at 02:20

    I’m used to reading Ray’s insights on subjects like foreign policy, surveillance and national security. It’s great to hear from him on this issue, particularly to give us some insight on what may be the perspective of young men in an elite catholic school such as Georgetown Prep.

  43. September 29, 2018 at 00:21

    With all the craziness surrounding the Kavanaugh nomination, – leading to family members and friends engaging in over-heated arguments,- ready to tear each other’s faces off in frenzied fits of anger, there is a brighter consideration for each concerned and effected to whatever extent, whether small, medium or large:

    Feel relieved in knowing you are not Mark Judge.

  44. mike k
    September 28, 2018 at 21:11

    Looking ahead, I would not trust the FBI to handle a bunch of organically grown kale without screwing it up somehow. Whatever report they come up with won’t be worth much in my book. They will try to figure out what will best serve their agenda, then spin the facts to fit that.

    What we heard from the two principals so far is plenty to disqualify this guy from the position he seeks. He is about as qualified for it as Trump was for the Presidency, which is zero.

    • September 28, 2018 at 23:29

      He is a qualified Bush criminal.He was part of the Starr investigation and helped Bush steal the election for Bush in Florida and stood by Bush as he lied us into war and shredded the constitution.

      There are plenty of legitimate reasons to be against him as a Supreme Court Justice .

      • enochered
        September 29, 2018 at 06:37

        So why has none of this been brought up. Including his part in the cover-up of the murder of a member of Hillary Clinton’s team, Vince Foster, who shot himself twice to ‘kill himself’ without spilling a drop of his blood at the scene of his suicide? Foster was allegedly Clinton’s lover. McGovern is fully aware of all this nonsense yet he has a go at Kavanaugh’s childhood years.

        • September 29, 2018 at 20:36

          Of course its because they are the BUSH criminal cabal.Ive read Trump wanted the woman but it was Bush cronies who wanted Kavanaugh.More dog and pony show.I dues to think all that Clinton rumors was just fiction…..not anymore.

    • mike k
      September 29, 2018 at 07:23

      On the other hand, the FBI may play this as part of their get Trump Agenda. Something to watch for. Truth plays no part in the manipulations of these professional liars.

    • Kim
      September 29, 2018 at 10:03

      I agree with your statement that “[the FBI] will try to figure out what will best serve their interests. I believe in Michael Avenatti, however, and that he and his client will prove to be Kavanaugh’s undoing.

      • September 29, 2018 at 20:40

        You do know she wasnt raped by Kavanaugh right?

        And she continued to go to parties she says girls were being gang raped ?But never witnessed it?

        They had better evidence at the Salem witch trials.

  45. September 28, 2018 at 20:54

    I have thrice posted a (Ford-supportive) comment that has thrice been disappeared.

    Have I violated some obscure shibboleth of political “correctness”?

    Am I banished without notice?

    WTF obtains?

    Please advise.

    Thank you.

    • mike k
      September 28, 2018 at 20:58

      Please try one more time Loren. Stuff does fall through the cracks here from time to time. Happens to all of us.

  46. mike k
    September 28, 2018 at 20:53

    I happen to have believed Dr. Ford’s account of the incident. Your reinterpretation of it in your fantasy of what happened, sounds like the standard male minimization of what according to her was a terrifying event that made her fear for her life. Your stance as a Trump supporter, and a right winger probably also influences how you would like to see these accounts.

    • backwardsevolution
      September 28, 2018 at 22:06

      Whether you happen to believe Ms. Ford is immaterial, and I could argue that you are living in fantasyland. You are judging this case purely on emotion, not on facts, because of your blatant hatred for all people who are “white” and “men”. Your posts are full of statements like this.

      Dr. Ford might have viewed the event as “a terrifying event that made her fear for her life,” but that doesn’t make it so.

      “One of the reasons that truth is on the decline is that truth is becoming emotion-based, not evidence-based. It is all about feelings.

      In the modern day it has become absolutely essential that an opinion should only be expressed, especially in public, when you have made sure it’s the right opinion. If anyone becomes upset by what you say, then it’s not correct. Facts are no longer as important as feelings.”

    • irina
      September 28, 2018 at 22:44

      I am not a ‘trump supporter’ or a ‘right winger’ but her testimony
      was so scripted and her complete confidence that she ‘had the
      right guy’ (when she couldn’t remember anything else) were not
      convincing to me. The allegations have, by #metoo default, become
      engraved in stone. But they are still allegations of something that
      happened over 30 years ago, between inebriated teenagers.

      • Robert Morency
        September 29, 2018 at 08:12

        If we chase an absurdity with enough effort to actually think we now understand it, we have only succeeded in becoming part of the absurdity itself. By definition absurdity has no logic or final conclusion, because it is meaningless. The Ancient Greeks learned this, but, our present-day worship of complexity has negated this long-standing human wisdom.

    • September 28, 2018 at 23:44

      I’m a lefty and can see a situation where both parties have different views of what happened.

      As she said they were laughing and jumping on the bed and she felt threatened and was groped.

      Not saying that it’s right but they might have thought they were just having fun.Were they being predators?Who knows.Boys at this age and alcohol are a bad mixture.Many don’t get cues and signals girls are putting out.Luckily she escaped before anything worse happened.

  47. September 28, 2018 at 20:46

    The ultimate historical relevance of the Kavanaugh hearings — whether to the international court that tries the Capitalist tools Trump, Pence, Hillary, Obama ad nauseam for their innumerable German Nazi-magnitude war crimes, or to the People’s Court that tries Kavanaugh and the rest of Capitalism’s perpe-traitors for crimes against the people of the United States — is that they underscore the already proven naked truths of Jeff Sharlet’s and Chris Hedges’ revelations the United States is in hideous reality a white male supremacist ChristoNazi theocracy.

    Nowhere have I seen the moral imbecility of Capitalism and the bottomless hateful arrogance of its white male ChristoNazi aristocrats more wrenchingly displayed than in their support for Kavanaugh.

    Because I am small and studious and verbally skillful but hopelessly clumsy and physically uncoordinated and in my younger years was way too slender (i.e., too much of a “weakling”) for contact sports, the Kavanaugh types I knew in my own admittedly miserable youth repeatedly taunted me as an alleged homosexual, often threatened me with anal rape and attempted on several occasions to pull down my pants during school-bus trips and in other public venues.

    They relentlessly continued their assaults and other torments until I made it clear I would fight them without quarter.

    Of course I could never win a fair fight against such King-Kong-muscled jock males, but after I began carrying in my bookbag both a bicycle-chain flail and a shortened broomstick with a 12-inch length of lead pipe hammered onto it as a mace, they finally realized I could and would severely hurt them and so left me alone.

    Of course I never reported any of this to the authorities. Of course I was silenced by the same sure knowledge that silences so many raped women: the absolute, innumerably times-proven fact that in white Christian patriarchy, the authorities will always protect white male sexual assailants with the same hyper-aggressive malevolence these authorities always support white cops who murder people of color.

    (I had suppressed nearly all the school-day traumas of my youth – had not focused on them for probably at least a half century – but Kavanaugh’s obvious lies brought the fear and misery of those years all back to painful memory.)

    And I was but a lower-income, physically unattractive heterosexual male, hence nowhere near the primary (female) targets on the white male ChristoNazi aristocracy’s “rape-the-enemy” list.

    Nevertheless I know Kavanaugh’s type all too well, from my universally unpleasant encounters with that lot during my public school/parochial school K-12 years and during my three-year active-duty (avoid-the-infantry) army enlistment and in college and even during my years in newspaper, wire service and trade magazine journalism.

    Hence were I to describe Kavanaugh and his entire aristocratic ilk (including his self-hating female collaborators), it would be with six words: “criminally protected sneering ChristoNazi Capitalist sadists.” And then afterward I would spit, trying to exorcise the vile taste of the infinite Evil they unquestioningly serve.

    Too bad such post-Capitalist, after-the-revolution courtroom proceedings as I cite above are mere fantasy — particularly since it is now obvious our ChristoNazi Capitalist overlords will render our species extinct long before we the people are sufficiently outraged to embrace the ideological, strategic and tactical discipline required to permanently overthrow them.

    Meanwhile it would not be hyperbole to describe what obtains in the Kavanaugh hearing as the symbolic lynching of any the world’s women who dare speak out against how patriarchy and especially patriarchal religion. have weaponized the penis as our species’ ultimate instrument of interpersonal oppression.

  48. Deniz
    September 28, 2018 at 19:45

    Christine Blasey Ford is the granddaughter of Nicholas Deak?

    “Deak is said, for example, to have handled CIA funds in 1953 when the agency overthrew Iran’s Premier Mohammed Mossadeq and restored the Shah to the throne. In that instance, the money went through Zurich and a Deak correspondent office in Beirut. During the Vietnam war, Deak & Co. allegedly moved CIA funds through its Hong Kong office for conversion into piastres in Saigon on the unofficial market.”

    It is all theater.

    • mike k
      September 28, 2018 at 20:56

      What are you trying to imply, that Dr. Ford being someone’s granddaughter makes her somehow suspect? Isn’t that a little ridiculous?

      • Deniz
        September 28, 2018 at 21:21

        Not quite at the WMD or Gulf of Tonkein scale, but yes, a little ridicoulous is a fair comment.

      • irina
        September 28, 2018 at 22:40

        It has also been credibly stated that Dr. Ford runs
        the CIA internship program at Stanford . .. .

  49. mike k
    September 28, 2018 at 18:21

    301 comments! Did we set a record? We sure hit a live wire with this one. I hope some of this voltage helps change some attitudes about male/female relations. But people’s cultural conditioning goes really deep, so most folks will hang onto what the have always believed. It should however give folks a good look at our senators, and what a scumbag lot they are. Rubio comes off as the classic Mafiosi. He should be in movies – where he would do a lot less harm.

  50. MILD -LY - FACETIOUS
    September 28, 2018 at 18:11

    HIP HIP HOORAY !!!
    SCOTUS NOMINEE,

    THE WINNEY, PINK FACED
    SPOILED BRAT WHITE BOY
    TEEN AGED DRUNK

    IS IN JEOPARDYOF LOSING TO
    AN HONEST / INNOCENT
    TERRIFIED VIRGEN MAIDEN

    WHO REMEMBERED THE
    FELONIOUS ASSAULT HE
    AFFLICTED UPON HER

    IMAGINE HIM AS THE SON OF
    A PLANTATION OWNER HAVING
    HIS WILLFUL CHOICE WITH THEM

    HALF-BREED LIGHT SKINED SLAVE GIRLS,THEY,
    WHOM WERE HIS HALF SISTERS
    IMPREGNATED BY HIM, THEIR BLOOD BROTHER.

    OF SUCH IS THE LEGACY OF WHITE SUPERIORITY
    OF WHITE MALE PATERNALISTIC SUPERIORITY
    THE PREMISE OF WHITE MALE ELITE POWER…. .

    • MILD -LY - FACETIOUS
      September 28, 2018 at 18:16

      Thanks for posting this !

      WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PREVIOUS POST !! ?

      (just asking…)

  51. mike k
    September 28, 2018 at 18:01

    People who think like our friend “Backward” participate in a sick Male Mystique, that basically says that anything a man does with a woman is OK. They think women -who have been abused throughout history – should understand that. The man’s role is to do as he pleases, and the woman’s role is to docilely submit to that.

    Men are the primary abusers of our human world. Will they wake up and stop it before they destroy all of us? You really have to wonder….

  52. Diana
    September 28, 2018 at 16:42

    Thank you, Ray.

    Dare I say, “Me Too?” One article last night referred to the response of the Nominee and Republican Senators as “Toxic Masculinity.”

    I call it ignorance.

    As renowned trauma expert Dr. Judith Herman has written:

    In 1972, Ann Burgess, a psychiatric nurse and Lynda Holmstrom, a sociologist…observed a pattern of psychological reactions which they called “rape trauma syndrome.” They noted that women experience rape as a life-threatening event, having generally feared mutilation and death during the assault. They remarked that in the aftermath of rape, victims complained of insomnia, nausea, startle responses, and nightmares, as well as dissociative or numbing symptoms. And they commented that some of the victims’ symptoms resembled those previously described in combat veterans. (Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence–From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror, Judith Herman, M.D., 1992, 1997 by Basic Books, Epilogue 2015 by Basic Books, p.31, Kindle Edition.)

    Would these men have responded in the same manner to a Vietnam Veteran suffering from PTSD?

    1972. Almost fifty years ago. A long time, indeed.

    • backwardsevolution
      September 28, 2018 at 17:11

      Diana – Ms. Ford WAS NOT RAPED. She was GROPED.

      If the incident occurred at all, could it have been done in jest?

      Ms. Ford, by her own admission, said that the two guys who did this were maniacally laughing and very intoxicated.

      The groping probably lasted for all of about one second before the other boy jumped on top of them, and they all fell off onto the floor, laughing. There appears to have been no “seriousness” involved here.

      Ms. Ford was not challenged at the hearing. In fact, Ms. Mitchell, the prosecutor brought in specially to question her at the hearing, specifically said that she would not be asking her about the allegations at all, and she didn’t. What? She should have been strenuously challenged.

      The only things Ms. Mitchell brought out were:

      – she established a potential political bias

      – she established that even though the hearing was held up from Monday until Thursday because Ms. Ford stated she was afraid to fly and needed more time to get to the hearing, this turned out to be a lie. Ms. Ford DID fly.

      Ms. Ford was not challenged. I say bring her back and put her under some serious cross-examination.

      • Diana
        September 28, 2018 at 17:28

        I might add that Ray’s article is perfectly consistent with his previous work, speeches, and articles as a member of Veterans for Peace. It demonstrates that he has a deeper insight than most of us into “The Aftermath of Violence–From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror.”

    • Diana
      September 28, 2018 at 17:19

      Backwards, a rape does not have to be successful for it to result in trauma. To both parties, actually. Read the book.

      • mike k
        September 28, 2018 at 17:52

        You just really don’t get it. Is that why you tagged yourself “backward”?
        A terrifying attempted rape is “just a little groping”? It is very unlikely that you will ever get it about men’s abuse of women. There are none so blind as those who will not see.

      • strngr-tgthr
        September 28, 2018 at 18:49

        It is not just gropping, she was lucky she got out alive. He raped on a house boat, in a train of rape and on his girl friend in 1998 witch is domestic rape.

        And now that this is uncovered WHY is he even a judge on are second highest court?

        This guy career and family is OVER!

        He needs to go with Bill Cosby and Anthony Weener is where he is heading.

      • coup 63
        September 28, 2018 at 20:47

        Why does backward get to add anything he wants to this investigation, while we all sit here and take it for the gospel? A one second groping indeed!

        • backwardsevolution
          September 28, 2018 at 22:12

          coup 63 – I’m not adding anything to the investigation. I’m trying to give you another side. Besides, there is no evidence or corroborating statements that say the event happened at all. But because someone comes forward 36 years later, with little detail, we’re supposed to just believe her word?

          Why don’t you add something to the conversation instead of just putting me down? Come on, educate me.

  53. Mild -ly - Facetious
    September 28, 2018 at 16:37

    I love you again, Ray McGovern, for this opinion. — This is the you that I knew and admired from your KPFK days w/ Amy Goodman.

    My wife and I were appalled at Kavanaugh’s SPOILED BRAT, convulsive, teary-eyed / Red Faced performance.

    A display of White-Boy Privilege and feigned outrage that ought to have evoked scorn and derision.

    Yet, it was roundly approved by a Trump-ian paternalistic authoritarian “boys-will-be-boys” HOO-RAH !! by the

    Bigots that run the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society, and/or the American Enterprise Institute, or the Brookings Institution. or the Hudson Institute — these are a few of the real & actual Shot-Callers (rich right wing organizations) whose Wealth CONTROLS our gov’t.

    Don’t be misled, the Catholics, the Jews, and the “Evangelical Christians” have Powerful SWAY over The National “Ship of State”–

    That being said… – Kavanaugh — please recognize my idiom — Kavanaugh’s red-faced crying act was as an appeal for leniency or ‘forgiveness’ or a Public Display of sorrow/contrition, for a damnable act he knew-in-his-heart, he had committed. …

    … You know, an act of which he is Only Sorry for because it stands in the way of his SEAT ON THE SCOTUS.

    This is TRUMPS America and A White Mans’ escape hatch into/unto a f ‘ck’n AUTHORITY RULERSHIP POSITION —

    Not by reason of his ability to be an Impartial “Judge” — but By The Way of Feigned Crocodile Tears
    and a Cry Baby Tirade like a Spoiled Ass Brat that can’t/won’t have his way. …

    COMPARE AND CONTRAST ( with an honest heart ), the fraught and compelling testimony of the VICTIM of Kavanaugh’s brutal assault upon an innocent young girl — an absolutely innocent young girl just reaching out from the safety and security of her house & home & parental supervision , – into the unsupervised “world” of teenaged beer loving self-absorbed sexual predators.

    That’s the despicable (NOT ALL) Character of Private Catholic School boys AND PRIESTS that, BY ASSOCIATION (and Silence), ascend the ranks of Power / and become Pawns of, and perform the desires the POWER ELITE as ascend the “Latter of Success”
    unto a feigned status of “Professional Political Royalty”.

    Kavanaugh’s assent – his Catholic Boy shield — his pink face, phony tears and “Oh Please” cries for communion Ought Not grant him a LIFETIME Position on the SCOTUS.

    DO WEWANT / WILL WE ACCEPT ACKNOWLEDGED PREDATORS SITTING ON OUR – “SUPREME COURT” — AND CONTINUE TO ALLOW PREDATORY MEN, – RABBI’S AND PRIESTS AND PASTORS AND LAWYERS AND CREEPS LIKE KAVANAUGH TO RULE OVER US !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ??????????

    Open your eyes and ears. – Only Truth will save us…

  54. mike k
    September 28, 2018 at 15:19

    Bullies are sadists, they take delight in hurting others. That’s what we see in the US Senate. A group of rich old corrupt men preying on women. Our President is a good example of this “old boys club” mentality. He enjoys using his power to hurt others. Ask those in Yemen whether his aiding Saudi Arabia to destroy them is hurtful? Does he care about them? No, he is only exulting in his power to lord it over others.

  55. mike k
    September 28, 2018 at 14:48

    Working for peace gets scant recognition in our present culture. What does that say about our culture?

  56. Judy Majors
    September 28, 2018 at 13:40

    Get a real job Ray

    • mike k
      September 28, 2018 at 14:15

      Working to try to save our planet and our species is not a real job? Maybe you would rather see Ray get a job in the “defense” industry, or the corrupt US Senate? What kind of job did you have in mind for one of Ray’s advanced years? A Walmart greeter?

    • Kim
      September 29, 2018 at 10:22

      Only a person who feels threatened would respond with vitriol such as this. What happened to you, Judy, that you so need to attack one for merely shedding light on the culture of privilege these institutions foster ? The experiences of these brave women who have put themselves in harms way to come forward with their truth remind me of the murder of the Yeardley Love by a drunken Landon Prep graduate, George Huguely.in Charlottesville Va, known for his drunken abusive behavior. After fatally slamming Ms. Love’s head into her bedroom wall, Mr Huguely went out and played golf with his father.

  57. mike k
    September 28, 2018 at 12:34

    Watching our corrupt, evil government implode is morbidly fascinating. The number of lives these monsters destroy makes it horribly tragic.

    These grand and fatal movements toward death: the grandeur
    of the mass
    Makes pity a fool, the tearing pity
    For the atoms of the mass, the persons, the victims, makes it
    seem monstrous
    To admire the tragic beauty they build.
    It is beautiful as a river flowing or a slowly gathering
    Glacier on a high mountain rock-face,
    Bound to plow down a forest, or as frost in November,
    The gold and flaming death-dance for leaves,
    Or a girl in the night of her spent maidenhood, bleeding and
    kissing.
    I would burn my right hand in a slow fire
    To change the future … I should do foolishly. The beauty
    of modern
    Man is not in the persons but in the
    Disastrous rhythm, the heavy and mobile masses, the dance of the
    Dream-led masses down the dark mountain.

    Robinson Jeffers (Rearmament)

    • rife kimler
      September 29, 2018 at 06:13

      now im going to look up robinson jeffers

  58. Andrew Dabrowski
    September 28, 2018 at 12:23

    There are, broadly two possibilities here.

    (1) Kavanaugh is telling the truth and Blasey-Ford, Ramirez, and Swetnick are lying.
    (2) Blasey-Ford, Ramirez, and Swetnick are telling the truth and Kavanaugh is lying.

    Of course with four witnesses testifying there are many other possibilities, but I don’t think anyone here (me included) has patience for more than two hypotheticals.

    Which of (1) or (2) one believes is largely subjective, the outcome of a life’s worth of cognitive experience. Myself, based on the balance of probabilities, Occam’s Razor, yesterday’s testimony, and my personal political biases, I go with (2). Many others here go with (1); I don’t have a problem with that, individuals’ beliefs cannot be adjudicated.

    I think the problem is the people in general and the political sphere in particular have never come to terms with unresolvable doubt. We may never know “beyond a reasonable doubt” which of (1) or (2) is closer to the truth, and yet we must make a decision soon on whether Kavanaugh should be appointed to the SC.

    But it is not necessary for those who believe (x) to demonize those who believe (y).

    • Frank
      September 28, 2018 at 15:22

      Andrew,

      I agree with you about the need to stop demonizing friends and neighbors because they disagree with us. I don’t agree with your other point. There is actually quite a bit of evidence out there already. Trained investigators face the problem of older evidence all the time. Although the FBI does not have a good record with regards to objective and depolitized work, I do think it is possible for them to reach a conclusion about who is telling the truth here. Whether they will do an honest investigation is an open question for me, but they could do one and we would have a well reasoned conclusion.

    • Realist
      September 29, 2018 at 04:30

      So, you say there are basically two possibilities with no way to objectively decide between them.

      What consequences should therefore follow from such uncertainty?

      1. Destroy the man’s career and reputation because???? Or…

      2. Ignore this undecidable issue with respect to his qualifications and appointment?

      Now, which makes more sense and is closer to an approximation of justice?

      Punish a potentially innocent man for??? Or…

      As Jefferson (or Sir William Blackstone) said, better 10 guilty men go free than one innocent be punished?

      • Miranda M Keefe
        September 29, 2018 at 06:38

        “As Jefferson (or Sir William Blackstone) said, better 10 guilty men go free than one innocent be punished?”

        Uh, if he is not confirmed to SCOTUS he will go free. This is a job interview, not a criminal trial.

        • Realist
          September 29, 2018 at 09:49

          Really, it’s more than that. It’s an attempted character assassination to achieve a political goal. Don’t pretend otherwise. Moreover, it’s still a form of punishment to have his reputation ruined even if he is confirmed.

      • Kim
        September 29, 2018 at 10:30

        What your equation ignores here is the harm to others that would ensue were the guilty man to be free to impose his warped views on the nation’s justice system.

      • Andrew Dabrowski
        September 29, 2018 at 11:26

        There are multiple evidentiary standards used in different contexts.
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burden_of_proof_(law)
        In the US, criminal cases use that of proof beyond a reasonable doubt; in civil cases the standard is preponderance of evidence. That was why OJ Simpson could be held liable in the civil case after having been acquitted in the criminal one.

        Confirmation hearings seem much more akin to a civil case than to a criminal one; in fact even less is at stake here than at many civil trials, where multi-million dollar penalties are often sought. So I believe the correct standard should be preponderance of evidence, if not an even weaker one.

  59. mike k
    September 28, 2018 at 11:18

    When you have your head stuck down there where the light don’t shine, as the republicans do, it’s hard to see what is right in front of your nose.

    • strngr-tgthr
      September 28, 2018 at 11:33

      Right in front of there nose is: under age rape, gang rape -chain, high seas rape and girl friend rape. The FBi shoud dig in Kavanaugh’s basement there has to be bodys there like Al Bundy. or John Wayne Gacy. I bet that would not even do it.

      • September 28, 2018 at 15:09

        I grant you, Al Bundy was no angel. But really, bodies in the basement? Judging from his family and neighbors, if a body were to be dug up there, it would probably be his.

      • Realist
        September 29, 2018 at 04:35

        Any one can make unfounded allegations. How do we know that you haven’t committed equally heinous acts yourself? Your blatant animus and muddled thinking tends to suggest you might.

        There’s a reason for preferring due process to a lynch mob, a concept which seems to elude some of you.

      • rife kimler
        September 29, 2018 at 06:16

        i think you mean ted bundy

    • Mild -ly - Facetious
      September 28, 2018 at 19:38

      So, did I say too much of the wrong thing when I spoke against the pink-faced spoiled brat cry-baby who is a sloppy drunk that assaults innocent girls at beer parties. ???

      Kavanaugh is a spoiled brat prep-school rich kid who’ll alway get his way until the Day Of Reckoning when he’ll be hit with the reality of,

      “BE SURE, YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT”.

      BTW ~ where oh where are my two previous posts ?????

  60. September 28, 2018 at 10:39

    These Republican senators are going to defend Kavanaugh and vote him in no matter what. We all know they will.

    Want to Know Why Conservatives Will Side with Kavanaugh over the Women? The Conservative Moral Hierarchy

    • strngr-tgthr
      September 28, 2018 at 10:47

      Thanks you! But we still have inpeachment! And he have Kavanaugh on High School Rape, Rape on a House Boat, Gang Rape (train style) and domestic rape of Girl Friend in 1998. This is a cereal offender here. How does he even have time to be a judge when he is out stawking all the time. Whyis he even a judge on are second highest court? The system is SO broken!!! I saw that the BTK Killer spent all his time in the stawk mode. These people are not stopped until they are caught. Have faith, we will inpeach and he will go in a prison cell with Bill Cosby!

      • mike k
        September 28, 2018 at 11:13

        Wouldn’t it be nice if Trump was our only problem, and putting Pence in his place was the solution? But then we could replace Pence, and then….and so on infinitum. We actually need to replace our entire government, and also our go along to get along zombie population. It’s a big order, so we better get started….

        • strngr-tgthr
          September 28, 2018 at 11:26

          That is the problem. What we need really is a government that does not change, because you can’t keeping voting all the time. The way are current system works, because of all the zombies every Democratic voter has to spend entire life in the voting booth the stop the zombies and it is exhawsting. We either need to stop people with out education from voting or change to a system where the goverment does not change. It was all perfect in 2008 and then it all got recked. This just can’t goon!

          • J2027
            September 30, 2018 at 18:34

            “It was all perfect in 2008 and then it all got recked?” Seriously? Are you feeling okay?

      • Anon
        September 30, 2018 at 08:15

        This is a cereal offender here – strngr-tgthr.

        Did he force her to eat Cheerios!

    • mike k
      September 28, 2018 at 11:05

      Great link! George Lakoff has got America down cold – the (phony) moral hierarchy. Brilliant insight.

      • mike k
        September 28, 2018 at 11:07

        Above comment meant as reply to O Society.

    • September 28, 2018 at 12:51

      Indeed. Once I learned to see it all as motivated reasoning with the intent of publicly affirming the conservative moral hierarchy to prove one’s own virtue, it all made sense!

    • September 28, 2018 at 17:30

      So just like Democrats and Clintons…..where is # Me Too?There’s enough hypocrisy to go around.

    • September 29, 2018 at 11:10

      The political drama is there to entertain the masses. The senators had their minds made up before this thing even started. How do we know this? Th Judiciary Committee panel advanced Kavanaugh by a 11-10 vote along party lines.

  61. mike k
    September 28, 2018 at 10:30

    Women must learn to submit to their male masters. Our republican rulers have made that clear. Any questions?

  62. Kathy Gray
    September 28, 2018 at 10:24

    Oh please, there is NO SUCH THING AS GOD. I won’t even bother to read this trash.

    • mike k
      September 28, 2018 at 10:33

      Thanks for your authoritative trashing of God. We really need your wisdom?

  63. mike k
    September 28, 2018 at 10:13

    One thing is clear now: to vote for anyone who identifies themselves as a republican or democrat is a lethal mistake. Both parties are rotten to the core.

    • strngr-tgthr
      September 28, 2018 at 11:02

      Not true. Only if you watch Bill Oriley and people like that on Fox News would you believe that. The difference is that the Republicans bring up phony women to say are candidate raped someone. This is how it is done in Russia! And who is the party stopping the Russia Probe? We are completely in the hands of Putin now who probably demanded that Kavanaugh get passed. Do we even no how many time Kavanaugh has been to Russia? No! Because the FBI can’t do its work, not even investigate this!

      • ronnie mitchell
        September 28, 2018 at 13:51

        You are so soaked in Rachel Maddow type kool-aide it is probably pointless to post this for you but I will for others to read.
        It is astounding to try to tie Russia and Putin as behind every perceived wrong in the world ,they ARE two separate things ya’ know as in Trump is not America. However he does represent it but with mask off, no charming words unlike Obama who spoke so well while bringing about the deaths of tens of thousands of people in Libya or funding terrorists in an attempt at another regime change so the U, UK and France can’t loot the resources.

        i guess you missed this…”On Tuesday of this week, in a story that’s almost impossible to find anywhere, Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, agreed to cave in to Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell so that they could fast-track 11 of the pro-corporate, anti-consumer judges that Republicans are wanting to ram through the courts, or through the nomination confirmation process, before the midterm elections. This is why people get mad at the DNC, and the establishment Democrats, and at the Democratic Party itself in general. There was no reason whatsoever for the Democrats to cave on this issue, none.”
        https://trofire.com/2018/08/31/democrats-cave-agree-to-fast-track-trumps-corporate-judges/

      • Gregory Herr
        September 28, 2018 at 18:31

        Listen closely next time you pour milk over your Rice Krispies. Those snap, crackles, and pops are code for “Putin is a cereal offender”. Really!

  64. will
    September 28, 2018 at 09:35

    Couple of thoughts: Interesting that no one is talking about Kavanough’s lies to congress while under oath about his role in the stolen Democratic party emails back during the Bush years, something that ought to result in his being removed from the judiciary completely. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/judge-brett-kavanaugh-should-be-impeached-for-lying-during-his-confirmation-hearings.html

    My other thought is the Democrats kind of suck for jettisoning Al Franken over grabbing some women’s muffin top and posing for a photo with a sleeping Leanne Tweden (anyone who is familiar with Tweededn’s 1990’s career as a Motocross “spokesmodel” know she made her early cash by sticking her breasts into the faces of 10 year old motocross racers while their father’s snapped pics of their son’s red faced discomfort because it was…comedy gold). hard to believe the Franken photos was quite as bad as drunken prep school / frat boy date rape so obviously the MO of Kavanaugh and friends. The remind me of the Weimar social democrats except of course the Weimar Social democrats didn’t ask for their role nor did they deserve to be the scape goats for the “stab in the back”

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 29, 2018 at 11:31

      “Couple of thoughts: Interesting that no one is talking about Kavanough’s lies to congress while under oath about his role in the stolen Democratic party emails back during the Bush years, something that ought to result in his being removed from the judiciary completely.”

      The reason for that is simple: Democrats have no power to stop Kavanaugh’s appointment. That depends entirely on getting a couple Republicans to vote No, and they would not be impressed by the line of argument you (and others) have suggested.

  65. September 28, 2018 at 07:52

    Why would God save Kavanaugh? He and the rest of the fiends on display worship Mammon

  66. dick Spencer
    September 28, 2018 at 05:05

    These prep school boys are about as exceptional as the parliamentary side of my arse .

  67. Jim Hartz
    September 28, 2018 at 03:24

    Someone should have asked Judge Kavanaugh, following his tearful, angry, self-righteous Catholic Jock family man protestations whether he believed God had forsaken him?

  68. eiplek
    September 28, 2018 at 01:33

    Thank you Ray McGovern for an excellent analysis. I have followed you since we used to publish your work on Truthout. You have great integrity and vision. Good character shines through in a person. Brett Kavanaugh does not have it. It has nothing to do with his gender. It is his soul that is corrupt and you correctly identify factors in his upbringing that likely contributed: the extremely patriarchal Catholic church, and his elite upbringing being the obvious ones. Why should we have to accept such a person as a Supreme Court judge? There must be a million better candidates.

    • will
      September 28, 2018 at 09:39

      and yet,Kan\vanaugh will be confirmed and it will be too late. A recent article in New York magazine show us that since Justice Clarence Thomas succeeded in lying his way through his confirmation hearings while his accuser was attacked by republicans and democrats alike, several people have come forward with information that proves without a doubt that Thomas purred himself and should be impeached…yet there he sits still.

    • mike k
      September 28, 2018 at 10:58

      Exactly.

      • September 29, 2018 at 07:02

        I was conditioned to believe that women were better than men. Women are sugar and spice and all things nice, while we lads were snicks and snails and puppy dogs tails and all that guff. As an adult I find the same attitude is being used to condemn men out of hand. These days we are all drunks, we all beat our wives and we have sex even with our dogs while no one is looking and we keep all the money for ourselves, or so it would appear from Divorce Court Proceedings, according to these honest women. The very idea that there are not hundreds of thousands of women, who would tell lies in Court or anywhere else is ridiculous beyond belief, and yet here we are attempting to insinuate that Kavanaugh is the one most likely to be telling lies, when in fact Occam’s Razor, which has been previously mentioned, urges us to accept the simplest solution which in this case is that there is nothing for Kavanaugh to defend himself against all of the claims are rubbish and would get nowhere without the misrepresentation offered by those like Ray McGovern, which is mere speculation and opinion, none of which takes us any closer to the truth.

        • Kim
          September 29, 2018 at 10:45

          Let’s see …. One party whose statements may be lies stands to gain a position of great power and prestige while the other party whose statements may be lies stands to gain death threats to herself and her family.

          Pretty clear which one Occam’s Razor would determine to be the truth-teller.

  69. Zhubajie
    September 28, 2018 at 01:13

    It’s worth mentioning that in atheist countries & polytheistic countries, men and women have the same conflicts.

  70. JR_Leonardi
    September 27, 2018 at 23:08

    Bravo (or Brava?) backwardsevolution

  71. Lance Jobson
    September 27, 2018 at 22:56

    Religion is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

    • JR_Leonardi
      September 27, 2018 at 23:12

      Let me try to apprehend your “logic.” Is it: ‘If one takes “last” refuge in religion, one is a scoundrel’? What reflection of witchcraft.

      Please know that I am an atheist and contemn all religion, even personal moral codes (superego driven or not).

      • Andrew Dabrowski
        September 28, 2018 at 10:39

        He was paraphrasing Hume.

        “contemn all religion, even personal moral codes”

        So you are an amoralist?

    • Will
      September 28, 2018 at 09:40

      religion is often as not…the first refuge

    • mike k
      September 28, 2018 at 10:37

      And atheism has it’s full share of scoundrels too. Being human seems to be the only qualification needed.

      • Homer Jay
        September 29, 2018 at 06:29

        Thank you Mike. I personally tire of how sexy it is these days to knock religion/worship in all its forms. It is a form of social acceptable bigotry on the left, especially regarding Christianity. It is secular fundamentalism, and no better than the religious brand. The fact that within religions you have all sorts of repulsive characters proves only that people don’t become saints simply by proclaiming their belief in God or in any religion. I also make a distinction between the institutions of a religion (i.e. the Catholic church) and the doctrine, and see how people often mix these two up. And lets not forget that the good the happens because of these institutions does not make the news.

        McGovern has made the keen observation based in part on his personal experience, that the way God is perverted in these elite institutions, lays the foundation for a mass shared grandiosity among its members. It is what allows a person like Kavanaugh to do what he did, and then to convince himself he did nothing wrong, and if you watched his testimony he is indeed convinced. Afterall he is a chosen one. And how could he look his wife and daughters in the eye if he were to admit what he did? So he goes into attack mode. He’s scared.

    • September 28, 2018 at 10:49

      Patriotism. Samuel Johnson.

      https://www.samueljohnson.com/refuge.html

  72. JR_Leonardi
    September 27, 2018 at 22:55

    Ray McGovern’s article disappoints me, causes me deep sadness.

    When addressing matters like Russiagate or the siege and terrorizing of Julian Assange, Mr. McGovern rests his arguments on hard, competent RELEVANT evidence and pertinent legitimate logical analysis.
    a
    But in this case, his character-lynching of a decent, honorable federal judge of great integrity and professional zeal, Mr. McGovern follows the lead of the same political factions and politicians that, otherwise, he virtually contemns for their frauds and moral corruptions that endanger our Republic and much of the world.

    Mr. McGovern’s Kavanaugh-bashing rests on ZERO relevant evidence. And it could not find any relevant-evidence-formed premises, because none exists, since the Democrats’ entire character-assassination exercise follows and pursues naught but slander, libel, and fraud and the most despicable, illegitimate, even arguably illicit, political objective.

    We are witnessing a sequel of McCarthyism and, even, the methodology of Stalinist Russia.

    • JR_Leonardi
      September 27, 2018 at 23:18

      I tried to delete the errant “a” but could not find an edit-mechanism. Sorry.

      • Lucius Patrick
        September 27, 2018 at 23:43

        Nail hit right on the head. Hypocrisy is overwhelming; surprising coming from Ray McGovern…

      • backwardsevolution
        September 28, 2018 at 02:25

        JR_Leonardi – if you want to edit your post, go up to the top left-hand corner of your screen and hit the “refresh” button. Once you do this, you will see below your post an “Edit” button. Click on this “Edit” button and then make the necessary changes in your post. I think it gives you 4 minutes to do this. But don’t forget to press the “Save” button (which is also at the bottom of your post, next to the “Edit” button) after you’re finished. That allows your post to now stand. Cheers.

    • Myra Zuckerman
      September 28, 2018 at 00:23

      The woman who came forth has done so at great risk to her family and herself. She is speaking out as she felt she must. This is a position as a Supreme Court Justice for life.You lump her and all Democrats together as if there are no individuals at all in the millions of Democrats who exist in this country. That in itself is a cruel vision of so many of your fellow US citizens. We are all here for a very short time. We all live, die, and have a common humanity. That is not even part of your writing.

      You say that Kavanaugh has great integrity. Do you know him personally? He has acted in such contempt towards this woman. I don’t know her and yet her words ring true. I don’t know Kavanaugh but have been horrified by his contempt and dismissal of the women speaking out. That in itself is deeply disturbing. The President’s total backing of Kavanaugh and his condemnation and character assassination of the women speaking out is ominous, contemptuous, and frightening.

      The woman’s written statement is clear and powerful. To say her words are zero evidence is profoundly disturbing. Your words and utter dismissal of her chills me to the depth of my being. Chills me. She has courage and I am admire her telling her story despite threats to her family and her life.

      • JR_Leonardi
        September 28, 2018 at 00:58

        Your belief is not evidence. Zero evidence supports the character-assassination of Judge Kavanaugh. The accusations would be merely risible blather were they not being used illegitimately and tortiously (even perjuriously) to harm Judge Kavanaugh and the nomination, advice, and consent process.

        • HanzP
          September 28, 2018 at 02:41

          “Your belief is not evidence.”

          Lol…and no one believes harder and thinks more logically fallacious than a self-proclaimed ‘atheist’.

          • JR_Leonardi
            September 28, 2018 at 03:31

            Your “logic” is: Self-proclaimed atheists are believers and thus think logically fallacious thoughts. Can you not see the absurdity of that ILLOGIC? Then, too, believers of WHAT?

            Below is a list of about 1/10 of the renown scientists and mathematicians who are (or were ’til they died) atheists. More than half won Nobel prizes. A near-complete list appears at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_atheists_in_science_and_technology I expect you believe they, too, think (or thought) logically fallacious thoughts.

            Zhores Alferov
            Hannes Alfvén
            Philip W. Anderson
            Larned B. Asprey
            Peter Atkins
            David P. Barash
            Sir Edward Battersby Bailey
            Gregory Bateson
            Sir Patrick Bateson
            William Bateson
            George Beadle
            John Stewart Bell
            John Desmond Bernal
            Marcellin Berthelot
            Claude Louis Berthollet
            Hans Bethe
            Norman Bethune
            Colin Blakemore
            Niels Bohr
            Sir Hermann Bondi
            Paul D. Boyer
            Sydney Brenner
            Calvin Bridges
            Percy Williams Bridgman
            Paul Broca
            Louis de Broglie
            Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet
            Geoffrey Burnstock
            Sir Paul Callaghan
            Sean B. Carroll
            Sean M. Carroll
            Raymond Cattell
            James Chadwick
            Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
            Georges Charpak
            Boris Chertok
            William Kingdon Clifford
            Sir John Cornforth
            Jerry Coyne
            Francis Crick
            George Washington Crile
            Pierre Curie
            Jean le Rond d’Alembert
            Sir Howard Dalton
            Richard Dawkins
            Christian de Duve
            Augustus De Morgan
            Arnaud Denjoy
            David Deutsch
            Paul Dirac
            Carl Djerassi
            Emil du Bois-Reymond
            Eugene Dynkin

          • will
            September 28, 2018 at 09:54

            JR…see the thing is most people here simply don’t care enough about arguing with you about their atheism,agnosticism nor their religion to engage you on that level…whats being pointed out is your desire to flog that dead cow because atheism is *your* religion.

        • HanzP
          September 28, 2018 at 06:00

          Hahh, your response is precise evidence of my assertion regarding such logically fallacious thinking! A perfect demonstration of what Plato called “double ignorance”, meaning you are incapable of making the necessary recognition. Good luck. ;-)

          • Mild -ly- Facetious
            September 28, 2018 at 16:57

            Atheism is Pseudo Science?

            Let’s move on to

            TRANS HUMANISM

            BIO-GENETICS

            The Manifestation

            of HUXLEY’S vision. …

            >> TRANSHUMANISM <<

            (look and see what lies ahead … ."

            https://carm.org/what-is-transhumanism

        • mike k
          September 28, 2018 at 10:54

          There is plenty of evidence in this matter. More than appears in many court cases. More could be found through a thorough FBI investigation, which Kavanaugh avoids like the plague!

        • historicus
          September 28, 2018 at 10:57

          It’s not even remotely surprising that men who are trained to claw their way to the top by trampling other men use women as objects to be used and discarded. Rather we should look at his track record as an adult, in particular his appalling endorsement as White House counsel of torture, detention without trial, ignoring the Geneva Conventions, abolishing habeas corpus, and generally discarding the rule of law laid down by the Founders.

          • HanzP
            September 28, 2018 at 19:04

            Amen, and particularly Natural Law as embodied in the forsaken Declaration of Independence.

            Cheers.

          • Skip Scott
            September 29, 2018 at 09:40

            Yes, these are the areas that should be discussed regarding his character, or lack thereof, and the wisdom of making this man a supreme court justice. Yet they will go by unmentioned, because in all these areas both sides of the aisle have been thoroughly corrupted.

        • J2027
          September 30, 2018 at 18:47

          Of course it’s political.What goes around comes around. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

      • strngr-tgthr
        September 28, 2018 at 01:30

        Me too there. Chilled like Jeffry Dahmer or Zodiac on the Supreme Court I tell you. We have this guy for rape on an houseboat, gang rape train and raping his own girlfreind in 1998. And now many more victims are out there? These people just don’t stop till they get caught. How does he even be a judge as he is stawking womens all the time? It is a full time job for these cereal crimnals. But full Senate vote still isnt till next week so hopefully we get a full list his victims if they to have the curage like Dr Ford to step foeward. They might say Dr Ford has zero evidence, but what about all the others who have the same rape stories and curage? They are making it up to? We are looking at Republican suicide here for sure. I am reading it is possible to inpeach Kavanaugh along with Trump once we get are House back in November.

        • LarcoMarco
          September 28, 2018 at 02:27

          strngr-tgthr – When you read your script into your computer, you need to articulate better, or else readers will start to think you are one of Hillary’s AI bots.

        • Anon
          September 30, 2018 at 08:19

          Impeachment requires 67 senate votes which is impossible.

      • Annie
        September 28, 2018 at 03:03

        Ms, Zukerman, do you know Ms Ford? Can you vouch for her integrity? There is no evidence to substantiate her claims. I believe in due process and those that make these accusations should not be exempt from offering proof. Their word alone is not enough. I’m sure you would agree that in a court of law one has to offer proof in order for their to be a conviction.

        • mike k
          September 28, 2018 at 10:48

          Kavanaugh is ducking a thorough FBI investigation of the facts.

          • September 28, 2018 at 19:56

            Mike K,
            He has been through multiple FBI investigations, and I don’t think he’s ducking anything. As you must know by now there will be an investigation. An investigation will not come to a conclusion, as was reported during the hearings. Joe Biden said as much during the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings. It’s pretty clear to me that the democrats are trying to sabotage his confirmation as a Supreme Court Judge. Even as a woman, I feel outraged that any women can make these sexual allegations without any corroborating evidence and be taken seriously. The burden of proof is on the accuser, and in a court of law on the prosecution. Much of our politics is little more then a charade and this charade is driven by the democrats, as is Russia-gate.

        • Homer jay
          October 1, 2018 at 06:48

          This is not a court case, it’s a job interview and we the people are the interviewers. (at least that’s the way it is supposed to work)

      • irina
        September 28, 2018 at 03:51

        “The woman’s written statement” went through MANY DRAFTs and was created
        after she got ‘lawyered up’. Then, she practiced reading it in the appropriate tone
        and mode (entitled victim who has memory issues). This was a poor attempt at
        addressing a Shakespearean situation. Many women are vicariously re-living past
        experiences through Blasey-Fords story. They don’t care if it her story is true or not.
        What they care about is that the story itself is something they can relate to. And they
        are NOT making a distinction between those two separate realities. That is a travesty.

      • mike k
        September 28, 2018 at 10:42

        I agree totally. Very necessary comment, and well expressed. There is unfortunately a lot of male ego being expressed on these pages, along with a load of “my party right or wrong”.

        • irina
          September 28, 2018 at 12:26

          I am not male and not anywhere near being Republican.

          Nevertheless, this is a very dangerous path we are going down.
          There is such a thing as a ‘malevolent female’ and I refuse to
          believe all women simply because of their gender.

      • September 28, 2018 at 11:55

        Myra Zuckerman, You are so correct in your assertions, and Leonardi (a troll?) has said nothing of value . His seeming disbelief has no merit. There should be an investigation by the FBI…to gather facts necessary for a fair decision to be attained. Here is a link to an article on the book written by Mark Judge in 1997 https://www.newsweek.com/brett-kavanaugh-refuses-bart-okavanaugh-question-1142733 He must be interviewed by the FBI…but his book is damning .

    • September 28, 2018 at 05:44

      This is Consortium News. Where’s the evidence.
      It’s all he said she said.
      The accusations may be true or they may be a deliberate spanner in the works.

      I expect scepticism from this publication.

      • mike k
        September 28, 2018 at 10:46

        Be careful with that razor Occam! You apparently do not know what constitutes evidence.

        • HanzP
          September 28, 2018 at 19:29

          Lol…yep, the classic razor by ‘invocation’ fallacy.

    • September 28, 2018 at 06:55

      Hang on a bit! ZERO evidence? You’re absolutely right. Dr. Ford doesn’t count – she’s only a woman! Just like the other 2 or 3, with probably more to come.

      There probably is more evidence out there. I’d like to hear Mark Judge under oath. Why the rush? Can’t we wait a bit for him?

      Why even get politicians to vote on Kavanaugh’s innocence? We all know which way they will vote. Why not let some honest people do it?

      A guy who believes a President should be above the law, while in office, is neither decent, or honorable, and certainly lacks integrity.
      Of course, he only means a US President – certainly not a Libyan, Iraqi, Russian, Syrian, Serbian, Chinese President – or any other, for that matter – with the possible exception of Israeli or Saudi Presidents.

      However I do agree that the Democrats are guilty of character-assassination, just like the Republicans “pursue nought but slander, libel, and fraud and the most despicable, illegitimate, even arguably illicit, political objective” in dismissing the accusations of Dr. Ford, who would be considered “decent, honorable, of great integrity and professional zeal”, if only she were not a damned woman.

      • E Wright
        September 28, 2018 at 08:56

        The witness is alleging criminal conduct. Why was this not reported to police a long time ago? Because any grand jury indictment would need corroboration. Saying “me too” isn’t corroboration.

        Who stands to benefit from this charade? Why the Democrats of course. Not only in the matter of the Supreme Court nomination but also for the midterms.

        If you are going to stand on principles of fairness then this is a good test for you. In our legal system, two believable witnesses cancel each other out. No corroboration, no case.

      • JoeSixPack
        September 28, 2018 at 13:18

        Accusations are not evidence. This is pure political theater which you have fallen for. Neither party cares about what happened to Dr Ford. Both are using it to their advantage to score political points for the mid terms. Nothing more.

    • Will
      September 28, 2018 at 09:52

      Actually Mr. Leonardi, there are quite a few witnesses to Mr. Kavanugh’s behavior in college and prep school that lend a great deal of credibility to the (now four women’s) stories about his propensity for ugly drunken behavior towards women and what is in fact the classic frat boy MO for date rape-drinking games that somehow end up with the most vulnerable/ out group woman at the party doing most of the drinking before being victimized. no one who lives in an American big ten university town (as I do) hasn’t read accounts of frat boy date rape by wealthy entitled individuals like Kavanaugh (often read into evidence in criminal trials resulting in criminal convictions). As to your other comment that Kavanaugh is a decent man…well, he lied to congress while under oath about his roles in using stolen emails from the democrats….I suspect our republican party feels fortunate that they have this distraction in which they can simply call kavanaugh’s accusers “a little bit nutty and a little bit slutty” and confirm him without the more difficult question of his other perjury coming up… Finally…always interesting to see how the far right and far left can alays come together here on consortium news and agree on so many things. It’s so very 1932!

      • MBeaver
        September 28, 2018 at 12:31

        Witnesses are even considered useless after a few days of waiting before getting their statement. And here youre talking about decades, politically motivated at that.
        There is nothing to discuss.

    • Loretta
      September 28, 2018 at 10:53

      McGovern’s article gave me great insight into the types of characters involved in this squalid and depraved demonstration of political perception management. Having no experience in politics nor the thinking and mind-set of American elites myself, I found his explaination interesting as I have, on numerous occasions, asked myself what KIND of person would engage in such behaviour. I’m grateful for the background information which paints a picture of a mentality which has bred generations of people of the unimaginable sort. These are people I frankly wouldn’t give the time of day – and appatently, they’re running your country!

    • MBeaver
      September 28, 2018 at 12:33

      I was shocked, too.
      I will take his future (and even past) articles with lots of salt.

    • Laualie
      September 28, 2018 at 16:11

      I thought he did a good job of pointing out that there is little in the way of hard evidence, that a call still has to be made and that he was very forthcoming about why he landed where he did. Your view seems to be that there is no issue and no call has to be made?

    • September 28, 2018 at 18:13

      Integrity?

      Kavanaugh was part of the Starr team witch hunt and helped GW steal a US election in Florida.He worked with GW Bush who is a treasonous war criminal who shredded the constitution and illegally spied on us and Tortured “some folks”.He is a disgrace.

      Those crimes alone should disqualify him from any bench never mind the supreme court.

  73. mike k
    September 27, 2018 at 21:58

    As a Trump defense lawyer, you really suck.

  74. mike k
    September 27, 2018 at 21:56

    The disgusting criminals called the US Senate were on full display today. These deeply evil old men rule your society for the greed of their wealthy controllers. These guys really care about you – NOT!

  75. Uncle Bob
    September 27, 2018 at 20:32

    For me, reading the comments on this site , Twitter, & the intercept were more than enough.
    I concur, either way this turns out, things will just get WORSE
    At my local fitness club this afternoon, I walk through the gym on the way to the pool. It was virtually empty with all the big screens turned OFF. The pool is usually packed with folks milling around the lounge area visiting. 3 people were swimming

  76. mike k
    September 27, 2018 at 19:10

    The one thing Kavanaugh stood up for strongly was his beer. There’s a clue there for those who can see it.

  77. mike k
    September 27, 2018 at 19:07

    It’s interesting how the crypto Trump supporters come out clearly now on this blog, under pressure from the Kavanaugh affair. Desperately eager to get their far right guy in the Supreme Court. Terrified that the dems might win the House in the coming elections, and force a more moderate choice.

    But not to worry, because the dems are crypto rightists themselves, and would never be caught endorsing a left leaning choice. The one thing today’s hearing showed was the ugly face of every senator taking part in it. What a disgusting spectacle of these Mafiosi pretending to be principled!

    • September 28, 2018 at 00:53

      Speaking of mafiaosa,I’m sorry but wasn’t Hillary Clinton the last nominee for president of the United States?

      Wasn’t Bill Clinton accused of rape and sexual assault?

      The hypocrisy is outstanding and awe inspiring.

      But now they care about women?

      • irina
        September 28, 2018 at 12:30

        Rape, sexual assault and palling around with good buddy
        and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein on the Lolita Express.

        Lots of info out there but somehow it all gets squelched.

        And Hillary is on record as saying that, after she got elected,
        she was going to put Dear Billy in charge of ‘the economy’.
        Another two-fer Presidency, Yet the other women in my
        family still hold it against me that I didn’t vote for Herself.
        (In a reliably Red state, it was safe for me to vote Green).

    • Realist
      September 28, 2018 at 03:09

      I don’t think one has to support Trump’s agenda (whatever that is at this point) or be an extreme right wing arch-conservative to object to the way the Democrats are trying to block Kavanaugh’s appointment through blatant last-second character assassination. I’ve been a liberal Democrat all my life. I would not like to see Roe v Wade struck down, environmental laws deconstructed, or labor unions further handicapped (to name just a few issues) by court decisions that Mr. Kavanaugh would likely make possible. However, as the “Jevies” (Jesuits) used to teach in Catholic high schools and universities back in the day, back in Ray McGovern’s day, back in my day, “the ends do not justify the means.” Destroying a man’s career and good name through lies and slander just to accomplish a political goal is an intrinsic evil, even if you believe the politics of your opposition is also an evil. Mr. Kavanaugh’s accuser claims that she has no political motives whatsoever, that this is all about principle surrounding the fair treatment of women. If you believe that I will sell you half the Everglades for a nickel an acre.

      The facts are indisputable. She had 36 years in order to bring the man up on charges in one venue or another. (As did his other three accusers who suddenly sprouted from earth that has remained undisturbed for nearly four decades.) The man received several previous judicial appointments which she could have attempted to block by bringing up her supposed dirty laundry. But she did nothing until practically the moment before he was to ascend to the Supreme Court.

      People say her life was ruined from the moment she had this alleged interaction with Mr. Kavanaugh. Yet she has the prestigious position of Professor of Psychology at Palo Alto University. Palo Alto, for the uninformed, has the highest property values in the entire nation. So, she has not been economically or professionally disadvantaged from her hypothetical lingering trauma which only now suddenly needs remediation. She is also happily married with children, if I am not mistaken.

      I don’t think it’s just a coincidence that her field of speciality is psychology. She knows exactly how to manipulate and influence people most effectively. She understands the effects of not only narratives and rhetoric, but also elements like intonation and body language on those who receive her messaging. The negotiations she carried out with the senate committee pursuant to giving testimony were a masterful piece of work to maximize her hand and would have been the envy of the proverbial “Philadelphia lawyer.” I don’t buy her victimhood for a second.

      This is not how the Dems should be going about the business of promoting their purported “principles” (which they subsequently abandon more often than not) morally or ethically. Yes, the GOPers were also reprehensible the way they blackballed Merrick Garland. The only “good” thing one can say about that is they didn’t try to frame him as a sex offender, 36 years after the fact and based on “memories” that have faded nearly entirely away (which would NOT happen if the alleged incident were real–not in my book).

      Sorry to say, but I think that Diane Feinstein and the Dems have been in cahoots with this accuser not only to sabotage the appointment of Kavanaugh to the highest court in the land but also to influence the mid-term elections only one month away. This is their way of rallying their female base to come out and support the “blue wave” and stick it to Trump. Viva la resistance and all that BS. Tough luck for Judge Kavanaugh that he becomes collateral damage, but, you know, “politics ain’t beanbag.” Why do you Democrats make it so difficult for me to support your pretended policies and principles because of your depraved actions? Somebody, please, create a viable third party, one not composed of liars, poseurs and false prophets like all of those presently in office.

      • irina
        September 28, 2018 at 03:56

        Bravo ! Well stated Realist !

      • backwardsevolution
        September 28, 2018 at 04:39

        Realist – so well said! Thank you.

      • michael
        September 28, 2018 at 09:53

        Agree with your take on the matter. But beyond her neurobiology/ studied response background,and her carefully crafted story under the Democrat “resistance”, her family has several known CIA members and she heads the CIA internship program at Stanford. And the CIA’s values are surely “the ends justify the means” and good lying is appropriate in support of ideals (such as keeping an avowed conservative off the Supreme Court through character assassination; her story was not supported by the other people she names at the party including her best friend Leland Ingham). Her “witnesses” for her 1982 “attack” were her husband, her psychiatrist and neighbors that she spoke with since 2012. Kavanaugh had a three year series of confirmation hearings, culminating in his District Court appointment in 2006; that would have been the time for Ford to bring up her story.
        She stated as her reason for her requested delay was that she’s petrified of flying and would have to cross the US by automobile. She flew of course. She lists travel as her hobby, and has been to French New Guinea, as well as Costa Rica, and Hawaii. Her delay was obviously intentional, as was the slow popping up of additional witnesses to deal with. Kavanaugh’s background has been investigated multiple times for multiple Federal positions (six?) and either the FBI is grossly incompetent, or these accusations have no value.
        The most charitable way to look at Ford’s recollection of the drunken party, normal for that culture of underage students, is that she really believed the groping destroyed her life, and to Kavanaugh and his friends, nothing happened. Most of the girls that I know from that period would have slapped or busted Kavanaugh’s jaw for unwanted advances; if not, their brothers or father would have had an ugly interaction with Kavanaugh.

        • Stiv
          September 28, 2018 at 13:55

          Michael, I spent what little time I have during a break to research on your claim that Dr. Ford heads the CIA internship program at Standford University.. You tell me where you found this information because it certainly is not on their website. The Internship program does appear to be real though.

          https://haas.stanford.edu/people

          But maybe this is just another “deep state” program working under the cover of the “Clinton cabal”…cue the laughter.

          For my part, Kavenaugh has shown to have the temperment that has been described by an increasing number of acquaintances. Belligerent huffing and puffing and certainly showing his political partisan side clearly would make him a poor choice. He has ongoing “issues” that this country will be living with for a generation, if confirmed.

          Full disclosure…I grew up in the DC area…went to Woodrow Wilson High and graduated at W. Springfield in VA. I recognize much of the attitude I see from Kavenaugh..and yea, I hated it then and my group regularly fought the “jocks” even though we were all from priveledged backgrounds. So I look at Kavenaugh and instinctually want to beat him to a pulp. That’s my problem. I would suggest people pull their heads out before it becomes the nation’s problem too.

        • Realist
          September 29, 2018 at 04:58

          Great contribution, just loaded with salient facts, Michael.

          Sorry to respond so late, but there ARE other things transpiring in this world today none of which are as madcap as this phony issue.

        • rife kimler
          September 29, 2018 at 06:27

          the CIAs ultimate goal wouldnt seem to me to be keeping kavanaugh off of the SC, but to fuel domestic division and strife.

      • September 28, 2018 at 18:16

        Well Done!

        • September 28, 2018 at 18:20

          do you have any links for that ?……..Ive been reading her ties to the CIA yet haven’t found a reputable source and would love to find one.

          Thanks.
          Jean

          That would be very interesting indeed.

      • September 28, 2018 at 18:27

        Can I re post this on another site?……..this just sums the issue up perfectly.

        • Realist
          September 29, 2018 at 05:00

          If you are referring to what I wrote, by all means do so.

          I try to look at the world as objectively and logically as possible.

          Hey, it’s what the Jesuits always said they did (even when they didn’t).

          • September 29, 2018 at 20:55

            Thanks……I love your contributions.You sum up perfectly what I feel about this whole debacle.

      • Anon
        September 30, 2018 at 08:26

        I watched her testimony and it did not seem credible to me. She was switching back and forth from a 15 year old girl to a 51 year old woman. It was contrived and manipulative. She appears to have some serious emotional issues.

  78. Robert Emmett
    September 27, 2018 at 18:26

    Ha ha ha. What? Another shit show for the hoi polloi! Rule of law, rule of law, screeched those hard righters in support of Slick Willy’s impreachment for lying about getting head in the Oval. Oyez, oyez now blather ye all to protect a so-called rule of law by a Just-Is Department that sanctions torture and murder of civilians during illegal acts of war abroad and to shield a principal of innocent until proven guilty that’s violated all the time in the press to instill lies in public discourse and to set the narrative on a course protect the wealthy & powerful.

    Oh, but sexual indiscretion and he said-she said is so much easier for us mushy-brained rabble (not to mention Congress) to understand.

    https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/09/16/kavanaugh-misrepresented-his-own-opinions-senate-judiciary-committee

    Don’t confuse us with nuance or complexity or, above-all, critical thinking.

    https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/09/27/what-brett-kavanaugh-really-learned-in-high-school-make-the-rules-break-the-rules-and-prosper/

    In any event, the inadvertent reveals from this saga, despite the usual efforts to suppress them, are instructive. The photos alone of self-important expressions of anger, mock seriousness, privilege and all around smarminess (by parties on all sides) tell the tale.

    • Anon
      September 30, 2018 at 08:30

      Yes, it was a very interesting and entertaining circus with very high TV ratings. Smarmy is the perfect word to describe it. But it is interesting to note that the elites (both Kav and Ford) are turning on each other.

  79. Jeff Harrison
    September 27, 2018 at 18:18

    Well, no Ray, I don’t think of God as a male because (1) giving God a sex implies God with the other sex – we are, we are told, made in God’s image, and (2) I don’t buy into the whole sky pilot story in the first place. I have yet to see evidence of his/her/its existence. Evidence that can be seen by others who aren’t on good pharmaceuticals, that is.

  80. backwardsevolution
    September 27, 2018 at 17:46

    I do remember someone telling me that if things are “really” important, we actually do remember a great deal of detail because there is an actual process for placing that memory in a spot where it can be recalled. It takes conscious effort, or at least a going-over of details before it is placed in memory.

    I remembered a particular conversation I had word for word, and this was from a conversation that took place 25 years prior. This person told me that this conversation must have been very important to me; that’s why I remembered the DETAILS.

    Ordinary conversation or events that don’t mean much to people are not remembered in detail. Important things ARE remembered, along with the details.

    These women do not remember details.

    • Frank
      September 27, 2018 at 18:11

      BWE,

      Two things: 1. it is common for traumatic memories to be forgotten or stuffed down by victims 2. it is even more common for people like Ms. Ford not to report abuse for long periods, some people up to 40-50 years after it occurred. This is why several states changed the statutes of limitations on sexual assault claims after experience with abuse by clergy in the Catholic church. Many victims were unable to come forward until years later due to the level of trauma that had been inflicted on them. This included both adults and children.

      A thorough investigation, which Ms. Ford did ask for, thus would be very helpful in this situation. It is often possible to piece things together if one really wants to find out the truth of the matter. I hope that will be done in this case. I have a distinct feeling that more recent allegations will be coming up soon. We will just need to let evidence surface.

      • September 28, 2018 at 18:31

        What evidence?…..She doesn’t even remember where ,when or who?Her own friend says she wasn’t there and never met Kavanough.

        It was 30 years ago…..

    • Frank
      September 27, 2018 at 18:19

      BWE,

      Actually it is common to not remember trauma or to remember it but not report it for 40 or even 50 years later. Many states changed or eliminated their statutes of limitations on sexual assault after realizing these very facts after hearing from innumerable cases of abuse from clergy in the Catholic church. This was true of both adults and children.

      This is exactly why an FBI or some kind of law enforcement investigation would be very helpful. It is often possible to piece together what happened, even a long time ago, if one has a dedication to the truth.

  81. backwardsevolution
    September 27, 2018 at 16:59

    Kathy Mayes – yes, thank you. Same with famous athletes, famous rock stars. Particular types of girls actually throw themselves at these guys. It’s like a symbiotic relationship – the famous person gets a girl, and the girl gets to be with a famous person. They both get what they’re after. Like finds like.

  82. Sifting
    September 27, 2018 at 16:52

    Kathy, Thank you.

  83. backwardsevolution
    September 27, 2018 at 16:35

    “Mitchell then asked why polygraph administrator Jerry Hanafin did not conduct the exam in his Virginia office, and instead held it at a hotel next to Washington International Airport, Ford said: “I had left my grandmother’s funeral at that point at Fort Lincoln Cemetery that day and I was on a tight schedule to get to make a plane to Manchester, New Hampshire.”

    They postponed the hearing from Monday until Thursday because Ms. Ford said she was afraid to fly and needed time to drive.

    Turns out she flew to Washington for the hearing today. She flew in August on holidays, she flew recently to Hawaii, and then she flew to the funeral.

    That’s one great big lie.

    • Frank
      September 27, 2018 at 17:44

      Why do you say that BWE? I’m terrified of flying but I do it in certain cases. If I can avoid flying I do so. For example, going to HI. I can’t hire a private boat to get me there. I don’t have a boat myself so that would mean I would have to fly. Lots of times it is necessary to fly when I’d rather not. Can you not understand how even people terrified of fly do fly?

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 17:54

        Frank – yes, of course, and I do understand what you’re saying. My point was that they postponed the hearing on Monday and rescheduled it for Thursday to allow Ms. Ford time to drive across country, as she had told them she was afraid to fly. But it turns out she didn’t drive at all; she flew. So the hearing could have been on Monday, after all. That’s my only point. She misled the Judicial Committee.

        • Frank
          September 27, 2018 at 18:13

          I don’t feel that was misleading at all. They were negotiating and she was hoping to drive. Since the Senate wanted hearings sooner, she fly in to meet their time line. This actually shows her willingness to accommodate them.

          • backwardsevolution
            September 27, 2018 at 18:34

            Frank – no, they gave her until last Friday at 10:00 p.m. to respond. She asked for another day to say whether she would come. On Saturday, Ms. Ford responded that Thursday would allow her time to get to Washington without flying. This whole hearing was postponed because of her.

      • JR_Leonardi
        September 27, 2018 at 23:14

        Please write English. What is “BWE”?

        • backwardsevolution
          September 28, 2018 at 02:28

          JR_Leonardi – BWE is an abbreviation for my name: backwardsevolution.

        • LarcoMarco
          September 28, 2018 at 02:29

          BWE = backwardsevolution

  84. mike k
    September 27, 2018 at 15:17

    These are times that reveal people’s true colors. Some are ugly, some are beautiful, many are just confused. Domination and abuse of women by men has been with us from way back. If you can’t see that, I have to wonder why? Could it be that you are part of the problem?

    • irina
      September 27, 2018 at 15:42

      “Domination and abuse of men by men” and (also, too), sometimes by women “has been with us
      from way back” as well. I am female, have been in numerous situations which would now classify
      as ‘harassment’ and some certainly were ‘assault’. Nevertheless, I would never ever try to ‘go viral’
      decades later on the basis of allegations which are not and cannot be substantiated, against people
      who may or may not have been perpetrators in activities I may or may not remember accurately.

      Just not who I am. Sorry if that makes me ‘part of the problem’. We all have our own histories.

      • Anon
        September 28, 2018 at 07:17

        I too was assaulted, harassed, and stalked. I remember every detail very clearly. I would never in a million years hash up this personal drama on national TV to unseat a political opponent, especially if I could not recall important details.

  85. F. G. Sanford
    September 27, 2018 at 15:02

    I don’t have any opinion about what God might think, but I do remember what it was like to be in high school. I remember the obnoxious sense of privilege enjoyed by the “jocks”, and how they earned constant praise whether it was deserved or not. Kavanaugh appears to be representative of that cadre. It was somehow assumed that they were the choicest candidates for elevation to the success that would certainly ensue should they pursue a professional career. American culture subscribes to the false notion that “sportsmanship” is somehow a marker for all other virtues, even if it is conferred by mere participation. Even if they performed poorly in all other venues, that was because they dedicated body and soul to “the team”. Of course, when one of them was slamming a smaller or younger kid into a locker, no one of importance was around to “keep score”. I also remember them discussing many of the antics alluded to in the present context — such as creating situations conducive to exploitation of females. I always wondered if any of that “big talk” was true.

    I am also aware that, when these attitudes were universal — we’re talking fifty years ago — it was still possible for a family to thrive on a single “bread winner” income. Offshoring, deindustrialization and financialization have destroyed that “Ozzie and Harriet” mythological existence. Women denied reproductive freedom in today’s economy face financial disaster and the prospect of raising children in abject poverty. That this enhances already skyrocketing destruction of the middle class should be painfully obvious. The most vehement supporters of Kavanaugh really seek to keep women subjugated, disenfranchised and unemployable in addition to barefoot and pregnant.

    They’ve voted to cut child-friendly aid like the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program, Head Start, school lunch programs, and a list too long to continue. But boy, they sure love those fetuses. Once they’re born, they’re on their own. It’s a sure-fire recipe for raising a dysfunctional, underachieving society.

    Kavanaugh’s supporters, even if they win this round, are in for the fight of their lives. They’ve destroyed the chances for about 50% of the population to enjoy a middle class existence which includes an education and a future for their children. Now, they want to add insult to injury by stacking the court to take away reproductive freedom. Good luck with that.

    I don’t know if Kavanaugh did any of the things Blasey-Ford claims. She may or may not recall the details clearly. But I do remember my high school and college days clearly. And, I remember hearing privileged, abusive and tacitly encouraged young men claim that they did EXACTLY the sort of things Blasey-Ford accuses them of doing. The nomination should have been withdrawn before the controversy got this far. It’s going to backfire in the long run.

    • Joe Tedesky
      September 27, 2018 at 15:43

      I recall as a senior in high school once helping our drunk Class President in the boys bathroom at a high school dance, by my aiding him to get him up off of the dirty wet floor, as he was in no shape to stand up on his own two feet. The following Monday this Class President and I went back to his ignoring me, and as usual he pranced around the school as the model of his being a perfect student. I on the other hand was the kid who sold fake blank report cards, so I was the renegade if you will. Just like the Catholic priest, these goodie two shoes are often found to be sneakily alike.

      I don’t know whether Kavanaugh is guilty as accused, but these allegations should bring us to at least question his character. This is a job interview, not a court case, so where doubt is found so goes the interview. My mind is made up that by his judicial record and his writings, that Bret Kavanaugh is not my kind of judicial prospect to be sitting on the US Supreme Court.

      BTW Bret Kavanaugh’s nomination is all about politics, so quit fooling yourself to the believe it’s all about judicial prudence. If you don’t agree with that, then explain to what happened with Merrick Garland. What goes around, comes around. It’s not fair, but when was politics ever fair.

      My writing here isn’t necessarily aimed at you F.G., as I just tagged on to your thoughtful comment. Joe

      • Lucius Patrick
        September 27, 2018 at 16:32

        Merrick Garland had voted against gun rights three out of three. There is no way a Republican Senate would ok such a disastrous nomination as that. What was Obama thinking? After Sandy Hook, (whom I voted for twice; ironic that he dropped more bombs than Bush/Cheney, invaded more countries, re-started the cold war with Ukraine, upped drone assassination and surveillance) Obama played the gun card way too much. His pick to be his successor, HRC, had said that the Supreme Court was wrong on the Heller decision–in that, a retired police officer sued because Washington DC had a blanket handgun ban. How could the Heller decision be wrong? A large group of people, and I would include HRC in there, are now saying that the Supreme Court and the constitution never guaranteed the individual the right to possess a firearm–that is the direction we are going in. What will the country look like when we don’t have that freedom? Not good! In fifty years or whenever it is, when citizens are fighting to get basic rights which only the wealthy will enjoy (food, air, water, right to travel and move freely), someone is going to ask, who’s bright idea was it to give our gun rights away? Merrick Garland? Dodged a bullet there…

        • Joe Tedesky
          September 27, 2018 at 19:38

          If only it were about gun rights, and gun rights a lone. I feel your concern about Garland, but I was talking the treatment of Garland becoming bipartisan precedent, as opposed to confirming a presidential nominee to the Supreme Court.

          In light of what you brought up, I find it disappointing that we countrymen & countrywomen can’t come to a rational decision on how to avoid violence. I think we should take serious the Pharmaceutical nature of crazy shooters, and where is funding for mental health? Tightening of current laws, and tweaking a few others could no doubt curb the problem, and save your Constitutional Right to bear arms…. idk? But maybe.

          I’m mostly seeing Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing as a grand circus for the MSM to cash in on. I also don’t like the idea of Bret Kavanaugh sitting on the US Supreme Court for reasons other than these allegations.

          Seeing the Democrat’s play tug of war with the Republicans makes me hope that this scandal plaque confirmation makes Mitch think a bit… probably not happening, but still nice to think it could.

          2 wrongs don’t make a right, but sure makes for good tv. Joe

    • backwardsevolution
      September 27, 2018 at 16:22

      F.G. Sanford – “It’s a sure-fire recipe for raising a dysfunctional, underachieving society.” It’s already dysfunctional and underachieving. I believe in the right to abortions, and I don’t believe Kavanaugh is going to affect this in the slightest. We’re not going back. But there are already a ton of single mothers out there, even with readily-available abortions, and they’re raising dysfunctional and underachieving children. Not all of them, but certainly a proportion of them. They’re choosing “not” to have abortions.

      Not all jocks are jerks, not all nerds are innocent. Not all men are liars, not all women are innocent.

      • F. G. Sanford
        September 27, 2018 at 17:57

        To some extent, we agree. What I’m saying is, there is a war going on. It’s a war about economic and political disenfranchisement. Abortion is a convenient battlefield. The Kavanaugh nomination was a tank on that battlefield. The opposing forces aren’t waging war because they have anything against tanks. They’ve got tanks of their own. Keep in mind, fifty years ago nobody would have believed that “money is speech”. Or that America would ever torture. Or, for that matter, any of the other lies. So, these people rightfully believe that reproductive rights could be on the chopping block. They’ve chosen to wage war, and Kavanaugh — as far as I’m concerned — is as legitimate a target as any other in this psychodrama that has turned into a culture war. We’re witnessing the collapse of empire, and the last battlefield of collapsing empires are waged on domestic soil…usually by jocks…who happen to be jerks. The ones who aren’t jerks still have a hard time staying out of it. This will get worse before it gets better, because those six guys (yep, they’re guys) who own 50% of the world’s wealth are not gonna give up without a real bloody fight. They’re the guys who pay the jocks, who actually work pretty cheap. They think they’ll be heroes, just like Kavanaugh thought he’d be a hero. I’m still thinking he’ll be confirmed, which will take us to another battle somewhere. Cheers!

        • Joe Tedesky
          September 27, 2018 at 22:48

          If you add in the blackmailed opportunist, coupled with the brave hearts who seek American mythical fame, you have all the right, or should I say wrong, ingredients to wage a hell of a world war unless the collapse comes first or at the same time…. keep watching, to be continued.

  86. anastasia
    September 27, 2018 at 15:02

    One thing was certain. The Democrats had nothing to fear from Kavanaugh in overturning Roe v. Wade, not only because it would be unlikely for the perfect case to come before that court, but because Kavanaugh would not do it, even if he had that opportunity, and I attribute that in part to his Jesuit education. But more than that, the whole country has been infected with abortion, and so long has the infection been present, it has become endemic,or better epidemic. There is probably not a person in t his country who does not know someone they like or love who have had an abortion and that tends to weaken our principles. It’s way too late for abortion, and certainly a 53 year old man whose entire adult life has been spent with abortion in place, is not going to be the one to do it.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 15:33

      ” The Democrats had nothing to fear from Kavanaugh in overturning Roe v. Wade, not only because it would be unlikely for the perfect case to come before that court, but because Kavanaugh would not do it, even if he had that opportunity, and I attribute that in part to his Jesuit education.”

      I have absolutely no idea what this is based on. Could you post a link?

      • T.J
        September 28, 2018 at 04:47

        Looking for a link? I suggest you look up “common sense”.

    • RnM
      September 27, 2018 at 19:21

      Good point, Anastasia. A man who, by all the evidence and letters from women in his life, including dozens of long-time friends, is probably very unlikely to send his friends, daughters and coachees to back-alley abortionists.

    • Lin Cleveland
      September 27, 2018 at 20:05

      I agree with you that Kavanaugh likely won’t overturn Roe vs Wade. I think it’s more because the duopoly likes to keep lots of wedge issues on tap to distract from what’s really going on behind closed doors. You write

      But more than that, the whole country has been infected with abortion, and so long has the infection been present, it has become endemic,or better epidemic. There is probably not a person in t his country who does not know someone they like or love who have had an abortion and that tends to weaken our principles.

      So i assume you chose never to abort–even if the pregnancy results from rape or forced incest? I can tell you are quite young and let me tell you it’s a complex question. let your convictions inform your decisions,

      Understand that mo one–not even the Supreme court–has the authority to force another to live by his or her beliefs.

  87. rosemerry
    September 27, 2018 at 14:50

    Very interesting article and comments. For me, the point of the candidature of Kavanaugh is that every one of the likely men Trump/Federalists choose would be similar- for the rich, against freedom/fairness/privacy/equality for all members of the society-men, women, religious or not, poor, immigrants, former felons….. Look at who is already there on SCOTUS; Ever since the Powell memorandum in 1971 the supreme Court has been bit by bit turned into a group which with each decision makes life more difficult for ordinary Americans. A few exceptions (identity politics being in vogue) but notice the change in rules for unions, or jury trials for compensation-gradual loss of rights. See the film “Hot Coffee” for four examples, and read Jeffrey Clements “Corporations are not People” for the history of this movement by Repubs and libertarians.
    There are many good reasons NOT to confirm Brett Kavanaugh.

  88. Mark Matson
    September 27, 2018 at 14:36

    Mcgovern is trying to be the gentile Uri Avnery. These guys, and their all the same guys-analyst my foot, were and are responsible for committing murders and atrocities all over the world for over 70 years. Disband the CIA, FBI and all the other alphabet soup of “intelligence” agencies, seize all assets of present and past employees until we the people can see all the documents (unredacted by the Ray Mcgoverns of the world, of what these people have done and are doing. Mcgovern turned his back on HRC (toxic masculinity?) what a trooper; now let us see if Mcgovern will ever turn his back to the agency.

  89. September 27, 2018 at 14:33

    Is McGovern suggesting that the Jesuit is a training ground for rapists? How did he get out unscathed? I know that everyone who is Jesuit trained says they got a great education, but I have yet to meet one who has perservered in the faith. Maye not a training ground for rapists, but only for heretics and apostates.
    Talk about “kid glove treatment”, Kamala reminded the accuser at the Senate hearing that she was not on trial. But watching it I had begun to believe it was an award’s ceremony and the accuser was the honored guest.

    • backwardsevolution
      September 27, 2018 at 14:57

      Anastasia – she should be on trial and she should not be treated with kid gloves; she should be pointedly challenged, and the same applies to Kavanaugh. Justice is not served with soft balls lobbed over the plate, I agree.

  90. September 27, 2018 at 14:13

    “Are boys really better than girls?”

    Now we have come to the heart of the matter. Well done!

    Understanding Trump: The Conservative Moral Hierarchy

    • September 28, 2018 at 02:56

      Hillary answered that question.

    • October 4, 2018 at 18:18

      My compliments, O Society – this was a relevant, ace essay (by George Lakoff, expert in linguistics and cognitive science) on the subject of the “Strict Father Morality” that makes conservatives into the enemies of what I might call “The Rights of Man”.

      I liked this so much I am adopting a few of its key words and hierarchy concepts, that I might use when I might hold forth on the subject.

      I have also furnished this to a staff member for a Congressional candidate – who happens to be down the hall from me in this building – to see if it works its way to the candidate. He is a partly progressive Democrat, young but wise, and a debating champion. I look forward to maybe his commenting on it.

      Thanks

  91. Michelle
    September 27, 2018 at 13:53

    The are no genetic or gender factors that make a person truthful or not. We are supposed to assume innocence unles PROVEN otherwise. I have a son and daughters. I would be equally appalled if my daughters were sexually assaulted (not raped), as I would be if my son was wrongfully accused of such a heinous act in front of the entire nation and his family. Jesus Christ was both wrongfully accused and abused, He will use this to show the world the ugliness of our sins, and the light of His love. Wether we know it or not.

  92. Uncle Bob
    September 27, 2018 at 13:15

    Just back from walking the dog; ruminating on identity politics, feminism and the Jesuit’s..
    Ray,
    Don’t you think it’s about time “In God We Trust” was erased from Paper Money and the official motto?
    After all, Ike ok’d the idea barely 65 years ago as a Cold War stunt against godless communism at the behest of the Capitalists class. .
    I’m sure you remember the 60’s & 70’s and the Black Power, and New Left Movements. The story I heard about “Ms. Magazine “ and Gloria Steinem being used as a tool to splinter these movements using sex and gender., got me to thinking about “what if” scenarios” and where things might be headed.
    Could you imagine how many extremely atheist #metoo’ers would suggest God be erased from our money?
    Imagine the congressional hearings and NYT & Washington Compost articles..

    • RnM
      September 27, 2018 at 19:30

      The “In God We Trust” and the whole kinder-gentler Protestant mythos are the only things preventing the USA! USA!! USA!!!! from becoming Rome. How far away in Time can the real blood sports be?

      • J2027
        September 30, 2018 at 18:52

        They’re already happening. Remember “Jackass?” Besides,what the hell do you think boxing is? A real sport?

  93. John Puma
    September 27, 2018 at 13:03

    The presumption of innocence (i.e: “innocent until proven guilty) is relevant only within the proceedings of a court of law.

    A senate committee hearing is not a court of law and might be considered the abject, if “civil,” opposite thereof.

    • Uncle Bob
      September 27, 2018 at 13:27

      iow ..you can be honest & guilty..hence the oath..
      Is “I don’t remember” an “innocent “ answer?

    • backwardsevolution
      September 27, 2018 at 13:28

      John Puma – no, you want to make allegations and destroy a man’s life, you’re going under oath and you’re going to be strenuously cross-examined. These Senate members get to vote on who they put on the Supreme Court. If this isn’t a court of law, I don’t know what is.

      • Andrew Dabrowski
        September 27, 2018 at 15:06

        Being denied a seat on the SCOTUS is not tantamount to having one’s life ruined.

        • backwardsevolution
          September 27, 2018 at 15:36

          Andrew Dabrowski – his life is already ruined. For the the rest of his life, half of the country will see him on the street and look at him with disgust, innocent or not. Maybe the Democrats can corner he and his family in some restaurant and shout “I Believe Her” at the top of their lungs because that’s the way things are done now – just resist until you get your way. Put a fork in it.

          • Andrew Dabrowski
            September 27, 2018 at 15:53

            Kavanaugh is an honorary Plutocrat, he doesn’t have to mingle with plebes in public restaurants, he has the Club.

            And the three accusers will for the rest of their lives be harassed by those on the other side of this debate.

        • irina
          September 27, 2018 at 15:51

          There is a movement afoot to also relieve him of his teaching job at Yale.
          And his relationship with his family will be forever altered.

          • backwardsevolution
            September 27, 2018 at 16:07

            irina – yep, his life is over as he knew it. His children’s lives will be affected, as well as his marriage, as you said.

            The whole country is being pulled apart by the Left. Identity politics, resisting, loss of free speech, Google favoring certain groups on their search engine, etc.

            It will all come back to haunt the Left when the noose tightens around their necks in the future. The Bolsheviks have arrived.

          • Andrew Dabrowski
            September 27, 2018 at 16:11

            “And his relationship with his family will be forever altered.”

            Are you suggesting his wife doesn’t believe him?

            And if he is the one lying, the same applies to the three witnesses.

        • J2027
          September 30, 2018 at 19:04

          Yes, the smearing is a done-deal, but I doubt his family will go homeless, hungry, or in need in any substantial way because of it. Sure, from their perspective it is devastating beyond words, to be so publicly humiliated but they will survive. The accusers’ lives will be even more ruined, if they aren’t already, you can bet on that.

      • John Puma
        September 28, 2018 at 11:27

        To backwards:

        OK, I concede, you don’t know what is, or is not a court of law!!!

        • backwardsevolution
          September 28, 2018 at 15:51

          John Puma – if you want to bring charges, be prepared to be challenged. Ms. Ford was not challenged. In fact, Ms. Mitchell, the prosecutor at the hearing, purposely said that she was not going to question Ms. Ford on the allegations. What?

          Ms. Ford was not challenged – at all.

    • September 27, 2018 at 14:47

      Should a Senate committee accept unproven accusations dating back 35 years? I think not.

  94. backwardsevolution
    September 27, 2018 at 12:57

    From the hearing:

    “Ford admits she came to DC in an airplane.

    The hearing was delayed from Monday to Thursday, due to her stated fear of flying and desire to drive.

    Ford admits she also flew to east coast for vacation in August.”

    • mike k
      September 27, 2018 at 13:09

      Brilliant nit picking.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 13:25

        mike k – yes, delay the hearing from Monday until Thursday because “I’m afraid to fly”. Liar.

        Turns out she flew in August too. Liar.

        She didn’t need a delay at all. Turns out she recently flew to Hawaii too.

        Hardly nit picking. I guess I just hate liars and BSers.

    • Sifting
      September 27, 2018 at 13:39

      Correct, BackwardsEvolution. There have been many a contradiction in Ford’s testimony. Rachel Mitchell is proceeding very softly in questioning Ford, but inconsistencies are popping up.

      I understand the Bushes and some Trump advisers pressured Trump to nominate Kavanaugh, that his preference was Amy Coney Barrett. Is the appointment with the last-minute accusation a Deep State plot? Just before the midterm elections makes it most timely. Hope it backfires.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 13:58

        Sifting – that’s what Dershowitz was worried about. He said these accusers need to be treated with respect, but they still need to be strenuously cross-examined, hold nothing back. They needed a seasoned defense lawyer in there. We’ll see what happens.

        If she throws soft balls at these accusers, then you are probably right. I’ve thought the same thing too, that the Republicans are almost going along with having Kavanaugh sliced and diced. It really is a circus. I wonder who is pulling these Senators’ strings.

        • Sifting
          September 27, 2018 at 14:12

          But I was thinking — rigged from the beginning! (disloyal) advisers pushing Trump to appoint B.K.! If he had appointed a woman, the DEMs would have had a harder time coming up with trumped-up accusations (and/or if Ford had already alerted them to her belief about Kavanaugh when Trump’s list came out).

          • backwardsevolution
            September 27, 2018 at 14:52

            Sifting – oh, I see what you mean. Yes, I think Trump is surrounded by disloyal advisers who are purposely doing him a disservice. Many Republicans want him gone, along with all Democrats. As Paul Craig Roberts said, Trump wouldn’t know a friend from an enemy because he’s not an insider. He might trust somebody when they are actually trying to screw him over. With few exceptions, they’re all members of the uniparty.

            I also wonder why Ms. Ford didn’t come forward to have Kavanaugh thrown off the Court of Appeals. If she was so horrified, why wouldn’t she have done this?

      • Andrew Dabrowski
        September 27, 2018 at 15:37

        On what basis do you believe that Kavanaugh is less representative of the Deep State than Amy Barrett? I would have guessed the opposite.

        • Sifting
          September 27, 2018 at 16:04

          Really, it wouldn’t matter. Derailment of Trump’s nominee would be the motive.

          • J2027
            September 30, 2018 at 19:07

            What goes around comes around. Both parties’ (“two wings of the same bird of prey”, thank you Upton Sinclair) credibility is shot.

  95. Erhard Sanio
    September 27, 2018 at 12:36

    Sad to say, I had never expected Ray McGovern write a piece like that. For an outsider from Germany (with close relatives married to the US), it seems unbelievable that an alleged transgression by a 17 year old, which had never been made public or accused, and nobody than the alleged victim remembers (the victim even does not recall location, date, or even year), can be held against anyone. That is not rule of law, but outright totalitarianism.

    Assume for a moment the accusation were true, and the perpetrator would have been named and accused (no matter whether it were Kavanaugh or someone else, it weren’t the first time that a witness not only confuses time and location, but persons, too). That perpetrator would have confirmed a severe warning, a fine, or a more severe correctional measure like a term of possibly some months in a young offenders’ institution or something similar. After that, he could have resumed his education, studied law, become eligible for Senate, President of the US, or, of course, justice of the Supreme Court. In countries under the rule of law like, fortunately, my country, it would be illegal to hold juvenile transgressions against adult persons unless there is continuity of offenses.

    So I rest in complete lack of comprehension for the whole process. In fact, I would not be happy about another conservative justice in US Supreme Court. Has everybody lost their minds over there?

  96. Cratylus
    September 27, 2018 at 12:07

    I am usually a fan of Ray McGovern’s writing and I am of his vintage and also went to a Jesuit High School in the Midwest – we did not call ours a “Prep School.” But unlike Ray I long ago left the ranks of believers for the godless world which is far more mysterious and interesting, Hamlet’s world not Horatio’s. Still I hold my religious relatives and friends in high regard and I find that religious activists like the liberal Ray McGovern or the conservative Lew Rockwell approach the questions of war and Empire with a much deeper concern for human life than many secular Democratic Party activists.
    Certainly I did not learn disrespect for women in that Jesuit setting. Girls were these beings at the school down the street who we were to treat respectfully lest we fall into “sin.” We would meet them primarily at sporting events or when we clashed in our debating societies. I would say that we lived in fear of getting too close. A kiss or a touch were fearsome things not to be thought of excessivley let alone acted upon with any frequency or intensity.
    Perhaps things were different at the upscale DC Prep Schools. But as Cynthia Mckinney, who was also raised a Catholic and whose son she has raised as one, has noted, these prestige schools for a long while have been the site of absent parents and too much drugs or alcohol. Perhaps that is the problem at the heart of it – rich kids and “hip” parents.
    All that said, I see little evidence that Kavanaugh was the sexist brute he is now being portrayed as. At most he was in a circle that drank too much, boys and girls, which he concedes. And so far the worst he has even been accused of is – and it is unproven and so he is not guilty of it in our system – is groping a girl. And that was at the age of 17. Bad behavior I would say. But is such a thing – if true – done at age 17 while drunk enough to disqualify someone in his 50s with a spotless record as an adult from going on the Supreme Court? Ask a pediatrician how such behavior at 17 or even 18 is a predictor of adult behavior. I have and she tells me the entire case against Kavanaugh is absurd, IF true.
    The sad thing about the entire business is that Identity Politics – that most shallow of approaches to human affairs – rules. Grassley says that the hearings today would be “politicized” if there were a male interrogator of Kavanaugh’s accuser. Now that there is to be a female interrogator, they are “depoliticized.” What an infantile way of looking at politics!
    There are good reasons to reject Kavanaugh and at least one to approve him, his courageous and lonely stand against “acquittal sentencing” which he has abjured and callled on other judges to abandon.
    For the hearings to be reduced to this makes a mockery of whatever integrity is left in our system. It plays upon the righteous anger of women who have been left out and mistreated for so long. But taking down Kavanaugh is not an admirable outlet for those sentiments. No wonder in a recent interview Ruth Bader Ginsburg has condemned the hearings and ones like them these days as little more than a circus. She says it is far worse than when she was confirmed. She is right- but that is the consequence of Identity Politics and crass manipulation of righteous anger.
    Sorry Ray, you are not often wrong. But on this one I think you got it all wrong. And I think CN could have found a better commentary. But even Homer nods.

    • mike k
      September 27, 2018 at 13:05

      Male alibis.

    • rosemerry
      September 27, 2018 at 14:55

      Spotless record????Have you seen his judgments????

    • September 27, 2018 at 15:31

      Thanks, Cratylus. I am not a Catholic, or a fan of the Jesuits, or a fan of Kavanaugh. And I have a real affection for McGovern, and normally agree with what he writes.

      But this piece doesn’t impress me, and I don’t know what it is doing in Consortium News.

  97. Frank
    September 27, 2018 at 11:57

    This is an interesting and important perspective Ray. Thank you for writing about it. Male supremacy is a large part of Catholic teaching. It is also completely integrated into our society outside of Catholicism, including secular institutions and people.

    It is sickly fascinating (an very cynical) for Kavanaugh to exonerate himself to by saying he is a man of faith. Many serial abusers are men of faith. That would include Warren Jeffs and innumerable priests, bishops and cardinals. The idea of men of faith being w/o sin is a complete contradiction to the ‘faith” Kavanaugh claims he has. My understanding of Christian doctrine is not that Christians do not sin (lie, for example) but that their sins are forgiven by Jesus’ death on the cross. To claim to be above sinning would itself be a shinning example of sin.

    Now to address those who claim the women have no evidence of their claims. Actually there is even contemporaneous evidence to some of the claims. Other evidence has come later in time but was well before Kavanagh was selected for this position.

    As to “presumption of innocence”. In a court of law Kavanaugh is absolutely entitled to a presumption of innocence. Hillary and Bill Clinton along with Dick Cheney and George Bush or Obama for that matter are entitled to presumed innocence of war crimes and should lawyer up. Anyone who thinks otherwise does not care for justice. However, this is the phase of gathering and evaluating evidence. This evidence needs investigation by law enforcement. There are actually more women coming forward with similar stories regarding “man of faith” Brett.

    Male supremacy allows people to be comfortable with vicious attacks regarding allegations. Instead, justice requires a fair examination of these claims. If law enforcement finds evidence it can then be submitted to a grand jury by a prosecutor. If an indictment is made Brett is absolutely entitled to a presumption of innocence at trail. That is supposed to be the way our society does things. Because this man of faith has great power, that may not be what happens at all.

  98. September 27, 2018 at 11:57

    Democrats have been right to criticize Kavanaugh for his legal and judicial record. On those grounds I see him as unfit for the Supreme Court, and I would vote no if I were on the committee. But this last-minute hail-Mary pass, relying on unsubstantiated and vague sexual misconduct a very long time ago is not something I can support. I support feminism, but not fascist feminism. As abhorrent as Kavanaugh is, he deserves due process. Does the Democratic Party represent truth, peace, and justice – or do they just care about political correctness? It seems to me it is the Democrats who are relying on the possibility of a Deus ex Machina.

    I almost never disagree with Ray McGovern, but this article is beyond the pale. Even the theology is poorly thought out. There is an attribution of original sin to those who carry the mark of Cain – namely men, because they carry the mark of Cain (the Y-chromosome) are presumed guilty of sexual misconduct until proven innocent.

    BTW, Leonardo da Vinci did indeed include a woman at his famous picture of the Last Supper. Look at the delicate features of the person just to the right of Jesus.

  99. Drew Hunkins
    September 27, 2018 at 11:56

    With Kavanaugh having a good chance of being confirmed despite all the rumors of disturbing conduct swirling around him, it’s crucial we remember the contours of power in the United States. Some fear a Kavanaugh appointment means the end of a woman’s right to choose. This won’t be the case. Abortion is the law of the land and it’s sacrosanct, a woman’s right to an abortion will be secure regardless of whether Kavanaugh’s ultimately confirmed.

    Republicans will never completely outlaw abortion, they know it would mean the total death knell for their party. If the GOP were ever perceived by a majority of the population to have been responsible for banning abortion it would galvanize the female vote like nothing we have ever witnessed! The Republicans would be relegated to a permanent minority party for eternity.

    The real honchos of the GOP know this all too well, they understand their real purpose in life is to dole out goodies and subsidies to the Chamber of Commerce, pro-Israel partisans, anti-labor employers, corporate bigwigs, and giant defense [sic] contractors. They realize that ultimately their job is to appease Wall Street and the Fortune 500 NOT the anti-Choice religious lunatics. In essence, the Republicans play the anti-Choicers for suckers, they take their votes but never ultimately deliver. (Similar to how the corporate Dems run their hustle on millions of struggling working people; but that’s a story for a different day.)

    Now, having acknowledged all this, it is indeed a real concern, this chipping away the GOP and anti-Choicers have done over the last few decades to women’s access to safe, affordable and timely abortions. The fact that many women in certain states who need or want an abortion have to travel 2 or 3 hours to get one is a serious problem. That Republican rhetoric fused with the rightwing Evangelicals bromides have made working at clinics a potential war zone is also of deep concern.

    • jrgjrg
      September 27, 2018 at 14:34

      Don’t be so sure that stare decisis will prevail in a Roe challenge over a newly radicalized Republican majority on the Supreme Court, adding Kavanaugh. We’ve seen many shocks that we never thought would occur, such as to the gutting of the voting rights act. This guy was picked by Trump because he advertised his tendency to consider Roe as the law as it presently exists. Like which senator said, “let me introduce my current wife.” Nobody ever thought we’d see cases like Twombley, or Citizens United, or Bush v. Gore, or the rest of the lot that the 5-4 majority including Alito, Roberts and Thomas contrived. What we so desperately needed were two or three more Ginsbergs or Breyers. At least Obama brought us good judges.

      • September 27, 2018 at 14:40

        Abortion isn’t going anywhere.

        Corporate Dems use the threat of its banishment to drum up campaign dollars.

        • J2027
          September 30, 2018 at 19:21

          So do corporate Repubs,in an opposite fashion. It’s among their primary “cultural war” wedge-issues, and works all the time. For both parties. They are mostly all hypocrites, liars, grifters and fools. Congress, the supposed peoples’representative body, does nothing but meet with lobbyists and fund-raise. It’s over. Let’s hope when 2020 rolls around most Americans are awake enough (unlikely, perhaps) to either boycott it or at least not vote (R) or (D).

  100. Drew Hunkins
    September 27, 2018 at 11:41

    “It was Lake Wobegone on steroids.”

    Best laugh of the day!

  101. Obijuan Kenobe
    September 27, 2018 at 11:31

    I find it absurd how easy it is for adults to believe the theory that someone might come forward with false accusations of this nature.

    I find it absurd that gambling, possible perjury in previous confirmation hearings, thousands of unpublished opinions, and hundreds of thousands of unexplained cash transactions are not the central issues at hand with this nomination.

    This is a Supreme Court nomination. It’s an immense honor and a full tenure appointment. If he isn’t confirmed, he’ll still be a Federal judge and his life will go on?!

    Even if I could ignore the gambling, possible perjury in previous confirmation hearings, thousands of unpublished opinions, and hundreds of thousands of unexplained recent cash transactions, I don’t want a former jerk blackout drunk (apparently from high school through his undergraduate time at Yale?!) on my Supreme Court. Who cares at this point if he was also an obnoxious sexual assaulting drunk desperate virgin, too?

    That’s where there are getting us to argue amongst ourselves about nonsense instead of issues. Same old tricks. Both sides of what is painted as a black and white issue are a little bit right. But this isn’t the issue. He is not the legal and moral constitutional shaman (man or woman) that SHOULD be nominated to the court, period. He is no Gosuch!!!

    And by the way, crimes, both violent and non-violent, are committed by a majority of men. It’s not an even divide here; not even close. Equality of the sexes doesn’t apply to violence like murder, rape, child abuse, spousal abuse, assault, battery, or even theft. So in some pretty concrete categories of measurement, women are pretty much better than men.

  102. Lucius Patrick
    September 27, 2018 at 11:24

    Have always been a fan of Ray McGovern. The saying “feet of clay” comes to mind. Keep on keeping on Ray…

  103. Babyl-on
    September 27, 2018 at 11:18

    THERE ARE NO GODS THERE IS LUST FOR POWER

    The really powerful people of this world use religion as their tool of control and manipulation maybe some convince themselves that they believe and because power/religion operates as a cult, apparatchiks are constantly having their loyalty tested, just as in the Moria. This comes from Christian religious indoctrination – I don’t believe you love me enough, I don’t believe the purity of your devotion is not clear – go kill your son to prove your love of me – god.

    The historical record clearly shows the US setting up its global empire after WWII made deals with the Saud family (who control the holy sites and doctrine of Islam) and the tiny group of “Zionists” who they granted their own country control of Jewish holy sites and complete control of Jewish doctrine. The US already being an extremist Calvinist Christian culture. It is the cluster of oligarch families who “own” the Western religions and use them to influence and control over billions of people who are taught from birth to obey obey obey. No matter what these people believe they own and operate the great religions of the Western world as they would any other asset entirely for their own profit and pleasure.

    • Babyl-on
      September 27, 2018 at 11:21

      Sorry – as it is in the Mafia

      • J2027
        September 30, 2018 at 19:26

        Or the dark-occult.

  104. Joe Tedesky
    September 27, 2018 at 11:15

    Once again my comment disappeared. I’d love to join in on the conversation.

    • B
      September 27, 2018 at 11:25

      I have been having the same problem – of course it only happens when I am at my most eloquent.

      Seriously, this is one of the best forums around in my view, one of the few places where thoughtful comments and replies are the norm.

    • backwardsevolution
      September 27, 2018 at 13:36

      Joe Tedesky – I have that problem EVERY TIME I post, Joe. Before hitting “Post Comment”, copy your text. Mine always goes through the second time (unless I’m put in detention by the moderator), but rarely goes through the first time. Good luck.

  105. DH Fabian
    September 27, 2018 at 10:57

    Yes, the religion of the hard right is not about God, even if some people attempt to twist bits and pieces of Scripture into justifying the evil they wish to do. The New Testament shows that, in defiance of societal norms, Jesus’ followers/students included women, as the writer here implies (per the early church). Condemnation of force and power is made clear throughout the Gospels. Jesus was quite clear about how we are supposed to regard and treat fellow humans regardless of race, gender, economic status, etc. He had a few things to say about wealth and poverty as well, which might have been overlooked in Georgetown. The very crimes of which Kavenaugh is accused are driven by the corrupt sense of entitlement to wealth and power, with no connection to religion. If this author’s Jesuit teachers taught that sense of exceptionalism and arrogance, it was a clear corruption of Jesus’ teachings.

    America’s problem with religion overall is that it directly contradicts our cultural ideology. As a result, the US has created a religion more compatible with the (evil) forces of greed, arrogance and violence, and put a “Christian” sticker on that religion.

  106. September 27, 2018 at 10:47

    Ray, have always admired your courage. But your credibility suffers on this one. While pile on with accusations about Jesuit educated kids which frankly seems to have clouded your judgment while seeking to excise some demons? The responses from the most ardent of your supporters regarding our foreign policy on this website say it better than I can. I am disappointed. Maybe you should have a long talk with Cavanaugh’s wife on some of the people he has worked with over the years. I am really sorry.

    You also seem to think this evidence free attack will send the Republicans running for cover. Sadly, you may be right. Sadly too, that would make you on the winning side.

    Clearly this who politically motivated attack diminishes us, but most of us have learned not to be surprised about anything our elected leaders do just to stay in office

    • mike k
      September 27, 2018 at 13:13

      Another male republican attack on Kavanaugh’s legitimate accuser.

  107. Luther Blissett
    September 27, 2018 at 10:38

    “Like the Kennedy assassination, Challenger explosion and the twin towers, will the Kavanaugh-Ford hearing be a where-were-you moment?” – Associated Press (3:00 AM – 27 Sep 2018)

    Can no-one in America simultaneously understand that:
    1) Sexual Assault is vastly under-reported
    2) Accusations do not prove automatic guilt
    3) Most criminal cases become de facto Rorschach tests when they hit the media

    #Ibelievewomen is unhelpful because it encourages an irrational group-think that cannot survive the rigors of a legal trial – witness the Jian Ghomesi case in Canada where he admitted to punching and strangling women yet was found Not Guilty because the victims bought into their own hype. And watching all the “Lock Her Up” chanters become passionate defenders of “Presumed Innocent” is just more of the rank hypocrisy that has defined the Republican Party for decades.

    To watch the nation divide into Prosecutors and Defense Attorney on a sexually-focused case they no nothing about is chilling because this type of moral panic just super-charge the nation with toxic energies.

    I’m not preaching apathy but to be careful of using of being sucked into this toxic maelstrom. The fight to reduce sexual assaults will continue no matter what the outcome of this.

  108. CR
    September 27, 2018 at 10:25

    Ray and other readers, I would like to propose an alternative narrative to what is happening with the BK nomination. I have been trying to understand the nuance between the medias participation in propping Trump up in the first place, and I think I have come to a conclusion that matches the evidence. Before I get there though, we need to establish a truism. The mainstream media does not want to address the most important questions on any particular subject matter. The Russian collusion narrative that continuously got shoved down our throats is a good example that Ray has spoken about in the past… usually saying some variation of: “There are plenty of reasons to impeach Trump, but lets use the real ones, not fake stories about the Russians”.

    In short, I propose to you that, given the fact that the democrats have aquiesced to all of Trumps other judge apointments, I think the MSM is carrying water on the accuser stories in order to avoid discussion of BK’s public attacks, often from the bench itself, on the constitution and it’s principles, such as the fourth amendment. On a related note, I would actually propose that the Russian collusion story *helped* Trump by distracting from the real issues surrounding his presidency. Taking into account the revelations over the years of how infiltrated by the CIA (et al) mockingbird program the media was and is, perhaps the narrative that Hillary pushed her media contacts to promote Trump is only a half-truth, and they are *still* promoting him by distracting the people with false-drama stories while ignoring the real issues.

    Remember, the devil works in half-truths.

  109. jrgjrg
    September 27, 2018 at 10:18

    But really, is this the only way to stop a judge like Kavanaugh who surely intends to bring us even closer to an imperial dictatorial presidency without limits and perpetual wars, and the destruction of the Constitution as we know it? Who supported torture, says that the prez can fire an independent prosecutor or pardon himself, supports Citizens United and corporatocracy, who wrote position memos for George Bush Jr. that we still can’t see and don’t know what positions he took?

    If this is the only way to bork him, regrettably, then I’m all for it to save the republic, because there’s no going back on this one. Let justice be done though the heavens fall.

    • irina
      September 27, 2018 at 11:14

      This is not justice and the heavens may fall, because our judiciary system is predicated on precedence.

      Think of the horrific precedence this circus show is setting as ‘standards’: unsubstantiated allegations
      from over 3 decades ago, just now countered by two other men who are saying ‘it was them’. Yikes.

      Why would anyone want to go into service in the public arena when they can expect to be spitted and grilled
      during the ‘confirmation phase’ ? I am no fan of Kavanaugh but also have no expectation that women always
      tell the truth and should be believed, no matter what. That way lies madness, which is manifesting now.

      And let us not forget that Lisa Murkowski owes her Senate seat to a ‘white male demi-deity’ aka her father,
      Frank Murkowski, who appointed her after he won the Governor’s seat in Alaska in 2002. She could have
      run on her own merits but chose to let her father shoe her into his vacated Senate seat. (This followed
      several months of ridiculous press releases where Father Frank published lists of names of candidates
      he was ‘considering’. Each time the list was shorter as he trimmed it down. Finally, to absolutely no one’s
      surprise, he announced the ‘winner’ . . . none other than Daughter Lisa !)

      • rosemerry
        September 27, 2018 at 15:03

        Don’t forget how JFK got elected to the Senate!!

  110. Mark Walker
    September 27, 2018 at 10:12

    Touche, Mr. McGovern, touche.

  111. torture this
    September 27, 2018 at 10:07

    If there is a god, we know nothing about it. The gods people worship are tools that the powerful have used over the powerless from the beginning of organized religion.

  112. RBC
    September 27, 2018 at 09:44

    I normally find Ray McGovern’s articles thoughtful & illuminating but after reading this I have to wonder, ‘What was he thinking?’ The Kavanaugh circus is a completely evidence free defamation of a public figure. I find it really interesting that the word ‘rape’ is used by all the accusers yet he is never specifically accused of that crime. One accuser ‘thought he was going to rape (or kill) her’ another talks of ‘rape trains’ but he was apparently just somewhere in the vicinity when those trains left the station. Another absurdly accuses him of whacking her in the face with his dick. How do you defend against things like this? And the accusers are lawyered up. And such lawyers. One attorney represents porn stars and the other was quoted during the Clinton administration defending Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones case by saying that “it only happened once and he didn’t force her to have sex with him.’ He just requested it while exposing himself – well, that’s ok then. But not anymore it seems. If this is the new standard for vetting public officials God help us.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 10:43

      “Defamation”? So you believe all three women are lying? How many female witnesses does it take to get the equivalent of one male?

      • irina
        September 27, 2018 at 11:21

        Everyone was drunk. The women too, by their own admission.
        We (I am female) used to understand that there were serious consequences
        for wrongly incriminating a man who had no recourse for clearing his name.

        Yes many things have happened to women who, for whatever reason, did not
        speak up at the time. I know that too, from personal experience. That does not
        however, give women a pass on making salacious and anonymous accusations
        in the political frenzy of today’s environment. What we are seeing now could be
        compared to how chickens will mercilessly peck at a wounded one until it dies.

        Brett Kavanaugh was an altar boy and consequently could very well have an
        ‘alter’ personality due to early and suppressed abuse. I am familiar with that
        syndrome as well. It is a lifetime curse that a great many men struggle with.

        • Andrew Dabrowski
          September 27, 2018 at 15:42

          “That does not however, give women a pass on making salacious and anonymous accusations…”

          Of course not, but those adjectives do not describe these allegations.

        • Andrew Dabrowski
          September 27, 2018 at 16:16

          You seem to be tacitly admitting that these accusations are true, but that they shouldn’t count against Kavanaugh’s nomination to the SC. I might agree, he had admitted wrongdoing and expressed regret, but attempting to lie his way out disqualifies him for the position.

          • backwardsevolution
            September 27, 2018 at 17:06

            Andrew – “…attempting to lie his way out”? Now you’re just being ridiculous.

            Where’s the detail? Not much there.

            Is there a motive? Two accusers certainly have a political motive.

          • irina
            September 27, 2018 at 17:32

            I have no idea whether ‘these accusations are true’ or whether, if they are,
            Brett Kavanaugh was actually the person who should be accused. And neither
            does anyone else. Because there is no way to corroborate and it was 36 years
            ago and the accuser had, by her own admission, been drinking. (She said ‘one
            beer’, but she may have also been drinking mixed drinks.) At age 15 she was
            at an unchaperoned ‘house party’ with older guys. Her yearbook page, now
            ‘cleansed’, showed a picture of her posing in something that looks like a g-string.
            (If you look for her page now, that picture is blacked out.)

            She lied about ‘fear of flying’ preventing her from testifying on Monday.
            Her story is that of an entitled ‘first world’ teen who, if it is true, ended up in deeper waters than she anticipated but was ok. Compared to what so many
            females (and many males) have experienced, I’m just not relating well to her at all.

            This whole sideshow is reinforcing a terrible precedent of accusation without substantiation.

          • Andrew Dabrowski
            September 28, 2018 at 12:36

            Irina: So you’re saying that _even_if_ the accusations are true, they shouldn’t count against Kavanaugh’s nomination. I strongly disagree, for the reason I already stated.

      • David Smith
        September 27, 2018 at 11:35

        In the current environment women can and do lie, and arrests and even convictions are obtained through their lying, particularly if they are lawyered up, and even if the charges are dismissed(for example for inconsistent statements to police and court) the male loses his job and is barred from further employment in his profession. However I don’t have much sympathy for these guys, just be a gentleman and you will never have any problems, still the North American feminist female is a nauseating atrocity.

        • Andrew Dabrowski
          September 27, 2018 at 11:44

          Can you suggest an example cases like this to look at? I don’t think the Duke frat bros were barred from future employment, except maybe at The Nation.

          • David Smith
            September 27, 2018 at 17:47

            U of Toronto Architecture teacher invited into a woman’s home, she made a complaint he illegally entered her home and tried to rape her. Charges dismissed by the (female) judge(inconsistent statements) but was still fired and banned from setting foot on campus. A MD friend who had an consensual affair with a patient that started with her inviting him home then walking into the room naked. She complained to regulating body, his license revoked. A friend was told by a girl at a party ” Maybe I will take you home tonite and in the morning call the police and say you raped me”. I don’t make a hobby of collecting such stories, if I did there would be thousands. But I have zero sympathy, be a gentleman and the only problem you will get from girls is they will get mad you aren’t asking them out.

          • Andrew Dabrowski
            September 28, 2018 at 11:07

            I can’t find anything by googling “U of Toronto Architecture teacher fired”, can you post a link?

          • Andrew Dabrowski
            September 28, 2018 at 11:47

            Never mind, found it. The Professor was James Andrew Payne, and he was acquitted twice by Canadian courts on charges of sexual assault. Both judges indicated the acquittals were based on reasonable doubt.

            I would guess that the judges made the right decision to acquit. I would also guess that the U of T made the right decision to ban him from campus. Different standards of evidence apply in criminal court and the university.

          • Andrew Dabrowski
            September 28, 2018 at 11:52

            Never mind, I found it, the Professor was James Andrew Payne.

            He was acquitted twice in separate criminal cases with separate accusers. Both judges cited uncertainty over who was telling the truth as the reason for the acquittals.

            I would guess the judges were correct in their acquittals. I would also guess the U of T was correct in banning Payne from campus. Different standards of evidence apply in criminal court and the university.

      • Deniz
        September 27, 2018 at 14:22

        I think the “Big Lie” is that our ruling elite, you know the 6 men that have half the wealth in the world, are the least bit concerned about a women’s honor. The only fact that is clearly established is that a hammer is currently striking a nail. Why is the hammer hitting the nail, who benefits, who loses, these are the real questions.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 11:22

      I think it’s telling that so many of people here claim to distrust the Deep State but eagerly endorse a particularly unsavory representative of it.

      These comment are confirming my impression that CN has been taken over Trump loyalists who are using McGovern and others as useful idiots.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 14:04

        Andrew – and I think it telling that two of these accusers are card-carrying, pussy-hat-wearing Democrats (Ford and Ramirez). I don’t know about Swetnick.

      • September 28, 2018 at 01:11

        So why don’t democrats get after him for that?

        The Republicans kept “moderate” Merrick Garland waiting for a year and never would hold a hearing. Granted, I would prefer discussing how over-sexed Kavanaugh helped Bush legitimize detention and torture programs for prisoners, but the Dems won’t go near any subject that stinks of US imperialism.

        So we’re left discussing the sexual proclivities of a repressed religious misogynist who resents women having the ability to control their reproductive rights.

    • mike k
      September 27, 2018 at 13:17

      Sexual violence is all too real in America. It’s about time it was brought into the light.

      • J2027
        September 30, 2018 at 19:33

        Absolutely. From the man-behind-the-curtain with the golden toilet bowl to the man on the street,with a box for a home, all sexual predators ought to be outed and castrated.

    • rosemerry
      September 27, 2018 at 15:02

      Many Americans in power seem to be willing to put Julian Assange to death for telling the truth about so many actions of the USA and others. None have been found to be lies, and the only accusation (not crime, and the charge was later dropped by Sweden) was a sexual act not described as rape by the accusers or anyone else. Innocent until proven guilty????

  113. Xeno
    September 27, 2018 at 09:16

    The author of this article has damaged his credibility.

    The power to destroy by accusation undermines society and any sense of justice or trust. It’s what every nasty little vandal desires.

    What stops someone coming forward and reporting a recovered memory of some female nominee having molested them as a child when they were babysitting them?

    And so on, until society is just one big gossip network.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 10:44

      “What stops someone coming forward and reporting a recovered memory of some female nominee having molested them as a child when they were babysitting them? ”

      Nothing. So the fact that this hasn’t happened is telling.

      • xeno
        September 27, 2018 at 15:38

        >
        “What stops someone coming forward and reporting a recovered memory of some female nominee having molested them as a child when they were babysitting them? ”

        Nothing. So the fact that this hasn’t happened is telling.
        <

        What's telling is that Bill Clinton gets a pass for his proven offenses by feminists and liberals, as does his incompetent sociopath wife who staged intimidation campaigns against various women.

        It shows the true nature of these people and what dupes people are to buy into these kabuki shows.

        • Andrew Dabrowski
          September 27, 2018 at 15:44

          For the record, I never gave Clinton a pass on that, I thought he and Ken Starr deserved each other.

          But are you suggesting that because Clinton got away with some things therefore we can no longer hold anyone accountable?

        • backwardsevolution
          September 27, 2018 at 15:48

          xeno – yeah, and Ted Kennedy too.

        • MillyBloom54
          September 27, 2018 at 22:03

          Clinton did not get away with his “womanizing”, but was impeached. He also lost his law license in AK for lying about sex. I agree with Andrew Dabrowski: “CN has been taken over Trump loyalists who are using McGovern and others as useful idiots.” The point that many commentators on this site seem to have missed, is that sexual assault by a man (or boy) on a woman (or girl) is not about sex but about male domination, power and control. McGovern’s experience accurately portrays the pervasive, destructive atmosphere of misogyny in society, the Catholic church, and other fundamentalist churches that promote female submission and misogyny; a misogyny used to perpetuate male exceptionalism, privilege, and power. Consider this, if Kavanaugh admitted that he drank heavily (as has been well documented by his friends), and may have forgotten instances of aggressive behaviors, including Dr. Blasy Ford’s account, I might have believed him. However, he used the Clinton word trick (the definition of “is is”) by stating he never had sex in high school. The behaviors described are not sex, but assault against a weaker person. As a young person, his worldview was formed in an atmosphere of entitlement and exceptionalism. This worldview frames his rulings in that he interprets the law to protect and give preferential options to the rich and powerful. If he did otherwise, the Federalist Society would never have promoted him. I believe her.

    • J2027
      September 30, 2018 at 19:36

      That horse has already left the barn, long ago. What passes for politics and governance in this country has become a bad joke. What we need is nothing less than a mass enlightenment.

  114. September 27, 2018 at 09:03

    Let’s not forget how Democrats joined with Republicans to confirm Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court in spite of knowing how toxic he was and how guilty he was of sexually harassing Anita Hill (and undoubtedly others). Do not count on them at all to block Kavanaugh’s appointment. They want right-wing corporatist extremists on America’s courts as much as the Republicans do.

    • robjira
      September 27, 2018 at 19:13

      Bingo, Michael.
      Peace.

  115. Charron
    September 27, 2018 at 08:57

    I am in complete agreement with Ray McGovern in his efforts to obtain the truth regarding the claim Russia meddled with our recent election and I also give him great credit for his stand against aggressive war. I regard him as a person of great courage to speak out as he has. Now I am a Catholic, born and raised during the great depression when a dollar was big money. I went to public schools and to a secular college. I never attended any formal Catholic classes after we moved to a rural area of Northern NY, I simply went to Mass at a Catholic Mission church in the area. And I did do some reading. But I must say I never, never ever was given the impression that girls were inferior to men. I knew that the Blessed Virgin Mary had the highest honor given to anyone ever born. I am amazed to hear any Catholic priest or educational instructor would claim that women were inferior. It is like something from another planet than the one I was on. I am used to present day Catholics who were telling stories about the bad old Catholic beliefs. And I realize that some Jesuits in these select prep schools might have succumbed to the influence of Americanism and were carried away by the American Exceptionalist spirit, the spirit of our age. I predate that being 88 years old, and a pre-Vatican II mentality and spirit. Anyway while I can’t argue with what Ray was taught, I, though not tried in Catholic schools, was a fairly well read Catholic and never got the same impression that Ray unfortunately was exposed to. I had four children, two boys and two girls and I never treated my daughters as less important as my sons. I took as much pride in my daughters as I did my sons. I just don’t want people to think that Ray’s experience represents legitimate catholic teaching.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 10:49

      So you’re in favor of the ordination of women?

  116. anomomyous
    September 27, 2018 at 08:30

    As a woman, I find this whole event deeply disturbing. Women or men should not be believed simply based on gender. A person must be innocent until proven guilty and must not be judged on unsubstantiated allegations. The current atmosphere is truly toxic to our society and government and I fear for the future.

    Kavanaugh is a product of a very privileged social class. He appears to have had some issues with alcohol in his youth. Should that disqualify him from high office at the age of 53? If he, in fact, did assault women, then his nomination should be withdrawn. But that must be proven.

    On the other hand, the timing and number of these allegations strains credulity and it appears that we are now approaching a state of hysteria. I don’t know how we can recover as a society because it now a complete and total circus.

    • September 27, 2018 at 09:26

      Much depends on what standard of proof you are talking about. This is not a criminal trial but a nomination process where Senators must weigh all the facts as they come up. BK clearly shows a pattern–the three women so far who have come to light either made the stories up or not. Testimony is evidence. With one it was she said/he said even though the quals of his accuser are pretty substantial and her account sounds credible. With the second, there had to be some doubt since she herself was admittedly drunk. But the third, if you read her statement in full, it’s strike three you’re out and such doubt on his character if he is approved will harm the Supreme Court, if that’s what you want. The timing of the allegations is as it should be–the dude is being considered for a very high office that requires the highest sort of moral character where even the appearance of impropriety should be taken into consideration.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 13:49

        cstahnke – read about the third accuser here (if my post will go through):

        https://www.wsj.com/articles/attorney-avenatti-releases-affidavit-from-woman-describing-kavanaugh-at-parties-in-1980s-1537974634

        It’s towards the bottom of the page.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 14:07

        cstahnke – this article from The Wall Street Journal entitled “New Claims Add Fuel to Showdown Over Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh” offers some good background on the third accuser, Ms. Swetnick. I’d post the link, but the moderator won’t let me for some reason (I’ve tried two or three times now). Looks like she’s done this before.

  117. Rohit
    September 27, 2018 at 08:11

    This is utter nonsense. The issue is not “was it OK for Kavanaugh to do it since boys are superior?” The issue is, “how credible is Blasey and can we make important judgments on the basis of a mere accusation?”

    A second issue, for me though not for others, is “can we judge a 53 year old man as a teenager?”

    The reality about Kavanaugh NOW is that he has two daughters and has had excellent relationships with women who worked with him. THAT matters. Not to you it seems since all you say is pious nonsense. What matters to me is “What decision are we trying to make?”

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 10:53

      Hi Rohit!

      You seem to be saying that even if true these allegations aren’t disqualifying. I might agree _if_ he were willing to admit to what happened and express regret.

      Re: superiority of men v. women, evidently you think three women’s testimony is worth less than one man’s.

    • Seer
      September 27, 2018 at 19:16

      NO, the “reality” is whether we wish to have a liar sitting on the SC. The entire “charade/circus” is about whether Kavanaugh has lied. If he hasn’t then there’s nothing here. IF he’s lied then what else will he end up lying about (that will be of consequence to us all? [of course, there’s already plenty of information out there indicating that he’s lied about his involvements in helping cover up a bunch of other stuff, but, it’s so common with our corrupt government that ALL will not allow any such discussion).

      If he in fact did what he is being accused of he should have mentioned it (and note that he’s asked for forgiveness or whatever).

  118. Edward F. Roby
    September 27, 2018 at 07:04

    Et tu, Ray McGovern? As a huge fan of your usual critical, fact-based policy analyses, I am sorry to say you have lost me on this one. It reads like a quasi-religious apologia for the bizarre post-constitutional fad of identity politics as a substitute for western tradition, common sense, good judgement and the law as written. The sordid media spectacle to which we are now treated discredits the normal congressional vetting of a high court judge. We are now cynically encouraged to believe it is about the beatification of the next saint. You are certainly entitled to your personal perspective on our imperfect society. But (full disclosure here), since we both attended at roughly the same time the same excellent preparatory school for boys and I went on to the government’s formerly all-boys college to train combat officers, I seriously doubt that either the Jesuits or the military can be blamed for the chaos that has overtaken the country. Think again, Ray.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 10:55

      “the normal congressional vetting of a high court judge” would include an FBI investigation of charges like these.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 14:40

        Andrew – man, you do keep trying, don’t you. The Democrats had all the time in the world for another FBI investigation (even though the FBI have already done six investigations of Kavanaugh) if they had immediately brought the accusation from Ms. Ford forward in July. They didn’t because they wanted to spring it on the Senate Judicial Hearing, thereby stalling (just like Ms. Fear of Flying liar did) Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

        • Andrew Dabrowski
          September 27, 2018 at 15:15

          Admittedly the Democrats (or at least Diane Feinstein) were playing hardball delaying tactics here. But that is worse than the treatment of Merrick Garland how?

          And your response doesn’t answer the question of why, now that there are multiple credible accusations of sexual harassment, the Judiciary Committee has no interest in investigating them.

          • backwardsevolution
            September 27, 2018 at 15:50

            Andrew – I was wondering who was going to be the first one to bring up Merrick Garland, and lo and behold it’s you. Who would have thunk it? Is he another dual-citizen?

          • Andrew Dabrowski
            September 27, 2018 at 15:59

            ” I was wondering who was going to be the first one to bring up Merrick Garland, and lo and behold it’s you. ”

            Anticipating an objection does not disarm it, logic doesn’t work that way.

            ” Is he another dual-citizen?”

            I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.

        • Andrew Dabrowski
          September 27, 2018 at 15:16

          “Andrew – man, you do keep trying, don’t you. ”

          You too, Dawg! Really living up to your name.

          • J2027
            September 30, 2018 at 19:41

            Yes. What goes around comes around. Both the Republican and Democrat parties have little-to-zero credibility. The jig is up.We are living in the Age of the Great Transition….transition to what we’ve yet to surmise.

      • September 28, 2018 at 01:17

        Kavanaugh has been vetted by the fbi many times.

        1991 Joe Biden Explains To Democrats Why “An FBI Report Isn’t Worth Anything”

        in 1991, former Vice President Joe Biden, as the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman during the Clarence Thomas Anita-Hill hearings, dismissed any conclusions the FBI came to in their report about the sexual harassment allegations Hill made against Thomas at the time.

        “The next person who refers to an FBI report as being worth anything obviously doesn’t understand anything. The FBI explicitly does not in this or any other case reach a conclusion… period. So, judge, there is no reason why you should know this… The reason why we cannot rely on the FBI report – you wouldn’t like it if we did, because it is inconclusive,They say he said, she said, and they said, period… So when people wave an FBI report before you, understand they do not, they do not, they do not reach conclusions. They do not make, as my friend points out more accurately, they do not make recommendations.”

        https://youtu.be/vNK1dVIeYWo

  119. backwardsevolution
    September 27, 2018 at 06:12

    Thank you for putting my comment in moderation.

    • Lucius Patrick
      September 27, 2018 at 10:03

      Does that mean your comment is not here? I thought I had commented on this article as well, in a perfectly civilized way, and I am wondering where my comment is as well.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 14:34

        Lucius Patrick – some of my posts don’t go through on the first try, but they do on the second try. Go figure. When I type in my text, I copy it before I hit “Post Comment”. Then when it doesn’t go through, I just “paste” the text back in and try a second time. Try it.

      • September 28, 2018 at 01:19

        Mine is gone too

  120. Blimbax
    September 27, 2018 at 04:38

    I am surprised that Ray McGovern would write something like this. All this time, on the issues pertaining to “Russia-Gate,” he has been careful to focus on facts and to base his conclusions on them, not on innuendo or possibilities. He has criticized the so-called “assessments” emanating from the “intelligence community” because they constitute a form of speculation informed by pre-conceived notions and attitudes. Yet in this piece he seems to be doing the same thing to which he and other VIPS have so strenuously – and properly – objected.

  121. September 27, 2018 at 03:38

    I often enjoy what Ray McGovern writes, but this piece struck me as a bit strange.

    Of course, his description of a male-dominated world is absolutely true, and the color of a Jesuit institution of his youth is interesting.

    In general, in these kinds of matters, we should let the actors involved speak for themselves.

    We now have four women saying negative things about Trump’s choice. Another says he was a falling-down drunk, not a choir boy.

    I suspect Kavanaugh is doomed.

    Of course, as some comments suggests, the whole tone in this matter, indeed all matters today in Washington, suggest a petrified political system.

    And when you have that, the vermin move in to feast.

    America is fairly dead on its feet politically, but it is still capable of frightful damage with slashing teeth. Absolutely nothing that has happened in Washington in the last couple of years makes any sense. And that’s true on all sides. An ugly bunch of hypocritical liars lead the nation, and the nation is out there in the world creating havoc and destruction in many places.

    I can’t help but observe that I think we’ve moved awfully far towards fascism in the world’s most powerful country.

    Trump’s performance at the UN was a horror, almost unbelievable that a leader would rise to his feet to address the world in that fashion.

    And talk about the greatest hypocrisy on earth, his administration has practically invented a new branch of the national government, those involved in creating and supervising sanctions and threats against many national governments.

    All of them unwarranted. Many interfering in the internal affairs of others.

    He tries to tell Germany where to buy its gas and China where to buy its missiles. All are threatened by the economic punishment of sanctions if they don’t comply.

    This whole ugly business with Bolton and Haley and Pompeo and company and all their threats and pressures is truly starting to resemble a form of fascism.

    And then there’s just an endless stream of lies and nonsense from virtually everyone in Washington.

    There is a deep sickness that has taken hold in America. That is now becoming quite apparent, and I have no idea how it could be cured. It’s not just Trump, it’s the whole lousy, corrupt establishment.

    I think it has a lot to do with this:
    https://chuckmanwordsincomments.wordpress.com/2018/07/22/john-chuckman-comment-how-american-politics-really-work-why-there-are-terrible-candidates-and-constant-wars-and-peoples-problems-are-ignored-why-heroes-like-julian-assange-are-persecuted-and-r/

    https://chuckmanwordsincomments.wordpress.com/2018/09/25/john-chuckman-comment-on-the-hatred-of-russia-its-background-and-the-purposes-it-serves-on-the-dishonesty-of-our-press-in-serving-that-purpose-and-the-importance-of-foreign-and-independent-news-s/

    • irina
      September 27, 2018 at 11:28

      “An ugly bunch of hypocritical liars” has been leading the nation for a long time.

      In my memory, at least since oilman and ex CIA head GHW Bush and his sidekick
      Dick Cheney were running the country behind Reagan’s back. And sanctions have
      been in use very effectively at least since we bombed Iraq’s water treatment plants
      in 1991 (the ‘short war’) and then sanctioned the chemicals needed to purify water,
      thus leading to the 500,000 deaths of children under 5 which Madeleine Albright
      called a ‘hard but necessary choice’. I could go on, but there’s no point.

      • Seer
        September 27, 2018 at 19:23

        US has been sanctioning Russia (mostly in its former, longer life as the USSR) for a LONG time. Trump is either operating way above everyone else OR he’s just flailing around like a clueless idiot: I’ll not cast my vote because it’s not going to change anything either way.

  122. Smedley Butler
    September 27, 2018 at 03:15

    Kavanaugh’s ability to only assault p u s s y hat wearing never Trumpers is astounding.

    Sorry Ray. Usually you are spot on.
    Not this time.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 11:00

      Your ability to support only McGovern’s pro-Trump work is equally so.

      More substantively, if he did assault any Republican women, they probably would consider their duty to party to take precedence.

      • Smedley Butler
        September 27, 2018 at 14:30

        What a lame troll you are.
        You have no idea what about Ray’s work I support. Or, why.
        I suggest you reflect on why you feel the need to retort to anyone that does not align with your preconception that this woman’s story is in the least bit credible.
        She can’t even name what year this supposedly happened.
        Everyone she named as a witness contradicts her.

        Personally, I have no desire to have another right wing religious fundy on the court. No matter what cult religion they are members of. I also don’t think it matters who gets installed on the court. Our rights keep getting diminished either way. Recently the court unaminously decided that k-9’s are reliable even though it has been proven time and again that k-9’s only have a 30% accuracy rating. And, are actually only responding to the handler’s motions.

        Here’s a suggestion. Since you are obviously male and have no f’n clue what it feels like to be a woman in a vulnerable position. Why don’t you hold your uselss tongue, sit back, observe, and learn something?!

        • Andrew Dabrowski
          September 27, 2018 at 15:23

          “Everyone she named as a witness contradicts her.”

          Then call the witnesses.

          “…your preconception that this woman’s story is in the least bit credible.”

          It is true that I have a bias toward believing three credible women who have have not taken the decision to enter this storm lightly. Your bias is to believe they are all liars.

          ” I also don’t think it matters who gets installed on the court.”

          Then you are part of the problem.

          • backwardsevolution
            September 27, 2018 at 15:58

            Andrew – had the Democrats brought forward Ms. Ford’s accusation in July, when they received it, there probably would have been time to call witnesses. We both know this is just a stalling tactic, anyway. Affidavits are sworn; they’ll have to suffice. All of the supposed witnesses can’t recall anything like this ever happening. They don’t even recall the occasion. I contend the Democrats didn’t want time for witnesses to be called. Too dangerous. Might not get the evidence you wanted. Better to stall and say, “Oh, look, we can’t examine the witnesses!”

            Ford said she was afraid to fly too. That’s why the hearing had to be postponed from Monday until Thursday, to allow her time to drive. That was a lie because she flew to Washington for the hearing, she flew in August while on holidays, and she recently also flew to Hawaii.

          • Andrew Dabrowski
            September 27, 2018 at 16:02

            “I contend the Democrats didn’t want time for witnesses to be called. ”

            It’s the Democrats, Blasey-Ford herself, who have called for more investigation. The Rs on the JC have stonewalled.

          • backwardsevolution
            September 27, 2018 at 16:49

            Andrew – of course the Dems are calling for investigations “now”. They could have brought the accusations forward in July when they got them, but they didn’t. This would have allowed for lots of time to investigate. Instead, they stalled for time, sprung this on the committee, and are “now” calling for investigations. Stall, stall, stall.

            But the Dems didn’t want to allow time for investigations, did they? By pulling this prank at the last minute, not only do they pressure Republicans who want a vote, but it prevents their own client’s accusations being properly investigated.

            Exactly the type of tactics that psychopaths use.

          • Andrew Dabrowski
            September 28, 2018 at 11:11

            I agree that Feinstein was employing delaying tactics, but those tactics are part of the game now.

            The more important point now is that there is still time for an FBI investigation, time is not “running out”.

  123. Adrian E.
    September 27, 2018 at 02:36

    Usually I appreciate Ray McGovern‘s text, but this one is really absurd. I am left-wing and certainly have very little in common with Kavanaugh‘s conservative view, but if the Democrats‘ dirty play for preventing his nomination succeed, that could have very grave consequences. The presumption of innocence and due process are thrown away, and if such dirty tricks worked in this case, they can work in any case. Another sad consequence of Democrats‘ cynical misuse of rape allegations for political purposes is that real victims of rape will have more difficulties being believed.

    There are, of course, legitimate cases when there is no clear evidence about a rape. But when the allegations concern events that are so far back in the past, when the participants were schoolchildren, and the accuser does not remember the place and time of the attempted rape, how should she remember exactly who it was, assuming such an event took place? If there were witnesses that she talked about Kavanaugh as the attacker earlier in her life, the accusation should be taken seriously, although even then, it would not be up to Kavanaugh to prove his innocence. But since this is not the case, it is hard to believe that the accuser whose memory is very murky about the event can hardly have a clear memory about Kavanaugh as the attacker.

    I think this is one more sign that the political system of the US is terminally ill. Another sign was that the opponents of Trump decided not to fight him mainly with political arguments, but with evidence-free conspiracy theories about him being a Russian puppet. Baseless accusations that political opponents are foreign spies are typical of authoritarian regimes. Now, for a supreme court nomination, the topic is not the qualification, but more and more crazy and completely evidence-free allegations that he was a member of a rape gang in his teen years – this is hardly less crazy and less evidence-free than Pizzagate.

    This also damages the reputation of the US worldwide. In other countries such cynical misuse of rape allegations when the accusers don‘t remember any concrete facts would not be thinkable. In countries where the political culture is not so completely corrupted, it would be unthinkable that political opponents of someone stoop so low – yes, the opponents of Jeremy Corbyn fight him with dirty tactics and use unjustified accusations of antisemitism based on his support for the Palestinian cause, but can you imagine that someone claims without any evidence and witnesses that he was a member of a rape gang in his teens and that would be taken seriously in the media? This demonstrates to people around the world that the US cannot be taken seriously any more.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 11:07

      ” Another sad consequence of Democrats‘ cynical misuse of rape allegations for political purposes”

      What were the previous examples? Certainly false rape charges have been leveled (e.g. Tawana Brawley) but by “the Democrats”?

      “can hardly have a clear memory about Kavanaugh as the attacker.”

      I put it to you that if had been raped in HS the identity of your attacker is something you would never forget.

      “This also damages the reputation of the US worldwide.”

      That you believe the Kavanaugh kerfuffle damages the nation’s image more than does the current presidency says more about you than about Trump, Kavanaugh, or Blasey-Ford.

      • September 28, 2018 at 01:25

        Clinton’s come to mind when talking about rape and sexual assault.

        But they are democrats so who cares right?

        Because you care about women.

    • September 27, 2018 at 14:58

      This isn’t about Kavanaugh as much as it is about the November election. The Democrats figure it’s a win either way. Either they defeat K or they rouse up the troops in November. History indicates that Dems don’t vote as much as the GOP in off-year elections.

      • irina
        September 27, 2018 at 15:56

        This may well backfire on the Dems.

        The ‘fear of flying’ (shades of Erica Long there . . . )
        thing is something of a dealbreaker for me, as an
        Independent.

  124. Eric Thompson
    September 27, 2018 at 00:39

    Mr. McGovern.

    I’m a big fan of yours — have been for years. However, in this case, I don’t understand how you can presume that Blasey is truthful, and Kavanaugh an icon of Male-domination. The evidence seems to indicate that this entire charade was invented by the Dems, and timed to delay a vote until after the midterms. I urge you to watch Dr. James Fetzer’s latest coverage of this debacle. He presents evidence as thoroughly as possible at this point, without being an actual insider.

    https://153news.net/watch_video.php?v=8A4243WW791D

    I think you are likely defending someone who should not be defended.

    I thank you for your work, and my best to you.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 11:13

      Fetzer is a complete kook: 911-truther and Holocaust denier.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 17:17

        Andrew – I don’t know who Fetzer is, but there most definitely are serious questions that need answered re both of those topics. Was just watching a good video on 9/11 the other day. You might learn something:

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ_jQgIEnI8

        • Andrew Dabrowski
          September 28, 2018 at 11:17

          I’m was an adult on 2001/9/11, I watched all those videos at the time, I was unimpressed.

          • backwardsevolution
            September 29, 2018 at 07:14

            Andrew – of course you were because there’s actually some evidence there.

  125. backwardsevolution
    September 27, 2018 at 00:18

    Alan Dershowitz was on Tucker Carlson tonight. He said that there must be a presumption of innocence.

    He also said the accusers and the accused, while being treated with respect, should be strenuously cross-examined and strongly challenged in order to get to the truth. It must be tough, in-your-face questioning, leaving nothing out. Dershowitz also said that the gang-rape accuser’s affidavit is so full of holes that you could drive a truck through it.

    • Realist
      September 27, 2018 at 06:01

      Exactly.

      Even Bill Maher, currently an outspoken supporter of Hillary’s “resistance” and the Democratic insurrectionists has chimed in on this travesty, as reported in the Hill, on Fox News and elsewhere:

      “HBO “Real Time” host Bill Maher is no fan of Brett Kavanaugh. But on Friday night’s show he conceded that a last-minute attempt to smear President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee with accusations of sexual assault is making liberals “look bad.”

      They look bad because it is pure character assassination thrown at the nominee in the last possible moment with no actual evidence offered whatsoever. The time to accuse such a malefactor was 35 years ago, when it happened, if it happened.

      But this accusation without substance seems to be standard operating procedure to justify anything the government, or some faction within the government, wants to do, even to the point of starting major wars. If THAT is permissible, merely destroying one man’s career and good name might be considered a trivial price to pay for the Dems to get their way.

      If this lynching succeeds, nothing will ever again be decided in a civilised manner according to a set of standard rules and principles again in this country. Tyranny will rule when guilt by accusation becomes the new standard. No one will ever again be safe and secure if a mere denunciation can remove you from the picture. That was called the “Reign of Terror” during the French Revolution. It was a hallmark of the Nazis, the Stalinists and the Maoists.

      That these women can feign critical memory loss of most details, but just enough to claim “attempted rape,” is preposterous. Fifty years later and I can still remember the exact details of both wonderful dates and times I was stood up by callous females who didn’t care what those suddenly useless concert tickets might have cost you. You don’t forget when people truly ride roughshod over you.

      • Gregory Herr
        September 28, 2018 at 19:04

        “You don’t forget when people truly ride roughshod over you.”

        Strong insight.

    • Realist
      September 27, 2018 at 10:55

      ?Exactly.

      Even Bill Maher, currently an outspoken supporter of Hillary’s “resistance” and the Democratic
      insurrectionists has chimed in on this travesty, as reported in the Hill, on Fox News and
      elsewhere:

      “HBO “Real Time” host Bill Maher is no fan of Brett Kavanaugh. But on Friday night’s show he
      conceded that a last-minute attempt to smear President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee with
      accusations of sexual assault is making liberals “look bad.”

      They look bad because it is pure character assassination thrown at the nominee in the last
      possible moment with no actual evidence offered whatsoever. The time to accuse such a
      malefactor was 35 years ago, when it happened, if it happened.

      But this accusation without substance seems to be standard operating procedure to justify
      anything the government, or some faction within the government, wants to do, even to the point
      of starting major wars. If THAT is permissible, merely destroying one man’s career and good
      name might be considered a trivial price to pay for the Dems to get their way.

      If this lynching succeeds, nothing will ever again be decided in a civilised manner according to a
      set of standard rules and principles again in this country. Tyranny will rule when guilt by
      accusation becomes the new standard. No one will ever again be safe and secure if a mere
      denunciation can remove you from the picture. That was called the “Reign of Terror” during the
      French Revolution. It was a hallmark of the Nazis, the Stalinists and the Maoists.

      That these women can feign critical memory loss of most details, but just enough to claim
      “attempted rape,” is preposterous. Fifty years later and I can still remember the exact details of
      both wonderful dates and times I was stood up by callous females who didn’t care what those
      suddenly useless concert tickets might have cost you. You don’t forget when people truly ride
      roughshod over you.

      .

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 20:20

        Realist – great post! Maher, who I used to always agree with, but hardly ever do now (amazing how you change), is right here. Kavanaugh with accusations and no real evidence, Trump with Russiagate and no evidence at all, chemical weapons attacks with fake evidence, etc. They just throw stuff out there and hope that it sticks, and their base laps it up. They don’t care about evidence; they’re too busy shouting for the lynch mob. This is dangerous stuff. I’m not exactly the most conservative person either, but I still see the importance of maintaining the Rule of Law, freedom of speech, sacred and hard-fought-for principles.

        Yep, there’s mean women out there (just as there are mean men). I remember overhearing women at work talking about going out for dinner with guys who they openly said they didn’t even like, but it was a free dinner. When I called them on this, they just laughed, could have cared less. They’re probably out there wearing pink pussy hats.

        I’ve got both sexes as children, so I have to stay neutral.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 11:13

      That is why it is so revealing that the Republicans refused to involve the FBI.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 14:29

        Andrew – what’s revealing is that these women, one of whom claims her life has been utterly destroyed by an alleged groping, have only just now decided to come forward.

        The third accuser (an adult at the time of the incidents) supposedly witnessed gang rapes being committed on young girls at TEN different parties, and yet never thought to report this behavior to the police? Information on her can be found from The Wall Street Journal’s article entitled “New Claims Add Fuel to Showdown Over Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh”. Google it. It’s interesting as she has done this before (towards the end of the article).

        The second accuser thought she heard Brett Kavanaugh’s name mentioned while someone allegedly swung their pen*s in her face.

        • Andrew Dabrowski
          September 27, 2018 at 15:27

          There are many well known reasons young women don’t report these kinds of attacks, especially at the time these are said to have occurred. Have you tried googling “why women don’t report sexual harassment”?

        • Seer
          September 27, 2018 at 19:50

          The POINT now is whether Kavanaugh lied/covered up. The GOP would have been best served by having the FBI investigate.

          The time in which this occurred is not relevant (see my first sentence). It’s a test of character: if he’s telling the truth then no problem. But, now that the GOP has elected to create this circus (keep in mind that Pelosi did NOT push this because accuser wanted her name to be kept out of the public). Again, the GOP could have handled this in a more professional manner. Interesting that no one here seems to realize this. I don’t know whether Pelosi could have served it up to the FBI and they would have acted or whether it would have required that the Judiciary committee ask for one.

  126. September 27, 2018 at 00:10

    Kavanaugh ran a gang rape ring for years, and no one found out, not his friends, his foes, not even the FBI who did 6 background checks. Was it because he stopped after age 19, and went on the straight and narrow? Bar none, the claims are preposterous.

  127. September 26, 2018 at 23:59

    Women priests were probably a Jesuit idea! However, they would not always admit it. It depends upon whom the Jesuit is talking to. .

    I once met a priest coming back from China. I said, “Father, are you a Jesuit?” He answered, “Heck no. I’m Catholic.”

  128. KiwiAntz
    September 26, 2018 at 23:33

    Ray, the so called Male Supremacy you described arrived out of the Theocratic Headship arrangement from the Bible? And it started in the very beginning in Genesis with Man’s fall from grace in the Garden of Eden & Woman have shouldered the blame, ever since that Rebellion, because Eve was deceived first by Satan then she got her husband Adam to rebel against God! Curiously, Adam wasn’t deceived but went along with his wife’s advice! On the expulsion from Eden, God said thorns & thistles would be Man’s punishment leading to Death & the Woman would experience pain in childbirth & would be dominated by her Husband & from then on, all future Males would dominate Woman! History has proven this as fact! Male Supremacy or masculinity arrived from the fact that in the Bible, God, the Creator is always mentioned in a masculine context such as “He”! Even the Angels are called “Sons of God”, nowhere is it written in the Bible that they’re referred to as being daughters of God! God created Adam as a secondary creation after the Angels! Adam’s name means, red, ruddy or earth & Man was directly created from the dust or earthly elements but woman were created when God took a part of Adam’s rib in the first divine, surgical procedure ever mentioned & fashioned a female from this rib! The actual word “WOMAN” means,taken from Man! Much later on, God sent Jesus Christ, the male Messiah & Son of God (not female or daughter) to Earth), as a ransom sacrifice to buy back or repurchase, what Adam & Eve had lost for the Human race? Everlasting life! Jesus was a corresponding ransom being born as a genetically perfect Human, just as Adam was when first created! And God sent Jesus Christ to Earth to provide the ransom, he didn’t send Jessica Christ (sorry Ladies)? This in no way demeans the Woman’s role in creation or their status, but they were originally created as a complement & helper for the Man & to complete the Man as a human being! Men feel incomplete without Woman because we are always trying to get our damn rib back?? Woman are part of the Man as they came, from Man! Woman’s importance is also without dispute as the entire Human race was birthed into existence via Woman & what son doesn’t love their Mothers & sisters, Grandmothers & aunts etc or hasn’t the deepest respect & honour for them! But having said that, there is a Headship principle in the Bible? God is number one; Jesus his son number two; Jesus’s disciples (many were woman who will be transformed in Heaven & become Sons or gender neutral) or saints including Mary number three; the Angels or sons or God number four; Man & Woman are number four! All other Creation that come’s after this is number five (excluding Satan & his Demonic angels who have no place & face permanent destruction, so that’s the Biblical order of things from the Male perspective! Where Kavanaugh fits into my long winded, theocratic explanation is unknown but Kavanaugh should be presumed innocent until proven guilty & not judged to be guilty until he can prove his innocence! As in the Bible there is a Legal process & Headship arrangement & judicatory procedures that needs to happen first to get to the truth of the matter?

    • September 27, 2018 at 11:00

      God’s word, in the Bible, a book written by men to insure their male dominance… please, give us all a break !!!

    • October 5, 2018 at 01:09

      As a historian and recovered evangelical fundamentalist I can assure you with complete confidence that you have been brainwashed by a religious bible cult. You have been taught that the bible is god’s word and that it is history. It is neither. But once that brainwashing is completed it is easy to control victims by pointing out that “the bible says”. Actually, the oldest book in the bible is Deuteronomy. It was created in the 7th century BCE by King Josiah and his priests who created a tribal war god “Yahweh” who so conveniently had the same political agenda as the king. he gave his followers the holy land. (so convenient) All they had to do was lay aside their humanity. In Deuteronomy you find that “he” orders the “Israelites” (actually they were no longer in Palestine the cult was created in Judah) to invade their neighbors, kill everyone but virgins, steal the slaughtered inhabitants’ homes, harvests, cisterns and to show NO MERCY during their conquest. A good place to begin untangling your mind/brains would be “The Bible Unearthed” by Tel Aviv archaeologist Israel Finkelstein and historian Neil A. Silberman. Robert Eisenman, PhD, early church history and Dead Sea Scrolls expert will help you untangle from cult control created by misunderstanding the gospels and New Testament.

  129. backwardsevolution
    September 26, 2018 at 23:26

    I don’t even know what to say. Do we no longer believe in the presumption of innocence?

    “When political animus spills over into action in the real world such as repeated criminal assault, as has been happening now with regularity and is being increasingly documented in video form and in their own voices by the political left, there is a major problem.

    When that sort of activity is intentionally amplified and permitted by major corporate firms such as Facebook and Twitter while suppressing any sort of pushback whatsoever, you now add an attempt to con the public into believing this is some sort of ‘organic’ series of events — when nothing of the sort is the case.

    When Chuck Schumer states on CSPAN that “There is no presumption of innocence”, then the Rule of Law and due process are both dead and he is inviting, provoking and in fact inciting civil war.

    The conduct alleged is criminal; whenever one makes such an allegation due process rights attach. If one cannot find recourse in due process before the law, then the only remaining recourse is to the law of the jungle.

    There are also those (Hirono) who have gone even further and stated that Kavanaugh is presumed guilty because she does not like his written judicial opinions. This is exactly identical to the Salem witch trials where one was presumed a witch because they had a black cat and were unmarried, which certain people found ‘distasteful’.

    The media, specifically but not exclusively CNN, is even worse — they are intentionally lying and when the civil war they are inciting comes they are and should be first on the list of parties held responsible for the outcome.

    As just one example, in the context of Ramirez they have intentionally lied about the fact that her attorneys have ignored and deflected seven separate attempts to obtain some sort of formal statement of facts and allegations made under penalty of perjury; instead her attorneys continue to insist on a trial in the media where there is no penalty for outright lies. Why is this?”

    https://twitter.com/KimStrassel/status/1044790886494863360

    Are all women to be believed just because they are women?

    • backwardsevolution
      September 26, 2018 at 23:41

      And Richard Blumenthal says that “Kavanaugh” is responsible to prove he is innocent. Maybe they could hold his head under water and see if he survives.

      Blumenthal and Schumer, both lawyers, should be expelled from the Senate for making such statements.

      • rosemerry
        September 27, 2018 at 14:37

        This of course is the way the whole “elite” in the Democratic Party is behaving towards Russia in the accusations of interference in the 2016 election. The dozens of “sanctions” to punish Russia for its alleged transgression are based on no real evidence. It is even more so in the completely fabricated story of the Skripal poisonings in the UK, where no evidence has been presented which would have any chance of standing up in a court, and the punishments have been inflicted in droves on the “guilty party” which “everyone knows” is at fault.

        Innocent until proven guilty????not in the 21st century, it seems.

    • strngr-tgthr
      September 27, 2018 at 00:09

      He most certainly does not! An now we have multiple victims an an actual quallude train attack and another on a house boat!!! What is even scaryer is that this guy is even a judge in the first place. Judging other while he stawks are streets! How he has time to even by a judge God wonders he is even busier than Bill Cosby. He is a cereal attaker of womens. And now his whole familly sees the truth of there precious father criminal sex offender, worse than Zodiac maybe. They should take him rite out to jail cell after the hereing to go with Cosby!!!. This is the crime of being conservative all hidden repressed twisted church going sex offenders! We have won on the court now no more !!! For shame on America!

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 00:40

        strngr-tgthr – yeah, let’s dispense with a hearing altogether. Just throw him in with Cosby and save the trouble. I mean, he’s a man, isn’t he, and all men are bad.

        I Believe Her!

        I Disbelieve Him!

        Go, America!

        • September 27, 2018 at 10:56

          Ok – to follow the logic of backwardsrevolution, let Kavanaugh stand trial in a court of law… do you want someome on trial for possible crimes to be on our Supreme Court before the trial can finish?
          But, there are probably statutes of limitations.
          My bottom line is, when in doubt don’t put him on The Supreme Court of our Land.

          • backwardsevolution
            September 27, 2018 at 12:49

            Aime Duclos – if Kavanaugh stood for trial in a court of law, those women would be subjected to intense cross-examination. None of these charges would stand up in a court of law, regardless of the statute of limitations. When in doubt? That usually calls for acquittal.

          • September 28, 2018 at 11:58

            The point is, backwardsevolution, there is doubt as to the character of this Supreme Court nominee. Given this, would we want him on the Supreme Court of our land?

        • Sifting
          September 27, 2018 at 13:59

          Good again! Research reveals it was after Bill Cosby approached CBS with idea of buying the network that all his accusers came out of the woodwork.

      • David Smith
        September 27, 2018 at 03:10

        “Worse than Zodiac maybe”??? Don’t be so wishy washy Stranger2gthr!!! Kavenaugh IS Zodiac!!! Buy a couple of burner phones and call up the guys at 4Chan and make this effin happen!!!

      • anomomyous
        September 27, 2018 at 08:34

        Funny – cereal attacker of womens. Did he force them to eat cheerios?

    • Andre
      September 27, 2018 at 05:33

      So true: the USA is really collapsing fast as an Empire with no reasonable justice system in place: easy to see from outside the US how far it has come and good to see there are plenty of people here who do see through it all. An allegation without a follow-up or due process in court and without legal consequences for the accuser is as low as you can go. A rebuttal should include the possibility to sue the accusers who are making salacious and libellous claims without real evidence. I fit is beyond the limits to investigate (too old) such allegations or complaints should not be made receivable.

  130. Douglas Baker
    September 26, 2018 at 22:52

    As Christian faith became a camp follow to a splinter Rabbi, did the later day posse improve upon the pray shared with boys that was and is still carried forward into adulthood,by males giving a nod to the first fertile crescent bound up faith, “Thank God I was not born a woman.”?

    • historicus
      September 28, 2018 at 11:01

      That is the inconvenient truth, that Christianity is the vehicle by which the misogyny, homophobia, and arrogant nationalism of Second Temple Period Judaism was spread like a cancer across the globe, at an incalculable cost in human misery.

      • Andrew Dabrowski
        September 29, 2018 at 13:03

        Well, “misogyny, homophobia, and arrogant nationalism” were already core features of Rome before Christianity came along. The ingredient added by the latter was monotheism’s moral smugness.

  131. Joe Tedesky
    September 26, 2018 at 22:46

    To add to Ray’s well put analysis of ‘the boys club’ mentality that rules, I am posting a review by the ACLU of Judge Bret Kavanaugh’s opinions on various matters.

    https://www.aclu.org/report/aclu-report-judge-brett-m-kavanaugh

    I don’t need sold, nor persuaded by these allegations of sexual misconduct, as I have concluded that Supreme Court Nominee Kavanaugh is not my man. Besides our peering into Kavanaugh’s past, we need only to look at his previous work, and there in decide our choice to either support him or not.

    I would also add that if there is fire to be found from all of this creepy scandalous smoke of Kavanaugh’s crazy nites as a student is true, then I’d worry about his judgement when it comes to victims of such things as rape.

    Next nominee please……

  132. christina garcia
    September 26, 2018 at 22:13

    Owen Labrie, Harvard potential, Ethan Couch, texas affluenza boy, killed 4 people driving under the influence, Brock turner Stanford rapist who got a judge recalled because of his light sentence. These three cases occurred within the past 5 years. Does anyone else except me see a pattern? White boys will be white boys and that is okay. 50 , 30, 20 , years ago, and even 2018 it does not matter…

    • mike k
      September 26, 2018 at 22:33

      War is the ultimate rape. All other forms of rape are simply prelude. Male violence has ruined our world, and is on the way to destroy everything. What is “full spectrum dominance”? This is male violence at the maximum. Trump and all those around him are all bullies and egotists. Hubris and hate go together, just as humility and love do.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 00:35

        mike k – have you ever been raped? I didn’t think so.

        Not all males are violent. Males have also done unbelievably good things: discovered penicillin, electricity, the printing press, the car, the Internet…..the list could go on all day.

        Trump is no more being a bully than those on the Left are. In fact, they are acting much worse.

        • mike k
          September 27, 2018 at 08:53

          Your initial question is ridiculous and uncalled for. Your defense of Trump and males in general is more of the same. Next you will come up with some spurious reasons that prove women have been primarily responsible for the excessive violence in our world.

          • backwardsevolution
            September 27, 2018 at 14:15

            mike k – my initial question is spot on. You’ve never been raped.

            I defend Trump against liars, just as I would anyone, male or female. When he is being stupid re Iran, Israel, Venezuela, I call him out.

            The excessive violence in the world has been caused by violent men and violent women. The majority of men and women are decent people. It’s just the few that vie for top positions that are the psychos.

        • Lucius Patrick
          September 27, 2018 at 10:20

          Spot on. As an ex-lifelong Democrat (I went to Trump after Sanders lost), I am embarrassed that I was ever so liberal as I was, and mean-spirited as well in my partisanship. I rooted for Anita Hill in that lynching of Clarence Thomas, and I hated Bush and Cheney for Iraq, only to watch Obama and Hillary drop more bombs and get us into more wars. Go Trump! I don’t think people realize how partisan they really are–we all claim to be rational and logical analyzers, when in reality our political opinions are basically knee-jerk reactions rooted in our political party affiliations that. We then justify and explain why we are right, all because of a knee jerk reaction… Which end of the egg to open indeed, Mr. Jonathan Swift!

          • J2027
            September 30, 2018 at 19:58

            They’re all liars and hypocrites. Trump is no different,only on the surface.

    • Uncle Bob
      September 27, 2018 at 10:23

      Hillary lost..#metoo started..

      • Mark Walker
        September 27, 2018 at 12:12

        More like Uncle Bob conflated unrelated events. The only thing new about #metoo is it acquired a hashtag. If you are unaware of (and not outraged by) the unjust experiences of females in American society, you just haven’t been paying attention.

        • Uncle Bob
          September 27, 2018 at 12:56

          Life experiences with domestic violence watching as a child the way my grandpa treated my grandma, uncles treated my aunts and dad treated my mom, made me aware, unwillingly..
          Thank you for exposing yourself..and playing the game..”Mention Hillary’s name and whamo..

  133. mike k
    September 26, 2018 at 22:09

    Male domination goes all the way back to our simian ancestors, and only has become worse over time. This ugly habit bodes well to be a major factor in our coming extinction. Our drive to make war on each other and everything around us derives from this evil root. Unless we replace this seed of madness with all inclusive love, we will be doomed by our own hand.

    If you think my words are fanciful, then you have not thought deeply about our lethal predicament.

    • Lucius Patrick
      September 26, 2018 at 23:42

      Ridiculous tripe Mike. Put the women in charge and you will really see cruelty and mayhem! Just look at what HRC promised! Actually, to be fair, I don’t really think that women on the whole would be any worse, nor any better… We are all pretty good at one-upping and engaging in payback. The extent of this modern blame-men phenomenon is amazing! Are you folks educated? Have you read much? In the arts and humanities? Read, for god’s sake! Shakespeare, philosophy, novels, short stories, etc. Otherwise you are doomed. And stay away from the MDMA ecstasy…

      • backwardsevolution
        September 27, 2018 at 01:54

        Lucius Patrick – yes, some examples of despicable women are Hillary Clinton (“We came, we saw, he died”), Madeleine Albright (“We think it is worth it”), Victoria Nuland (“Fu<k the E.U."), Nikki Haley and Samantha Power, just to name a few. Despicable men are Dick Cheney, John Brennan, Netanyahu…..

        There's good and bad in both sexes.

        "Are you folks educated?" Apparently not. They've certainly not spent enough time around women. In fact, more women disbelieve other women than men do. Maybe it takes one to know one.

      • Mark Walker
        September 27, 2018 at 10:19

        OK. So not “ridiculous tripe?”

    • Mark Walker
      September 27, 2018 at 12:09

      Anyone who thinks most of the power structures on Earth are not derivatives of Might Makes Right, are not awake. This does not speak well for those folks current state of mind. Apparently they remain asleep. *

      * “And once you are awake, you shall remain awake eternally.” ? Nietzsche

    • historicus
      September 28, 2018 at 11:06

      The fairly new discipline of evolutionary psychology uncovers an inconvenient truth about who we really are. The fundamental reality of our species is that we are naturally evolved primates, and primate societies are built on male dominance hierarchies. These concern themselves with the allocation of resources according to status. The coveted resources are food, territory, and sexual access to females. Males who achieve dominant status receive the lion’s share of these resources. This helps to assure the transmission of their genes, which is the essential goal of evolution, if evolution had a goal. The most aggressive males have the greatest survival rates and reproductive success.

      This seems a pretty robust theory of why human societies function more or less identically, whether their supposed principles are democratic, theocratic, fascist, capitalist, socialist, communist, royalist, imperialist, tribalist, and so on and so on.
      And it also explains the perennial attraction of warfare – it allows low status males to engage in high status dominance-aggression behaviors normally forbidden to them. Young primates, with only rare exceptions, will eagerly to put their very lives at risk for the chance to imitate the high status behavior of dominant males.

      • backwardsevolution
        September 28, 2018 at 23:02

        historicus – very good and interesting post. Thanks!

  134. September 26, 2018 at 21:40

    Im no Kavanaugh fan but I wonder Why we forget Bill Clinton?

    How convenient and hypocritical.

    Bill Clinton: A Reckoning
    Feminists saved the 42nd president of the United States in the 1990s. They were on the wrong side of history; is it finally time to make things right?
    https://www.theatlantic.com

    You’d Better Put Some Ice On That: How I Survived Being Raped by Bill Clinton
    https://www.amazon.com/Youd

    Yes victims dont come forward for a myriad of reasons and thats tragic.But they had years to report these crimes and wait until now?It’s funny how these women have no problems talking about how they were raped in the media, but apparently going to the police to have it investigated by the proper authorities in order for the perpetrator to get what he deserves is just too much.Its my perception that these statements are highly purposive and made to deny Herr K. The nomination. That being said, that doesn’t mean they are not in some ways true. However without corroboration, they will to some extent just remain, her own personal statements, and her own interpretation of events.

    Ya nothing political about that.

    Rape has been used falsely many times in politics and other areas. They made sure that they accused Julian Assange with rape and it had nothing to do with it.Forgive me if im not getting out the pitchfork for either despicable party who have neither shame or decency.

    What’s the rush?……The Republicans kept “moderate” Merrick Garland waiting for a year and never would hold a hearing. Granted, I would prefer discussing how over-sexed Kavanaugh helped Bush legitimize detention and torture programs for prisoners, but the Dems won’t go near any subject that stinks of US imperialism. So we’re left discussing the sexual proclivities of a repressed religious misogynist who resents women having the ability to control their reproductive rights.

    • Andrew Dabrowski
      September 27, 2018 at 15:31

      I agree, Bill Clinton was a slime ball who deserved to be impeached. Not sure why you brought him up, though. You’re not suggesting the we can make up for letting Clinton off the hook by letting all slime balls off the hook?

      • September 28, 2018 at 03:15

        No I’m proving democrats have zero problem with rapists as long as they are democrats.Wasnt Hillary Clinton the last nominee for president?

        Why are Clintons still around and not ostracized as they should be.

        Where’s #MeToo in regards to the Clinton’s.

        Literally the same people who tried to cram Hillary down our throats are now pretending that they care about women?They have zero credibility and even fewer principles.

        There’s a word for that.

        Oh yeah and if you think Clinton’s are going?

        Hillary Clinton To Stump For Andrew Gillum In Florida Governor’s Race

        https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5bacef1fe4b0425e3c210365/amp

        A woman who attacked her husbands victims.

        • MBeaver
          September 28, 2018 at 12:39

          I agree completely. The hypocrisy is so thick, you can cut it. Hypocrisy proves all the time what real mentality proponents of politics have. People never realize that. Its just sad.
          Hypocrites are liars, people who want to manipulate you with lies, left out facts and whatnot. Why would you trust anything they say?

          I was already shocked how many of the democrats suddenly supported McCain, not to mention Trump supporters displaying the exact mentality like Hillary Clinton or McCain in questions of Russia, Ukraine or Syria.

        • October 4, 2018 at 22:32

          Jean, I agree with you. I can no longer vote Democratic because of their hypocrisy re: Bill the predator, not to mention Winestein, Jeffrey Epstein, etc. AND their dishonest promotion of Russiagate…… AND their embrace of GW Bush……

    • Mild - ly - Facetious
      September 28, 2018 at 16:39

      I love you again, Ray McGovern, for this opinion. — This is the you that I knew and admired from your KPFK days w/ Amy Goodman.

      My wife and I were appalled at Kavanaugh’s SPOILED BRAT, convulsive, teary-eyed / Red Faced performance.

      A display of White-Boy Privilege and feigned outrage that ought to have evoked scorn and derision.

      Yet, it was roundly approved by a Trump-ian paternalistic authoritarian “boys-will-be-boys” HOO-RAH !! by the

      Bigots that run the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society, and/or the American Enterprise Institute, or the Brookings Institution. or the Hudson Institute — these are a few of the real & actual Shot-Callers (rich right wing organizations) whose Wealth CONTROLS our gov’t.

      Don’t be misled, the Catholics, the Jews, and the “Evangelical Christians” have Powerful SWAY over The National “Ship of State”–

      That being said… – Kavanaugh — please recognize my idiom — Kavanaugh’s red-faced crying act was as an appeal for leniency or ‘forgiveness’ or a Public Display of sorrow/contrition, for a damnable act he knew-in-his-heart, he had committed. …

      … You know, an act of which he is Only Sorry for because it stands in the way of his SEAT ON THE SCOTUS.

      This is TRUMPS America and A White Mans’ escape hatch into/unto a f ‘ck’n AUTHORITY RULERSHIP POSITION —

      Not by reason of his ability to be an Impartial “Judge” — but By The Way of Feigned Crocodile Tears
      and a Cry Baby Tirade like a Spoiled Ass Brat that can’t/won’t have his way. …

      COMPARE AND CONTRAST ( with an honest heart ), the fraught and compelling testimony of the VICTIM of Kavanaugh’s brutal assault upon an innocent young girl — an absolutely innocent young girl just reaching out from the safety and security of her house & home & parental supervision , – into the unsupervised “world” of teenaged beer loving self-absorbed sexual predators.

      That’s the despicable (NOT ALL) Character of Private Catholic School boys AND PRIESTS that, BY ASSOCIATION (and Silence), ascend the ranks of Power / and become Pawns of, and perform the desires the POWER ELITE as ascend the “Latter of Success”
      unto a feigned status of “Professional Political Royalty”.

      Kavanaugh’s assent – his Catholic Boy shield — his pink face, phony tears and “Oh Please” cries for communion Ought Not grant him a LIFETIME Position on the SCOTUS.

      DO WEWANT / WILL WE ACCEPT ACKNOWLEDGED PREDATORS SITTING ON OUR – “SUPREME COURT” — AND CONTINUE TO ALLOW PREDATORY MEN, – RABBI’S AND PRIESTS AND PASTORS AND LAWYERS AND CREEPS LIKE KAVANAUGH TO RULE OVER US !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ??????????

      Open your eyes and ears. – Only Truth will save us.

      • October 4, 2018 at 22:27

        THANK YOU, Mild-ly! Having men speak up with outrage and truth is VERY healing for the many of us who have similar stories to Dr. Ford’s!!!

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