Current Affairs General US politics (ie, not POTUS related)

[Ruairi77]

I don’t think Ford had any intention of catching Kavanaugh with a guilty verdict. It was a chance for her to pin a horrible label on him and potentially see him thrown out as a candidate.

Yea, and theres a good chance she did this because she doesn't think he's fit to be a supreme court judge, because, yano... he tried to rape her.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

Yea, and theres a good chance she did this because she doesn't think he's fit to be a supreme court judge, because, yano... he tried to rape her.

That’s what I meant. Unless he didn’t do it, but signs point to something happening.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Here's the thing... unfortunately this is one word against another, and due to that Kavanaugh shouldn't be denied his role on these accusations alone, because if we set a precedent where people can come out of the woodwork, say whatever - no matter if completely unsubstantiated - and stop something they don't like from happening.

I say all this despite being in a position where if I was put on the spot, I'd have to say I'm fairly sure Kavanaugh is guilty of the accusations coming his way... but there's no proof in terms of substantial evidence.

And to be perfectly honest, all more people coming forward does at this point is make it look like they have an agenda rather than a real complaint. That may or may not be true, but that's the reality of the situation - the complainants are too easy to dismiss as politically motivated.

At this point it is three peoples word, one of them on a sworn affidavit who says that she told people contemporaneously -if she perjured herself that would not only cost her job as a government worker but is also punishable by jail.

As for “proof in terms of substantial evidence”, true it is not enough to convict Kavanaugh in court (although there are lots of people in jail with less evidence against them) but it is surely enough to open the background investigation again and get Mark Judge to testify under oath to the Senate?

 

[DanEFC92]

 

[Tubey]

This is hilarious. Click in and read the whole thread!

 

[TheBigIguana]

Putting the sexual assault stuff aside...
It's also worth noting that he's admitted to underage drinking on a regular basis. This is/was illegal.
It's enough for a mid level gov't employee to fail a background check. Why should it be ok for a supreme court justice. From about 17 to 21, he broke the law on a weekly basis but he wants to sit on the highest court in the land.

It would have been when the drinking age was 18. So still illegal for a bit but not as long.

 

[Ruairi77]

It would have been when the drinking age was 18. So still illegal for a bit but not as long.

Yea, though about that, definitely illegal in highschool
Then Yale, Connecticut raised its age to 19 in 1982, 20 in 1983 and 21 in 1985. Kavanaugh was born in Feb 1965, meaning he hit 21 in 1986. Meaning he intentionally broke the law for years.
Now doing someone for underage drinking is ridiculous but the federal government disqualify people all the time on these grounds, why should the supreme court seat be any different.

 

[LinekersLegs]

This is a stupid legal stunt that is bound to fail.

Even worse it is likely to add to the perception that Dems will do anything to stop the nomination which will negatively impact Dr Ford’s testimony even despite the fact she will have had no hand in it.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Yea, though about that, definitely illegal in highschool
Then Yale, Connecticut raised its age to 19 in 1982, 20 in 1983 and 21 in 1985. Kavanaugh was born in Feb 1965, meaning he hit 21 in 1986. Meaning he intentionally broke the law for years.
Now doing someone for underage drinking is ridiculous but the federal government disqualify people all the time on these grounds, why should the supreme court seat be any different.

You're right. My friend got an open container citation and it kept him out of a federal job until it got cleared off his record. It is interesting how that doesn't matter now.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Yea, though about that, definitely illegal in highschool
Then Yale, Connecticut raised its age to 19 in 1982, 20 in 1983 and 21 in 1985. Kavanaugh was born in Feb 1965, meaning he hit 21 in 1986. Meaning he intentionally broke the law for years.
Now doing someone for underage drinking is ridiculous but the federal government disqualify people all the time on these grounds, why should the supreme court seat be any different.

If underage drinking is the thing that halts Kavanaugh appointment (which I doubt) it would probably be because he lied about it to the FBI in his background check than the fact he did it.

 

[Ruairi77]

If underage drinking is the thing that halts Kavanaugh appointment (which I doubt) it would probably be because he lied about it to the FBI in his background check than the fact he did it.

and presumably lied about it at every background check as he progressed further up the judicial ladder.

 

[MrPerfectNot]

Ideologically, I don't think that K should be on the Court, but elections have consequences.

Politically, this is a cluster all-around. The Republicans are looking increasingly desperate to get him an up-vote as soon as they can, regardless of how many women step forward with tales of K's younger days. The Democrats are turning #MeToo into a political weapon, when it started as and should be something all-encompassing, regardless of party. (After all, Dems, Bill Clinton wasn't pure in terms of behavior).

Overall, this event doesn't let us show off the virtues of the American system of democratic representation.

 

[LinekersLegs]

If the Republicans believe these claims are credible wouldn’t it make sense for an investigation into them?

 

[Harryflashman]

Classy start by chuck grassley

 

[MrPerfectNot]

Streaming live on youtube if someone wants to watch - search out CBS News and pick up their live link.