Politics Thread

[Juice]

Senate Democrats Investigate a New Allegation of Sexual Misconduct, from Brett Kavanaugh’s College Years (https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/senate-democrats-investigate-a-new-allegation-of-sexual-misconduct-from-the-supreme-court-nominee-brett-kavanaughs-college-years-deborah-ramirez)


he Times had interviewed several dozen people over the past week in an attempt to corroborate her story, and could find no one with firsthand knowledge. Ms. Ramirez herself contacted former Yale classmates asking if they recalled the incident and told some of them that she could not be certain Mr. Kavanaugh was the one who exposed himself.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/23/us/politics/brett-kavanaugh-christine-blasey-ford-testify.html

When the NY Times won't run with the story, you know it's bullshit.

[scoscox]

Senate Democrats Investigate a New Allegation of Sexual Misconduct, from Brett Kavanaugh’s College Years (https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/senate-democrats-investigate-a-new-allegation-of-sexual-misconduct-from-the-supreme-court-nominee-brett-kavanaughs-college-years-deborah-ramirez)

Yikes. We have a democratic activist with a story that all of her named witnesses deny and she can’t even clearly remember if it was this guy or not.

[GoMuskies]

Yikes. We have a democratic activist with a story that all of her named witnesses deny and she can’t even clearly remember if it was this guy or not.

Let's spend the next 2 years investigating it.

[Caf]

I still don't see the thought process behind not investigating these. Both accusers are on really shaky ground, so it seems quite likely that an investigation would favor Kavanaugh's story. Get it done and if they can't prove an incident, he'll get the votes. If they find something credible, then you dodged the bullet of it coming out after the fact or right before a vote.

The risks of not investigating are huge. There is definitely a real chance they don't get the votes no matter how well the hearings go. The Dems will trot this out in every single midterm race at a time where Trump's approval rating is at 38%. If they make a real effort to get to the bottom of this, they'll at least have a good faith rebuttal to it. Of course the ultimate risk is that the assumption of innocence by the chamber is misplaced.

[scoscox]

I agree with the sentiment, but realistically how do you investigate something that no witnesses can corroborate and the accusers themselves don’t have a clear recollection of key details like time, place, or in this case, the identity of the accused?

[Caf]

I agree with the sentiment, but realistically how do you investigate something that no witnesses can corroborate and the accusers themselves don’t have a clear recollection of key details like time, place, or in this case, the identity of the accused?

You look for witnesses and if you don't find any that's pretty much it.

Add this to the list of things I don't understand. Why does everyone keep saying the FBI would have to prove a negative? When has this every been the case? They'd try to find out if there was a crime. If they don't find anything then they just say so.

[Pete Delkus]

You look for witnesses and if you don't find any that's pretty much it.

Add this to the list of things I don't understand. Why does everyone keep saying the FBI would have to prove a negative? When has this every been the case? They'd try to find out if there was a crime. If they don't find anything then they just say so.

If you don't acknowledge the time aspect of both WHEN these claims are being made and HOW it affects the forthcoming steps, then the notion " just investigate" argument is null.

An investigation would press the potential voting time period to after the elections, and thus cause a different voting outcome...even if nothing is discovered.

Political chess is unsavory, to say the least...both sides play it...it just gets slimier & more hypocritical as we get more divided.

[Caf]

If you don't acknowledge the time aspect of both WHEN these claims are being made and HOW it affects the forthcoming steps, then the notion " just investigate" argument is null.

An investigation would press the potential voting time period to after the elections, and thus cause a different voting outcome...even if nothing is discovered.

Political chess is unsavory, to say the least...both sides play it...it just gets slimier & more hypocritical as we get more divided.

I don't disagree with any of this. I just think they're really rolling the dice on this. They could wind up sacrificing the House for a Supreme Court Justice who may have in fact done all of these things. The odds are low but the risk is enormous.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I don't disagree with any of this. I just think they're really rolling the dice on this. They could wind up sacrificing the House for a Supreme Court Justice who may have in fact done all of these things. The odds are low but the risk is enormous.

This delay is basically Merrick Garland with a reason. The reason isn't ironclad for sure and tenuous, but the idea is the same.

[bjf123]

An investigation would press the potential voting time period to after the elections, and thus cause a different voting outcome...even if nothing is discovered.


That’s all the Democrats really care about. Otherwise, this information would have come out back when Feinstein first got the letter.


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[GoMuskies]

This delay is basically Merrick Garland with a reason. The reason isn't ironclad for sure and tenuous, but the idea is the same.

And if Democrats owned the Senate at Garland time, they'd have scheduled a vote and told Republicans to fuck themselves. Republicans need to do the same unless something real comes out.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

And if Democrats owned the Senate at Garland time, they'd have scheduled a vote and told Republicans to fuck themselves. Republicans need to do the same unless something real comes out.

Because of Garland and McConnell, justice nominees are now more political than ever. This can either go on and on and on, or McConnell can take this one in the teeth and stop the rhetoric.

I don't even count Bork here, that guy rubber stamped the firing of Cox for Nixon. He didn't deserve the nomination.

[GoMuskies]

Because of Garland and McConnell, justice nominees are now more political than ever. This can either go on and on and on, or McConnell can take this one in the teeth and stop the rhetoric.

McConnell pulling Kavanaugh won't stop anything. If Dems know this tactic works, it will be open season. Absent something more concrete coming out, the Republicans HAVE to schedule a vote and confirm Kavanaugh.

[X-man]

And if Democrats owned the Senate at Garland time, they'd have scheduled a vote and told Republicans to fuck themselves. Republicans need to do the same unless something real comes out.

Love how people like you know what the Democrats would have done. The psychological term for your hypothetical is "projection".

[ArizonaXUGrad]

If Democrats had owned the Senate at the time of Garland's confirmation, you don't think they would have called for a vote and confirmed Garland?

Or perhaps there's a Xavier faculty member not capable of reading and following a conversation? That's not a good look.

My point is more along the lines of the revenge factor. Gorsuch filled the court but really replaced a conservative in Scalia. Garland should have done that but he would have been a centrist with a slight left lean. Kavanaugh is a hard right justice. He isn't a Kennedy replacement he is an outright attempt to toss the court right for a few decades.

The revenge factor would be getting Kavanaugh's nomination tabled in a response to Garland. Both parties get the black eye and it's next judge up. If the House/Senate doesn't flip, there is no way another Trump nomination gets rolled unless they are so partisan that neither party approves. If it does flip, he has to learn to play fair.

[GoMuskies]

My point is more along the lines of the revenge factor.

No, I completely agree with your point. However, Democrats obviously would not have allowed Republicans to hold up the Garland nomination if they held the Senate. Republicans shouldn't let Dems hold it up now. And it's a TERRIBLE precedent if the Republicans allow the accusations (without more) to fell one of their candidates. And if it worked, I don't think there's even a slight chance the Democrats would stop using it after this one instance. Why quit on a winning strategy?

[Caf]

No, I completely agree with your point. However, Democrats obviously would not have allowed Republicans to hold up the Garland nomination if they held the Senate. Republicans shouldn't let Dems hold it up now. And it's a TERRIBLE precedent if the Republicans allow the accusations (without more) to fell one of their candidates. And if it worked, I don't think there's even a slight chance the Democrats would stop using it after this one instance. Why quit on a winning strategy?

On Meet the Press Patty Murray said the Democrats might look to reinstate the nomination filibuster if they took congress. Ah man that was a good one!

[XU 87]

Love how people like you know what the Democrats would have done. The psychological term for your hypothetical is "projection".

That's better than being delusional.

[X-man]

That's better than being delusional.

Helpful as always, 87. If someone disagrees with you or says something you don't like, they're delusional. Nice!

[GoMuskies]

On Meet the Press Patty Murray said the Democrats might look to reinstate the nomination filibuster if they took congress. Ah man that was a good one!

I think they'd totally do that...so long as they had 61 Senate seats.

[GoMuskies]

Helpful as always, 87. If someone disagrees with you or says something you don't like, they're delusional. Nice!

And if you misread a thread, they're projecting.

[bigdiggins]

My point is more along the lines of the revenge factor. Gorsuch filled the court but really replaced a conservative in Scalia. Garland should have done that but he would have been a centrist with a slight left lean. Kavanaugh is a hard right justice. He isn't a Kennedy replacement he is an outright attempt to toss the court right for a few decades.

The revenge factor would be getting Kavanaugh's nomination tabled in a response to Garland. Both parties get the black eye and it's next judge up. If the House/Senate doesn't flip, there is no way another Trump nomination gets rolled unless they are so partisan that neither party approves. If it does flip, he has to learn to play fair.

Next judge up except that if he is not fit to be on the Supreme Court he is not fit to be on the second highest court in the land. So his career is ruined by unprovable allegations from 35 years ago because in sexual assault cases ( well those that fit the Democrat narrative anyway see Keith Ellison) tried in the media it is guilty until proven innocent.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Next judge up except that if he is not fit to be on the Supreme Court he is not fit to be on the second highest court in the land. So his career is ruined by unprovable allegations from 35 years ago because in sexual assault cases ( well those that fit the Democrat narrative anyway see Keith Ellison) tried in the media it is guilty until proven innocent.

I am fine with Ellison being removed, wow see how that works?

[X-man]

And if you misread a thread, they're projecting.

Did you not say what the Dem's would have done? How did I misread your comment?

[GoMuskies]

Did you not say what the Dem's would have done? How did I misread your comment?

Did you assume I was talking about what Dems would have done if Garland had similar accusations against him?

[X-man]

Did you assume I was talking about what Dems would have done if Garland had similar accusations against him?

Uh, yeah. That is precisely what your statement says.

[GoMuskies]

Uh, yeah. That is precisely what your statement says.

Read it again big dog. Maybe put on your glasses and only read the words it says this time.

[X-man]

Read it again big dog. Maybe put on your glasses and only read the words it says this time.

See post 3014 in this thread. Please tell me how I misinterpreted your comment by reading it as saying what the Democrats would have done had they "owned the Senate at Garland time". Seems pretty clear that the word "they" following that phrase referred to Democrats.

[GoMuskies]

See post 3014 in this thread. Please tell me how I misinterpreted your comment by reading it as saying what the Democrats would have done had they "owned the Senate at Garland time". Seems pretty clear that the word "they" following that phrase referred to Democrats.

And where is there anything about sexual harassment/abuse allegations against Garland?

I simply said Democrats would have called for a vote and confirmed Garland if they controlled the Senate back in 2016. I don't find anything controversial about that statement. Sorry you read your own stuff into that.

[X-man]

And where is there anything about sexual harassment/abuse allegations against Garland?

I simply said Democrats would have called for a vote and confirmed Garland if they controlled the Senate back in 2016. I don't find anything controversial about that statement. Sorry you read your own stuff into that.

And you also said they would "tell the Republicans to go fuck themselves" in that post. But I digress. Try and read up on what the words "would have" connote. Sounds like a hypothetical to me, and hence my post.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

And where is there anything about sexual harassment/abuse allegations against Garland?

I simply said Democrats would have called for a vote and confirmed Garland if they controlled the Senate back in 2016. I don't find anything controversial about that statement. Sorry you read your own stuff into that.

Why would a Garland vote be that bad? The guy had no marginalia, he was a respected judge, and he was a centrist with a slight left lean. Tell me how these two cases are remotely close.

[GoMuskies]

Why would a Garland vote be that bad?

It wouldn't have been. Tell me where i have said otherwise. I'm not sure how many times I'll have to say I think Garland got screwed in this thread. Perhaps I'll put in in my signature.

[GoMuskies]

And you also said they would "tell the Republicans to go fuck themselves" in that post. But I digress. Try and read up on what the words "would have" connote. Sounds like a hypothetical to me, and hence my post.

Yes, I was way out there in that hypothetical that a Democratic controlled Senate would have confirmed a Supreme Court nominee from a popular (among Democrats) Democrat President. I'll try not to go out on a limb like that anymore thus I project too much for your liking.

If Republicans didn't want Garland and were in the minority, confirming him would have been telling the Republicans to go fuck themselves.

All of this quite controversial.

[Caf]

Republicans Vow to Back Kavanaugh Amid New Allegation - WSJ (https://www.wsj.com/articles/kavanaugh-confirmation-process-encounters-more-uncertainty-1537798999?mod=trending_now_2)

Maybe my reading comprehension is off, but it seems to me that this second accuser has actually helped Kavanaugh.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Republicans Vow to Back Kavanaugh Amid New Allegation - WSJ (https://www.wsj.com/articles/kavanaugh-confirmation-process-encounters-more-uncertainty-1537798999?mod=trending_now_2)

Maybe my reading comprehension is off, but it seems to me that this second accuser has actually helped Kavanaugh.

Her facts aren't straight, Avenatti claims to have another. As much as he annoys me, he always seems to be right and deliver on his goods.

[GoMuskies]

this second accuser has actually helped Kavanaugh.

Yes, can't believe Farrow ran with that story given the craters in it. Mayer is a hack, so I'm not surprised she was involved.

[Caf]

Yes, can't believe Farrow ran with that story given the craters in it. Mayer is a hack, so I'm not surprised she was involved.

The story is so bad it hurts Ford's story.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

The story is so bad it hurts Ford's story.

Just have to wait and see what Avenatti has to say or at least his client. Got that guy just bugs me, but he is right at more than the NYT.

[GoMuskies]

What little I've heard about Avenatti's accusations seem to be more an indictment on the culture of Yale in the '80s than anything specifically relating to Kavanaugh. Basically, Yale was so bad in the '80s and Kavanaugh was there, so Kavanaugh is tarnished by association. Perhaps there's more to it.

Nevermind, I read a little closer, and his accusations are about the culture of '80s Washington era house parties. I've seen Weird Science, so I have to think the allegations are probably accurate.

I will say this as a father of two boys who will be in high school in the not too distant future: thank you to this series of stories to provide another example to show the kids of the potential long-term ramifications of bad behavior in high school. You can bet people are going to be digging up high school dirt of all manner of people now.

[bigdiggins]

So now Dr. Ford may not show up because there will be a female attorney there for the Republicans. So first the liberals had an issue the Republican representation being all men, and now they have an issue that there will be a woman present. Perhaps the only answer is to find some transgendered Republicans and put them on the Judiciary committee?

[XU 87]

You can bet people are going to be digging up high school dirt of all manner of people now.

Why stop there? Let's see what they did in grade school. It's just getting to be so pathetic what one group will do to an individual to advance a political agenda.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

So now Dr. Ford may not show up because there will be a female attorney there for the Republicans. So first the liberals had an issue the Republican representation being all men, and now they have an issue that there will be a woman present. Perhaps the only answer is to find some transgendered Republicans and put them on the Judiciary committee?

Don’t spin it, this was sprung on them late. The posturing for this is just annoying. Both sides are now doing things last minute to cause discord.


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[GoMuskies]

https://twitter.com/i/status/1044713343569858562

This is kind of amusing.

[bobbiemcgee]

So was Trump's UN speech. #Laughingstock

[xudash]

Don’t spin it, this was sprung on them late. The posturing for this is just annoying. Both sides are now doing things last minute to cause discord.


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Bullshit. This crap show is completely on the Democratics. it's embarrassing.

https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/42311776_1848457001941417_3118383991925768192_n.jp g?_nc_cat=1&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=b43263448dd0f12370b6e6bd7a57ad3d&oe=5C18F2B2

[xudash]

So was Trump's UN speech. #Laughingstock

So you think Venezuela is doing well?

You believe foreign aid should be provided to those who hate us?

You don't believe we should protect our own interests?

You don't think other countries should step into the UN peacekeeping budget?

You don't care about what kind of world we leave our children?

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Bullshit. This crap show is completely on the Democratics. it's embarrassing.

https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/42311776_1848457001941417_3118383991925768192_n.jp g?_nc_cat=1&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=b43263448dd0f12370b6e6bd7a57ad3d&oe=5C18F2B2

Way to victim shame there, you understand that prostitutes can be raped right? They can be groped. The moment the women says no it stops or criminal acts begin. Again, let the fbi investigate. I would love that regardless of the outcome.


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[ArizonaXUGrad]

So you think Venezuela is doing well?

You believe foreign aid should be provided to those who hate us?

You don't believe we should protect our own interests?

You don't think other countries should step into the UN peacekeeping budget?

You don't care about what kind of world we leave our children?

Trump is doing nothing but pandering to his own and his base’s interests. He doesn’t care about the world only as far as it enriches him and his.


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[xudash]

Way to victim shame there, you understand that prostitutes can be raped right? They can be groped. The moment the women says no it stops or criminal acts begin. Again, let the fbi investigate. I would love that regardless of the outcome.


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Kavanaugh is the victim in this deal.

I abhor sexual misconduct in any way, shape or form.

She is no victim. Why now? Answer that simple question: why did she go down this road NOW?

[xudash]

Trump is doing nothing but pandering to his own and his base’s interests. He doesn’t care about the world only as far as it enriches him and his.


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Sure, he doesn't care about the world. Right. Wow.

[bjf123]

Trump is doing nothing but pandering to his own and his base’s interests. He doesn’t care about the world only as far as it enriches him and his.


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And the Democrats aren’t pandering to their base with everything they’re doing to derail Kavanaugh’s nomination?


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[ArizonaXUGrad]

Kavanaugh is the victim in this deal.

I abhor sexual misconduct in any way, shape or form.

She is no victim. Why now? Answer that simple question: why did she go down this road NOW?

Google Milano’s retort as to why she waited to talk about her rape.

First and second sentence must be mutually exclusive. You have no idea whether she is telling the truth or isn’t telling the truth. Signs point to the truth.

Frankly calling Kavanaugh the victim and Ford no victim is clear no amount of evidence will change your mind.


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[xudash]

Google Milano’s retort as to why she waited to talk about her rape.

First and second sentence must be mutually exclusive. You have no idea whether she is telling the truth or isn’t telling the truth. Signs point to the truth.

Frankly calling Kavanaugh the victim and Ford no victim is clear no amount of evidence will change your mind.


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No amount of fabrication on their part will change yours.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Sure, he doesn't care about the world. Right. Wow.

Show me one thing that shows he does, literally one thing.

He claims to have shut down North Korea but really accomplished nothing. He is aggravating the situation between Israel and Palestine.

He treats Russia like they walk on water. His tax cut is a joke comically steering wealth to the wealthy. They want another cut this or next year.

His ethnocentrism truly knows no bounds and by the way still no wall. He hates foreigners except the ones that work at Mar-a-Lago.

Like I said, show me something he has done that shows he is worldly or something he did for the people.


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[ArizonaXUGrad]

No amount of fabrication on their part will change yours.

Bingo, I am waiting for someone to investigate and let them testify to the findings. I am holding my judgement. It is telling that so many drag their feet and squirm at the idea of fbi interviews.


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[xudash]

Show me one thing that shows he does, literally one thing.

He claims to have shut down North Korea but really accomplished nothing. He is aggravating the situation between Israel and Palestine.

He treats Russia like they walk on water. His tax cut is a joke comically steering wealth to the wealthy. They want another cut this or next year.

His ethnocentrism truly knows no bounds and by the way still no wall. He hates foreigners except the ones that work at Mar-a-Lago.

Like I said, show me something he has done that shows he is worldly or something he did for the people.


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https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/republican-presidential-candidate-donald-trump-and-his-wife-melania-picture-id513647840

[STL_XUfan]

I will say this as a father of two boys who will be in high school in the not too distant future: thank you to this series of stories to provide another example to show the kids of the potential long-term ramifications of bad behavior in high school. You can bet people are going to be digging up high school dirt of all manner of people now.

We are about 2 to 3 presidential elections away from a candidate that had social media throughout high school and college, that is when things will get interesting. We have already seen a little bit of it with the Jon Ossoff attack ads where they played clips from him singing in an a cappella group in college.

[GoMuskies]

Bullshit. This crap show is completely on the Democratics. it's embarrassing.

https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/42311776_1848457001941417_3118383991925768192_n.jp g?_nc_cat=1&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=b43263448dd0f12370b6e6bd7a57ad3d&oe=5C18F2B2

It's absurd that this picture is coming out. But no more absurd than people combing through Kavanaugh's high school yearbook for evidence of bad character. I hate 2018.

[Caf]

Attorney Avenatti Releases Affidavit From Woman Describing Kavanaugh’s Behavior at Parties in 1980s - WSJ (https://www.wsj.com/articles/attorney-avenatti-releases-affidavit-from-woman-describing-kavanaugh-at-parties-in-1980s-1537974634?mod=e2li)


The woman, Julie Swetnick, alleged that in 1982, she was a victim of a gang rape at a party at which for which Mr. Kavanaugh and a high school friend, Mark Judge, were present. She says she told at least two other people about the incident shortly after it occurred. She said she believed she was drugged “using Quaaludes or something similar placed in what I was drinking.”

Ms. Swetnick doesn’t specify whether Judge Kavanaugh and Mr. Judge engaged in her alleged rape or if they were in the room, but said they were “present” when she was victimized.

[Caf]

she holds active clearances at the Treasury Department, U.S. Mint and Internal Revenue Service. She said in her affidavit that she would be willing to testify to the information contained in her affidavit.

This guy isn't getting the votes.

[GoMuskies]

This guy isn't getting the votes.

Because he might have been at a party in high where other people might have raped a woman?

[Caf]

Because he might have been at a party in high where other people might have raped a woman?

Because there are substantial questions of his character that are only being dismissed by a literal conspiracy theory.

[xudash]

Because there are substantial questions of his character that are only being dismissed by a literal conspiracy theory.

There are substantial questions of character with the accusers as well.

[GoMuskies]

substantial questions of his character

There really aren't, though. So far, I think there is credible evidence he might have been kind of a jerk in high school. Based on people going through his yearbook.

Otherwise, credible is pushing it.

[Xville]

Because there are substantial questions of his character that are only being dismissed by a literal conspiracy theory.

No. They are being dismissed because the burden of proof lies with the accusers, not Kavanaugh. Look, I dont know if this guy did anything he is being accused of or not, but just because someone says something happened, shouldn't constitute there being "substantial questions of his character."

[ArizonaXUGrad]

No. They are being dismissed because the burden of proof lies with the accusers, not Kavanaugh. Look, I dont know if this guy did anything he is being accused of or not, but just because someone says something happened, shouldn't constitute there being "substantial questions of his character."

Investigate them all, let the cards fall where they may when they testify to the findings in front of Congress. I have no issue with that. Kavanaugh is up for the a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land, he should be open to that as well.

[Xville]

Investigate them all, let the cards fall where they may when they testify to the findings in front of Congress. I have no issue with that. Kavanaugh is up for the a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land, he should be open to that as well.

I agree...I have no problem with the FBI doing an investigation. I'm so sick and tired of politicians and the games they continue to play...we need term limits and to outlaw lobbyists. That would clean out a lot of the issues we currently have in our government.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I agree...I have no problem with the FBI doing an investigation. I'm so sick and tired of politicians and the games they continue to play...we need term limits and to outlaw lobbyists. That would clean out a lot of the issues we currently have in our government.

Kavanaugh is a lobbyist and Corporate friend on the court right?


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[GoMuskies]

Corporate friend on the court



Hopefully

[Caf]

There really aren't, though. So far, I think there is credible evidence he might have been kind of a jerk in high school. Based on people going through his yearbook.

Otherwise, credible is pushing it.

Well it's good I didn't say they were credible then. I'm not arguing if it's right or wrong. There are questions and Trump's reasoning for not investigating and McConnell's reasoning for a Friday vote is it's a smear job. If their defense was more like yours than a conspiracy theorist's, they'd be better off.

[xudash]

I agree...I have no problem with the FBI doing an investigation. I'm so sick and tired of politicians and the games they continue to play...we need term limits and to outlaw lobbyists. That would clean out a lot of the issues we currently have in our government.

I would hope that everyone on this board, from the left to the right and from the right back to the left, agree with your bolded statement.

[Pete Delkus]

Jeff Spicoli, Steff McKee & Kevin Pickford have all contacted their lawyers to see if sharing weed with a girl, and then having sex with her, is the same as drugging and raping.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Hopefully

I hope you see what is happening in this country. I doubt it, if you saw how employees are treated you wouldn't feel that way. A friend just took a job at a fortune 500. They are working until 10pm each night through close (accounting). It is caused by a lack of resources. Companies lay off employees to cut G&A, then increase the work load on those they retain. Pay then remains stagnant.

I sincerely hope our Corporate overlords are benevolent.

[bigdiggins]

I hope you see what is happening in this country. I doubt it, if you saw how employees are treated you wouldn't feel that way. A friend just took a job at a fortune 500. They are working until 10pm each night through close (accounting). It is caused by a lack of resources. Companies lay off employees to cut G&A, then increase the work load on those they retain. Pay then remains stagnant.

I sincerely hope our Corporate overlords are benevolent.

I work at a fortune 500 in accounting, outside of 3 weeks at year end our staff accountants do not work more than 40-45 hours week. Very tough market to find accountants as well as there is a ton of competition. Tell your friend to keep looking if hes not happy.

[Xville]

I hope you see what is happening in this country. I doubt it, if you saw how employees are treated you wouldn't feel that way. A friend just took a job at a fortune 500. They are working until 10pm each night through close (accounting). It is caused by a lack of resources. Companies lay off employees to cut G&A, then increase the work load on those they retain. Pay then remains stagnant.

I sincerely hope our Corporate overlords are benevolent.

So one particular anecdote and that is "what is happening in this country?" I work with fortune 500 companies as a consultant and what you described is nowhere close to the norm that I have heard.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

So one particular anecdote and that is "what is happening in this country?" I work with fortune 500 companies as a consultant and what you described is nowhere close to the norm that I have heard.

Nope, but 5 years at PwC does and the corporate contacts I have as well. I know companies that don't do this, but the vast majority I know does. They view it as a meat grinder, when one employee is finished it's just next man up.

[GoMuskies]

I hope you see what is happening in this country. I doubt it, if you saw how employees are treated you wouldn't feel that way.

Pretty sure I do....and pretty sure I do.

[Xville]

Nope, but 5 years at PwC does and the corporate contacts I have as well. I know companies that don't do this, but the vast majority I know does. They view it as a meat grinder, when one employee is finished it's just next man up.

Skewed view of actual reality.

[Juice]

In local news...

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2018/09/26/aftabs-secret-poll-obtained-enquirer/1430234002/


The poll itself – which until now has been held secret by the Pureval campaign –undermines repeated claims by them that it was for both a future clerk of courts run and an exploration of a congressional run. The poll is headlined, "Polling in OH-1 shows opportunity for Aftab Pureval."

[noteggs]

Couple things odd with the Avenatti timeline. According to reports, the accuser went to 10 parties from 1981 - 1983 and saw gang rapes. Why go to these parties if you saw this happening? In 1982, state you were a victim and still went back to those parties? This is not to say something didn’t happen to her in 1982. She graduated in 1980 and went back to 10 high school parties? I know it happens but 3 years after you graduate? To give this timeline a benefit of doubt, maybe Georgetown Prep house parties are not just for HS kids and different than the ones I attended while in HS. I left for college, going back to HS parties was something I never thought of doing. Meeting old HS friends out...sure.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Skewed view of actual reality.

Granted mine is one market, but this isn't something that is uncommon. As a consultant, you drive at 5pm or your invoice increases. This is exactly what doesn't happen for employees. Couple that with connectivity and the ever increasing "take your laptop home" culture.

[Pete Delkus]

1) I work for a Fortune 10 Company & work from home. I have busy seasons & travel, & have slow times and more flexibility than I can shake a stick at, when needed. I don't always agree with these "OverLords" & reality can be cruel. However, I've made a pretty decent life, while getting to see my kids off the bus 90% of the time.

2) "Boof, we've seen 6 gang rapes over the last 6 Keggers we've attended, my question for you is, what are wearing to Style's bash on Saturday?"

[Caf]

Jeff Spicoli, Steff McKee & Kevin Pickford have all contacted their lawyers to see if sharing weed with a girl, and then having sex with her, is the same as drugging and raping.

Boof, we've seen 6 gang rapes over the last 6 Keggers we've attended, my question for you is, what are wearing to Style's bash on Saturday?

Some people can't help themselves but to make the MeToo movement's argument for them.

[Lamont Sanford]

In local news...

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2018/09/26/aftabs-secret-poll-obtained-enquirer/1430234002/

Clearly Aftab ain't the most polished politician yet. He's just as phony baloney as all of them.

[Pete Delkus]

Oh, you must be referring to the radical left, who decided to use it as a political weapon, and tarnished a worthy cause.

[Caf]

Oh, you must be referring to the radical left, who decided to use it as a political weapon, and tarnished a worthy cause.

Criticizing the Senators who are using this is one thing and it's not what you are doing. You are mocking what these women said they went through and it's pretty awful stuff.

[Pete Delkus]

Criticizing the Senators who are using this is one thing and it's not what you are doing. You are mocking what these women said they went through and it's pretty awful stuff.

I'm using satire to raise skepticism at what seems to be curious case of "This guy was a ring-leader" drugging & raping girls - when he has been a Federal Judge for a long time w/o a word, & this comes out right before his SC vote.

This is victimization & using serious acquisitions for pure politics...

Bull shit to you, and your self righteous.

Wait for it....
Wait for it....

This is how you got Trump!

[Caf]

I'm using satire to raise skepticism

Sure thing pal. For the record, you won't find a single post of me saying any of this is true or that it isn't being used for political gain. I merely think the Judge and these accusers have the right to defend themselves in this situation. EDIT: And that it would be worthwhile for the GOP to do so.

Have fun making satire about the below. I'm sure you'll get a lot of laughs.


11 - During the years 1981-82, I became aware of efforts by Mark Judge, Brett Kavanaugh and others to "spike" the "punch" at house parties I attended with drugs and/or grain alcohol so as to cause girls to lose their inhibitions and their ability to say "No." This caused me to make an effort to purposely avoid the "punch" at these parties. I witnessed efforts by Mark Judge, Brett Kavanaugh and others to "target" particular girls so they could be taken advantage of; it was usually a girl that was especially vulnerable because she was alone at the party or shy.

12 - I also witnessed efforts by Mark Judge, Brett Kavanaugh and others to cause girls to become inebriated and disoriented so they could then be "gang raped" in a side room or bedroom by a "train" of numerous boys. I have a firm recollection of seeing boys lined up outside rooms at many of these parties waiting for their "turn" with a girl inside the room. These boys included Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh.

13 - In approximately 1982, I became the victim of one of these "gang" or "train" rapes where Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh were present. Shortly after the incident, I shared what had transpired with at least two other people. During the incident, I was incapacitated without my consent and unable to fight off the boys raping me. I believe I was drugged using Quaaludes or something similar placed in what I was drinking.

14 - I am aware of other witnesses that can attest to the truthfulness of each of the statements above.

[Xville]

Avenatti's girl's story is the least plausible yet. So, she kept seeing this over and over at these parties, yet kept on going but just avoided the "punch" come on...does anyone really buy this crap?

Ford's account....ok I can see that may have happened...this one? Come on.

[GoMuskies]

I think she partied with Bill Cosby, not Brett Kavanaugh. Easy to confuse.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

1) I work for a Fortune 10 Company & work from home. I have busy seasons & travel, & have slow times and more flexibility than I can shake a stick at, when needed. I don't always agree with these "OverLords" & reality can be cruel. However, I've made a pretty decent life, while getting to see my kids off the bus 90% of the time.

2) "Boof, we've seen 6 gang rapes over the last 6 Keggers we've attended, my question for you is, what are wearing to Style's bash on Saturday?"

Again with the one anecdote, I too have a good situation. However, the vast majority of those I know in my market and a couple others including Miami/Pittsburgh don't have it good. One can google studies that show Americans work more than their similar first world counterparts.

[GoMuskies]

Americans work more than their similar first world counterparts.

We also have a better economy.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

We also have a better economy.

Just made me look up GDP per capita and the countries ahead of us are a tad surprising. Ireland/Iceland/Swiss/etc., interesting list. We work harder, we don't get a lot their benefits, and it's hard to move income classes.

[GoMuskies]

The combined population of the 6 countries ahead of us on the list is about 7% of the U.S.'s population.

[GoMuskies]

Was it DC Muskie or PMI who went to Georgetown Prep? Or both of them? I always knew at least one of them was a degenerate!

[XU 87]

Sure thing pal. For the record, you won't find a single post of me saying any of this is true or that it isn't being used for political gain. I merely think the Judge and these accusers have the right to defend themselves in this situation. EDIT: And that it would be worthwhile for the GOP to do so.

Have fun making satire about the below. I'm sure you'll get a lot of laughs.

Do you really believe that this girl repeatedly kept going to parties where other girls were being gang raped by the same people?

[Juice]

Alan Dershowitz, long time conservative and defender of Republican causes, called Avenati's declaration an "embarrassment to the law."
https://twitter.com/RealSaavedra/status/1045130466653655040


John McCormack @McCormackJohn
Ex-boyfriend filed restraining order against Avenatti client and claims: “I have a lot of facts, evidence, that what she’s saying is not true at all.... I would rather speak to my attorney first before saying more."
https://twitter.com/McCormackJohn/status/1045106877674254338

Rebecca Ballhaus @rebeccaballhaus
New: A decade ago, Julie Swetnick made a sexual harassment complaint against her former employer, New York Life Insurance. Representing her was the firm run by Debra Katz, who now reps Christine Blasey Ford. She was ultimately paid a financial settlement. https://www.wsj.com/articles/attorney-avenatti-releases-affidavit-from-woman-describing-kavanaugh-at-parties-in-1980s-1537974634 …

[Caf]

Do you really believe that this girl repeatedly kept going to parties where other girls were being gang raped by the same people?

I genuinely have no idea. I certainly don't believe that point discredits her claims. At this point this entire mess is still he said she said.

[GoMuskies]

Yesterday was absurd. Today may be even crazier.

[Caf]

Ford's opening statement - WP (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/26/seared-into-my-memory-christine-blasey-fords-opening-statement-senate-annotated/?utm_term=.d295d3f38e82)

[Xville]

Ford's opening statement - WP (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/26/seared-into-my-memory-christine-blasey-fords-opening-statement-senate-annotated/?utm_term=.d295d3f38e82)

Her script sounds like it is right out of a lifetime movie. Look, I don't know of this is true or not...at least i think its plausible. I think the other stories that have come forward are complete bs. However, even if an FBI investigation is done, what the heck are they going to find evidence wise that it occurred?

[GoMuskies]

Ford's opening statement - WP (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/26/seared-into-my-memory-christine-blasey-fords-opening-statement-senate-annotated/?utm_term=.d295d3f38e82)

Definitely credible. I think the timing of the release is problematic for her, though. I get her statement that she was hoping to stay out of this, but it's a bit too convenient for Democrats that her story came out right when the Democrats were looking for something, anything to delay the process. It doesn't necessarily hurt Ford's credibility. But it definitely dings Feinstein's.

[GoMuskies]

WaPo's annotation of Kavanaugh's statement is obnoxious. Aren't they supposed to be a serious newspaper?!?

[XU 87]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/two-men-say-they-not-brett-kavanaugh-had-alleged-sexual-encounter-with-christine-ford/ar-AAAHgbz?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=HPDHP17

I guess she's right and everyone else is wrong.

[Xville]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/two-men-say-they-not-brett-kavanaugh-had-alleged-sexual-encounter-with-christine-ford/ar-AAAHgbz?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=HPDHP17

I guess she's right and everyone else is wrong.

Just as much as what she says doesn't mean it to be true, the same applies here. This whole thing is completely stupid because there is zero chance of there being evidence one way or the other.

[Caf]

WaPo's annotation of Kavanaugh's statement is obnoxious. Aren't they supposed to be a serious newspaper?!?

I hadn't clicked on them when I read it, but yeah them being done on "Genius" isn't a great look.

[GoMuskies]

For those who want to watch, the circus is in session.

[Caf]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/two-men-say-they-not-brett-kavanaugh-had-alleged-sexual-encounter-with-christine-ford/ar-AAAHgbz?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=HPDHP17

I guess she's right and everyone else is wrong.

FWIW, she was just asked to address this and said she is 100% sure it was Kavanaugh.

[GoMuskies]

Couldn't we just livestream Susan Collins watching this hearing? She's basically the only person in America whose opinion matters.

[XU 87]

FWIW, she was just asked to address this and said she is 100% sure it was Kavanaugh.

Shocking!

So I guess these other two guys are lying and falling on their sword.

[XU 87]

Just as much as what she says doesn't mean it to be true, the same applies here. This whole thing is completely stupid because there is zero chance of there being evidence one way or the other.

When someone comes out and says, "He didn't do it. I did it." That is compelling evidence.

[Xville]

When someone comes out and says, "He didn't do it. I did it." That is compelling evidence.

You think someone just saying that is compelling evidence? Aren't you a lawyer?

[Caf]

You think someone just saying that is compelling evidence? Aren't you a lawyer?

Of course it's compelling. If true, they can clear this whole thing up. It's hard to imagine how they would do it anonymously, but I'm sure there is a way.

[bjf123]

I genuinely have no idea. I certainly don't believe that point discredits her claims. At this point this entire mess is still he said she said.

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I think it does discredit her claims. She knew “train rapes” were happening at these parties and continued going without telling anyone? That makes no sense to me.

Am I correct in thinking she was also in college at this time and yet was going to high school parties? Thought I read that somewhere.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Xville]

Of course it's compelling. If true, they can clear this whole thing up. It's hard to imagine how they would do it anonymously, but I'm sure there is a way.

Do you really believe that just because someone says that, it is compelling evidence? That isn't evidence at all. Just because someone says something doesn't make it true.

[Caf]

Do you really believe that just because someone says that, it is compelling evidence? That isn't evidence at all. Just because someone says something doesn't make it true.

These guys and Ford claim to be present at the scene and involved in it. How would witness testimony not be evidence?

[Caf]

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I think it does discredit her claims. She knew “train rapes” were happening at these parties and continued going without telling anyone? That makes no sense to me.

The lawyers response to this argument is that she didn't really know what was going on in "back rooms", until it happened to her. Not sure if that means she had no clue what was happening or if she thought it was consensual.

[bigdiggins]

She took a polygraph, and it was extremely stressful and much longer than she expected. She felt like she told her whole life story. This was roughly 45 days ago. She can't remember if it was on the same day as her Grandmothers funeral or the day after!? Those are pretty significant events. It is not did you have a soup or salad for dinner after you buried Grandma, it is did you undergo an event self-described as extremely stressful? But nope, not confused on who assaulted her in a place she can't remember, in a year she is unsure of, in front of witnesses who all have no knowledge of the event. She's crystal clear on that from 35 years ago.

[Xville]

These guys and Ford claim to be present at the scene and involved in it. How would witness testimony not be evidence?

well for one, these guys may be complete lunatics, Two, we don't even know if they were present and three they are anonymous. We dont even know who they are.

[Xville]

She took a polygraph, and it was extremely stressful and much longer than she expected. She felt like she told her whole life story. This was roughly 45 days ago. She can't remember if it was on the same day as her Grandmothers funeral or the day after!? Those are pretty significant events. It is not did you have a soup or salad for dinner after you buried Grandma, it is did you undergo an event self-described as extremely stressful? But nope, not confused on who assaulted her in a place she can't remember, in a year she is unsure of, in front of witnesses who all have no knowledge of the event. She's crystal clear on that from 35 years ago.

none of this matters because nothing is going to be proven on something that happened 35 years ago....thats why this whole thing is stupid.

[XU 87]

Do you really believe that just because someone says that, it is compelling evidence? That isn't evidence at all. Just because someone says something doesn't make it true.

According to the article, this isn't just "someone says it", as if this was some person sending an anonymous letter. This was two people, who both spoke to the committee, and apparently gave details of this incident. So unless there is some basis indicating these guys are not credible (they are the wrong age, they grew up in some other part of the country, they lived together in the same psychiatric hospital for several years, etc) then yes, this is compelling evidence when two people come forward and say "That was us, not him."

[Caf]

well for one, these guys may be complete lunatics, Two, we don't even know if they were present and three they are anonymous. We dont even know who they are.

Well they are only anonymous to us. The committee questioned them.

[Xville]

According to the article, this isn't just "someone says it", as if this was some person sending an anonymous letter. This was two people, who both spoke to the committee, and apparently gave details of this incident. So unless there is some basis indicating these guys are not credible (they are the wrong age, they grew up in some other part of the country, they lived together in the same psychiatric hospital for several years, etc) then yes, this is compelling evidence when two people come forward and say "That was us, not him."

we have zero clue if the details were the same, we have no clue if what the committee heard was even remotely credible....so no just because someone says something does not make it compelling evidence. You are rushing to judgement just like those on both political aisles.

[bobbiemcgee]

we have zero clue if the details were the same, we have no clue if what the committee heard was even remotely credible....so no just because someone says something does not make it compelling evidence. You are rushing to judgement just like those on both political aisles.

Hmmmm…. so maybe some further investigation is needed before voting.

[GoMuskies]

Is the Republican prosecutor lady setting up for the FBI investigation to come now?

The Kavanaugh testimony should be quite interesting to watch.

Ford, by the way, got rich today if she wants to be rich. That's not a shot at her at all. But people are going to be literally hurling money at her.

[Xville]

Hmmmm…. so maybe some further investigation is needed before voting.

I guess Except what is the point? Nothing is ever going to be proven in this case...what is the FBI going to suddenly find that would make kavanaugh guilty? This happened 35 years ago...this is all he said, she said. Stop this circus and just vote.

[Caf]

Is the Republican prosecutor lady setting up for the FBI investigation to come now?

The Kavanaugh testimony should be quite interesting to watch.

Ford, by the way, got rich today if she wants to be rich. That's not a shot at her at all. But people are going to be literally hurling money at her.

Literally just searched Dr. Ford gofundme and found they've raised $552,756. Now that's insane.

https://www.gofundme.com/help-christine-blasey-ford
https://www.gofundme.com/to-cover-dr-fords-security-costs
https://www.gofundme.com/women-support-christine-blasey-ford

[GoMuskies]

Stop this circus and just vote.

Better yet, just ask Flake, Murkowski and Collins what they want to do. Go to a vote if they're thumbs up, or tell Kavanaugh he needs to remove his name if they're thumbs down.

[boozehound]

Better yet, just ask Flake, Murkowski and Collins what they want to do. Go to a vote if they're thumbs up, or tell Kavanaugh he needs to remove his name if they're thumbs down.

Pretty much sums it up, yeah.

[GoMuskies]

One minute into Kavanaugh's testimony, and I can already tell he's fucked. He's mad, and if he's innocent should be, but it's not going to play nearly as well as Ford's composed testimony.

[Caf]

One minute into Kavanaugh's testimony, and I can already tell he's fucked. He's mad, and if he's innocent should be, but it's not going to play nearly as well as Ford's composed testimony.

Agreed. Can't blame him, but screaming man vs crying woman is a tough play.

[xudash]

Judge Kavanaugh is making libtards look awfully, awfully bad right now.

[GoMuskies]

Agreed. Can't blame him, but screaming man vs crying woman is a tough play.

How about crying man vs. crying woman?

Still doesn't help, probably.

[Caf]

How about crying man vs. crying woman?

Still doesn't help, probably.

Yeah was about to say he's turned it around. Definitely smart to come after the Democratic Senators. They're the ones really looking bad today. Especially after Ford said under oath that she brought this forward when she saw that he was on the short list.

[GoMuskies]

Hirono vs. Kavanaugh should be something. Actually, all 10 Dems vs. Kavanaugh should be interesting.

[xudash]

One minute into Kavanaugh's testimony, and I can already tell he's fucked. He's mad, and if he's innocent should be, but it's not going to play nearly as well as Ford's composed testimony.

To the contrary.

The amount of vetting he's gone through for past positions and for this position is extraordinary. How on God's earth did they allow this to get to this event.

His show of emotion is testimony to how vicious the process has become. The personal calendars seal it up if they are proven to be legitimate.

[GoMuskies]

He kept a calendar/diary in high school? Vote against! :)

Dude likes beer, sports and the law. If the Supreme Court doesn't work out, he can come hang out with me.

[paulxu]

I just stopped in to see BJ.

How far is it to Wichita?

[GoMuskies]

I just stopped in to see BJ.

How far is it to Wichita?

Too far, but if you're ever here please come by and we'll find the best bourbon Wichita can offer (apologies in advance for the fact that's probably not very good stuff!).

[xudash]

Feinstein is being made to look like an idiot.

[GoMuskies]

I think it's safe to say that Kavanaugh drank beer. This guys is Catholic as hell! LOL

[X-band '01]

Was it DC Muskie or PMI who went to Georgetown Prep? Or both of them? I always knew at least one of them was a degenerate!

Neither. PMI went to Gonzaga Prep and DC actually went to a HS in Columbus.

[GoMuskies]

Neither. PMI went to Gonzaga Prep and DC actually went to a HS in Columbus.

Well, they're still degenerates! Anyone who could just stop posting here must be.

[GoMuskies]

Looks like Miller was really hired by the Republicans to grill Kavanaugh, not Ford. Interesting.

[xudash]

And Graham blows up the Democrats.

[Juice]

Feinstein is being made to look like an idiot.

Keep Ford ad Kavanaugh out of this, she is an absolute moron and engaged in what I'd call almost criminal behavior with what she has done and not done with this info over the past several months.

[bobbiemcgee]

Kavanaugh boo-hooing about Democrat conspiracies. He will take the court far right. Hate to be the first dem lawyer arguing in front of him. No chance.

[Juice]

Kavanaugh boo-hooing about Democrat conspiracies. He will take the court far right. Hate to be the first dem lawyer arguing in front of him. No chance.

He's less right than the backup Amy Barrett. Dems better be careful what they wish for.

[GoMuskies]

These senators clearly do not coordinate their discussions/questions. Because there is a lot of repetition. Man, these things are boring.

[Caf]

Keep Ford ad Kavanaugh out of this, she is an absolute moron and engaged in what I'd call almost criminal behavior with what she has done and not done with this info over the past several months.

It's really a shame. She's made it impossible to not harm Ford or Kavanaugh in this. I hope no one would have been against the FBI investigating this at the time when he was merely on the short list. Now it's obviously a different beast.

[GoMuskies]

Also, why the fuck is Samantha from Who's the Boss sitting behind Kavanaugh?

[xudash]

And now Feinstein is on trial.

[GoMuskies]

My sense after listening to the whole thing (while working, so not super focused listening)...he'll get confirmed. Might be 50-50, though. I think Flake is in, but I think he keeps at least one of Murkowski and Collins.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Good lord we watched something different. You know I am not guilty of attempted rape because I didn't put it in my calendar defense, I am sure we will see that in court rooms to come. Why bring in the female prosecutor to only bench her during Kav's questioning? She came out to start but was immediately pulled. What was with that?

Ford looked composed, answered everything she could, Kav was an utter train wreck. Graham was a fool and looked unhinged. Where was this tirade when Garland couldn't get a minute of his time. It's clear to me that a full overhaul of both parties is in order.

I don't know if he gets confirmed or not, but he looked really bad today. We are talking about a federal judge who should have looked more composed and prepared. This comes down to be a glorified job interview. I would not hire him after this.

[Lloyd Braun]

Good lord we watched something different. You know I am not guilty of attempted rape because I didn't put it in my calendar defense, I am sure we will see that in court rooms to come. Why bring in the female prosecutor to only bench her during Kav's questioning? She came out to start but was immediately pulled. What was with that?

Ford looked composed, answered everything she could, Kav was an utter train wreck. Graham was a fool and looked unhinged. Where was this tirade when Garland couldn't get a minute of his time. It's clear to me that a full overhaul of both parties is in order.

I don't know if he gets confirmed or not, but he looked really bad today. We are talking about a federal judge who should have looked more composed and prepared. This comes down to be a glorified job interview. I would not hire him after this.

On why you didn’t see more of Rachel Mitchell per Sean Sullivan: ‘Senate GOP Whip John Cornyn explaining why Rachel Mitchell stopped asking Qs partway through: “Frankly, I think there was some frustration among the senators that they thought there were arguments that needed to be made, that she frankly was not equipped to make.”’

This is a complete sham on both sides. It’s impossible to defend either party without being a complete shill.

[noteggs]

Good lord we watched something different.

Not really...

As always, people just see it through a different lens.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

On why you didn’t see more of Rachel Mitchell per Sean Sullivan: ‘Senate GOP Whip John Cornyn explaining why Rachel Mitchell stopped asking Qs partway through: “Frankly, I think there was some frustration among the senators that they thought there were arguments that needed to be made, that she frankly was not equipped to make.”’

This is a complete sham on both sides. It’s impossible to defend either party without being a complete shill.

She is a prosecutor, she is completely qualified to cross Kavanaugh. I it was more of Kavanaugh being completely unhinged and ill prepared.

[boozehound]

Judge Kavanaugh is making libtards look awfully, awfully bad right now.

Holy shitballs. I mean, the fact that you used the word 'libtards' pretty much tells me how capable you are of evaluating anything related to this through an objective lens, but still - holy shitballs.

I don't know how anybody thought that went well. The entire thing was kind of a circus that doesn't make the Democrats look good either, and I don't think anyone had their mind changed today. Having said that - how does anybody think Kavanaugh gave a good testimony? He needed to be calm and consistent, not hysterical. Ford's testimony probably didn't change anybody's mind, but Kavanaugh's could have. Even if he isn't guilty, which nobody has proven he is, he certainly comes off as a little unhinged.

[Caf]

Holy shitballs. I mean, the fact that you used the word 'libtards' pretty much tells me how capable you are of evaluating anything related to this through an objective lens, but still - holy shitballs.

I don't know how anybody thought that went well. The entire thing was kind of a circus that doesn't make the Democrats look good either, and I don't think anyone had their mind changed today. Having said that - how does anybody think Kavanaugh gave a good testimony? He needed to be calm and consistent, not hysterical. Ford's testimony probably didn't change anybody's mind, but Kavanaugh's could have. Even if he isn't guilty, which nobody has proven he is, he certainly comes off as a little unhinged.

I listened to the entire thing for some reason and found Kavanaugh's composure to be spotty. I can't criticize him for those moments considering what he's going through. Some of his dismissals and rebuttals definitely made me pause, but again I can't imagine what this has been like for me. He really could have used someone telling him not to call the accusations from the twilight zone or mention the Clintons. That being said, no one with a right mind should have had any questions about the accusations answered today one way or another.

In my view, the question for Senators voting on this is if Weinstein's sin of sitting on this is really worth nominating a potential sexual assaulter to the Supreme Court without doing full due diligence. The Dems made the original sin on this one, but there was not a single Senator on that panel who didn't politicize this for their party's gain and not a single one broke party lines. It's sad and disappointing.

[BandAid]

Reality of the Situation (https://babylonbee.com/news/success-after-a-full-day-of-hearings-everyone-believes-exactly-what-they-already-believed-about-kavanaugh)

[bjf123]

...but there was not a single Senator on that panel who didn't politicize this for their party's gain and not a single one broke party lines. It's sad and disappointing.


This.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[xudash]

Holy shitballs. I mean, the fact that you used the word 'libtards' pretty much tells me how capable you are of evaluating anything related to this through an objective lens, but still - holy shitballs.

I don't know how anybody thought that went well. The entire thing was kind of a circus that doesn't make the Democrats look good either, and I don't think anyone had their mind changed today. Having said that - how does anybody think Kavanaugh gave a good testimony? He needed to be calm and consistent, not hysterical. Ford's testimony probably didn't change anybody's mind, but Kavanaugh's could have. Even if he isn't guilty, which nobody has proven he is, he certainly comes off as a little unhinged.

This is on the Democrats. Period. This is a Far Left Shit Show.

Kavanaugh's passion today was mostly about defending his family and reputation.

To the extent proof was offered, it clearly showed he didn't do it. She may have had the horrible experience, but he didn't do it.

[scoscox]

At first I wasn't sure about the anger, but then I had to put myself in his position. He has been accused of some serious crimes, including gang rape, and his hearing has been pushed back and back while his name, family, and reputation have been absolutely dragged through the mud. He has to explain to his two daughters that he's not a gang rapist. I would be furious.

The most ridiculous part of the hearing had to be Richard Blumenthal opining about credibility and saying "false in one, false in all" when this guy falsely claimed to have fought in the vietnam war for years. The gall to be able to do that is incredible. Honorable mention goes to Cory Booker who has actually admitted to having groped girls in his younger days moralizing to Kavanaugh about sexual assault.

[Caf]

https://twitter.com/burgessev/status/1045482455078236163?s=20

Interesting

[Lloyd Braun]

The Jesuits have flipped (https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/09/27/editors-it-time-kavanaugh-nomination-be-withdrawn)

[GoMuskies]

The Jesuits have flipped (https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/09/27/editors-it-time-kavanaugh-nomination-be-withdrawn)

They may have just realized who Amy Coney Barett is.

[scoscox]

Speaking of the Jesuits, Georgetown Prep can not be too happy with how their name is being dragged through this investigation.

[Juice]

The Jesuits have flipped (https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/09/27/editors-it-time-kavanaugh-nomination-be-withdrawn)

No Catholic order of priests should issue any statement on sexual abuse or things of that nature.

[Juice]

Feinstein blaming Ford for her or her staff leaking this info/the letter takes some serious lady balls.

[GoMuskies]

I thought it was the "beach people".

[Caf]

Axios reporting that, "top Democratic operatives are already talking about impeachment of Brett Kavanaugh as a 2020 campaign issue..."

[boozehound]

This is on the Democrats. Period. This is a Far Left Shit Show.

Kavanaugh's passion today was mostly about defending his family and reputation.

To the extent proof was offered, it clearly showed he didn't do it. She may have had the horrible experience, but he didn't do it.

What is on the Democrats? His inability to hold his composure? I don't see how you can think that he conclusively proved, or even proved beyond a reasonable doubt, that he didn't do it. That doesn't matter though - it is the accuser's burden to prove that he did it, which certainly hasn't happened.
The Democrats are a bunch of jackoffs who have turned this into a complete circus. Agreed. All Kavanaugh really had to do was tell his story and maintain his composure, and he couldn't seem to manage that. He is a grown man who is being considered for a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land. I would like for him to be able to maintain his composure in the face of false allegations.

Are you so wrapped up in your partisan bias that you can't see that all parties look bad here?


No Catholic order of priests should issue any statement on sexual abuse or things of that nature.

Truer words have never been spoken.

[GoMuskies]

There's no right way to be a victim. There's also night way to be falsely accused. If he calmly and composedly "told his story", some of the same people accusing him of having a bad temperment would have accused him of being a sociopath. There was no winning for Kavanaugh yesterday. IF he's truly innocent, I don't mind his performance yesterday at all. I don't think it speaks negatively to his ability to be a good judge in the least.

[Caf]

All Kavanaugh really had to do was tell his story and maintain his composure, and he couldn't seem to manage that. He is a grown man who is being considered for a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land. I would like for him to be able to maintain his composure in the face of false allegations.

It's hard to blame him for being emotional, but he said some things I'm confident someone like Neil Gorsuch would never say. Saying he's the victim of a revenge plot on behalf of the Clintons was a really bad choice for someone who's supposed to keep Presidents and Congress in check. This will be the Democrats charge: 'The President seems hell bent on forcing a constitutional crisis and you have an unhinged Trump conspiracy theorist on the court.' Not smart.

[XU 87]

It's hard to blame him for being emotional, but he said some things I'm confident someone like Neil Gorsuch would never say. Saying he's the victim of a revenge plot on behalf of the Clintons was a really bad choice for someone who's supposed to keep Presidents and Congress in check. This will be the Democrats charge: 'The President seems hell bent on forcing a constitutional crisis and you have an unhinged Trump conspiracy theorist on the court.' Not smart.

He said that to play to the 3-4 Republican leaners and 3-4 Democrat leaners. He's not trying to persuade Chuck Schumer. He's long past worrying about pissing off the vast majority of democratic senators who aren't going to vote for him.

If you saw his interview on Fox earlier this week, he looked and sounded like a robot. He needed to have some fight, emotion, and indignation yesterday. And he did just that. In short, yesterday was not the day for him to be "judge-like".

[Caf]

He said that to play to the 3-4 Republican leaners and 3-4 Democrat leaners. He's not trying to persuade Chuck Schumer. He's long past worrying about pissing off the vast majority of democratic senators who aren't going to vote for him.

If you saw his interview on Fox earlier this week, he looked and sounded like a robot. He needed to have some fight, emotion, and indignation yesterday. And he did just that. In short, yesterday was not the day for him to be "judge-like".

No matter the pretense he was under oath in front of the whole world and went very hard politically at points. Maybe it was the right play for this week, but longer term this may raise doubts that the Democrats will try to capitalize on.

[GoMuskies]

Flake has announced that he will vote to confirm Kavanaugh, which means he has the votes to get out of Committee. It's up to Murkowski and Collins now. If they're voting yes, Manchin will join for 52-48.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

We get another slightly creepy Justice. Let’s see if he is silent for 20 years also.

The circus started in 2016 with Garland.


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[GoMuskies]

Mazie Hirono voted "No, no, no", so I think the nomination failed. That's 12 No to 11 Yes.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Axios reporting that, "top Democratic operatives are already talking about impeachment of Brett Kavanaugh as a 2020 campaign issue..."

Good lord that would be stupid if this is true.


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[GoMuskies]

Good lord that would be stupid if this is true.


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+1. All this talk of impeachment (of Trump, of Kavanaugh) is not helpful for the Democrats. I guess it's therapy.

If Ginsburg dies in the next two years and Trump gets a third Supreme Court appointment, I'm all but certain Democrats will start seriously talking about Court-packing when they get back into power.

[Caf]

Jake Sherman Tweet (https://twitter.com/JakeSherman/status/1045697917292630023)


ALERT — DONNELLY IS A NO ON KAVANAUGH

If earlier reports that Donnelly, Manchin, Murkowski and Collins are all expected to vote the same way are correct it may be a no now.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

+1. All this talk of impeachment (of Trump, of Kavanaugh) is not helpful for the Democrats. I guess it's therapy.

If Ginsburg dies in the next two years and Trump gets a third Supreme Court appointment, I'm all but certain Democrats will start seriously talking about Court-packing when they get back into power.

Kavanaugh yes, Trump I think the jury is out here. I am always reminded of the line in Dragon Tattoo when the killer tells the family attorney to let Salander in the company archives. The killer says, what could we possibly have to hide. The attorney replies something like, after decades of business probably a lot. I firmly believe Trump has done immoral things, been on the wrong side of good ethical business practices, and done things that were outright illegal. The level of illegality I hope Mueller uncovers so that we can all determine whether we view him as a presidential material.

[GoMuskies]

Sure, something could still come out, but talking about impeachment based on what we know now? A complete waste of time. Similar to the complete waste of time that was the Clinton impeachment.

I guess getting Congress together and wasting their time isn't the worst thing in the world, though. At least it prevents them from doing things that could cause REAL damage!

[xudash]

[QUOTE=boozehound;629356]What is on the Democrats? His inability to hold his composure? I don't see how you can think that he conclusively proved, or even proved beyond a reasonable doubt, that he didn't do it. That doesn't matter though - it is the accuser's burden to prove that he did it, which certainly hasn't happened.
The Democrats are a bunch of jackoffs who have turned this into a complete circus. Agreed. All Kavanaugh really had to do was tell his story and maintain his composure, and he couldn't seem to manage that. He is a grown man who is being considered for a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land. I would like for him to be able to maintain his composure in the face of false allegations.

Are you so wrapped up in your partisan bias that you can't see that all parties look bad here?

No I'm not. Not one bit.

It's pretty easy from the sidelines, isn't it. You comfy, sitting in your overstuffed chair, watching it and not living through it?

This man has an impeccable service record, not even a whiff of this kind of behavior otherwise, attesting letters from the people she said were there who have made it clear it wasn't him - positions that come with Federal charges if proven to be false - and calendars (blew me away; who does that at that age!) that rather clearly showed it could not have been him on the date in question.

I get that it is the high court. I get that we all want a STABLE person taking such a chair. That is beyond obvious. I want that, too.

But you are in absolutely no position to preach about this, because it wasn't you in the chair having your life ripped apart. A life heavily invested in and positively lived from all that is known from his resume.

You weren't being scorched by a true IDIOT who has otherwise admitted to groping women who sat there questioning you, having called you EVIL. You weren't being badgered by being asked to ask for "an FBI investigation" when anyone who has a clue knows that means nothing with respect to producing conclusive material - and to top it off, having footage of Biden air from '91 emphatically stating that.

Let's all analyze pages from a yearbook to get to the truth. Yep. You match this guy's career, then you live the last 10 or so days as he's lived them, go through what he went through yesterday, including the review of your yearbooks and a highly scientific assessment of your beer consumption from over 3 decades ago, knowing his children and his family have been beyond fully exposed to all of it, and you sit there with cold, pure compassion, refuting it all.

Had he sat there with nothing but composure, I would have then become very concerned about his character.

Seriously, were I a moderate Democrat, waking up this morning, I would be shaking my head.

[bjf123]

I’m home for lunch at an watching Corey Booker pontificate. He just said that Kavanaugh saying that Ford’s accusation have been proven false is, itself, false. He’s making the claim that since these people didn’t specifically say that it didn’t happen, Kavanaugh is wrong, and by extension, guilty. Let’s see. Ford said they all would corroborate her story. They’ve all, under penalty of felony/perjury, said they have no memory or knowledge of that happening. It might be legal wordsmithing, but to me, their statements raise serious doubt as to her accusation of it being Kavanaugh who assaulted her. She probably was assaulted, but we have no idea who it might have been.

Another issue is the double standard of how the Senators can comment about Ford and Kavanaugh. The Democrats can call Kavanaugh whatever they’d like with reckless abandon. However, should the Republicans say anything even slightly negative towards Ford, they’d be castigated as in favor of sexual assault and misogynists, so they have to tread incredibly lightly.

Another Senator just stated that Kavanaugh is “so far out of the mainstream”. I don’t think that most of the Congressional representatives of either party are mainstream, so they’re in no place to make these claims.

I’m disgusted by all of them.


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[ArizonaXUGrad]

In all honesty, this should never have been this show at all but Garland should also be on the court. In the spirit of tit for tat, this is karma coming back and biting the Republicans in the ass. Don't start on Bork, that guy sold his soul when he fired Cox for Nixon who was one of the dirtiest Presidents ever.

Also, Kavanaugh has taken so many shots to the chin here that if he is the deciding vote on a Roe overturn (80% of the country opposes) or on whether we can indict a sitting President that it is just going to drudge all this back up in the media.

Of all the stupid judges around, why pick one with so much marginalia in his past? Gorsuch didn't have it and he sits on this court. It just isn't hard, I know why he was picked but this process could have been a lot easier.

[Caf]

Let's all analyze pages from a yearbook to get to the truth. Yep. You match this guy's career, then you live the last 10 or so days as he's lived them, go through what he went through yesterday, including the review of your yearbooks and a highly scientific assessment of your beer consumption from over 3 decades ago

Not a single person on here is arguing that he's guilty based on the knowledge we currently have, especially not Booze. Not a single person. If I'm wrong about that, please find the post. The most democratic of our posters are saying they should make an effort to go get more information. You are arguing against points that have not been made.

There are people here having a reasonable discussion about this, the questions it raises, it's implications, etc. You are not one of them. Please do resist the insane, 'my party is right, the other party is wrong' mindset. It's how we end up with these trash Senators in the first place.

[GoMuskies]

Flake flaked. LOL

[Caf]

Flake flaked. LOL

For those who missed it he's a yes in committee, but said he would be against if they brought a vote to the floor without further investigation.

[GoMuskies]

It's actually a pretty sensible idea. Not that I think the FBI can really do much to investigate this or that anyone's minds are going to change. But it gives everyone at least some very thin cover.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Flake flaked. LOL

I actually liked him at one time. I thought Arizona would have two Republicans that weren't the normal rubber stamp voters. Flake turned into a talker without doing anything. As much as McCain aggravated me being Keating 5, he at least wasn't afraid to cross the aisle and make a compromise.

[bjf123]

For those of you opposed to his nomination, let’s say they do an FBI investigation and it turns up nothing relative to if he did, or did not, assault Dr. Ford. Let’s say they even determine that it absolutely was not him, would you suddenly support his nomination? I’m guessing no.


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[GoMuskies]

Democrats were 100% anti-Kav before they'd heard of Ford, so I can't imagine anything changes on that end.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

For those of you opposed to his nomination, let’s say they do an FBI investigation and it turns up nothing relative to if he did, or did not, assault Dr. Ford. Let’s say they even determine that it absolutely was not him, would you suddenly support his nomination? I’m guessing no.


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His record on Corporations vs. Employees, overturn Roe, and the environment, no I am opposed solely on his record as a judge. We already treat corporations like angels and don't need any judge making it easier on them.

[GoMuskies]

Hey man, corporations are people too!

[Caf]

For those of you opposed to his nomination, let’s say they do an FBI investigation and it turns up nothing relative to if he did, or did not, assault Dr. Ford. Let’s say they even determine that it absolutely was not him, would you suddenly support his nomination? I’m guessing no.


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Yes. Not opposed to his nomination, just as it currently stands.

[xudash]

Not a single person on here is arguing that he's guilty based on the knowledge we currently have, especially not Booze. Not a single person. If I'm wrong about that, please find the post. The most democratic of our posters are saying they should make an effort to go get more information. You are arguing against points that have not been made.

There are people here having a reasonable discussion about this, the questions it raises, it's implications, etc. You are not one of them. Please do resist the insane, 'my party is right, the other party is wrong' mindset. It's how we end up with these trash Senators in the first place.

You're way too full of yourself. You are not the moderator here.

I would be pissed off if the Republicans were doing this. I have been pissed off with Republicans were doing stuff like this in the past.

They have had plenty of time to obtain information and plenty of information has been obtained. Confidentiality wanted. Confidentiality breach through leaks.

People now "reasonably want more information". What might that look like? By the way, go for it; I am not opposed to that.

Has it dawned on you at all that it is also reasonable to believe that all of this is about stalling this process and otherwise completely mucking this up for Kavanaugh? Let's not worry or think about that. That would be unreasonable.

[bjf123]

I hope everyone realizes that if the same facts existed for a candidate nominated by a Democratic President, with a Democratic majority in the Senate, the same thing would be happening. They’d be forcing a vote to send it to the full Senate and the Republicans would be going nuts.


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[Caf]

You're way too full of yourself. You are not the moderator here.

I would be pissed off if the Republicans were doing this. I have been pissed off with Republicans were doing stuff like this in the past.

They have had plenty of time to obtain information and plenty of information has been obtained. Confidentiality wanted. Confidentiality breach through leaks.

People now "reasonably want more information". What might that look like? By the way, go for it; I am not opposed to that.

Has it dawned on you at all that it is also reasonable to believe that all of this is about stalling this process and otherwise completely mucking this up for Kavanaugh? Let's not worry or think about that. That would be unreasonable.

Like I said, when you get down to it we almost all agree. I am pissed off that the Democrats are doing this! I've said so!


In my view, the question for Senators voting on this is if Weinstein's sin of sitting on this is really worth nominating a potential sexual assaulter to the Supreme Court without doing full due diligence. The Dems made the original sin on this one, but there was not a single Senator on that panel who didn't politicize this for their party's gain and not a single one broke party lines. It's sad and disappointing.

I completely agree they had time to and absolutely should have escalated/investigated the accusations when they got them. It's a disgrace what's happened and is no doubt not just a stalling tactic, but a tactic to curse his career on SCOTUS if he gets through. That doesn't change the fact that we have no credible facts. After seeing yesterday and the crap that's gone on, how can you come to any conclusion at all? How can you trust that this Senate Committee ran a serious investigation? I want the FBI involved for no other reason than to set the record straight and end this he-said she-said garbage. If I had to guess or decide today, I'd bet Kavanaugh is innocent but I'd rather this country not guess on a lifetime appointment.

Again, the Democrats did unethical, immoral and I think potentially criminal things in this process. That does not mean we should just shrug our shoulders at the allegations against him and move on.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

The house used to be the crazy wing of Congress. I don't know which is worse now that the Senate just look lazy hyper-partisan. Losing McCain only makes this worse. Anytime people make Lindsey Graham look sympathetic, you know there is some seriously crappy things happening.

I did a little light reading about what Kavanaugh did during Ken Starr's investigation. It certainly carries a heavy load of irony. Just to note, Starr is still a giant piece of garbage.

[bobbiemcgee]

Yes. Not opposed to his nomination, just as it currently stands.

I'm anti-abortion, but on the other hand, don't want women to go to jail for it if they think it is right for them. I'm ok with the confirmation after they check some things out. Living in Colorado, I don't like the blank check being handed to the oil industry to drill wherever they want and build pipelines across sacred burial grounds. I like seeing the mountains clearly across from the cityscape without the clouds of filth blocking the view like it was from 30 years ago. Yeah, Some regulations are good. Call me old fashioned.

[GoMuskies]

Most of your concerns sound like legislative issues, not judicial ones.

[bjf123]

Sounds like Trump has asked the FBI to look into this with a one week time limit. Of course, now Ford’s attorney and the Democrats are saying you can’t put a time limit on this. Just shows their true goal. Delay this until after the election.


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[GoMuskies]

Ford’s attorney and the Democrats are saying you can’t put a time limit on this.

Of course you can. Sounds like they just did.

[bjf123]

Democratic Senator Kampala Harris just said “Let’s be clear about something. This is part of the point about them ramming it down. You know, we have a democracy.” There should not be tyranny of the majority.” Remember Obamacare? Wasn’t that rammed through?. Oh. That’s right. It’s only tyranny when it’s not what you want.

Also, Senator, we don’t have a democracy. It’s a representative republic.


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[ArizonaXUGrad]

Democratic Senator Kampala Harris just said “Let’s be clear about something. This is part of the point about them ramming it down. You know, we have a democracy.” There should not be tyranny of the majority.” Remember Obamacare? Wasn’t that rammed through?. Oh. That’s right. It’s only tyranny when it’s not what you want.

Also, Senator, we don’t have a democracy. It’s a representative republic.


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I seem to remember the Dems softening up the language of the Act for the Republicans. I am sorry, but how stupid is it when all Obamacare did give access to healthcare for people who wouldn't otherwise have it. That and the increased rolls of those who had healthcare helped keep premiums lower. Yeah, that was tyranny.

Kavanaugh may just be a bit rapy. Why force it through when people aren't sure? I say give it the week. If they find something or someone talks and not in a good way for Kavanaugh, I could see this going longer.

[bjf123]

Kavanaugh may just be a bit rapy. Why force it through when people aren't sure? I say give it the week. If they find something or someone talks and not in a good way for Kavanaugh, I could see this going longer.

They’ll aways be able to find someone who says something not in a good way for Kavanaugh. There’s no downside for them. If someone claims something against him that can’t be disproven, what are you going to do? You can’t discredit that person without being seen in a negative light.


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[ArizonaXUGrad]

They’ll aways be able to find someone who says something not in a good way for Kavanaugh. There’s no downside for them. If someone claims something against him that can’t be disproven, what are you going to do? You can’t discredit that person without being seen in a negative light.


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A little gropy isn't a negative light it's an issue of morality. I didn't even realize Kavanaugh's mom was a local prosecutor. Gee, I wonder why Ford wouldn't come forward at the time.

Is this the ultimate white privilege here? Bush was fine with the FBI investigating Thomas, but are we not for Kavanaugh.

[XU 87]

A little gropy isn't a negative light it's an issue of morality. I didn't even realize Kavanaugh's mom was a local prosecutor. Gee, I wonder why Ford wouldn't come forward at the time.

Is this the ultimate white privilege here? Bush was fine with the FBI investigating Thomas, but are we not for Kavanaugh.

You nailed it! Kavanaugh is benefiting from white privilege! And his mother would have covered everything up anyway! You should be on the Senate judicial committee. Well done.

[xudash]

I seem to remember the Dems softening up the language of the Act for the Republicans. I am sorry, but how stupid is it when all Obamacare did give access to healthcare for people who wouldn't otherwise have it. That and the increased rolls of those who had healthcare helped keep premiums lower. Yeah, that was tyranny.

Kavanaugh may just be a bit rapy. Why force it through when people aren't sure? I say give it the week. If they find something or someone talks and not in a good way for Kavanaugh, I could see this going longer.

Is that what you "seem to remember"? My premiums have gone into orbit. Do you "seem to remember" Pelosi's comments Re passing it so they could read and understand it? You should consider not bringing that terrible piece of legislation up in the middle of this mess.

One week? No problem (easy for me to say, as I don't have to put up with the nonsense that most likely will now come out of the woodwork).

[ArizonaXUGrad]

You nailed it! Kavanaugh is benefiting from white privilege! And his mother would have covered everything up anyway! You should be on the Senate judicial committee. Well done.

A 15 year just assaulted by the son of the local prosecutor might not want to say anything.


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[Caf]

I'm anti-abortion, but on the other hand, don't want women to go to jail for it if they think it is right for them. I'm ok with the confirmation after they check some things out. Living in Colorado, I don't like the blank check being handed to the oil industry to drill wherever they want and build pipelines across sacred burial grounds. I like seeing the mountains clearly across from the cityscape without the clouds of filth blocking the view like it was from 30 years ago. Yeah, Some regulations are good. Call me old fashioned.

I generally think Supreme Court nomination votes should be unanimous and swift. I don’t agree with all of his views and decisions but before he got swept up in this I had no reason to believe he wouldn’t be fair and try to be apolitical. I’m definitely less certain of that now given some of the really ugly sound bites he produced ie ‘Clinton revenge’, and ‘have you?’. However these are obviously some extraordinary circumstances.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Caf did you know he cut his teeth with Ken Starr and recommended that go after Clinton with more ‘sex’ questions?


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[Juice]

I generally think Supreme Court nomination votes should be unanimous and swift. I don’t agree with all of his views and decisions but before he got swept up in this I had no reason to believe he wouldn’t be fair and try to be apolitical. I’m definitely less certain of that now given some of the really ugly sound bites he produced ie ‘Clinton revenge’, and ‘have you?’. However these are obviously some extraordinary circumstances.

And to think that Scalia was approved 98-0...

[XU 87]

A 15 year just assaulted by the son of the local prosecutor might not want to say anything.


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You need to call Blasey and tell her she forgot to mention this in her testimony on Thursday.

[Caf]

Caf did you know he cut his teeth with Ken Starr and recommended that go after Clinton with more ‘sex’ questions?


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Yes I did. That does little but provide some irony

[bjf123]

Apparently, some Democrats are saying Kavanaugh, if confirmed, must recuse himself from any cases before the SCOTUS involving Democrats. Given Ginsberg’s comments against Trump, can we expect the same from her in cases involving the Trump administration? I’m going to guess no.


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[ArizonaXUGrad]

We have never had a justice so deeply political though. Kavanaugh is a first there. He honestly believed that Vince Foster was murdered by the Clintons. This believes the Clinton conspiracy.


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[STL_XUfan]

We have never had a justice so deeply political though. Kavanaugh is a first there. He honestly believed that Vince Foster was murdered by the Clintons. This believes the Clinton conspiracy.


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That is crazy. I looked at Hilary's calendar and there was no mention of murder on that day.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Lol, the conspiracy people though are crazy. Kavanaugh believes it at least to a small extent.


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[BandAid]

That is crazy. I looked at Hilary's calendar and there was no mention of murder on that day.

She probably saved it to a different server! Hey-o!

[bjf123]

She probably saved it to a different server! Hey-o!

She deleted it since it was only about Chelsea’s upcoming birthday party.


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[Caf]

That is crazy. I looked at Hilary's calendar and there was no mention of murder on that day.

"I liked blood. Sometimes I had too much blood. I still like blood." - HRC

[paulxu]

Some fun....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5X7gahWr1g

[xudash]

Some more fun...

2300

[Juice]

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cotton-says-feinstein-will-be-investigated-over-leaked-letter-by-kavanaugh-accuser


Sen. Tom Cotton said Sunday that Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s office will be investigated to determine whether or not they leaked the confidential letter from Christine Blasey Ford that detailed allegations of sexual misconduct by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

[STL_XUfan]

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cotton-says-feinstein-will-be-investigated-over-leaked-letter-by-kavanaugh-accuser
I am confused, is he alleging that it was marked confidential by the judiciary committee or just that Feinstein breached Dr. Ford's trust?

[boozehound]

I am confused, is he alleging that it was marked confidential by the judiciary committee or just that Feinstein breached Dr. Ford's trust?

Either way it's a fair thing to look into, although I don't really know what you would expect to get out of this other than the fact the Feinstein is exploiting this for political gain, which seems obvious to me at this point.

[boozehound]

Is that what you "seem to remember"? My premiums have gone into orbit. Do you "seem to remember" Pelosi's comments Re passing it so they could read and understand it? You should consider not bringing that terrible piece of legislation up in the middle of this mess.

One week? No problem (easy for me to say, as I don't have to put up with the nonsense that most likely will now come out of the woodwork).

I am going to pick on this statement because I think it's extremely dangerous. Are you intimating that your premiums have 'gone into orbit' because of the ACA?

The only good thing about seeing the ACA repealed would be to debunk this bullshit myth that it is somehow responsible for the majority of the increases in health insurance premiums.

When we can't been be bothered to understand the problem, we deny ourselves any opportunity to find a solution.

[GoMuskies]

So any thoughts on "New NAFTA", er the USMCA? Better or worse than New Coke?

Seems good that it got done, at least. The markets like it so far this morning.

[boozehound]

So any thoughts on "New NAFTA", er the USMCA? Better or worse than New Coke?

Seems good that it got done, at least. The markets like it so far this morning.

I would say I'm cautiously optimistic, but without reading the specific details I can't really comment too definitively. Has a detailed account of the provisions been published yet? Most of what I can find is Trump administration officials saying it is great.

[bigdiggins]

So any thoughts on "New NAFTA", er the USMCA? Better or worse than New Coke?

Seems good that it got done, at least. The markets like it so far this morning.

Does it address the Wage Gap?

[GoMuskies]

Does it address the Wage Gap?

Not sure if this is what you are referring to, but from the WSJ:

"New rules would require at least two-fifths of a vehicle that is eligible for duty-free trade in North America to originate from workers earning at least $16 an hour. Think of it as a cap on the amount of parts coming from low-wage Mexico. But companies get credit for high-wage research and development."

[bigdiggins]

Not sure if this is what you are referring to, but from the WSJ:

"New rules would require at least two-fifths of a vehicle that is eligible for duty-free trade in North America to originate from workers earning at least $16 an hour. Think of it as a cap on the amount of parts coming from low-wage Mexico. But companies get credit for high-wage research and development."

Not good enough. Corporations are getting credit for research and development jobs. How will the people actually building the cars ever afford one.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Not good enough. Corporations are getting credit for research and development jobs. How will the people actually building the cars ever afford one.

Car prices for reliable safe cars are insane, the secondary market for quality cars that will last is equally insane. I know after doing research on a family friendly vehicle for my wife. We have twins coming and her civic isn't going to cut it.

[Xville]

Car prices for reliable safe cars are insane, the secondary market for quality cars that will last is equally insane. I know after doing research on a family friendly vehicle for my wife. We have twins coming and her civic isn't going to cut it.

Congratulations on the twins...mine are 2. The first year is rough....everyone said it would get easier, it did.

Car prices are insane and I believe there is room here for the next big disruptor....whoever comes up with it, is going to be a very rich person.

[GoMuskies]

I believe there is room here for the next big disruptor....whoever comes up with it, is going to be a very rich person.

It's going to be self-driving cars that individuals don't own. All those three car garages in my neighborhood are going to have more room for storing random crap.

[Xville]

It's going to be self-driving cars that individuals don't own. All those three car garages in my neighborhood are going to have more room for storing random crap.

That certainly is the prevailing thought.

[boozehound]

Congratulations on the twins...mine are 2. The first year is rough....everyone said it would get easier, it did.

Car prices are insane and I believe there is room here for the next big disruptor....whoever comes up with it, is going to be a very rich person.

I'll echo this. I also have twins (2.5yrs old now) and a 4.5 year old - all boys. Twins are tough for a while, but it's great when they get a little older and start becoming best friends.

I also agree about car prices. My company leases me a Subaru Outback which is very safe and a pretty decent car, but not cheap. I would recommend it though. We own a Toyota Sienna that we like but it was like $35K new for a well equipped, but not loaded, model. Essentially there is no such thing as a safe, reliable, family car for under about $30K it seems, and you don't get that much of a break for buying used. The prices for midsize and large SUVs are just ridiculous. I have a hard time paying that much for an asset that depreciates that quickly.

[boozehound]

That certainly is the prevailing thought.

I think it's going to take a while to get past the moral hazard part of self driving cars with regards to accident avoidance programming. i.e. do you risk killing one person to save 2 type of thing. Even though it's probably much safer than all of us driving around drunk on our cell phones all the time.

In the 1980's we thought we would all be flying around in hover cars by now.

[GoMuskies]

I think regulators will drag their feet even though self-driving cars are going to make us all 1000x safer. There will still be accidents, and people will still die, but it will be at much lower rates. I guess the randomness, and not having any control at all, will be hard for some people to get used to.

Personally, I welcome our new robot overloards.

[paulxu]

I'm feeling inadequate here because I don't have twins.

[bjf123]

In the 1980's we thought we would all be flying around in hover cars by now.

From the late, great, Tim Wilson. NSFW - https://youtu.be/r1SCu9yiBlo


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[GoMuskies]

I'm feeling inadequate here because I don't have twins.

Drink bourbon until you see double.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I'll echo this. I also have twins (2.5yrs old now) and a 4.5 year old - all boys. Twins are tough for a while, but it's great when they get a little older and start becoming best friends.

I also agree about car prices. My company leases me a Subaru Outback which is very safe and a pretty decent car, but not cheap. I would recommend it though. We own a Toyota Sienna that we like but it was like $35K new for a well equipped, but not loaded, model. Essentially there is no such thing as a safe, reliable, family car for under about $30K it seems, and you don't get that much of a break for buying used. The prices for midsize and large SUVs are just ridiculous. I have a hard time paying that much for an asset that depreciates that quickly.

Booze, we test drove and Outback among others. The Outback was the clear winner though my wife has 'station wagon' reservations. I have sticker shock on it, but after owning a WRX for 10 years of modifying and driving it like I stold it I am sold on Subaru. I like the eyesight safety options as well since my wife sucks at driving. With that we are in the 31k range. I never thought I would spend more on a vehicle than my Tacoma.

[noteggs]

Car prices for reliable safe cars are insane, the secondary market for quality cars that will last is equally insane. I know after doing research on a family friendly vehicle for my wife. We have twins coming and her civic isn't going to cut it.

When we helped our daughter buy a car this summer, you definitely have to do some searching as you said. She got a fellowship from X and we thought we would go out and buy a used Civic because of the dependability. Since the demand is so high, the prices were steep. Friends told us about a small import seller and he may be able to help find us a car.

We were able to find a 2008 Lexus RX 350 for $8,500. The dealer said some later models do extremely well in terms of dependability. It has been rated as one of the top models to last over 250,000 miles. Even though it had 140,000 miles, Carfax showed former owner did 43 service items (oil change/normal 5,000 miles stuff with nothing major). If she can get another 100,000 miles, think the price was a decent deal. Maybe I’m just comparing the price to how much I’m paying X. I can’t imagine how much twin parents are going to pay for college in the future...ouch.

Congrats tho!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

When we helped our daughter buy a car this summer, you definitely have to do some searching as you said. She got a fellowship from X and we thought we would go out and buy a used Civic because of the dependability. Since the demand is so high, the prices were steep. Friends told us about a small import seller and he may be able to help find us a car.

We were able to find a 2008 Lexus RX 350 for $8,500. The dealer said some later models do extremely well in terms of dependability. It has been rated as one of the top models to last over 250,000 miles. Even though it had 140,000 miles, Carfax showed former owner did 43 service items (oil change/normal 5,000 miles stuff with nothing major). If she can get another 100,000 miles, think the price was a decent deal. Maybe I’m just comparing the price to how much I’m paying X. I can’t imagine how much twin parents are going to pay for college in the future...ouch.

Congrats tho!

Thanks but I am waiting on they both arrive safely before I celebrate. That said, I hope my kid's bill was as much as mine. It was just room and board after a couple scholarships.

[paulxu]

Drink bourbon until you see double.

I'm on it like stink on a skunk.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUhQ6ptIrqS32pSrmm0XZR-rZCSFwph1ohFg-vTsW7OBxD5POT

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Good selection. Wife is so pissed about not being able to drink she gets mad at me for having a single beer. I combat this by drinking six.