New SCOTUS Judge

[Skeptic Ginger]

Democracy Now had more to add this morning. Turns out there may be more to the story.

As Blasey Ford Alleges Kavanaugh Assaulted Her, Will Senate Repeat Mistakes Made with Anita Hill?

Blasey Ford is a professor at Palo Alto University in California and says Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were both in high school. She at first expected her story to be kept confidential, but changed her mind after it leaked. She now says she is willing to testify about her experience. In an interview published Sunday by The Washington Post, Ford said that in the early 1980s Kavanaugh and a friend were “stumbling drunk” when they pushed her into a bedroom. The Post reports, “While his friend watched, she said, Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed on her back and groped her over her clothes, grinding his body against hers and clumsily attempting to pull off her one-piece bathing suit and the clothing she wore over it. When she tried to scream, she said, he put his hand over her mouth.”

She took and passed a lie detector test.

But most interesting is she named the other boy, that is in the next story.

Facebook Censors a ThinkProgress Story on Kavanaugh After a Conservative Site Calls It “Fake News” That's a separate story in itself but this was included:

The third man in the room while she alleges Brett Kavanaugh held her down, groped her, tried to rip her clothes off and put his hand over her mouth and she was terrified she could die—the third man in the room was Mark Judge—

AMY GOODMAN: —Brett Kavanaugh’s friend from the elite prep school. Mark Judge is a filmmaker who writes for, among other publications, The Weekly Standard.

IAN MILLHISER: Yeah, yeah. I mean, there’s a lot of things about Mr. Judge that I think are sketchy. He apparently wrote a memoir. It’s sort of thinly fictionalized. Instead of calling the school Georgetown Country Day, which is its actual name, he calls it Loyola Country Day. There’s even a character in that book who’s briefly mentioned named Bart O’Kavanaugh. And Bart O’Kavanaugh at one point gets drunk and pukes in a car. But Mr. Judge’s book is pretty tremendous. You know, he talks about a lot of drinking and mistreatment of women. His yearbook quote at Georgetown—at the prep school that he and Kavanaugh went to—is “Some women need to be beaten like a gong,” or something to that effect. Or I believe it’s “Some women need to be beaten regularly like a gong.” So, this is the character witness that Brett Kavanaugh is bringing in to say, “Yeah, I didn’t do it. You know, he saw what happened, and I wasn’t there.”

AMY GOODMAN: —Brett Kavanaugh’s friend from the elite prep school. Mark Judge is a filmmaker who writes for, among other publications, The Weekly Standard.

IAN MILLHISER: Yeah, yeah. I mean, there’s a lot of things about Mr. Judge that I think are sketchy. He apparently wrote a memoir. It’s sort of thinly fictionalized. Instead of calling the school Georgetown Country Day, which is its actual name, he calls it Loyola Country Day. There’s even a character in that book who’s briefly mentioned named Bart O’Kavanaugh. And Bart O’Kavanaugh at one point gets drunk and pukes in a car. But Mr. Judge’s book is pretty tremendous. You know, he talks about a lot of drinking and mistreatment of women. His yearbook quote at Georgetown—at the prep school that he and Kavanaugh went to—is “Some women need to be beaten like a gong,” or something to that effect. Or I believe it’s “Some women need to be beaten regularly like a gong.” So, this is the character witness that Brett Kavanaugh is bringing in to say, “Yeah, I didn’t do it. You know, he saw what happened, and I wasn’t there.”

AMY GOODMAN: And the book Mark Judge wrote is called Wasted: Tales of a GenX Drunk—

AMY GOODMAN: —which describes his blackout drinking and a culture of partying at his elite high school.

IAN MILLHISER: Right. Yeah, no, I mean, it’s this extraordinary book that like, if you were to write something to destroy your credibility, and to destroy your credibility particularly in this instance, where the accusation is that you and a classmate got drunk and participated in the sexual abuse of a woman, this book would completely blow your credibility.

That makes a difference to me because it suggests a pattern of behavior which has particular relevance given Trump appointed him and Roe v Wade is an important issue. Anything Kavanaugh might rule on involving women's reproductive rights would be tainted by his biased attitude toward women's rights.

 

[LSSBB]

Maybe but Al Franken was not as important (and thus easy to sacrifice to look good) as a Bill Clinton or a Supreme Court nomination.

Wait, a Senate Seat in a nearly 50-50 Senate with the Supreme Court at stake is not an important sacrifice? I'd like to play chess with you. I can foresee a checkmate off of sacrificing a rook.

 

[Bob001]

No link yet, but MSNBC is reporting that Kavanaugh is telling people "I was never even at that party!" As the woman herself says she doesn't remember which party or whose house, his specificity is raising questions.

 

[Belz...]

raise your hand if you remember that Trump announced a short list of candidates while the was the Nominee. It was kind of a big deal

Cool, Romney did the same thing.

And?

 

[theprestige]

Slings and Arrows,

Her story is that when Kavanaugh covered her mouth in order to stifle her screams she found breathing difficult, and feared he might accidentally kill her.

Which would also ensure a pretty indelible memory if anything can.

I'm not sure that memory formation under stress actually works that way.

I'm also not sure that memory formation under the influence of alcohol actually works that way.

I'm also not sure that recall of memories formed under stress and under the influence of alcohol actually works that way.

So your argument on that basis leaves a lot to be desired, in my opinion.

 

[mike81]

She took and passed a lie detector test.

So? This is a skeptics forum. I thought we all knew lie detectors are BS?

I hate Trump. I don't know a lot about Kavanaugh, but since Trump picked him, then he probably is not someone I would support. However, if the allegations are true, then I don't think that is what should prevent him from getting the job.

They were teenagers at the time. Who here didn't do some stupid **** when they were that age? It's possible they were all drunk and he got too aggressive. There are lots of other possibilities too. No, it should not have happened, but is nobody allowed to ever mess up even when young and dumb? This culture of outrage has got out of hand.

 

[BobTheCoward]

So? This is a skeptics forum. I thought we all knew lie detectors are BS?

I hate Trump. I don't know a lot about Kavanaugh, but since Trump picked him, then he probably is not someone I would support. However, if the allegations are true, then I don't think that is what should prevent him from getting the job.

They were teenagers at the time. Who here didn't do some stupid **** when they were that age? It's possible they were all drunk and he got too aggressive. There are lots of other possibilities too. No, it should not have happened, but is nobody allowed to ever mess up even when young and dumb? This culture of outrage has got out of hand.

He is lying to people right now about the event. That od is what would ultimately sink him.

 

[Segnosaur]

Maybe we should start a poll:

What is the most troublesome issue with Kavanaugh's potential nomination:

1) The suspected sexual assault (and potential cover up related to it)

2) Potential finance issues (possibly involving gambling)

3) Potential perjury from earlier appointments

Of course, this is all in addition to other reasons people may be hesitant to want Kavanaugh as a supreme court judge.... that he may try to allow Trump to avoid justice for various crimes, that he may be anti-abortion (despite claims that Roe V. Wade is 'settled').

 

[luchog]

For anyone who still thinks that this will get in the way of the GOP confirming Kavanaugh, here is what the stakes are that the GOP is already playing for:

Texas Republicans promise to reintroduce anti-gay marriage and bathroom bills in 2019

Excerpt:

Conservative Texas lawmakers delivered some red meat to their base last week by promising to reintroduce bills that target the LGBTQ community for discrimination when the legislature convenes in Austin in January 2019.

Speaking at the inaugural Faith, Family and Freedom Forum, sponsored by the conservative Christian public advocacy group Texas Values, the lawmakers promised an audience of 200 of the state’s top socially conservative activists that they would push several culture war bills in the upcoming session, reports the Austin American-Statesman.

They are particularly excited about a bill that would allow people and businesses to refuse to serve LGBTQ people based on their personal religious or moral convictions, and another that would bar transgender people from using public restrooms or other facilities that match their gender identity.

State Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) said the time is ripe to push legislation allowing “right of refusal”-type bills for people who object to recognizing same-sex marriages because of their personal religious beliefs.

Particularly with the expected confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh as the nation’s next Supreme Court Justice, conservative lawmakers throughout the country are eager to challenge existing pro-LGBTQ laws or pass their own religious exemption laws, with the eventual hope of getting the Supreme Court to rule in favor of social conservatives.

The GOP powers that be are going to do whatever it takes to get Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court before this proposed legislation can be tested. They know that they have a very narrow window of time before they risk losing their House and Senate majority, especially the latter, and can see the growing trend toward Republicans and conservative-leaning Democrats being replaced with more progressive-leaning candidates. Expecting anyone in the party to flip and not toe the party line is very likely wishful thinking at this point, given the potential backlash should they do so.

 

[eeyore1954]

He is lying to people right now about the event.

How did you arrive at that “fact”?

 

[Segnosaur]

So? This is a skeptics forum. I thought we all knew lie detectors are BS?

They are.

However, many/most people don't know that. Assuming she didn't know they were B.S. (or had any training on how to 'fool' it) the fact that she was willing to risk putting herself through a test shows that she had at least some confidence in her story.

I hate Trump. I don't know a lot about Kavanaugh, but since Trump picked him, then he probably is not someone I would support. However, if the allegations are true, then I don't think that is what should prevent him from getting the job.

They were teenagers at the time. Who here didn't do some stupid **** when they were that age?

I think some people might draw the line between the type of stupid things some people might do (like "I had a party when my parents were out" or "I took illegal drugs") and the type of assault that is being claimed.

Plus, as another poster has pointed out... he's not saying "Yeah I did it, but I was young. I learned better". At this point he is denying it happened. If the allegations are true, then the fact that he would deny it shows a lack of integrity.

 

[Fudbucker]

So? This is a skeptics forum. I thought we all knew lie detectors are BS?

I hate Trump. I don't know a lot about Kavanaugh, but since Trump picked him, then he probably is not someone I would support. However, if the allegations are true, then I don't think that is what should prevent him from getting the job.

They were teenagers at the time. Who here didn't do some stupid **** when they were that age? It's possible they were all drunk and he got too aggressive. There are lots of other possibilities too. No, it should not have happened, but is nobody allowed to ever mess up even when young and dumb? This culture of outrage has got out of hand.

I never assaulted any women.

 

[Tsukasa Buddha]

A reporter from the Washington Post says the accuser came forward in July, but decided not to go public.

Donald Trump Jr. made an Instagram post mocking the accusation.

Trump and Grassley have been politely open to finding out more, while at the same time criticizing Democrats for not bringing the issue up sooner. Trump said there might be some delay, but it looks like Grassley is aiming for just a phone call sessions and not public testimony.

There is also the possibility of further accusations. Another possible scandal involved Kozinski, and what Kavanaugh knew or did not know about his behavior. It seems doubtful that he was in the dark, but there hasn't been any solid evidence presented.

Sanai told the committee leadership that “there are persons who work for, or who have worked for, the federal judiciary who have important stories to tell about disgraced former Chief Judge Alex Kozinski, and his mentee, current United States Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. I know that there are people who wish to speak out but fear retaliation because I have been contacted by more than a half-dozen such persons since Judge Kozinski resigned in disgrace.”

Sanai is the California attorney who blew the whistle on Kozinski years before a series of articles in the Washington Post in December finally brought about the resignation of the former chief judge of the 9th Circuit Court over sexual harassment revelations. Sanai has long challenged the judiciary and was deemed a “vexatious litigant” by one trial court, an attempted designation that was overturned on appeal.

...

During his confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh told the Judiciary Committee that he had no knowledge whatsoever of Kozinski’s behavior and was stunned to learn of the misconduct allegations. “When they became public, the first thought I had: No one should be subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace ever, including in the judiciary, especially in the judiciary,” Kavanaugh said under oath during his confirmation hearing, responding to a question from Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii. “When I heard, it was a gut punch. It was a gut punch for me. It was a gut punch for the judiciary. I was shocked, and disappointed, angry, swirl of emotions.”

Hirono asked him to search his records and in a written response, he backed off his certainty, saying only, “I do not remember receiving inappropriate emails of a sexual nature from Judge Kozinski.”

Sanai told The Intercept that at least two federal employees had information to provide the committee about Kavanaugh, including one who spoke directly with Kavanaugh about it. Sanai said that he did not hold Kavanaugh responsible for Kozinski’s behavior, but rather that his claim of ignorance was not credible and could be contradicted by witnesses. Kavanaugh’s credibility has become a central issue in his confirmation, as he has “unequivocally” denied allegations that he sexually assaulted Christine Blasey Ford when both were in high school.

Apart from interviewing witnesses, Sanai also suggested that the Judiciary Committee “subpoena all intra Court emails and messages between Kavanaugh and Kozinski and all emails to and from Kozinski with links to his website.”

The fact that Kozinski hosted pornography on his website and forced some clerks to view it was one of the exposed behaviors that led to his resignation.

Linky.

 

[Stacko]

Actually, a nominee is really easy to sacrifice. Just find another Federallist Society approved conservative justice who has made it clear that he thinks the POTUS is above the law. That shouldn't hard.

Conceding that a credible accusation of sexual assault is disqualifying is not something this president is willing to admit for obvious reasons.

 

[dudalb]

"Risky Business" and "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" were funny. But Christine Blasey Ford getting groped by a teenager? Yawn!

So glad you think sexual abuse is boring.
You know, you are really coming across as somebody who think that White European Descent Males should have total dominance in society and be able to treat anybody who is not one any way they choose.

 

[Bob001]

....
They were teenagers at the time. Who here didn't do some stupid **** when they were that age? It's possible they were all drunk and he got too aggressive. There are lots of other possibilities too. No, it should not have happened, but is nobody allowed to ever mess up even when young and dumb? This culture of outrage has got out of hand.

Stupid stuff is one thing. Putting a teenage girl in fear for her life during a drunken assault is something else. I don't think most teenage boys have done that. And if it's true, he's lying about it today as a 53-year-old federal judge. This isn't "ah, boys will be boys..."

Did you read the WP story?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/california-professor-writer-of-confidential-brett-kavanaugh-letter-speaks-out-about-her-allegation-of-sexual-assault/2018/09/16/46982194-b846-11e8-94eb-3bd52dfe917b_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_kavanaughwoman-145pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory-ans&noredirect=on

 

[dudalb]

If the GOP tries to go after a Democrat on character issues, outside of the GOP base they are just plain going to be laughed at.

 

[dudalb]

At first I though this was no big deal. Making a pass at a girl in high school should not be disqualifying . But after reading the details, it goes well over the line from making a pass to sexual assault.

 

[LSSBB]

So glad you think sexual abuse is boring.
You know, you are really coming across as somebody who think that White European Descent Males should have total dominance in society and be able to treat anybody who is not one any way they choose.

Yeah, I get that impression also.

 

[Tsukasa Buddha]

According to this story, the possibility of the FBI actually investigating involves the White House:

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have said they want the FBI to investigate the allegation. But FBI background investigations are conducted under specific procedures and through requests from government agencies -- which in Kavanaugh’s case would come from the White House, said the two people who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive matter.

Further investigation by the FBI could be politically volatile, thrusting the bureau into the middle of a tense battle over the future lineup of the Supreme Court. While there appears to be limited evidence for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to work with, the bureau is accustomed to doing professional background investigations, even when the evidence is thin.

...

Hosko said it makes sense for the FBI to vet the allegation, probably by first interviewing Kavanaugh and Ford, searching for more witnesses and trying to find any corroborating information.

The FBI said it was first informed of the new allegation on Sept. 12 and included it as part of Kavanaugh’s background file under a standard process.

Hosko said it’s up to the White House to define the parameters of any additional investigation, which should insulate the bureau from attacks that it’s overreaching.

“I don’t see the FBI as necessarily being at risk from the politics of this,” Hosko said. “The FBI is basically working for the White House. Their job is to dig into the details and let the White House counsel know if there is derogatory information.”

Linky.