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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Kavanaugh accuser giving evidence now

51 replies

burninglikefire · 27/09/2018 17:10

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-45668820

Not an AIBU, but I thought people might be interested to watch. Dr Ford's composure is impressive.

OP posts:
Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 27/09/2018 21:32

OMG this is awful. The way he responded to the lady Senator was just so disrespectful. So different now it’s a bloke.

And the sniffing...

Original poster
burninglikefire · 27/09/2018 21:45

He won't state that he will support an FBI investigation

OP posts:
KevinTheYuccaPlant · 27/09/2018 21:53

Re: legal fees, both Dr Blasey Ford's lawyers said they're working pro bono.

ssd · 27/09/2018 22:02

doesnt want the fbi involved, does he

Original poster
burninglikefire · 27/09/2018 22:08

He's not treating the female senator with a lot of respect

OP posts:
mikado1 · 27/09/2018 22:26

He comes across dreadfully really.

I'm afraid to say that I am about 15y behind them, but I'd say neither girls nor boys that I grew up with would have realised how bad this behaviour was, again unfortunately, depending on the boy/girl involved. Not even nearly saying it was/is ok but just acknowledging this kind of scenario was probably quite common. I'll be very explicit around consent with my sons.

NicoAndTheNiners · 27/09/2018 22:51

I’m watching now and he isn’t coming across well. Arguing and avoiding answering questions.

CommanderDaisy · 27/09/2018 23:55

I think the minute he went on television to argue his case he should've been done. He's a joke.
A judge should be untainted by scandal, and they should not be building a public profile to accumulate votes. It's weird and disgusting.
Administering the law should be apolitical.

America is all kinds of fucked up with the way these life appointments work and the way the Supreme Court justices have media prescences.

NicoAndTheNiners · 28/09/2018 06:34

And Trump is still supporting him. It’s a bloody joke.

MargoLovebutter · 28/09/2018 10:13

Accusations aside, because obviously if he did what he is accused of, he is not fit to be appointed.

However, is it just me, or would others expect a judge of considerable experience and standing to be more emotionally continent? He barely seemed in control of himself at times and his anger was palpable throughout.

brownmouse · 28/09/2018 10:26

I'm surprised there's not more discussion about this.

I think a lot of women are feeling: "If was getting into a position of power, would I/could I have Dr Ford's courage?"

It's devastating to watch.

brownmouse · 28/09/2018 10:31

Margo: I agree. He seems utterly hysterical and driven by rage. That seems the antithesis of what you want!

MargoLovebutter · 28/09/2018 10:32

I'm surprised too brownmouse.

I honestly don't think I could have done what Dr Ford did. I just don't think my sense of civic duty would be strong enough to put myself and my family in the line of fire. She is an incredibly brave woman.

Original poster
burninglikefire · 28/09/2018 10:46

Margo I agree - he seemed as if he was about to explode with rage. I also felt that his questioning of one of the female senators about her drinking was disrespectful and inappropriate.

I am disappointed (but perhaps not overly surprised) that Trump seems to be delighted with Kavanaugh's performance, tweeting "His testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting".

It is very interesting to watch some of the Anita Hill testimony from 1991 which is online. Like Ford, her responses also come across as very calm and measured.

OP posts:
PingusPaws · 28/09/2018 10:51

@burninglikefire yes, saw that too regarding his outright disrespect towards the female Senator who was questioning his about his drinking habits.

Here's a link for anyone who missed it.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=autkkRE2GhA

PingusPaws · 28/09/2018 10:58

Whoops! sound doesn't seem to be working on the inscreen clip, but if you click on the YouTube link you will be able to hear it.

MargoLovebutter · 28/09/2018 11:06

He makes my skin crawl so badly, I find it hard to remain impartial and listen to his evidence.

He screams abusive to me. He's trying the emotionally abusive tactic of trying to suggest that the person asking the question actually has the problem, he's been accused of - with regards to the drinking and not being able to remember. He also never properly answers the question.

Parker231 · 28/09/2018 11:16

He is awful - made me angry just watching him. You can understand why Trump wants him confirmed. Made in the same style.

Defrack · 28/09/2018 21:09

He has been selected. All republicans have voted for him.

Parker231 · 28/09/2018 21:51

Approval is still dependent upon the Senate vote after the FBI investigation. There is no way he should have even got this far in the process. It should have been stopped last week.

7salmonswimming · 28/09/2018 22:19

I can’t believe this is the best candidate they could come up with. Could they really not find ANY ardent Trump-supporting qualified judge who doesn’t have a shadow of criminal behaviour hanging over them?

As for the actual allegation, I genuinely think they both believe what they’re saying. Ford I personally believe was giving a factually accurate account of what Kavanaugh did to her. He, too, I think genuinely believes he didn’t do it. Because he doesn’t remember doing it. Because to him it was no big deal. He was drunk, it was probably a drunken fumble at some random party to him, and he forgot all about it within a day. It’s not in his memory bank because it wasn’t remotely significant to him. That’s why I’m all the vetting a confirmation prep he will have gone through, this never even came up. So much time has passed that he’s carved out an entirely different persona for himself.

So, for me, the worry is that supposedly one of the 9 finest legal minds in the country is not only emotionally incontinent, he also lacks an awareness of his limitations and any man’s limitations, and any shred of humility. Couple that with actually being a Trumpian Republican and an ex-frat boy who simply couldn’t contain his rage at anyone having the temerity to question him.......the man’s beyond reprehension.

Parker231 · 28/09/2018 22:46

He has lots of negatives for me - one of Trump’s gang, a Republican, overly dramatic and his sense of how dare anyone question me,this is beneath me. He thinks he’s one of the boys and the process should be plain sailing. This confirms to me another reason I couldn’t live in the US.

7salmonswimming · 29/09/2018 01:01

I don’t think there’s much in it between the UK and the US, tbh! Isn’t the old boys’ club a centuries-old English thing, from public schools like Erin and Harrow?!

7salmonswimming · 29/09/2018 01:02

*Eton

Splurge77 · 29/09/2018 01:46

I can’t believe this is the best candidate they could come up with. Could they really not find ANY ardent Trump-supporting qualified judge who doesn’t have a shadow of criminal behaviour hanging over them?
I think Kavanaugh is fairly unique in believing that a sitting president cannot be indicted. That’ll be why he’s first choice, and no amount of abused women will change that for the Republicans.