Will GOP Senators Susan Collins of Maine or Lisa Murkowski from Alaska obediently toe the party line OR will they take a stand against the Good ‘Ole Boy, Locker-Room Party? These generally moderate pro-choice legislators were critical in derailing ‘repeal and replace’ of Obama care; and they are now the ‘swing-votes’ for the wildly unpopular SCOTUS nominee, Brett Kavanaugh’s, confirmation. If they vote ‘no’, it is possible that other, less brave, moderate senators may follow suit.
The majority of GOP Senators, led by the soulless Mitch McConnell, are determined to muscle this nomination through before mid-terms; have shown themselves to be very comfortable with sexual predators in their midst: taking a casual ‘wink, wink, boys will be boys,’ attitude that reflects their privileged prep-frat-boy sensibilities. Many of them appear truly astonished that their silly frat-boyish antics would raise anyone’s ire. I can imagine the ‘real’ GOP locker room talk: “doesn’t anyone have a sense of humor anymore? Damn the #MeToo movement!”
McConnell has made it clear that he intends to ram the nomination through, regardless of the outcome of any testimony that he is ‘allowing’ on a ridiculously abbreviated timeline. He brushes aside reasonable requests for an investigation (as well as requests for release of documents that are ‘normally’ routine for a SCOTUS nominee–but that is another story) in his rush and lust to ram through this blatantly political nominee before the mid-terms. His stance is akin to a judge deciding to forego any actual testimony or presentation of evidence, so that he/she can hurry up and sentence the defendant. Civil rights or due process be damned.
I am old enough to remember Anita Hill’s testimony in Clarence Thomas’ nomination hearings. She had her character assassinated in the most public way possible for coming forward with her story, facing a firing squad of 14 white men who did not take sexual harassment seriously. Anita and other survivors of sexual abuse completely understand why Professor Ford did not speak up previously–the risks to the victim are enormous. Professor Ford has already had her life torn apart by her brave decision to step forward. This nomination has become less about Kavanaugh’s qualifications, and more about whether the out-of-touch GOP leadership will believe or care about victims of sexual assault–particularly female victims. As of this writing, a total of three women have accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct; knowing full-well that their own lives and reputations will be Irrevocably damaged; knowing it is probable that Kavanaugh will be nominated by a ‘jury’ of HIS ‘good old boy peers’, regardless of any testimony or evidence they provide.
Anita Hill was dragged through the mud, her testimony was ignored; and Clarence Thomas has been on the Supreme Court for 26 years. Let us hope that history does not repeat itself.