Powerful statements ~ Sooz

Kavanaugh SCOTUS Nomination
Former Kavanaugh Classmates Retract Their Support For Him, Ex-Clerks Express Concern
By Kate Riga / October 3, 2018 7:39 am

Law classmates of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh have written to the Senate Judiciary Committee to retract their previously voiced support for him, according to a Tuesday Huffington Post report.

Two of Kavanaugh’s law school classmates, Michael Proctor and Mark Osler, wrote to say that they are “withdrawing their support” due to Kavanaugh’s behavior during his testimony before the committee.

“Under the current circumstances, we fear that partisanship has injected itself into Judge Kavanaugh’s candidacy,” they wrote. “That, and the lack of judicial temperament displayed on September 27 hearing, cause us to withdraw our support.”

Three of Kavanaugh’s former law clerks, Will Dreher, Bridget Fahey and Rakim Brooks, also wrote the committee to temper their previous statements of support with qualms stemming from the accusations of sexual misconduct and assault.

“We write to clarify that, like many Americans, we have been deeply troubled by those allegations and the events surrounding them and were encouraged by the initiation of a formal FBI investigation, which we believe is warranted,” the wrote.

Read the letters here.

From the former classmates:


From the former clerks:


Ed note: This post has been updated to reflect that Kavanaugh’s former clerks did not retract their letter of support, but rather expressed concerns about the allegations against the judge.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/kavanaugh-clerks-classmates-retract-support

The video is well-worth the 4min 14secs to watch ~ Sooz

This stunning video reveals the multiple witnesses who have exposed Kavanaugh’s lies under oath
Brave New Films - COMMENTARY / 03 Oct 2018 at 13:11 ET

Brett Kavanaugh has repeatedly lied under oath about his drinking habits in an attempt to refute claims that he drunkenly assaulted women on multiple occasions. These are the witnesses who have come forward to tell the truth about Kavanaugh’s drinking.

To defuse his image as a hard-drinking, privileged party boy, he lied over and over again – that he’s never blacked out; about the real meaning of “Devil’s Triangle,” “Ralph week,” “Renate Alumnius,” and other terms; that he didn’t drink during the week because of work, even though his calendar disproves this; and on and on.

When someone tells so many lies, how can we trust them with the monumental life and death decisions of the Supreme Court?

“On many occasions, I heard Brett slur his words and saw him staggering from alcohol consumption, not all of which was beer. When Brett got drunk, he was often belligerent and aggressive.”– Charles “Chad” Ludington, college friend from Yale University.

[Video accessible via the end link or at https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... 0OG_LSD7wM]

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/10/stunning-video-reveals-multiple-witnesses-exposed-kavanaughs-lies-oath/

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/10/stunning-video-reveals-multiple-witnesses-exposed-kavanaughs-lies-oath/

100% UNADULTERATED BS!!!!! ~ ~ Sooz

FBI investigation into Kavanaugh is over 1,000 pages — and senators must read a single copy in less than 24 hours
Sarah K. Burris / 04 Oct 2018 at 12:15 ET

Democrats have highlighted the problems with the limited FBI background check that took agents just days to complete. However, CNN’s Kate Bolduan read off some facts about the document.

The report is apparently over 1,000 pages long. The only information Judiciary Committee members received was a briefing by the FBI.

A copy of the document is locked behind closed doors and the report cannot leave that room. Senators will not be allowed to take a copy outside of the U.S. Capitol to review in their offices or at home this evening. That gives them less than 24 hours to read 1,000 pages at the same time their colleagues are also trying to read it. They would be required to read one-page per minute to read it all in less than 17 hours.

“The most notable part of the report is what’s not in it,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that their fears were that the investigation would not be extensive enough and “those fears were realized.”

[Video accessible via the end link.]

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/10/fbi-investigation-kavanaugh-1000-pages-theres-one-copy-senators-must-read-less-24-hours/

Actually it's worse than what is reported in your post, Sooz. Each Senator gets one hour to review the entire report.

I never thought the investigation would be anything but a sham, and he would still be nominated and accepted. That said, it does not take away the disappointment or the disgust. How low down and dirty the republicans have gone, but I suspect they can and will go as low as necessary to remain in power and get their agendas passed. Makes me sick

They don't even pretend anymore....

Why should they - they have gotten away with everything no matter how disgraceful and overt their negative actions have been.

This was just a procedural vote ... but I'm still cheering for Murkowski voting her own morality ~ ~ Sooz

Alaska’s Murkowski surprises with procedural ‘no’ vote on Kavanaugh
10/05/18 11:14 AM
By Steve Benen

Headed into this morning, the stage was set for a key procedural vote on Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination, and there were four undecided senators, each of whom have been reluctant to signal their plans. West Virginia’s Joe Manchin (D), Maine’s Susan Collins (R), Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski (R), and Arizona’s Jeff Flake (R).

If three of these four voted “no” on cloture, it would effectively end Kavanaugh’s chances. Here’s how they ended up voting:

Collins: Yes
Flake: Yes
Manchin: Yes
Murkowski: No

As the dust settled, Kavanaugh’s nomination advanced on a 51 to 49 vote. Barring any dramatic developments – and given recent events, anything’s possible – a final up-or-down confirmation vote on the Republican judge will be held tomorrow.

So, what are we to make of all of this? The big news is clearly Lisa Murkowski’s “no” vote this morning, which she hadn’t announced in advance, and which jolted the landscape a bit. It’s possible she’d oppose cloture but support confirmation, but that wouldn’t make any sense at all. It’s more likely the Alaskan will oppose Kavanaugh’s nomination.

At face value, that might appear to put Murkowski’s future in Republican politics in jeopardy, but let’s not forget that in 2010, the senator lost a GOP primary, but she ended up winning re-election anyway as a write-in candidate.

It doesn’t hurt that the Alaskan won’t face voters against until 2022, after cruising to an easy victory in 2016.

If we assume that Murkowski doesn’t change her mind between now and tomorrow afternoon, that brings the total number of “no” votes to 49. To defeat Kavanaugh, opponents will need that number to reach 51.

Or put another way, there now appear to be three undecided senators – Collins, Flake, and Manchin – each of whom voted “yes” on this morning’s procedural vote. Two of those three would need to vote “no.” If not, Kavanaugh will be confirmed.

For her part, Collins’ office said this morning that the Maine Republican will formally announce her position later this afternoon.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/alaskas-murkowski-surprises-procedural-no-vote-kavanaugh

Collins and Manchin voting for Kavanaugh.
SCOTUS just became SCROTUS.

That thud you heard was another nail in America's coffin.

Yep, yet again the republicans come out on top despite the conniving, the lies, the spins etc. It s almost as if the democrats are being bullied and do not have a strategy to cope with it. They play nice and keep expecting the same from the other side in the end. How many times do you have to get beaten before you fight back and think ahead. Almost like a game of chess, the dems are maybe two (at the most) plays ahead, while the reps are more than several moves ahead and out play them every time. Dems think truth and justice will win out, I did too (not so sure of that anymore) - but sadly it won't all by itself.

I think there may be various things happening here.

For one, Republicans still have the support of much of the people. They were able to completely disregard Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland without repercussions. Kavanaugh's nomination may prove different.

Yet the way Republicans are as a party, I don't think they give a damn. They got a guy in the White House that will go along with cutting taxes, eliminating regulations, side with the NRA and more. They have gotten a guy onto the Supreme Court that will likely help them reach other goals.

They are governing with a 'whatever it takes' mode of operation. How do Democrats respond to that?

With the way he acts and the things he says, Trump's approval should be at best about 10%, not around 40%. How do Democrats respond to that?

John wrote: "With the way he acts and the things he says, Trump's approval should be at best about 10%, not around 40%. How do Democrats respond to that?"

I am not sure John as i am not a political strategist, but i know they have to make more noise, use the press more, and not let issues fall by the way side and be distracted by his deliberate efforts to change the subject.

They also have to have something to offer other than, "we're not the Republicans". I saw something yesterday - maybe even on here - where it was pointed out that so many ideas Democrats flirt with are actually very popular with the American people while Republican positions scrape the bottom of the popular barrel. And yet, time and time again, its the Republicans that come out on top. In that article the Republican voter suppression tactics got the blame but I think that's bull shit. Voter suppression does have an effect but I doubt it's a particularly big one. Most of the people who are "suppressed' wouldn't vote anyway and the others find ways to meet the voter identity requirements.

What is missing, in my mind, is a comprehensive program by the Democrats of what they will do if elected. If it takes tax increases to accomplish that, own up to it. Say "yeah, nothing is free but this is what you get for your money." When the Repubs do their "tax and spend" thing, say "damn right" although it's really "tax and buy". Stop all this wimpering when the Repubs talk about job creation/job killing. Look them right in the face and tell them loud and proud that Dems have created more jobs with less debt than the Republicans ever dreamed of. In short stop snivelling, crying and apologizing for doing the right thing. Above all stop pretending to be Republican Lites. There is nothing wrong with being the center or even left of center so be there.

If you don't think Democrats have been doing what you say they ought to be doing, you haven't been paying attention, JW. I'm reminded of the cliche, "There's none so blind as them that will not see."

I think the dems for the most part play defense and concentrate on trying to disparage trump - while they need to promote the programs that are popular with American people. Bernie is one dem who offers ideas and programs to fix the disparities. I think Jim is right they need to come together to promote worthy programs and tell why are worthy in a cohesive manner. They need to tell what is happening when crucial programs are cut also in a graphic way, rather than keeping trump as a main focus of the ills that are going to befall us. They do that to some extent, but not enough by far imo.

Bellelettres wrote:

If you don't think Democrats have been doing what you say they ought to be doing, you haven't been paying attention, JW. I'm reminded of the cliche, "There's none so blind as them that will not see."

So tell me specifically what the Democrat program is, Belle, because the only program I've seen from them is the one that the Republicans say they have. Let's have some specifics on what they are going to do to improve health care. Exactly what will they do to improve worker rights. Precisely what are they going to do to ameliorate the coming recession - especially since the Republicans have left the piggy bank bare and the debt exploding. What plans do they have for aiding the millions of American citizens heading into their old age with little or no savings or retirement plans. How will this be paid for? All I ever hear out of the Dem's is "bad Trump", "bad McConnell", and "we won't do what they do but we're not going to tell you what we will do because the Republicans will call us socialist so we will say we will cut taxes too."

Worked for Trudeau and the Liberals.

True - but everyone was fed up with the incumbents and decided it was time for a change. And Junior was the best of the available options. After all, Mulcair had the appeal of a dead fish (I'm sure that if Jack had still been alive the NDP would have formed the gov't).

Two articles that are worth reading in their entirety:

Drunks, rapists and perverts wanted for the U.S. pubic public service.

This is truly extraordinary ... and NOT in a good way for those of us who still have working brain cells ~ ~ "live links" in original ~ Sooz

Kavanaugh’s confirmation reflects the will of the US minority
10/09/18 12:43 PM
By Steve Benen


At last night’s ceremonial event for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at the White House, Donald Trump declared, “On behalf of our nation, I want to apologize to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure.” It was a jarring moment for multiple reasons.

For one thing, Americans saw an unpopular president whom most voters opposed speaking on behalf of the nation. For another, he was apologizing to a new justice whom most Americans don’t want to see on the bench.


Republicans now have the control they’ve long sought over Supreme Court, extending the control the GOP already has, at least for now, over the White House and Congress. But it’s worth pausing to acknowledge the fact that this isn’t what the American electorate necessarily signed up for.

Kavanaugh has “a distinct honor,” a Washington Post analysis noted over the weekend. “He will be the first justice nominated by someone who lost the popular vote to earn his seat on the bench with support from senators representing less than half of the country while having his nomination opposed by a majority of the country.”

We like to think that in any democratic system, governmental power reflects the will of the electorate. After all, a fundamental tenet of the social compact is the establishment of a political system that acts with the consent of the governed.

Except, that’s not quite what Americans have right now.

A plurality of Americans voted for Hillary Clinton, but they got Donald Trump. Most Americans voted for Democratic congressional candidates, they got a Republican-led Congress. Most Americans opposed nominee Brett Kavanaugh, but they ended up with Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

In fact, here’s an amazing piece of trivia: the only two Supreme Court justices in the history of the United States who were nominated by a president who lost the popular vote, and who were confirmed by senators representing a minority of Americans, are Neil Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.

As Michael Tomasky explained late last week, we now have “two Supreme Court justices who deserve to be called ‘minority-majority’: justices who are part of a five-vote majority on the bench but who were nominated and confirmed by a president and a Senate who represent the will of a minority of the American people.”

Expect calls for systemic reform to the American system, so that it better reflects the wishes of the American electorate, to grow quite a bit louder.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/kavanaughs-confirmation-reflects-the-will-the-us-minority#break

Looks like this is coming back to bite them ....

POLITICSFBI Is Facing Troubling Allegations of Impropriety in Their Handling of the Brett Kavanaugh Background Check
Heather Renee Honeycutt

The FBI is now facing serious allegations that a background check it performed on U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which was conducted after multiple women came forward with sexual assault allegations, “politically-constrained and perhaps fake.”

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who is a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is leading the charge. The senator says there is adequate reason to believe that the FBI mishandled the investigation into Kavanaugh and perhaps even ...

MORE>

other than revamping and tightening procedures, what is the possible outcome here?

Possible impeachment if he "didn't tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth"?