Some things I'll keep in mind this week while the Republican spin machine does its thing:

[JHan]

- Ronan and Mayer exposed the Eric Schneiderman Sexual Assault Scandal, the same Schneiderman who declared his opposition to Trump early in Trump's presidency.

- Discussions about Ms Ramirez's recollection of events will be used against her. However, her story is credible precisely because she acknowledges gaps in her memory. Memory is not infallible, and a cautious witness is more reliable than a witness who can confidently recount every single detail of a past event which happened over 2 decades ago. While it's reasonable to question her memory,there were many other ways Ms Ramirez could have described her assault if she had less than honorable motives. Her account truly comes across like someone who was inebriated and taken advantage of.

- I'm not an Avenatti fan, but I wouldn't be surprised if the info pans out. It's in keeping with what we know of the culture at Georgetown Prep.

- Republicans knew about this, which is why girls were used as props during the hearing and why a generic letter signed by 65 women was prepared. They wanted to push through this nomination because they knew the longer it takes to confirm Kavanaugh the greater the likelihood that:
1) more women will come forward.
2) Alumni will also come forward, confirming the sort of toxic culture which existed at Georgetown.
2) Republicans will say dumb shit throughout, pissing off sane women (and men) everywhere.

[Cha]

1. Thank you for this, JH..

This is of interest, too..

One reason they want Kavanaughty on SCrOTUS ASAP

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11170155

[JHan]

7. thanks for the heads up :)

[Cha]

10. Kick!

[brer cat]

2. K&R

[mcar]

3. +1000!

[NurseJackie]

4. Excellent. Thank you! This will...

Excellent. Thank you! This will certainly be an interesting week to watch everything unfold.

[Hortensis]

5. Yes! Plus, we KNOW the Repubs strongly advised against trying to

get Kavanaugh confirmed, the problem of his "long paper trail" cited in a McConnell document now in the public domain.

Faced with Kavanaugh as the nominee, instead of proceeding honorably, they set to work suppressing that entire "long paper trail" by hiding millions of documents from scrutiny, including Kavanaugh's entire record while he worked in W's White House.

A few documents they were unable to hide were produced by Democratic senators as evidence in the first two days of the hearing, against the rules as permission to submit was denied. Demands for investigation into the various misbehaviors and crimes they strongly suggest was refused.

This entire hearing is invalid as the judiciary committee is not able to do their job of examining Kavanaugh's background for fitness for the court.

All 50 senators should be outraged at being denied access to the information they must have, and the only proper action is a 50-0 vote against confirmation under these circumstances.

And so should our electorate. Many of our nation's founders repeatedly expressed their sober belief that virtue among the people was absolutely critical to maintenance of a free society. Our future moral state was obviously a great concern to all.

Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. Samuel Adams

It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people. Richard Henry Lee

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. ... The only foundation of
a free constitution is pure virtue. John Adams

The primary objects of government are the peace, order, and prosperity of society. . . . To the promotion of these objects, particularly in a republican government, good morals are essential. Justice Oliver Ellsworth

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters. Benjamin Franklin

[T]he [federal] government . . . can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, and oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any other despotic or oppressive form so long as there shall remain any virtue in the body of the people. George Washington

[JHan]

6. they're really trying to push a controversial nominee through.

The better replacement for Kennedy would have been Garland.

As for Kavanaugh, given he's the first nominee to have come from the executive branch, the document situation was always going to be a messy issue. I think he might still be confirmed but I hope I'm wrong.

[Hortensis]

8. Fingers crossed. Our senators were declared helpless

bystanders by all before this started, with the vote scheduled for 8 days when the average confirmation investigation takes 10 weeks! Now it's in disarray and hanging by a thread.

In this case it might not be over even if it comes to that. I'm wondering if it might conceivably be better to have a potentially removable justice on the court. Assuming we don't somehow get a majority in the senate before they can fill this seat. I know. But...

[tblue37]

9. Why not all 100 senators? nt