For the last few weeks, I’ve developed questions to ask teachers on their thoughts of the case of Justice Brett Kavanaugh; including opinions from several different sources. I was only able to reach two. This is regarding the accusation of Kavanaugh’s alleged sexual assault, and then being acquitted and sworn in as the ninth justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
First, here were the following questions from me, and answers from teachers.
- Why do you think, after 30 plus years, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford opens up to claim that Justice Brett Kavanaugh had forced himself upon her, back in high school, at a party they were involved in?
Mr. Bonilla: “I believe that this was done prior to Kavanaugh being nominated; he was pointed out by her (Ford) while he was a candidate.”
Dr. Lankster: “Only Ms. Ford knows why. Three reasons why I think she went up. One: she was off her civic duty. Two: She picked it at a time where Kavanaugh was a candidate. Three: Women know when they have been sexually harassed- those who have been known; a majority of white men have gotten away with it. Most women have even yet to come up.”
- Do you believe her claim? What made her statement believable in that she was telling the truth?
Mr. Bonilla: “Again she stated her claims before Kavanaugh was nominated. Her claims had been made months ago, and would be assured a month before the trial.”
Dr. Lankster: “As a retired detective, I believe that she was telling the truth and that she does not bring up details in which are not memorable to her.”
- What do you think about Kavanaugh being nominated, and then sworn in as the Supreme Court’s 9th justice?
Mr. Bonilla: “I think that he’ll change laws we’ve been used to for a while, now as a new member of the court.”
Dr. Lankster: “I was a little disappointed, and he was not my first choice; however, there are consequences. That consequence is that we have a president who is different from Obama, and he nominated a man for Supreme Court justice who may have committed a crime of wrongdoing.”
- What made his statement in the trial seem believable or not believable?
Mr. Bonilla: “He (Kavanaugh) wouldn’t answer many of the questions he was asked.”
Dr. Lankster: “He (Kavanaugh) was on the counter-attack; attacking Senators who were questioning him. He wouldn’t even answer the majority of their questions.”
- Do you think there may be a conspiracy cover-up in this whole situation; even while the FBI has been investigating to find whether or not Kavanaugh forced himself upon Dr. Ford at the party?
Mr. Bonilla: “I don’t think there’s cover-up; the FBI was only able to investigate inside where they were told to. It was where they would be able to find the truth.”
Dr. Lankster: “I do not believe that there is a conspiracy… there requires a conspiracy by agreement.”
Now, here are opinions/quotes about the Kavanaugh case from six sources.
“… if Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination is defeated by an allegation, which the judge denies, ‘then you, me, every man certainly should be worried.’ This statement shows why the success of the #MeToo movement, despite being infinitely too late, is also an astonishing achievement.” – Frida Ghitis of CNN
“They think every man should be worried; however, it’s only the ones who have crossed the line who should fret”. – Frida Ghitis of CNN
“The House Democratic leadership should pledge now that if they win a majority, they will conduct an impeachment investigation, to get to the truth.”
– Ronald J. Krotoszynski of The New York Times
“It reminds many of us how there are men waiting to resurface from the depths of our memories; perhaps it is the guy who ‘playfully’ sexually bullied you in secondary school now showing on social media, all cheerful, happily established with a picture-perfect family and a completely different recollection of your interaction.” – Nesrine Malik of The Guardian
“But the Court is perfectly capable of functioning with eight justices.” – Dara Lind of Vox
“… one thing is clear. These kinds of LikeWars, deploying the same tactics as the information campaigns of real-world militaries, will become the norm for every future political controversy.”
– P.W. Singer and Emerson T. Brooking of Wired
Written by Brandon Luna, Staff Writer