Comments
Doxie Chick posted a comment · Sep 21, 2018
Hi, Dr. Brown - Thank you for writing this commentary. I have recently accepted the fact, that many men in our society, have not behaved honorably towards women, whether it be during their younger years, or even in their older years. It is just a fact of life, that men, without a belief in a strong moral/ethical code, often objectify women. Add an environment or position of power, and many men abuse that power, or don't employ self-discipline, in their behavior towards women, even in the workplace. I do not like this fact, but I've accepted it, as reality. Do I think Brett Kavanaugh may've assaulted a teenage woman, when he himself was a teenager? I think it's possible. The idea of him committing such an act, even in his teen years, is reprehensible to me; truly reprehensible. HOWEVER: If it is now being exposed, AND I saw (what appeared to be) genuine contrition from him, towards his accuser; a genuine apology, AND a recognition that he currently views women as competent, intellectual equals, I, as an American citizen, would be willing to accept him as a Supreme Court Judge. Would I PREFER we choose a Supreme Court Judge who HASN'T had ANY ACCUSATIONS of sexual assault or harassment? Absolutely, yes. I would greatly prefer a Nominee, WITHOUT that type of behavior in their past. But here's the conundrum: The allegations made today, regarding a potential crime from (36) years ago, makes it nearly impossible to obtain actual proof of said crime....so I can't determine right now, who's telling the truth: Dr. Blasey Ford, or Judge Kavanaugh. If he did do it, I wish he would just admit it, and make a sincere apology. I believe that could go a long way, toward women believing he has integrity, NOW/CURRENTLY/TODAY....even if he didn't have it, BACK THEN. But again, how will we know what's the truth, at this point? I admit, I tend to "believe the women", whenever allegations are made... but that's because I've been sexually molested by men, SOME in positions of power (one was a relative, who was considered a "pillar of the community"; one was a business manager; one was a stranger on the street). Because of my experiences, I tend to "believe the women", when they finally speak out. (By the way: I didn't "speak out" about my relative because I INSTINCTIVELY KNEW, no one would believe me; I would be called a liar; he was a wealthy, powerful man of high position in our community. I KNEW he would deny it, & I'd be destroyed. As for harassment from a business manager: when I reported it, people blew it off, as no big deal: "That's just Robert". As for the stranger on the street: He forcefully groped me, in a crowd full of people. I had no recourse, as he was gone, in the crowd, in a moment. Again, due to some of my experiences, I tend to believe women, especially when they finally speak out, against someone in power, because I tend to think: The AVERAGE woman doesn't want to go through "15 minutes of shame", just to gain notoriety or money. So INITIALLY, I believed Dr. Blasey Ford. HOWEVER: I just read an article (with full documentation), that she's partly employed for a drug company that produces the "abortion pill" (RU-486). Again, there's full proof that she's been employed to write articles about this particular drug, that causes chemical abortion. As we know, many pro-choice supporters, are concerned Judge Kavanaugh might play a role in ending abortion, in the future. I'm not saying Dr. Blasey Ford is lying about assault; not at all...... but I admit, this new information does make me wonder about her motives. In the end, I hope this whole situation can be resolved with some clarity & decency.
conni l posted a comment · Sep 21, 2018
Dr. Brown, you mentioned being a professor added to her credibility, why? I'm a student in a masters program. I have had many professors, intelligence has nothing to do with integrity! I have had professors who lie and censor truth. I also have had pastors who lie and throw people under the us to protect 'their' ministries! Integrity and intelligence to do necessarily go together!
Nick Ch posted a comment · Sep 20, 2018
Brown has become the master of pivot and false equivalency. "If Kavanaugh did, in fact, sexually assault his accuser more than 35 years ago," the discussion ends there and that should be a disqualifier. Obama smoked weed, Brown dropped acid, Beto O'Rourke even drove drunk. All of these things have been acknowledged, and none of these things did damage to another person. Kavanaugh's alleged sin was an assault on another person. That Brown can't see the difference is sad.
Sharon C posted a comment · Sep 17, 2018
I'm confused by this article. None of the four scenarios exactly match what Kavanaugh is being accused of. He isn't being accused of having sex with a girl, but rather sexual assault. That's a completely different matter. If this were true, and he was willing to admit to it, should he be placed on the Supreme Court justice because it was many years ago, probably a one-time incident, and he was quite young and probably drunk? That's the real question.