Editor’s note: This commentary is by Jeffrey Reel, a writer/lecturer living in Lyndon Center, and general manager of Natural Provisions, in St. Johnsbury. He was previously sustainability manager at the Omega Center for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, New York.
[T]his is in regard to the hearing – the spectacle – that featured Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavenaugh. The media, and the Republican-dominated Senate, repeatedly reminded us that the proceedings showed us just how badly divided we are as a nation.
I think that’s not true. First, this is about an older generation of men in the seat of power who represent outdated views on women, sexual harassment and rape. They underplay its significance. This is about white privilege as represented by both male Republican senators in general, and Brett Kavenaugh specifically. (Republican senators railed against the timing of the charges leveled against Kavenaugh, not his guilt or innocence.) And, most importantly, this is about monied interests controlling the election process, and elected officials representing those interests. Critical cases are being heard this October, and the Republicans need Kavenaugh confirmed in time to hear them. Allegations of attempted rape be damned.
Don’t let them throw feints. Don’t let them throw us off their trail. They want us to turn on each other so as to distract us from that truth. The Republican senators, to a man, are OUTRAGED that we would vociferously challenge their abuse of power. Dr. Ford’s courage and sense of civic duty, as well as the #MeToo movement, deserve much of the credit for this.
What was most revealing was Kavenaugh’s conspiracy theories and livid hatred toward all things left of center. In his opening statement, he was appalled that a “left-wing” critic (former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe) had said his appointment to the court would “threaten the lives of millions of Americans for decades to come.” Alarming I suppose, but true. Kavenaugh is an anti-consumer zealot, an opponent of pre-existing condition protections, a critic of abortion rights … and he would be deciding cases that will affect millions of Americans for decades to come. Why is that considered a radical claim? Such is the impact of Supreme Court decisions.
There has yet to be produced definitive evidence that Kavenaugh attempted to rape Dr. Ford, though I feel certain it is true, given the character of Dr. Ford and her testimony and the character of Brett Kavenaugh and his obfuscating testimony; charges made against the judge by other women of a similar nature; and both men and women coming forward who knew Kavenaugh in prep school and Yale who say he is clearly lying about his uncontrolled drinking and aggressive behavior when drunk. Brett Kavenaugh lacks the emotional maturity, temperament and impartiality to sit on the court.
