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‘Who Has the Greater Incentive to Lie?’: Defenders of Kavanaugh and His Accuser Square Off ‘Who Has the Greater Incentive to Lie?’: Defenders of Kavanaugh and His Accuser Square Off
(about 1 hour later)
Allegations of sexual assault have upended Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s confirmation process for the Supreme Court.Allegations of sexual assault have upended Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s confirmation process for the Supreme Court.
In the days since Christine Blasey Ford, a research psychologist in Northern California, came forward as the woman who divulged the accusations in a secretive letter, Republican and Democratic senators have become even more sharply divided over Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination.In the days since Christine Blasey Ford, a research psychologist in Northern California, came forward as the woman who divulged the accusations in a secretive letter, Republican and Democratic senators have become even more sharply divided over Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination.
Readers have weighed in about the allegations in thousands of comments on our news articles. Here are some of their responses, which have been lightly edited and condensed. Readers have weighed in about the allegations in thousands of comments on our news articles. Here are some of their responses, which have been lightly edited and condensed. We invite you to continue the conversation in the comments section.
Who has the greater incentive to lie: Dr. Blasey or Judge Kavanaugh? Obviously he does. He wants to be on the Supreme Court. His accuser has no incentive to lie, and in fact, she would have been better off personally if she kept quiet. The right-wing idea that she “just wanted the attention” is ludicrous when all the attention is bad and Dr. Blasey has no reason to be such a desperate character.Who has the greater incentive to lie: Dr. Blasey or Judge Kavanaugh? Obviously he does. He wants to be on the Supreme Court. His accuser has no incentive to lie, and in fact, she would have been better off personally if she kept quiet. The right-wing idea that she “just wanted the attention” is ludicrous when all the attention is bad and Dr. Blasey has no reason to be such a desperate character.
— Judith S. Lewis, Norman, Okla.— Judith S. Lewis, Norman, Okla.
I believed Anita Hill then and now. Likewise Dr. Blasey, who has already passed a lie-detector test with flying colors. Judge Kavanaugh should also be required to take that test.I believed Anita Hill then and now. Likewise Dr. Blasey, who has already passed a lie-detector test with flying colors. Judge Kavanaugh should also be required to take that test.
— Eric Mills, Oakland, Calif.— Eric Mills, Oakland, Calif.
Because I am an academic scientist, I was able to download and skim through some of the accuser’s scientific papers. I was looking for any hint that she is a self-promoter, or does anything other than look at data and report her conclusions in an honest manner. To me she seems solid and straightforward, and she is also quite successful. Everything that I can see tells me that she had no reason to come forward other than a feeling of obligation to put this in the public record, even at great personal cost.Because I am an academic scientist, I was able to download and skim through some of the accuser’s scientific papers. I was looking for any hint that she is a self-promoter, or does anything other than look at data and report her conclusions in an honest manner. To me she seems solid and straightforward, and she is also quite successful. Everything that I can see tells me that she had no reason to come forward other than a feeling of obligation to put this in the public record, even at great personal cost.
— Eric Jakobsson, professor emeritus, department of molecular and integrative physiology, University of Illinois— Eric Jakobsson, professor emeritus, department of molecular and integrative physiology, University of Illinois
I believe both Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Blasey.I believe both Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Blasey.
Through the drunken haze and three decades of intervening life, there will surely be significant differences in each witness deposition. There would be differences, innuendo, etc. even the day after this alleged event occurred.Through the drunken haze and three decades of intervening life, there will surely be significant differences in each witness deposition. There would be differences, innuendo, etc. even the day after this alleged event occurred.
— James, Wilton, Conn.— James, Wilton, Conn.
I do not understand why this is an issue, given that Judge Kavanaugh was a child when this allegation happened. They were both teens in high school. Had this been tried in court then, he would have gotten off and the records would be sealed because of his age. I am a liberal female, but I suspect this is a witch hunt by the Democrats.I do not understand why this is an issue, given that Judge Kavanaugh was a child when this allegation happened. They were both teens in high school. Had this been tried in court then, he would have gotten off and the records would be sealed because of his age. I am a liberal female, but I suspect this is a witch hunt by the Democrats.
— “SunnyDay,” California— “SunnyDay,” California
More important than what Judge Kavanaugh actually did as a teenager is whether or not he is, as a grown man and a judge, lying about it. His current actions are what would make him unfit for the bench.More important than what Judge Kavanaugh actually did as a teenager is whether or not he is, as a grown man and a judge, lying about it. His current actions are what would make him unfit for the bench.
— Fern— Fern
Some have already defended Judge Kavanaugh by saying that if he did this, he was only a teenager and entitled to a mistake.Some have already defended Judge Kavanaugh by saying that if he did this, he was only a teenager and entitled to a mistake.
My touchstone is my 20-year-old son. When I ask myself if he would do this, the answer is easy: never in a million years. He’d be disgusted by the thought of it. If Judge Kavanaugh did not have an operative moral compass by the age of 17, he doesn’t have one now.My touchstone is my 20-year-old son. When I ask myself if he would do this, the answer is easy: never in a million years. He’d be disgusted by the thought of it. If Judge Kavanaugh did not have an operative moral compass by the age of 17, he doesn’t have one now.
— Scot Stelter, Seattle— Scot Stelter, Seattle
I was assaulted by a drunken teenage boy in college. Like Dr. Blasey, I managed to escape just before penetration.I was assaulted by a drunken teenage boy in college. Like Dr. Blasey, I managed to escape just before penetration.
This young man graduated from an Ivy League college and eventually became a respected lawyer and mediation specialist in the Washington area. He has an adult daughter.This young man graduated from an Ivy League college and eventually became a respected lawyer and mediation specialist in the Washington area. He has an adult daughter.
I can’t say that I feel my experience with him disqualifies him from public office. But if there were some way to sit down with him and discuss how much his behavior negatively affected me for years, I would like to. I just want to tell him what he did to me and watch him listen and reflect.I can’t say that I feel my experience with him disqualifies him from public office. But if there were some way to sit down with him and discuss how much his behavior negatively affected me for years, I would like to. I just want to tell him what he did to me and watch him listen and reflect.
— Julie Zuckman, Northampton, Mass.— Julie Zuckman, Northampton, Mass.
This is tough, but I don’t think the allegation passes muster. It was much, much too long ago. Any witnesses won’t remember. There can be no corroborating evidence and no alibi. Nothing tangible to weigh.This is tough, but I don’t think the allegation passes muster. It was much, much too long ago. Any witnesses won’t remember. There can be no corroborating evidence and no alibi. Nothing tangible to weigh.
It is really an unfair circumstance to put anyone in, even if the allegation is true.It is really an unfair circumstance to put anyone in, even if the allegation is true.
Justice and due process could only have been served if she made the allegation decades ago, in which case, maybe he would have been convicted of something and “paid his debt to society” so to speak. Instead, we have this wild card being played exactly at the moment of his potentially greatest life achievement, with all the political stakes. What extraordinarily questionable timing.Justice and due process could only have been served if she made the allegation decades ago, in which case, maybe he would have been convicted of something and “paid his debt to society” so to speak. Instead, we have this wild card being played exactly at the moment of his potentially greatest life achievement, with all the political stakes. What extraordinarily questionable timing.
— “Mmm,” New York— “Mmm,” New York
What Dr. Blasey describes is close to what happened to me several decades ago when I was 15. I acted exactly as she did — I didn’t tell my parents, moved on and only later talked about it with my fiancé and a therapist. Had my attacker (a “nice boy” in the neighborhood) later been nominated for the Supreme Court, I can easily see the quandary that Dr. Blasey found herself in. With the Anita Hill travesty as a backdrop, a self-described sexual predator in the White House, a sea of old, privileged men in the Senate and media at the ready to smear and bully, why take on this abuse? That Dr. Blasey decided to come forward is an act of patriotism and courage.What Dr. Blasey describes is close to what happened to me several decades ago when I was 15. I acted exactly as she did — I didn’t tell my parents, moved on and only later talked about it with my fiancé and a therapist. Had my attacker (a “nice boy” in the neighborhood) later been nominated for the Supreme Court, I can easily see the quandary that Dr. Blasey found herself in. With the Anita Hill travesty as a backdrop, a self-described sexual predator in the White House, a sea of old, privileged men in the Senate and media at the ready to smear and bully, why take on this abuse? That Dr. Blasey decided to come forward is an act of patriotism and courage.
— Julie Bannerman, San Francisco— Julie Bannerman, San Francisco
Have we learned nothing from watching Anita Hill testify almost three decades ago? I remember watching in horror and I also remember that almost no one I knew in liberal, progressive Shaker Heights, Ohio, believed her!Have we learned nothing from watching Anita Hill testify almost three decades ago? I remember watching in horror and I also remember that almost no one I knew in liberal, progressive Shaker Heights, Ohio, believed her!
Please tell me that we will not repeat history. My heart still aches for Anita Hill when I think of the injustice done to her, our country and women around the world. Women have been sidelined way too long and it has to stop. A Supreme Court appointment — a lifetime opportunity to shape American women’s destiny for many decades — should not be carried out in a rash rush, but must be made in a thorough and deliberate fashion to guarantee life, liberty and happiness for all. Not just for white men.Please tell me that we will not repeat history. My heart still aches for Anita Hill when I think of the injustice done to her, our country and women around the world. Women have been sidelined way too long and it has to stop. A Supreme Court appointment — a lifetime opportunity to shape American women’s destiny for many decades — should not be carried out in a rash rush, but must be made in a thorough and deliberate fashion to guarantee life, liberty and happiness for all. Not just for white men.
— Ursula Weeks, Shaker Heights, Ohio— Ursula Weeks, Shaker Heights, Ohio
These allegations should not be given further hearing, because there is no possible good — and substantial harm — that could come out of such hearings.These allegations should not be given further hearing, because there is no possible good — and substantial harm — that could come out of such hearings.
Comparisons with Justice Clarence Thomas’s confirmation process are inappropriate. Ms. Hill’s accusations in 1991 were about multiple alleged episodes that occurred less than 10 years earlier between adults. The current situation concerns a single alleged episode that occurred almost 40 years ago, involving three teenagers, all of whom had been drinking. The truth is unknowable today, and holding a hearing cannot possibly shed any light. Rather, it will provide a forum for the worst sort of toxic politics.Comparisons with Justice Clarence Thomas’s confirmation process are inappropriate. Ms. Hill’s accusations in 1991 were about multiple alleged episodes that occurred less than 10 years earlier between adults. The current situation concerns a single alleged episode that occurred almost 40 years ago, involving three teenagers, all of whom had been drinking. The truth is unknowable today, and holding a hearing cannot possibly shed any light. Rather, it will provide a forum for the worst sort of toxic politics.
Dr. Blasey is likely not lying, but even she cannot truly know what happened 40 years ago.Dr. Blasey is likely not lying, but even she cannot truly know what happened 40 years ago.
— Alex, Indiana— Alex, Indiana
I am not a fan of Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination, but what happened to due process? This man has been convicted in the court of public opinion.I am not a fan of Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination, but what happened to due process? This man has been convicted in the court of public opinion.
As a 50-something woman, I know that memories of youthful experiences — particularly early sexual experiences — can morph over time in our minds. I am not saying that this did happen in this case, but nobody can knowingly claim it did not (other than the other man there). Perhaps this is why there is a statute of limitations on most crimes? Kavanaugh has been a public figure for a long time, and one has to wonder, why now?As a 50-something woman, I know that memories of youthful experiences — particularly early sexual experiences — can morph over time in our minds. I am not saying that this did happen in this case, but nobody can knowingly claim it did not (other than the other man there). Perhaps this is why there is a statute of limitations on most crimes? Kavanaugh has been a public figure for a long time, and one has to wonder, why now?
Shouldn’t we all take a deep breath and think about how we would want our sons — and future nominees for public office and appointments with whom we agree — treated?Shouldn’t we all take a deep breath and think about how we would want our sons — and future nominees for public office and appointments with whom we agree — treated?
— “Frisbee”— “Frisbee”
Who has not done something that they are not proud of? It should not be a death sentence for our aspirations to help others.Who has not done something that they are not proud of? It should not be a death sentence for our aspirations to help others.
Who has not been accused of doing something that they have not done, but could not prove it was a lie?Who has not been accused of doing something that they have not done, but could not prove it was a lie?
The way we vet people for public office today would eliminate most, if not all, good-intentioned and qualified candidates.The way we vet people for public office today would eliminate most, if not all, good-intentioned and qualified candidates.
— APD, New York— APD, New York
I don’t know how one can accuse someone of something that attempted to happen 30 years ago with no evidence. I’m very tired of the #MeToo accusations that indict without evidence. I’m a woman and have seen this go both ways. Kids use very bad judgment at times. I’m sorry, but this does not convince me that this man isn’t a good choice for the Supreme Court.I don’t know how one can accuse someone of something that attempted to happen 30 years ago with no evidence. I’m very tired of the #MeToo accusations that indict without evidence. I’m a woman and have seen this go both ways. Kids use very bad judgment at times. I’m sorry, but this does not convince me that this man isn’t a good choice for the Supreme Court.
— Ma, Atlanta— Ma, Atlanta
Senator Dianne Feinstein did what she had to do in protecting the anonymity of the victim until she was willing to testify. Compared to what Senator Mitch McConnell did in stealing a Supreme Court seat from President Obama for a year, it’s nothing.Senator Dianne Feinstein did what she had to do in protecting the anonymity of the victim until she was willing to testify. Compared to what Senator Mitch McConnell did in stealing a Supreme Court seat from President Obama for a year, it’s nothing.
— Tim Lubina, Emeryville, Calif.— Tim Lubina, Emeryville, Calif.
#MeToo is the new McCarthyism. You can now simply accuse someone you don’t like of sexual assault and watch his or her life be destroyed. To defend anyone accused of assault means that you are now suspect, too, and you will soon be defending yourself against an accusation.#MeToo is the new McCarthyism. You can now simply accuse someone you don’t like of sexual assault and watch his or her life be destroyed. To defend anyone accused of assault means that you are now suspect, too, and you will soon be defending yourself against an accusation.
The cynical handling of the accusation against Judge Kavanaugh (holding it until the last minute) is completely indefensible and has laid it out there that Democrats now consider sexual assault accusations to be a political tool, like negative ads. Ultimately, this hurts millions of people who have legitimate claims, all to slightly slow down the appointment of one Supreme Court justice they don’t like.The cynical handling of the accusation against Judge Kavanaugh (holding it until the last minute) is completely indefensible and has laid it out there that Democrats now consider sexual assault accusations to be a political tool, like negative ads. Ultimately, this hurts millions of people who have legitimate claims, all to slightly slow down the appointment of one Supreme Court justice they don’t like.
— Troy, California— Troy, California
Marie Tae McDermott contributed research.Marie Tae McDermott contributed research.
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