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The Kavanaugh Uproar and Women’s Voices The Kavanaugh Uproar and Women’s Voices
(35 minutes later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
When I was young (I am 72), the kind of behavior that Judge Brett Kavanaugh is accused of was not at all uncommon. If you were attacked, you didn’t tell anyone — not your parents, not your teachers, not your girlfriends, no one. You internalized the experience and moved on with your life.When I was young (I am 72), the kind of behavior that Judge Brett Kavanaugh is accused of was not at all uncommon. If you were attacked, you didn’t tell anyone — not your parents, not your teachers, not your girlfriends, no one. You internalized the experience and moved on with your life.
You believed the old saw that “boys will be boys” and that somehow you bore the full responsibility of what had happened to you.You believed the old saw that “boys will be boys” and that somehow you bore the full responsibility of what had happened to you.
When Donald Trump was elected, for many of us the horror of what had happened when we were young was exposed for the first time in years. The guilt, humiliation and pain that had been safely tucked away never to be thought about consciously since being attacked came flooding back.When Donald Trump was elected, for many of us the horror of what had happened when we were young was exposed for the first time in years. The guilt, humiliation and pain that had been safely tucked away never to be thought about consciously since being attacked came flooding back.
The backlash against Christine Blasey Ford, Judge Kavanaugh’s accuser, is exactly why women have kept silent about their attacks and attackers. It’s time to come out of the shadows and tell our stories with courage and the conviction that by publicly recounting our personal nightmares, we can heal one another and give strength to our younger sisters as they navigate the waters of sexual abuse.The backlash against Christine Blasey Ford, Judge Kavanaugh’s accuser, is exactly why women have kept silent about their attacks and attackers. It’s time to come out of the shadows and tell our stories with courage and the conviction that by publicly recounting our personal nightmares, we can heal one another and give strength to our younger sisters as they navigate the waters of sexual abuse.
Miriam PickettHighland, N.Y.Miriam PickettHighland, N.Y.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I was sexually assaulted as a young woman. Christine Blasey Ford’s account of her experience rings true for me.I was sexually assaulted as a young woman. Christine Blasey Ford’s account of her experience rings true for me.
I never called the police, although I felt certain that I knew who attacked me. I told only one close friend at the time, and it was years before I told anyone else. I couldn’t bring myself to tell my parents. I felt frightened, embarrassed and ashamed; I just wanted to put it behind me.I never called the police, although I felt certain that I knew who attacked me. I told only one close friend at the time, and it was years before I told anyone else. I couldn’t bring myself to tell my parents. I felt frightened, embarrassed and ashamed; I just wanted to put it behind me.
So there is no record of what happened to me. It happened, nonetheless. Dr. Blasey deserves a chance to be heard and believed, no matter when the events took place.So there is no record of what happened to me. It happened, nonetheless. Dr. Blasey deserves a chance to be heard and believed, no matter when the events took place.
Carol Nuetzman WeberOceanside, N.Y.Carol Nuetzman WeberOceanside, N.Y.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Every woman in America over 45 is having a full-blown case of post-traumatic stress disorder this week reliving the Anita Hill hearings, complete with flashbacks to some of the same senators who judged her then.Every woman in America over 45 is having a full-blown case of post-traumatic stress disorder this week reliving the Anita Hill hearings, complete with flashbacks to some of the same senators who judged her then.
Jane AdamsSeattleJane AdamsSeattle
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I was a victim of the East Dallas rapist in 1985. I can still remember vividly every awful detail. I have seen a therapist every two weeks since then. So I have no doubt that Christine Blasey Ford can remember, too.I was a victim of the East Dallas rapist in 1985. I can still remember vividly every awful detail. I have seen a therapist every two weeks since then. So I have no doubt that Christine Blasey Ford can remember, too.
Beth Ellyn RosenthalLas VegasBeth Ellyn RosenthalLas Vegas
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Many years ago as a teenager, I did my share of stupid, immature things, but assaulting a girl was not one of them. Moreover, I would have never accepted or tolerated a friend who did so, even if under the influence.Many years ago as a teenager, I did my share of stupid, immature things, but assaulting a girl was not one of them. Moreover, I would have never accepted or tolerated a friend who did so, even if under the influence.
I believe that assaults on girls or women, whether recently or 36 years ago, are serious character flaws and entirely relevant when considering a nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States.I believe that assaults on girls or women, whether recently or 36 years ago, are serious character flaws and entirely relevant when considering a nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Tom BarnardShaker Heights, OhioTom BarnardShaker Heights, Ohio
To the Editor:To the Editor:
A 17-year-old boy, holding his hand tightly over the mouth of a 15-year-old girl to silence her protests, allegedly tried to rape her. If he had succeeded and she became pregnant, that boy’s 53-year-old self, now a nominee to the Supreme Court, would today possibly vote to prevent his 15-year-old victim from getting an abortion.A 17-year-old boy, holding his hand tightly over the mouth of a 15-year-old girl to silence her protests, allegedly tried to rape her. If he had succeeded and she became pregnant, that boy’s 53-year-old self, now a nominee to the Supreme Court, would today possibly vote to prevent his 15-year-old victim from getting an abortion.
Is this the country that American women must live in? Have we learned nothing? Have our leaders learned nothing?Is this the country that American women must live in? Have we learned nothing? Have our leaders learned nothing?
This man must not be allowed to rule on the bodies of women.This man must not be allowed to rule on the bodies of women.
Victoria HochbergHollywoodVictoria HochbergHollywood
To the Editor:To the Editor:
There is a solution to the stalemate in the Senate about how to proceed given the allegations of Christine Blasey Ford that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in the 1980s.There is a solution to the stalemate in the Senate about how to proceed given the allegations of Christine Blasey Ford that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in the 1980s.
If the Federal Bureau of Investigation won’t reopen the background investigation, the Senate Judiciary Committee should hire two prominent former Supreme Court clerks — one Republican, one Democrat — with experience in criminal investigations to conduct the investigation. There are several lawyers who fit the bill.If the Federal Bureau of Investigation won’t reopen the background investigation, the Senate Judiciary Committee should hire two prominent former Supreme Court clerks — one Republican, one Democrat — with experience in criminal investigations to conduct the investigation. There are several lawyers who fit the bill.
This would ensure a timely, nonpartisan investigation conducted by people who value the integrity of the court. The committee should issue subpoenas where both investigators deem it necessary. Then, the lead investigators should conduct questioning of witnesses in an open hearing of the Judiciary Committee, sparing Dr. Blasey and Judge Kavanaugh from serving as political punching bags.This would ensure a timely, nonpartisan investigation conducted by people who value the integrity of the court. The committee should issue subpoenas where both investigators deem it necessary. Then, the lead investigators should conduct questioning of witnesses in an open hearing of the Judiciary Committee, sparing Dr. Blasey and Judge Kavanaugh from serving as political punching bags.
The court, Judge Kavanaugh, Dr. Blasey and the American people deserve for this matter to be handled in a respectful manner. Simply pitting the sworn testimony of one against the other with no other context invites prejudgment and political prejudice.The court, Judge Kavanaugh, Dr. Blasey and the American people deserve for this matter to be handled in a respectful manner. Simply pitting the sworn testimony of one against the other with no other context invites prejudgment and political prejudice.
Amy Ryan AlexanderWashingtonAmy Ryan AlexanderWashington
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Just Two Teenagers? A Changed Nation Asks if It Matters” (Political Memo, front page, Sept. 19):Re “Just Two Teenagers? A Changed Nation Asks if It Matters” (Political Memo, front page, Sept. 19):
As a mother of two daughters and one granddaughter, I shivered as I read the headline of this article and as I hear so many excusing what may have happened because so many years have lapsed and/or because the incident reportedly involved teenagers who were drinking. As a woman with two daughters and one granddaughter, I shivered as I read the headline of this article and as I hear so many excusing what may have happened because so many years have lapsed and/or because the incident reportedly involved teenagers who were drinking.
What message is this sending to teenagers? Is it O.K. for boys to behave like this because they are young and under the influence of alcohol? Should girls think that their experiences, accusations and traumas will be dismissed?What message is this sending to teenagers? Is it O.K. for boys to behave like this because they are young and under the influence of alcohol? Should girls think that their experiences, accusations and traumas will be dismissed?
This cannot nor should it be brushed aside! The futures of our young are at stake.This cannot nor should it be brushed aside! The futures of our young are at stake.
Phoebe H. TuiteAstoria, QueensPhoebe H. TuiteAstoria, Queens
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Your Political Memo raises an interesting hypothetical scenario: If the Kavanaugh nomination is derailed, and a Democratic majority is voted into the Senate in November, every one of President Trump’s Supreme Court nominations for the next two years could be vetoed. Your Political Memo raises an interesting hypothetical scenario: If the Kavanaugh nomination is derailed, and a Democratic majority is voted into the Senate in November, every one of President Trump’s Supreme Court nominations for the next two years could be rejected.
If that were to happen, we could expect 4-to-4 ties on most of the important issues of our time, leaving the decisions of lower courts in place.If that were to happen, we could expect 4-to-4 ties on most of the important issues of our time, leaving the decisions of lower courts in place.
The Supreme Court would, in effect, be powerless. Might such a stalemate move the court to operate in a less political way, more like the Supreme Courts of the past?The Supreme Court would, in effect, be powerless. Might such a stalemate move the court to operate in a less political way, more like the Supreme Courts of the past?
Ronnie HalperinPort Chester, N.Y.Ronnie HalperinPort Chester, N.Y.