By Jill Richardson
This past week, my private reality and the public reality playing out on the television have diverged. It’s hard to believe that I live in the same world as Senator Chuck Grassley, the Senate judiciary chair trying to get Brett Kavanaugh onto the Supreme Court.
When Christine Blasey Ford first alleged Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her — and when talking heads on TV began doubting her veracity, or insisting that the assault was not a big deal — a different conversation began.
It’s a private conversation, one-on-one, mostly. A few of us posted about sexual assault in general or about our own past assaults on our Facebook pages. Then the private messages began.
In some cases I knew my friends had been assaulted. Sometimes I knew because we were friends when it happened, and they’d told me at the time. In other cases, the rapes or assaults occurred long before we met, up to four decades ago.
In other cases, I found out this week.
Often, I don’t know the details of what happened to my friends. The details are painful to talk about. They’re painful to hear.
I know: I re-lived each of my past assaults in the last week. Four of them.
To those who think something that happened decades ago can’t be that big of a deal, you’re wrong. When you’re sexually assaulted, you can suffer long-term consequences, stored in your body. My body learned early on that sex is dangerous, and it keeps me safe with pain.
Since my first sexual experiences were assaults, I’ve never once had a sexual experience that wasn’t painful. I’m afraid of sex. I don’t desire it. Why would I? It just hurts.
I’m in therapy now, trying to recover from what happened in a college dorm room 18 years ago. I’ve spent the entire past week with a migraine because of the nonstop talk about sexual assaults and the government’s unwillingness to take sexual assault allegations seriously.
Hearing people on TV say that an assault in one’s teens isn’t a big deal, or that the woman cannot be believed, and so on, feels personal. It feels like they’re shouting at me, that I can’t be believed either.
In all of my private conversations with other survivors, there’s a common understanding. We all know that if we spoke out publicly about our past assaults, most of us wouldn’t be believed either. So often there are no witnesses. One shower and one load of laundry destroys the evidence.
It’s hard to admit to oneself that one was powerless. Weak. A victim. I like to see myself as strong, independent, and decisive. If someone tried to do something to me that I didn’t want, I would resist. And yet, I didn’t.
Instead of accepting a narrative of myself as weak, I dealt with what happened by attempting to forget it. I mostly did forget it — but my body remembered.
On TV, politicians say that it’s unreasonable to hold a man accountable for an assault he committed decades ago. Why on earth not? His victim is almost certainly still suffering from it.
I wish the politicians could hear what I’ve heard in all of the private, one-on-one conversations of the past week. But speaking out makes one vulnerable. That’s why most of these conversations remain private.
Shouting at women to silence them might get your man onto the Supreme Court. It worked for Clarence Thomas, and it can work for Brett Kavanaugh. But it doesn’t change reality, or make you right.
Jill Richardson is the author of “Recipe for America: Why Our Food System Is Broken and What We Can Do to Fix It.”
palmcoaster says
Kavanaugh I believe is fried anyway. If he is confirmed or not tomorrow I think these women will take him to court in Maryland as there is not statute of limitation in that district for sexual crimes.
I was touching to see him so emotional taking a toll in his innocent daughters also. He is emotional probably to the fact that he knows he did stupid things at 17…and now come to hunt him. I didn’t like at all his defense of POTUS and open attack and bogus accusations of the Democrats and the Clintons, that show me that he is an extreme Republican. The same Democrats voted for Trump appointed Gorshup not long ago…the difference is that he didn’t have sexual attack allegations about him.
These incidents will be taken to court I believe and he may end up found guilty and being a justice impeached.
Mark says
You fail to understand what is known as “due process”. Which GOP person screamed at Dr Ford? Which GOP person has said they don’t believe Dr Ford? Why did the dimocrats on the committee not follow procedures and bring this accusation to the entire committee in a confidential setting when they first received the accusation?
Patricia Pape says
In this Country, one is innocent until proven guilty. Unless it would seem, it’s a highly emotionally charged trial by media orchestrated by an organization enmeshed in obstructive tactics. It sells newspapers.
My intention is not to minimize or negate the deep trauma of your experience nor my own at the tender age of 5, but that does not entitle us to bloody someone else, his family and compromise their safety by feeding the frenzy whipped up by a media circus.
If the man is guilty, he should be punished. If he has been falsely accused, let his accuser be punished. The truth is, not a single one of us knows what happened. Our old wounds do not constitute facts in this case, and must not be used as tools to further muddy the waters of this sordid tangle of innuendo and obfuscation.
Concerned voter says
Right on sister. Enough of these men thinking it’s their given right to have sex with us and force themselves on us. I don’t care how long ago it was. I bet every woman has a similar story. Why should we keep quiet? Because you don’t want to look bad. Give me a break. My daughter took a neighbourhood boy to court for touching her inappropriately. Do you know what the judge said to us? It’s just teenagers being teenagers and she must of been confused. Guess what? The judge was a male. Do we really want another one of those type Judges in our court system? I think not! To this day, my daughter has issues that she will have to live with. Please, don’t let him getaway with this.
Mike Cocchiola says
Republican disingenuousness knows no bounds. They defend Kavanaugh by attacking his victim. They hide behind a woman because they are afraid to face Dr. Ford in front of the nation’s women. They will not call witnesses, but accept the unsupported letters from friends of Kavanaugh as “proof” of innocence. There is a sickness among Republicans that causes their brains to reject truth, or ethics or morals. They live in a very closed, very insular bubble where it’s more important to be Republican than to be honest. Party before country!
Their unbridled attacks on women will come to haunt them. They got 42% of the female vote in 2016. They will not see that number again. Women vote at a higher rate than men and they watched this sham of a hearing in horror. There will be a reckoning in November.
Anonymous says
The cruelty of the Democrats and George Soros. This Ford lady is and has been paid by them, she is their puppet. Where is her evidence and witnesses. Pretty sad when your best friend even says she doesn’t remember Kavanaugh being at the party Ford is talking about. Ford feels it is her civic duty to come forward? That’s a joke. She had 36 years to come forward, like when he was running for office, but now that Ford is Anti-Trump (and that’s a fact), and Kavanaugh has a chance at a seat on the Supreme Court, all of a sudden she wants to do herself and other women justice? SMH
RL70 says
So you were assaulted 18 years ago in a dorm room,
That means Kavanaugh is guilty.
Perfect left wing logic…
Stephen Smith says
After watching the testimony in the Senate today I have never been so disgusted in my life at the sham perpetrated on the American people. This was not in any way yo investigate the claims by Dr. Ford. The Republicans on the committee used a prosecutor to question Dr. Ford. But only praised and apologized to judge Kavinaugh. They allowed him to not answer questions or try to ask any of their own
It appears that this was just a circus to appease the public and that they had no intention to do anything except approve Judge Kavinaugh regardless.
This issue needs a full investigation to determine the truth. Something many of these senators seem to feel is unnecessary.
mausborn says
Kavanaugh came off like a entitled big mouth and bully — similar to Traitor Trump. I have no doubts that he is every bit a liar and accomplished sexual predator. I have a feeling that more folks will be coming out of the woodwork and that he will be charged criminally.
I don’t think I’d want someone for a judge in the highest court of the land who was so petulant, self-obsessed, outraged, unreasonable, rude and demanding. I didn’t see any judicial wisdom or restraint in his revolting performance. Maybe he was being honest, but that doesn’t mean he was telling the truth.
Lazaruis says
The definition of rape , assault , and misconduct have all become blurred in definition and become an offence that you want solved by everyone quiting their jobs and professions .
The standards that you liberals want to hold men responsible to now was 30 yrs ago called mutually experimenting with both permissions a normal practice . Now you want 30 years later to change the definitions and hold everyone accountable for the worst scenario.
Looking through todays goggles they maybe an offence but in hind sight such a large number of people participated willingly to this type of ” assault ” and if they all resigned their jobs we would have an employment crisis of national proportions .
I understand how you feel now but just as we have changed our idealism on blacks and LGBT, and pot , we have changed our views and standards on sexual conduct for men and women and can’t be held accountable now for attitudes that decades ago were the norm .
I am glad we live in a more civilised society but I am not holding people accountable for past attitudes.
What happened to you those many years ago are now clearly not acceptable . And yes -rape is rape and should be accounted for . But 2 teenagers drunk and attempting unsuccessfully trying to remove their clothes is hardly to be considered rape or
Even assault under those circumstances decades ago , If they even happened . I think that this episode has been blown way out of proportion and should be looked at fairly .
I dont think these actions if they really took place would make this man a criminal and to lose his reputation he has worked many years to establish , a proper response .
Iva Hadit says
Very compelling article. Well said.
Agkistrodon says
Yet you cheer for Bill Clinton, and his enabling spouse.
Jake says
This entire process has been a sham. Democrats should be ashamed of their representation, and should be ashamed of voting for them. Not one shred of evidence has been produced. This is nothing more than the sick and depraved Democratic Party fighting against an elected and sitting President. If this behavior had been on display during the Obama debacle, it would have been considered racist. You people, and you know who you are, should all take a long look in the mirror at what you have become. Your hatred is creating a society, and a future generation of your children, that will not survive, and you have become incapable of moral, or ethical behavior towards your fellow citizens.
Florida voter says
What a lot of people on both sides don’t seem to realize is that this is NOT a trial. This is a JOB INTERVIEW. If you were seeking a babysitter and someone accused an applicant of this, would you keep with that person or would you move on to the next highly qualified individual?
Again: at this point, this is a JOB INTERVIEW
Florida voter says
@ all women (and even some men):
You are not alone. A 2010 CDC report found that roughly 1 in 2 women will be victims of sexual assault at some point, and 1 in 5 have been / will be raped in their lifetime.
1 in 2. Gather 20 women in a room and it’s likely that 8-12* of them have been sexually assaulted. *(binomial distribution k=20 p=.5, Q1 to Q3)
rjs508 says
Not all accusers are telling the truth. There are many possible reasons for that, some nefarious and others because of mental issues. To simply deem someone guilty because of the nature of the accusation is outrageous.
Therapists can instill a false memory in people by the way they ‘help’ their patients. They encourage the patient blame someone else for their troubles to help them feel better. I saw Dr. Ford react strongly to the praise and confirmation of her being a victim by the Democrat Senators. I saw her hide her face when she described the events of 35 years ago. I don’t buy her story.
Jim O says
Lindsey Graham said it all yesterday. period.
For Real says
If only John McCain could speak today he would be so embarrassed by his party for not asking for an FBI investigation into the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh and for a guy that is a Judge he should also want the FBI involved which tells me he knows he is lying as does the Republicans they don’t want the truth to come out.
Donald Trump is enjoying this Reality TV Show that played out yesterday, he enjoys the mess he has created since cheating at being elected.
Yesterday the Republicans showed all women in our country they don’t care if we are violated. All they care about is what they want in their party. Every women in this country needs to stand up for our rights whether we have been assaulted or not.
How would Trump, Graham or Kavanaugh feel if their daughters were assaulted and not believed? Lindsey Graham is a disgrace to all women yesterday how out of control he acted just because he wants his party on top. He took lessons from Trump and John McCain is rolling over in his grave on Grahams behavior yesterday.
Please women go out an vote in November an let our voices be heard.
Kevin says
But Brett is entitled to this seat on the Supreme Court, after all he “worked his butt off” and he went to church every Sunday (after regaining consciousness from the night before). He showed his true temperment and demeanor yesterday, not in his opening statment but in how he acted in responding to Senator’s questions. He was petulent, rude, dismissive and belligerant probably a lot like how he acts when he drinks. If this were what he and Graham said this was, a democrat conspiracy, why didn’t it happen to Gorsuch? No accusations against him. Brett has a history of binge drinking. He admits to “liking” beer but yet he has never had so much to drink that he has blacked out or passed out yet there are former roomates and classmates who say otherwise.
Pogo says
@40 days until Judgement Day
brett kavanaugh testifies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60_bX2V4HZg
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
– Galatians 6:7-9 King James Version
JimBob says
The basic truth is that Republicans would confirm Charles Manson to the Supreme Court if he promised to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Agkistrodon says
@POGO Judge “Don NOT judge, or YOU too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1-5
capt says
NO media writer, no columnist, no pathetic TV host, no lawyer knows what happened that night 3 decades ago. Only god really knows what happened that night and one of them will pay the price down the road.
Stephen Smith says
Obviously the Democrats have a time machine used to go back 6 years to plant records in Dr. Ford’s therapist records where she told her story.
Yup. Another conspiracy by them. You don’t know what your talking about anonymous. That’s why you hide your identity.
Tom Davies says
I hope they prosecute all the false accusers, along with the people that threaten his family with death threats, that must be a felony as well
combat vet says
Another left wing liberal conspiracy to delay and obstruct while thinking they will be in control soon and begin their favorite lament, IMPEACH!. WRONG! These evil democrats will lose. All who agree need to get out and vote these demons out.
TPG - Voice of Truth says
Hey, combat…I’m a demon? Love it. Does that come with any superpowers? If it does, watch out judiciary committee, I’m going to rewind and bring Mark Judge to talk to you.
Percy's mother says
Biden in 1991:
“The FBI ‘Do Not Reach Conclusions’ When Investigating Sexual Misconduct
“The reason why we cannot rely on the FBI report [is] you would not like it if we did because it is inconclusive. They say, ‘He said, she said, and they said. Period.”
Jake says
Once again, you believers are using a broad brush to paint that all men are evil, and a woman would never lie. Show me the evidence, you can’t, there isn’t any. You can only produce comments by an obviously unstable woman used by the very people she went too for protection. You railroaded this woman for your personal gain and to destroy one of the brightest minds in this country. I have yet to meet anyone, in person, who actually believes these allegations. The fact that some of you actually believe this nonsense, goes to your character.
Recovering Liberal says
I lost all respect for the Democrat party. They had ample opportunity to investigate this but chose to wait until the last moment. There was a reason, strategy behind us. They’re trying to delay the Cavanaugh appointment until after the election in hopes they will win enough seats to stop. Judge Cavanagh, his family, Miss Ford, The American body politic, are all Collateral damage. Lindsey Graham nailed it.
snapperhead says
Lindsay Graham was just auditioning for Attorney General when Trump fires Sessions, that’s all that was. His anger, demeanor and emotional instability showed him unfit to serve on the SCOTUS. Kavanaugh showed himself to be the spoiled entitled frat boy. If I were falsely accused, like he claims, I would welcome and demand an FBI investigation to clear my name and reputation. He’s was clearly unwilling to go there. Ask yourself why. It’s kind of funny and hypocritical to hear the GOP cry over this nomination after what they did to Merrick Garland….yup…pay back’s a bitch.
mark101 says
Heck I’ve lost all respect for both parties
We need term limits to get these old life time Congressional members in a rest home where they belong. 12 years and you are out.
Fredrick says
I pray this political charade comes back to bite the liberals in the ass and pray that Women everywhere see how the liberals turning a just cause, into a delay and resist tactic has hurt their cause. Liberals are still so damn butt hurt because nothing they did could stop Trump from winning. How bad is your party when you can not win against Trump. Liberals have no message, they have nothing but this type of BS.
Sherry says
Anonymous. . . please have the courage and decency to identify yourself so that we can respond directly. Also, please cite the “credible” sources for your hurtful and ridiculous claims.
Jill Richardson has written a very brave and personal article about her terrible experiences, and she has even included her full name and photograph. The very least you can do is be respectful enough to identify yourself to some extant and substantiate your “it’s a fact” type claims.
Here are some actual FACTS though:
1. This Kavanaugh hearing (debacle) is a “job interview” NOT a criminal trial. He is not “entitled” to be a justice on the Supreme Court simply because he was nominated. He is not “innocent until proven guilty”.
2, It is the President who has the authority to order the FBI to investigate the allegations. The Senators do not have that authority.
3. The Senate does not employ professional investigators. . . therefore the Democratic Senators could not have completed the investigation as implied by “Recovering Liberal”.
4. Although the Democratic Senators requested an FBI investigation of the allegations on September 17th, . . trump refused to order the FBI to do that until (under enormous public pressure) he did so this afternoon.
5. Christine Ford also requested a full FBI investigation over a week ago. He request fell on the deaf ears of the Republican majority.
6. Christine Ford has undergone an extensive lie detector test, that proves her allegation is correct. Kavanaugh has not.
7. When Senators requested Kavanaugh call for an FBI investigation to clear his name, he refused.
8. When Senators asked Kavanaugh about whether he would take a lie detector test, he said they are not reliable. . . although he indicated they were useful tools in his own court.
Believing complete “conspiracy theories” and “doubling down” by belligerently yelling lies or misleading statements is the trump play book. Apparently Lindsey Graham and Kavanaugh are learning it well. Shouting a lie over and over does not turn it into truth.
Hopefully, the FBI will be very thorough in their FACT finding, and that the “complete” TRUTH will come out.
Looking forward to the next two elections! VOTE BLUE! .
Percy's mother says
Dear “For Real”
I’m a woman.
I’m voting straight Republican in November.
I don’t believe (Dr) Ford.
I don’t feel violated by the Republican party. Sorry you do. I think the Democratic party has become the party of destruction at any cost.
I’m sorry that a man’s life (and family) can be destroyed by ALLEGATION these days. All men are at risk now.
You will find that most women feel the same as I. Please do not group all women in your way of thinking.
gmath55 says
We know what Hillary Clinton would say, “What difference at this point does it make”.
gmath55 says
Why is Senator Cory Booker aka Spartacus on this committee? He has NO room to talk.
One instance of underage sexual misconduct in 1984 did go reported, however — by Booker himself. In a column in the student-run Stanford Daily newspaper in 1992, Booker admitted to taking advantage of an intoxicated classmate.
Columnist Paul Mulshine suggested Thursday that Booker’s old columns seem a tad hypocritical given Booker’s grandstanding over Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court.
And, what does Cory Booker say, ” The sort of behavior Booker recounted was common in the 1980s and early 1990s.
https://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2018/09/cory_bookers_lost_youth_it_looks_like_spartacus_ha.html
BeTheChange says
And today l witnessed an event that, sadly, l was convinced l would never see in my life; an act of bipartisanship, steeped not in political strategy, but in trust and friendship. My deepest wish is that l can remain committed to lifelong learning by not only listening, but hearing all people whom l hold in high regard regardless of their political views. When did each one of us rise to expert level on any and every issue we feel strongly about? When did we make the decision that we can learn more by speaking than by listening? We choose to only listen to people who and media outlets which align with our own. Is it any surprise that we get ourselves whipped into such a frenzy? it feels awesome to be so enlightened;to be so smart! And we have the gall to show how much further enlightened we are by pointing out how broken and dysfunctional our electorate is. But l ask each of us: How can we expect it of them and not of ourselves? Just a naive thought from the middle…l witnessed the power of friendship and mutual respect from our electorate today and it gave me hope because so much of our beauty and strength as a nation is indeed rooted in our unity.
Willy Boy says
“This was what terrified me the most, and has had the most lasting impact on my life. It was hard
for me to breathe, and I thought that Brett was accidentally going to kill me.” – Prof. Ford’s written opening statement (page 3 paragraph 1)
Later, when asked by the Democratic Senator’s what had the most lasting effect – it became “the laughter”.
This was repeated in the “hippocampus” quote.
She was offered the opportunity to testify in a closed session, but elected Center Stage.
Bill says
This was NOT a trial or a job interview. this was a POLITICAL circus. Dis soothing happen to Ford some 35 years ago Maybe. Was it kavenaugh? If and thats a BIG IF the Ds really wanted to have a impartial investigation on this accusation they would have asked and gotten it when they first received her letter. They did not why?? Well IMO two reasons first they knew such a accusation from so long age even if true would be near impossibly to PROVE. Second and again IMO vastly more important to the Ds was this could be used POLITICALLY at the 11th hour. Turn our system upside down and say HE must prove his INNOCENCE again something they knew would be near impossible to do.
Clear Eyes Sees All says
Jill Richardson, you need to come up with a better argument for convicting Kavanaugh in your last paragraph than the experiences of you and your friends. Some people are ignorant enough to assume Kavanaugh’s guilt based on experiences unrelated to him, but not the vast majority. Most understand that in America we presume someone’s innocence until guilt is proven, even if the accused is a male. Otherwise, many people’s lives will be destroyed without merit.
I’m going to turn this around a bit with similar biased and emotional reasoning. I’ve been around liberals all my life and I’ve had bad experiences with them. Based on your article, I think you’re one of those liberals and you’re not convinced of Kavanaugh’s guilt at all, that you have a very different motive. That your article is a bunch of lies and all you really care about is saving the liberal sacred cow of planned parenthood/abortion which may be jeopardized if Kavanaugh is confirmed. Since you’re nothing but a lying liberal without any integrity, people should ignore your work from now on and your career as an author should go down in flames.
Now let me ask you a question. If many came to that emotional judgment about you without any evidence beyond what I reasoned, and without knowing anything about you beyond what you wrote in this short article, how would that make you feel?
TPG - Voice of Truth says
I now understand how the sickness of misogyny persists in America. Half the letters here come under the title of “Blame the Victim”. And there’s a little of “Boys Will Be Boys”. They dismiss Dr. Ford’s testimony but accept Kavanaugh’s all without proof either way. Hopefully, the F.B.I.’s investigation will permit an informed final decision. But, I fear Republican intransigence. All but one Senator have made their mind up. And it sounds like no matter the evidence, Flagler Republicans on this site simply don’t care. They will back Kavanaugh, guilty or not.
Pogo says
@kavanaugh’s raging melt down, alone, should disqualify him
now – add his many lies:
https://www.google.com/search?1&ei=h6WvW8HXEM26ggfclpTIAQ&q=brett+kavanaugh+lied+to+senate&oq=kavanhaugh+lies&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i13i5i10i30.17900.20538..29981…0.0..0.132.1043.0j9……0….1..gws-wiz…….33i10.TfpI90Xyb_Q
Vote for Democrats – and vote in an informed manner on Amendments:
https://www.lwvfl.org/amendments/
Vote Blue as if your life depends upon it – it does.
Frank Zedar says
Sexual assault is an insidious scourge. How can that fact be argued?
Another scourge? The “new normal” in America, where an allegation carries
as much, or more, weight than a court conviction.Like the Internet, if it’s on there,
it has to be true.
Right?
Richard says
I am a man and what I will say is that women who think they can bring down a man by making any kind of an accusation had better watch her back. Men will not stand by and put up with that BS. What makes YOU any better than men? You wanted equal rights years ago, well in my book you are going to get them. Be careful what you ask for as it just may bite you in the ass! All this BS and #MeToo crap, well if you keep it up you just may find yourself in the middle of a men’s revolt and it won’t look pretty. Kavanaugh has every right to fight back against his accuser who hasn’t provide even ONE shred of evidence to substantiate her accusation. She can’t even remember anything except that Kavanaugh is 100% guilty. Give me a F’ing break!
Stanley Tucker says
This story is a sad commentary of the times we live in. Lets just settle down and look at the issues objectively.
Worse case is that Dr Fords allegation was true. A 17 year old juvenile, in a drunken state, ground his pelvis into, felt up, rubbed on, and unsuccessfully tried to get her clothes off in an unwanted sexual advance. His efforts were vigorously rebuffed by Dr Ford who verbally and physically opposed his efforts. Another male who was there then jumped on them both thereby knocking off Kavanaugh and freeing Dr. Ford who then fled the home. No penetration was alleged to have occurred. So it would at most have been an alleged attempted sexual battery. Given the age of both parties, the admitted consumption of alcohol, and lack of prior criminal offences. The harshest punishment that I can see being levied is probation. Given his 35 years of a clean record and since juvenile records are sealed, it is also pretty much a given that the incident would have been expunged.
To ruin a person’s 35 career over an incident such as this if it did indeed occur is ludicrous. We have had Presidents committing adultery in the Oval office (Kennedy, Clinton, Johnston) who were allowed to continue serving the public. We are also attacking the current President who is alleged to, while an ordinary citizen, have had sex one time 12 years ago with a woman that was not his wife. We are told that she was paid 130,000.00 for that one time to not disclose what occurred. Since every television station has ran a story on this it seems that she has been unduly compensated and should in fairness either return the funds or be charged with prostitution. Holy Jerry Falwell, even Jim Baker and Jimmy Carter have had issues with sins of the flesh. Can we not be forgiven after years of service to our country. I did not think that our country was comprised of those who have never sinned or made a mistake. I believe they all regret their actions.
Concerned Citizen says
If you commit a sexual offense you should be tried and sentenced accordingly. NO means NO regardless. Like wise if you falsely accuse someone of a sexual offense you should be tried and sentenced accordingly also. Accountability goes both ways.
Lastly I fail to see how Mr. Trump has not been brought up on charges yet when he openly admits to this type of behavior. Since when did sitting presidents become immune to prosecution. Hopefully he will see his day in court as well.
Agkistrodon says
She speaks for everyone, or so she thinks, and always has some “facts”. Many “facts” on the internet are not facts. #POGO google “dolphins in lake Michigan” you will find several articles, claiming to be fact that state there are dolphins in Lake Michigan. I assure you regardless of what google says, there are NO dolphins in Lake Michigan… Internet facts..gotta love them.
Fritz says
Jill, you are a perfect example as to why this country is being destroyed. Lets build a couple more thousand prisons and lock up everyone that is accused of a crime. This will eliminate trials, lawyers and judges. We will be living in a communist country.
Sherry says
Those who themselves are guilty of horrific crimes against others often lash out in anger.
Jill Richardson is a brave woman who has written about her very personal account of sexual trauma in order to give her readers some understanding of how such experiences have damaged the lives of millions of women in the USA.
Yet the horrific, sick, Misogynists among us “blame the victims”, such as Jill, again and again. How very disturbing! How very sad! I’m sure Jill would join me in compassion, and encourage those of you with such terrible fear and rage inside to immediately seek the help you so desperately need.
Unfortunately that kind of help cannot be found at the bottom of a bottle. . . or, the emergency room.
Sherry says
This excerpt is from a recent article in The Atlantic:
If truth, rather than power, were the object, we would have to look more carefully at the patchwork of claims about Kavanaugh’s temperance that his classmates contradict. If truth were the object, we would have to speak more plainly about a band of men gathered for the second time in recent history to speed another man past charges of sexual misbehavior into our nation’s highest court. And we would have to stop pretending that one of the main engines of our politics at this moment is not who holds power over women—not merely over women’s rights or bodies, but over the very reality they inhabit.
Sherry says
And, this. . . this morning, from the “Associated Press”:
The person familiar with Ramirez’s questioning, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said she also provided investigators with the names of others who she said could corroborate her account.
In a statement released Sunday, a Yale classmate of Kavanaugh’s said he is “deeply troubled by what has been a blatant mischaracterization by Brett himself of his drinking at Yale.” Charles “Chad” Ludington, who now teaches at North Carolina State University, said he was a friend of Kavanaugh’s at Yale and that Kavanaugh was “a frequent drinker, and a heavy drinker.”
“On many occasions I heard Brett slur his words and saw him staggering from alcohol consumption, not all of which was beer. When Brett got drunk, he was often belligerent and aggressive,” Ludington said. While saying that youthful drinking should not condemn a person for life, Ludington said he was concerned about Kavanaugh’s statements under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Anonymous says
This is what it’s come down to, the FBI is now investigating a 53-year-old man’s drinking habits in college and high school because there’s no other evidence. Everyone who ever drank in their youth should also be under suspicion.
Dave says
STANLEY usually birds of a feather flock together . It’s the only explanation for the disgrace of a comment you wrote. Do you really think getting consensual oral sex is the same as forcably assualting a woman?!
TPG - Voice of Truth says
No Anonymous…the FBI is investigating a 53-year-old man’s sexual assault. BTY, there’s no statute of limitation on sexual assault in Massachusets. Sooo…any evidence dug up by the FBI can be used in a lawsuit. Go Dr. Ford!
palmcoaster says
@ Richard…your post is preposterous and maybe should be investigated as you are threatening in your words : “I am a man and what I will say is that women who think they can bring down a man by making any kind of an accusation had better watch her back”. The sequel of insulting threats not worth to copy…
More than a man you sound like a bully and probably one of those that believe in your small square mind that “women should be in a cage and not in a pedestal”. Justice Ginsburg outstanding quote!
Sherry says
I personally would like to know about Kavanaugh’s “current” drinking habits. . . especially since he grossly mislead the Senate, under oath, about the extent of his ILLEGAL “under age” drinking to begin with.
However, some reports say that trump has constrained the FBI from investigating Kavanaugh’s drinking habits. . . if so, then the whole FBI investigation is just part of a cover up. .
Percy's mother says
Sherry
I agree with you . . . Keith Ellison (D), Corey Booker (D), Bill Clinton (D) et al should be investigated by the FBI and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law
Sherry says
PM. . . Please do NOT claim that most women agree with you. I most certainly do NOT! So, please do NOT pretend to speak for me. In FACT. . . the latest Quinnipiac poll says the majority of women do NOT support the confirmation of Kavanaugh for Supreme Court Justice:
“The gender gaps in support for Kavanaugh mirrored the large and growing gender sorting of the two major parties. Women were opposed 55 percent to 37 percent”
.
Bill Clinton was “Impeached”. . . so he most certainly felt the impact of his sexual impropriety.
I agree that all those who sexually assault anyone. . . Republican AND Democrat. . . . should be brought
to justice. It begins with ALL allegations being taken seriously and investigated by the proper police authority, regardless of how much time has passed.
However, I will point out the obvious. . . the men you mention are NOT being considered in a “job interview” for a life time appointment to the Supreme court.
Agkistrodon says
Simple truth is, if you hear someone say the “majority” they are simply lying, to promote their own agenda. Polls are notoriously wrong anymore, as many people give false answers to questions. Statistics many times are utilized to provide the results that reaffirm the preconceived notions. YOU speak for no one other than YOURSELF. To think you do is Asinine. That is for both Dems and Republicans. People should be able to vote the way THEY want to, NOT the way YOU want them to. And to trash them when they do, shows YOU have a problem with different viewpoints. Perhaps you are not as “accepting” as YOU think you are.
gmath55 says
Looks like the three accusers have holes in their stories, holes in their heads, and lies.
https://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/critics-of-brett-kavanaughs-accuser-claim-there-ar/3540402/
https://nypost.com/2018/09/26/third-kavanaugh-accusers-accusations-riddled-with-holes/
Without more, this is so much soupy bosh. I can’t be the only one who thinks that the more allegations pile up against Brett Kavanaugh, the less credible they all seem.
Agkistrodon – I agree with you. Polls are wrong and not reliable. People who post poll numbers or percentages are speaking for themselves. How soon we forget how the poll numbers turned out for the presidential election. I too saw comments such as “Vote Blue as if your life depends upon it – it does”. How asinine is that comment!