A Tragedy… She says…He says

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing of Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford on misconduct and the Supreme Court Appointment  (Getty photos)

Are you ready to regurgitate yet?  (a fancy word for “throw up”)  If you watched any of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings with Dr. Ford and Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh, you may have felt a little queasy….and in the end decide that it all comes down to  “He said, she said…or She said, he said.”    Nothing was gained except to know there will never be real proof to who is telling the straight facts of an alleged crime over 30 years ago.

One thing is for certain, both lives will never recover from the scandal…nor will their families’.   Death threats on both side…horrendous stress and the need for security in a safe place has taken over their lives. It is definitely a tragedy.

So what makes most people sick while watching this parade of senators asking questions after hearing the statements of both Kavanaugh and Ford?   It is the way that the politicians lined up on both sides to do the most damage possible.  Yes, it was obvious that most were not truly seeking the truth, but showing to those back home just who they were lining up for or against.  Why?  Many senators have elections coming up and the people back home are going to hold them accountable.

It is no wonder most people can’t stand politicians. How refreshing it would be to not know before someone speaks…or asks questions…which side of the aisle (Democrat or Republican) they represent.  The lines of division are clear and vivid even to the casual observer.

After all was said and done, it still was the “He says…she says” drama.  People on the committee and at home were then to sit in judgment to something no one can prove at this late date. We have definitely sunk to a new low, with graphic details being spoken in the committee chamber and over every news media.   Whatever happened to the burden of proof being placed on the accuser to prove?  Whatever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?

It is not the first time in American history that the reputations of those seeking office have been hung out to dry.  Privacy and common decency are definitely out the window.  Perhaps two of the saddest things brought out in the hearings was that the Kavanaugh’s daughter had to have an explanation about what was going on with her father. She wanted to pray for Dr. Ford, which he called “Quite mature for a 10-year-old.” The look on his wife’s face was one of great sadness.

I am a great believer that women who are abused or experience traumatic assault need to have every opportunity to bring the perpetrator to justice.  Dr. Ford has had to hire security and move to a safe location!  No woman should have to have this kind of abuse because they say they are following their conscience to speak out about what they consider a terrible crime against themselves.  Dr. Ford will be a face to remember for those who have suffered sexual assault…and we know there are many.   Reputations are permanently out the window for both of these people who have spent years building careers. There are NO WINNERS here regardless of what happens in the Senate vote.

Here are a few “moments in history” to ponder:

• John C Fremont was a presidential candidate in 1856. He was a target because he was Catholic and there were those who were suspicious of Catholics. ( My, how far we have come!)
• Ralph Nader, in 1966, was smeared because he campaigned for car safety. General Motors went after him to find damaging or embarrassing incidents. His phone was tapped and prostitutes were hired to trap him.  Nader went to court and used the proceeds from the lawsuit to start the pro-consumer Center for Study of Responsive Law.  (Maybe something good can come out of the despicable.)
• In 1988, Gary Hart ran for president. After an embarrassing extramarital affair, Hart withdrew from the race in May 1987. In the meantime, the New York Post wrote in BIG, BOLD letters, “Gary, I’m no womanizer.” (from Wikipedia)

(This may be a lesson to all men and women that their lives will come back to haunt them…especially when they are parading it openly on FaceBook and other media.)

The attempt to discredit is not only personal, but companies and countries are at fault also.  In 2011, China launched a smear campaign against Apple. The campaign failed.  I’m sure that we could find many more examples.

Much was said in the Kavanaugh/Ford hearings about the abuse of alcohol…and how it may have contributed to the alleged assault Dr. Ford described. We know that young people start drinking early and the college-aged youth seem to think there is no fun without liquor being a part of the equation.