The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between classmates. There are no items, topics, subtopics, etc.

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Message" button to add your entry to the forum.

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

HI Glen, thanks for asking about my artwork. I don't know if you are referring to the Great Falls painting I have at Brookside Gardens right now. They have an ongoing show and I entered the Great Falls painting, called "Crashing Waves," and another of Brookside Gardens....of maybe you meant from the photo on my website...but in any event, I am back to plein air painting and tomorrow we are going to Homestead Farms to paint...we go all around this area and its wonderful to get back to painting. Take care and talk to you soon. Love, Joanie

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

The Great Falls painting isin't new but maybe painted 4 or 5 years ago...Love, Joanie

Jack Mallory

Dr. Blasey Ford is coming across as very credible in the Kavenaugh hearing. 

**********

Ford's testimony just ended. Kavanaugh hasn’t testified yet, but I don't see how her testimony can be anything other than a major obstacle to his confirmation. She's totally convincing. 

Trumpublicans in post-testimony discussion are unable to respond other than to suggest some arcane Democratic conspiracy. Without offering any evidence, of course. 

************

Kavanaugh clearly believes he's been respectful towards women throughout his life. Lots of female friends, law clerks, supporting letters and tweets. 

He reminds me of Loki Pandey, faculty at UCSC when I taught there. He was accused of sexual assault by a female student, but supported by many other female students and charges initially dismissed. Until another student came forward, then another, and another. Became clear he treated most women well, but carefully chose others for harassment and assault.

Clearly, what we need is more information in order to evaluate Kavanaugh's fitness for SCOTUS. Why not a delay for a thorough FBI investigation, as all the women alleging assault request? There was no hurry to vote on Merrick Garland, why hurry when there is this kind of doubt?

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Jack, I, too, found Dr. Ford compelling today. But, I found Judge Kavanaugh compelling as well. After listening carefully to every word, I must say that I believe that each are telling the truth! And that is because when many of us were 17 years old, especially living near DC where drinking was legal, we were discovering our tolerance (or intolerance) for beer. When some of us drank, some of us got drunk, threw up & did things that we wouldn’t have dreamed of doing later in life. What was described is a couple of rowdy boys, drunk as skunks, rolling around a bedroom, having fun on a party night. It is conceivable that not only could what Dr. Ford said be true, but, it’s conceivable that the Judge might not remember anything about the occasion, never meant to harm anyone & might have never had another night like that again. There is no doubt that his life has been exceptional since his young days. Putting politics aside, are we to deny this imperfect, yet exceptionally qualified person a seat or not? I would vote FOR because I believe he has suffered enough, given the incident was totally unintentional & out of character & without evidence!  But I have to respect those who decide to vote AGAINST, as well, for it’s truly a tough call. That is, IF those  who vote against are capable of being apolitical. And that’s a tall order!

Glen, thanks for your note. The answer is no. Just taking a break. What a disappointing end to baseball season. The analytics that seem to be employed by managers these days, are killing the game. Changing outfields to conform to every batter & changing swings to attempt only homeruns, is resulting in rarer singles, doubles, walks & more micromanaging, & the loss of integral aspects of the game. It’s nice to turn to football season & glimmers of guarded optimism that the Skins will have a winning season. At 2-1, it’s a start! 🙏

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

I believe Dr. Ford and she said 100% she is certain it was Kavanaugh and I found her very credible. I found Kavanaugh afraid of an FBI investigation as he couldn't say he would be in favor of it...I thought Linsey Graham's rant was unfortunate as he was acting outraged about Democrats...they didn't make the people come forward who are alleging abuse by Kavanaugh....Its not the same to have a statement by Kavanaugh's friend Judge and not an appearance. He was alleged to be in the room with Kavanaugh and yet, he was not supeonaed to come in to testify. The sham was this hearing that was set up as a he said she said rather then a true investigative hearing. There was no rush for Merrick Garland who never got a hearing. Couldn't they take a week or two more to investigate Dr. Ford and others claims. This could help Kavanaugh if the FBI uncovers what the facts are in his favor or uncovers it in Dr. Fords favor. Love, Joanie

Jack Mallory

Nora, they cannot both be telling the truth. There is a real reality; what's real isn't simply what every person thinks is real. It may be difficult to know what's true, but that doesn't mean that there are two truths. Kavanaugh either did the things he is accused of doing, or he did not.  And to say that the charges are "without evidence" is false. A victim's testimony IS evidence, in any judicial proceeding. And let's not forget Dr. Ford's polygraph test, which you have called for as evidence in other cases of alleged sexual misconduct. 

Let's get to the rest of the evidence as best we can with a non-partisan investigation, so both the Senate and the American people can evaluate a man who may be on the Supreme Court for decades. If we could wait 293 days while Merrick Garland's nomination (a nomination of an "exceptioally qualified person") sat in Mitch McConnel's lap, we can wait a couple of weeks for a thorough FBI investigation of accusations against Kavanaugh. It may still leave us without complete surety, but at least the attempt will have been made. 

I'm not sure why you encourage only those who might vote against confirmation to vote apolitically; shouldn't votes for confirmation also be governed by concern for the national well-being rather than party politics? 

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

I can't dismiss what happened as the tumbling around of two boys drunk as skunks....according to Dr. Ford, this was a sexual assault. She tells of being thrown into a bedroom with the door locked and the music turned up after she screamed for help. She goes on to say Brett was on top of her groping her while he and Judge were laughing at her and when she tried to scream kavanaugh put his hand over her mouth and it was hard to breath and she thoght he might inadvertedly kill her...This is her story. Its not a story that is excuseable. . She felt it was attempted rape. An FBI investigation can give more weight to what really happened to either back up Dr. Ford, or clear Kavanaugh. That is needed to have more clarification. To me, just watching, I believe Dr. Ford. Love, Joanie

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Well, I was hoping my previous post would be clear but I guess not clear enough. I believe he does not remember that night & yes, her testimony was evidence but it is uncorroborated. So, to me, they both believed their positions were true & to me, they are both good people. Lindsay Graham reminded us today that he rose above partisan politics & voted for liberal judges in the past. That’s what I wish we could move towards. Our system works best when (as a rule) people aren’t in lockstep 24/7. That is one reason I registered Independant. Just MHO. 

Was browsing your nature photos, Jack. Nice! 

Robert Hall

Jack Mallory

Your earlier post was perfectly clear, Nora. You said that two completely different statements were both true. How is this possible? You said emphatically that there was no evidence behind Dr. Ford's assertions—“without evidence!”  Now you admit that there is evidence, but claim it's uncorroborated, even though just the evidence that you demand in such cases, a polygraph test, corroborates her testimony. 

Might an FBI investigation into her testimony, and into Judge Kavanaugh's testimony, help convince you, or the Senate, or the American people that Kavanaugh is or is not a suitable justice of SCOTUS? Seems like a good next step. 

If you thought Lindsay Graham rose above the partisan fray, we were watching different hearings. “'What you want to do is destroy this guy’s life, hold this seat open and hope you win in 2020,' he shouted at his Democratic colleagues.”

Glen Hirose

Glad to see you back Nori,

Sports and politics probably do not mix well, but then this is the BCC class of 64' web site. So Thursday Night Football was a Hoot!  Cousins and Goff put the ball in the air so much that the guys in the control room were having fits. I just hope Washington can cope with that kind of fire power. As far as the Nats are concerned I'm hoping they can keep Harper, but he is worth at least 2 starting pitchers (deGrom & Verlander) would be nice. I don't have my hopes up too high, but who knows?

Jack Mallory

Judge Kavanaugh clearly has high regard for American Bar Association.  “ . . . I have the unanimous, well qualified rating from the American Bar Association."

The ABA has just called for the nominating process to be halted, pending an FBI investigation. We should respect Kavanaugh's regard and the ABA's own judgement and call for an FBI investigation before the Senate votes. 

Robert Hall

Jack Mallory

American citizens! Doing what American citizens should do. Speaking truth to power. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/us/politics/jeff-flake-protesters-kavanaugh.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share

Video clip at https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000006133423/flake-kavanaugh-protests.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share

Robert Hall

Jack Mallory

And shortly after the two survivors confronted Flake, he demanded and got an agreement for a week delay and an FBI investigation before the Senate votes! Citizen action WORKS!

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/us/politics/brett-kavanaugh-senate-judiciary.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share

Deborah Pellington (O'Hara)

I knew I shouldn’t look at these posts but now I have to put in my two cents! I am totally willing to excuse Brett Kavenaughs high school behavior but I can’t believe that he doesn’t remember it( unless it happened at so many parties that it doesn’t stand out in his memory) and I felt his protestations were way out of line... the interrupting, the refusal to answer questions, his habit of answering a question with another question, his crying, his shouting, his refusal to ask for an investigation when given the chance, his lack of proof with a polygraph that he wasn’t lying!!!! OMG! He doesn’t belong in the Supreme Court for life!!

Jack Mallory

It's like a bad automobile accident, Debbie. Hard to keep from staring at the carnage.

In the bad old days under Jedgar, the FBI might already have had a file on Kavanaugh, with all the dirt readily available to keep him in line. But Brewski Brett is too white, middle class, and politically conservative to have gotten Hoover's attention back then anyway. 

Proud to have gotten my FBI file for doing something truly worthwhile, rather than being suspected of doing something truly vile. 

***********

This week in Washington has driven me back to spring and summer's memories, through photographs.

Valencia (si, Sra. Jenkins, with a "th" sound for the c), from the Castillo Sagunto.

Awesome, in the most real sense of the word.

And all the way back to my osprey and flying fish, in April.

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

I am so glad that Jeff Flake has a conscience and realized that there are too many unanswered questions. The two women spoke passionately to him in the elevator pleading for him to not go along as that would hurt woman and men too all across the country who believe that alleged sexual assault should be taken seriously. I am so glad there will be a background check now. I believe Dr. Ford from her riviting testimony. This is a moment of bipartisanship that Nori was speaking of as a Republican along with Democrats is calling for this. Love, Joanie

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Interestingly, if I were seated before the world & were innocent of an uncorroborated accusation that threatened me & my family & my hard-earned good name, I would have reacted the exact same way. And, how many of us can remember much of anything about our party days? They are each a blur to me, too similar in every way to parce out. A polygraph is useful in a courtroom but certainly not used much in a job interview. The good man did say he would be open to taking that examination, if requested. 

Right on, Joanie! 👍

Jack Mallory

“A polygraph is useful in a courtroom but certainly not used much in a job interview.”

No. Polygraph results do not test for truth, but for physical responses to the question/answer process. Their results are so subject to interpretation that they are very seldom used or even admissible as evidence in courtrooms. They are sometimes used as part of a hiring process, especially for law enforcement or high level security positions.  

https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/is-a-polygraph-test-admissible-as-evidence-31737

https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/admissability-of-polygraph-tests-in-court.html

Or google “courtroom admissibility of polygraph results.”

It does seem that a SCOTUS nomination is akin to a law enforcement or important security job application, and that a polygraph exam MIGHT be useful. But we could also just end up with polygraph results showing that both Ford and Kavanaugh “pass” the “tests.”

The FBI investigation will, hopefully, give more credence to the vetting process. But it will probably leave many people  with doubts remaining, and having to come to their own conclusions about Kavanaugh's suitability in terms of character and integrity as well as a host of other issues.

Helen Lambie (Goldstein)

My only concern about the FBI being asked to investigate is just how “limited in scope” will their investigation be and can a thorough investigation be completed in a week. Will the FBI fan out with many agents seeking the truth, or will only a few go in search of Judge and the other people named by Dr Ford. I hope I am being unnecessarily paranoid and that the FBI will seek to truly uncover the truth, not just Kavanaugh’s “truth.”

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Believe me, in a mere week, nothing will be enough to uncover what is needed to satisfy those who hope & pray Kav is toast. Oops. There’s that pesky cynicism again 😉

Glen Hirose

Jack,

I like the osprey and the fish shot the best...Hmmm sounds like an Aesop's Fable. There must be a lesson there somewhere.

Jack Mallory

I suppose it's also possible that nothing will be uncovered that will make any difference to those who could give a shit less if a sexual predator sits on the highest court in the country, adjudicating issues critical to the rights of women. My own cynicism, or realism?

**********

More flying fish: