How the US Senate has become a kangaroo campus court

Opinion

Christine Blasey Ford deserves an audition, but for the moment, it is not clear if she really wants one. What she does not deserve is to believe it automatically just because she is laying charges.

When our justice system is at its best, it judges every individual – the accuser and the accused – fairly, on the basis of evidence and with a contradictory process that has proven over the centuries the best way to verify the truth. .

History continues below

Ford's charges are serious in every respect and despite the shameful way they were handled – Senator Dianne Feinstein sat for weeks until the eleventh hour – the Republicans agreed to postpone committee at a public hearing.

The problem is that Ford's accusation does not seem particularly provable – an alleged incident 36 years ago, with little detail to check – and the Democrat media complex is not very interested in proving it. She wants to take the truth of Ford as a given, as a matter of cosmic equity and gender.

"I believe the survivor," says Senator Richard Blumenthal to Christine Blasey Ford, claiming her status without having any idea of ​​its accuracy. The purpose here is to take advantage of the rhetorical and political advantage of her alleged victim before it is established, or even to rely on her alleged victimization to rule out any serious question as to whether or not she is a victim. .

What we're seeing, in fact, is the importance of the infamous kangaroo device to try cases of sexual harassment and assault on university campuses – which often prevents defendants from being protected by due process – in the US Senate.

Without having any independent knowledge of the veracity of Ford's expose of Brett Kavanaugh's alleged attempt to violate her, Blumenthal is still a suspended judge. "This appointment will not only cast a shadow on Judge Kavanaugh, if it ever had to be confirmed," he adds, "it will also irreparably tarnish the US Supreme Court."

Here. The court resisted Roger Taney and Dred Scottbut he will be ruined by Brett Kavanaugh.

If we do not just assume Kavanaugh's guilt, we must be willing to challenge Ford's account and ask questions about it. But we are told that it is risky or even out of bounds.

Senator John Cornyn noted Ford's blurry memory of the key details and, in a barely inflammatory sentiment, concluded, "There are gaps to be filled." Chris Cillizza, of CNN, said "Although 39, they are obviously essential to test the accuracy of Ford's account.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said: "By refusing to treat his allegations properly" – a supernatural description of an invitation to testify to Ford in an open or closed setting – and playing games to protect Kavanaugh's appointment. that they should not be believed. That they are worth less than the promotion of a man. "

No, it's not what they say to women or to anyone. The message is that they will try to find the truth before crediting a charge. It was once a principle of liberalism, at the time when he was celebrating Arthur Miller's play The crucible and supported the old school ACLU. Now the word "liberal" means something different – screaming collective justice, regardless of evidence, to correct historical wrongs.

Matthew Dowd, ABC News commentator, said, "If that's what he said," she said, "then think that's her in these scenarios. She has nothing to gain and everything to lose. For 250 years, we have believed the "he" in these scenarios. Too much is too much. "

Putting tendentious history aside, it is a call to subordinate reason and moral discernment to a social and political agenda. All women must not believe, regardless of the past sins of patriarchy. Duke Lacrosse players were not guilty. The history of the University of Virginia fraternity was not true. The Columbia University student, who was wearing a mattress as a symbol of his alleged rape, was found by a campus court to have falsely accused his alleged abuser.

This does not mean, of course, that women must be incredulous. Almost all of #MeToo's allegations against high profile Hollywood and media personalities have been credible. This means that accusations of sexual misconduct – like any other charge – should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and on the basis of evidence. It's not a victimization of the accusers. He serves the cause of justice.

Senator Mazie Hirono, from Hawaii, seized the current temper of the left when she said, "I want to say to the men of this country: Shut up and just do what you need ". own aptitude for high office – only Kavanaugh. There is no obligation to shut up – even though about half of his Senate audience loses interest in due process or fair play.