Kavanaugh's apology -- From the heart or a matter of convenient
Kavanaugh writes op-ed arguing he is an 'independent, impartial judge' after emotional testimony
By Kate Sullivan, CNN
Updated 8:37 PM ET, Thu October 4, 2018
Washington (CNN)Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh wrote an op-ed that appeared in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday arguing he is an "independent, impartial judge" and conceding he "might have been too emotional" in his testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.
"I was very emotional last Thursday, more so than I have ever been," Kavanaugh writes in the Journal. "I might have been too emotional at times. I know that my tone was sharp, and I said a few things I should not have said. I hope everyone can understand that I was there as a son, husband and dad. I testified with five people foremost in my mind: my mom, my dad, my wife, and most of all my daughters."
Kavanaugh and California professor Christine Blasey Ford testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 27 after Ford accused the nominee of sexually assaulting her when they were both in high school. Ford alleges a drunken Kavanaugh pinned her down at a party and attempted to remove her clothes, covering her mouth when she tried to scream. Kavanaugh vehemently denies the allegation.
In his opening statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee during the hearing, Kavanaugh said he had written the monologue the previous day.
During his testimony, Kavanaugh alternated between angrily yelling at Democrats on the committee and tearing up. He accused Democrats of creating "a calculated and orchestrated political hit, fueled with apparent pent-up anger about President Trump and the 2016 election. Fear that has been unfairly stoked about my judicial record, revenge on behalf of the Clintons, and millions of dollars in money from outside left-wing opposition groups."
What took him so long? Does he really mean it? How can he be trusted at this point? Now, that Kavanaugh claims to be calm, he should go on TV tonight and repent of what he said to the American people. Public infraction (clear/blatant) demands a public apology. What he originally said was not in the newspaper. Everyone doesn't read the Wall Street Journal. Pay for airtime. He needs to go before the American people (TV) and come clean. It's the fair, right, and decent thing to do. He needs to take a higher road than required to reassure the American people.
On the other hand, why bother, the fix is in. Privilege, power, and entitlement continue to reign in America. Let the truth be told, this is not an apology at all. It justifies his outburst. Sad. 
CM
Comments
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@C_M_ said:
Kavanaugh writes op-ed arguing he is an 'independent, impartial judge' after emotional testimony
By Kate Sullivan, CNN
Updated 8:37 PM ET, Thu October 4, 2018Washington (CNN)Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh wrote an op-ed that appeared in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday arguing he is an "independent, impartial judge" and conceding he "might have been too emotional" in his testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.
"I was very emotional last Thursday, more so than I have ever been," Kavanaugh writes in the Journal. "I might have been too emotional at times. I know that my tone was sharp, and I said a few things I should not have said. I hope everyone can understand that I was there as a son, husband and dad. I testified with five people foremost in my mind: my mom, my dad, my wife, and most of all my daughters."
Kavanaugh and California professor Christine Blasey Ford testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 27 after Ford accused the nominee of sexually assaulting her when they were both in high school. Ford alleges a drunken Kavanaugh pinned her down at a party and attempted to remove her clothes, covering her mouth when she tried to scream. Kavanaugh vehemently denies the allegation.
In his opening statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee during the hearing, Kavanaugh said he had written the monologue the previous day.
During his testimony, Kavanaugh alternated between angrily yelling at Democrats on the committee and tearing up. He accused Democrats of creating "a calculated and orchestrated political hit, fueled with apparent pent-up anger about President Trump and the 2016 election. Fear that has been unfairly stoked about my judicial record, revenge on behalf of the Clintons, and millions of dollars in money from outside left-wing opposition groups."
What took him so long? Does he really mean it? How can he be trusted at this point? Now, that Kavanaugh claims to be calm, he should go on TV tonight and repent of what he said to the American people. Public infraction (clear/blatant) demands a public apology. What he originally said was not in the newspaper. Everyone doesn't read the Wall Street Journal. Pay for airtime. He needs to go before the American people (TV) and come clean. It's the fair, right, and decent thing to do. He needs to take a higher road than required to reassure the American people.
On the other hand, why bother, the fix is in. Privilege, power, and entitlement continue to reign in America. CM
What took him so long? There was an active investigation. It was best to lay low. Does he mean it? I think we have to give him the benefit of the doubt. How can he not be trusted is the better question. There is nothing that has given us reason to not trust him. What exactly should he repent of? What clear blatant infraction was made? What does he need to come clean of? I don't think the American people who are objective are worried about Kavanaugh. Objective people saw what his opening lines said: A dad, husband, son who was viciously smeared and attacked who was defending his honor from a obscene accusation without evidence.
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I and apparently most Americans honor Kavanaugh for his strength of feeling in the face of a smear campaign.
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Kavanaugh's behavior shameful and deliberate. No, he's not sorry. The Republicans don't have the votes. They're afraid like "a cat on a hot tin roof". Kavanaugh's name is still not cleared. He prefers to have a job (ego/power) over a cleared family name. A justice with a drinking problem on the High Court. Shame! CM
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@C_M_ said:
Kavanaugh's behavior shameful and deliberate.What is shameful about defending your honor, integrity, family against false allegations of grotesque nature?
No, he's not sorry.
Personally I don't think he has anything to be sorry for.
The Republicans don't have the votes. They're afraid like "a cat on a hot tin roof".
Based on what?
Kavanaugh's name is still not cleared. He prefers to have a job (ego/power) over a cleared family name. A justice with a drinking problem on the High Court. Shame! CM
How do you figure that? And who says he has a drinking problem?
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@C_M_ said:
Kavanaugh writes op-ed arguing he is an 'independent, impartial judge' after emotional testimony
Kavanaugh's most glaring issue is the fact that much of his incendiary comments came in his prepared opening statement, words, he made sure to note, he had written with no one's assistance.
So the conspiracy theories and the other rhetorical and vocal explosions were planned; they weren't products of the moment. He came in with a scowl, spoke with a screech, and interacted with Democratic senators with a snark in his tone. He knew exactly what he was going to say, and the show he was going to put on.
And it was all the product of a temperament unfit for the highest court in the land. We don't need and we shouldn't want people who can't control themselves under pressure on the Supreme Court. He couldn't control his emotions as he wrote that opening statement, as he delivered it, or as he interacted with critics on the Committee.
His performance spoke for itself and, as retired Justice Stevens said today, was disqualifying.
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Many of us relate to his strength of feeling for his family and his nation while facing falsehood. That is what we WANT in leadership. Real Americans who will lead. Not puppets of the Liberal Socialist Democrats.
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@Bill_Coley said:
@C_M_ said:
Kavanaugh writes op-ed arguing he is an 'independent, impartial judge' after emotional testimony
Kavanaugh's most glaring issue is the fact that much of his incendiary comments came in his prepared opening statement, words, he made sure to note, he had written with no one's assistance.
Comments that were factual by the way.
So the conspiracy theories and the other rhetorical and vocal explosions were planned; they weren't products of the moment. He came in with a scowl, spoke with a screech, and interacted with Democratic senators with a snark in his tone. He knew exactly what he was going to say, and the show he was going to put on.
I don't think that is 100% true.
And it was all the product of a temperament unfit for the highest court in the land. We don't need and we shouldn't want people who can't control themselves under pressure on the Supreme Court. He couldn't control his emotions as he wrote that opening statement, as he delivered it, or as he interacted with critics on the Committee.
He has shown perfect Judicial temperament from the bench and that is what counts.
His performance spoke for itself and, as retired Justice Stevens said today, was disqualifying.
Except it wasn't. Not to mention, where is that a qualification in the Constitution? And if you really want to go that route, where is the outcry against Ginsberg?
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@Bill_Coley said:
@C_M_ said:
Kavanaugh writes op-ed arguing he is an 'independent, impartial judge' after emotional testimony
Kavanaugh's most glaring issue is the fact that much of his incendiary comments came in his prepared opening statement, words, he made sure to note, he had written with no one's assistance.
So the conspiracy theories and the other rhetorical and vocal explosions were planned; they weren't products of the moment. He came in with a scowl, spoke with a screech, and interacted with Democratic senators with a snark in his tone. He knew exactly what he was going to say, and the show he was going to put on.
And it was all the product of a temperament unfit for the highest court in the land. We don't need and we shouldn't want people who can't control themselves under pressure on the Supreme Court. He couldn't control his emotions as he wrote that opening statement, as he delivered it, or as he interacted with critics on the Committee.
His performance spoke for itself and, as retired Justice Stevens said today, was disqualifying.
Amen! This is why an appearance of an apology rings hollow.
Reformed, you're right...
@reformed said: "Personally I don't think he has anything to be sorry for".
In view of Bill's post above, Kavanaugh meant what he said under oath. We must believe him then and not the WSJ piece. This is why he should not be on the High Court. His own opening statement is history and proof he's biased and will take revenge. He has sworn in public, on TV, and to God. Kavanaugh is dangerous! Watch out America! CM
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@C_M_ said:
@Bill_Coley said:
@C_M_ said:
Kavanaugh writes op-ed arguing he is an 'independent, impartial judge' after emotional testimony
Kavanaugh's most glaring issue is the fact that much of his incendiary comments came in his prepared opening statement, words, he made sure to note, he had written with no one's assistance.
So the conspiracy theories and the other rhetorical and vocal explosions were planned; they weren't products of the moment. He came in with a scowl, spoke with a screech, and interacted with Democratic senators with a snark in his tone. He knew exactly what he was going to say, and the show he was going to put on.
And it was all the product of a temperament unfit for the highest court in the land. We don't need and we shouldn't want people who can't control themselves under pressure on the Supreme Court. He couldn't control his emotions as he wrote that opening statement, as he delivered it, or as he interacted with critics on the Committee.
His performance spoke for itself and, as retired Justice Stevens said today, was disqualifying.
Amen! This is why an appearance of an apology rings hollow.
Reformed, you're right...
@reformed said: "Personally I don't think he has anything to be sorry for".
In view of Bill's post above, Kavanaugh meant what he said under oath. We must believe him then and not the WSJ piece. This is why he should not be on the High Court. His own opening statement is history and proof he's biased and will take revenge. He has sworn in public, on TV, and to God. Kavanaugh is dangerous! Watch out America! CM
I don't think that he was talking about the opening statement about what he regrets. I think it was probably more of his interaction with Senator Klobuchar.
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@reformed said:
@C_M_ said:
In view of Bill's post above, Kavanaugh meant what he said under oath. We must believe him then and not the WSJ piece. This is why he should not be on the High Court. His own opening statement is history and proof he's biased and will take revenge. He has sworn in public, on TV, and to God. Kavanaugh is dangerous! Watch out America! CM
I don't think that he was talking about the opening statement about what he regrets. I think it was probably more of his interaction with Senator Klobuchar.
Oh, please, Reformed!
Long before Senator Klobuchar, Kavanaugh swore before God. He only apologized to Senator Klobuchar for what he said to her. All other prepared statements were intentional. He wrote it out the night before. He showed it to only one person. Reformed, get the script or the clip, please! America is in deep trouble. God will intervene. CM
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God intervened to bless His people and you missed it. He gave us Trump and Kavanaugh.
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@C_M_ said:
@reformed said:
@C_M_ said:
In view of Bill's post above, Kavanaugh meant what he said under oath. We must believe him then and not the WSJ piece. This is why he should not be on the High Court. His own opening statement is history and proof he's biased and will take revenge. He has sworn in public, on TV, and to God. Kavanaugh is dangerous! Watch out America! CM
I don't think that he was talking about the opening statement about what he regrets. I think it was probably more of his interaction with Senator Klobuchar.
Oh, please, Reformed!
Long before Senator Klobuchar, Kavanaugh swore before God. He only apologized to Senator Klobuchar for what he said to her. All other prepared statements were intentional. He wrote it out the night before. He showed it to only one person. Reformed, get the script or the clip, please! America is in deep trouble. God will intervene. CM
And there is nothing to suggest that he is sorry for his opening statement, nor should he be. Did you read the WSJ piece? He said there are things he should not have said but doesn't say which things those were.
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@GaoLu said:
God intervened to bless His people and you missed it. He gave us Trump and Kavanaugh.Ha, Ha, Ha. God also gave us ticks, flies, and mosquitoes (Spanish for “little fly"). They don't belong in your house like Kavanaugh doesn't belong on the Supreme court. CM
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@C_M_ said:
Ha, Ha, Ha. God also gave us ticks, flies, and mosquitoes (Spanish for “little fly"). They don't belong in your house like Kavanaugh doesn't belong on the Supreme court. CM
A creative critique, CM!
Brett Kavanaugh: nominated to be the next Associate Jus-tick of the Supreme Court.
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@Bill_Coley said:
@C_M_ said:
Ha, Ha, Ha. God also gave us ticks, flies, and mosquitoes (Spanish for “little fly"). They don't belong in your house like Kavanaugh doesn't belong on the Supreme court. CM
A creative critique, CM!
Brett Kavanaugh: nominated to be the next Associate Jus-tick of the Supreme Court.
CM -
And now the liberals mock the high court.
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@reformed said:
And now the liberals mock the high court.No. I mocked Judge Kavanaugh, not the Supreme Court, using an image CM included in a post previous to mine. And when you revisit that post, you'll find that he used insect/pest imagery to defend, not mock, the Court.
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@Bill_Coley said:
@reformed said:
And now the liberals mock the high court.No. I mocked Judge Kavanaugh, not the Supreme Court, using an image CM included in a post previous to mine. And when you revisit that post, you'll find that he used insect/pest imagery to defend, not mock, the Court.
And will you continue to mock when he is on the Court or will you finally give him the respect he deserves?
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@reformed said:
And will you continue to mock when he is on the Court or will you finally give him the respect he deserves?
You can count on me to give Brett Kavanaugh the respect he deserves.
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@Bill_Coley said:
@reformed said:
And will you continue to mock when he is on the Court or will you finally give him the respect he deserves?
You can count on me to give Brett Kavanaugh the respect he deserves.
Not what you think he deserves, but what JUSTICE Kavanaugh deserves as a Supreme Court Justice who has been cleared of wrong doing.
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@reformed said:
@Bill_Coley said:
@reformed said:
And now the liberals mock the high court.No. I mocked Judge Kavanaugh, not the Supreme Court, using an image CM included in a post previous to mine. And when you revisit that post, you'll find that he used insect/pest imagery to defend, not mock, the Court.
And will you continue to mock when he is on the Court or will you finally give him the respect he deserves?
If you put a rotten apple amount fresh apples, does that makes the rotten apple healthy? If anything, the rotten apple will spoil the good apples. It's temperament and character now and it will be the same if placed on the High Court. His name was not cleared. He loved job over family. The FBI did a half background check, not an investigation. An investigation follows all fruitful leads. Besides, what they could investigate was limited by the President. Sorry to say, he lied about their "free hand".
Mr. Kavanaugh is who he is, on or off the courts. The old saying goes, if you put a ribbon and lipstick on a pig it's still a pig, whether in a palace, farm or in a barn. Character and temperament, need I repeat? Am I calling Kavanaugh a pig? He is unfit for the Supreme Court. CM
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@reformed said:
"... will you finally give him the respect he deserves"?
Respect begets respect. Like it or not, Kavanaugh, at the least, owes the American people a full-throated apology without excuses. That piece he placed in the WSJ is like a man sleeping in a bed that's too short and covers (blanket) too narrow. I know this is something you, Trump and his followers find strange and relate to it as an undocumented migrant. CM
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@reformed said:
Not what you think he deserves, but what JUSTICE Kavanaugh deserves as a Supreme Court Justice who has been cleared of wrong doing.
You asked whether I would give Justice Kavanaugh the respect he deserves. I answered your question directly. Now you ask a new question. My response is the same because it accounts for the degree to which Kavanaugh has been/will be "cleared of wrong doing": I will give him the respect he deserves.
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@C_M_ said:
@reformed said:
@Bill_Coley said:
@reformed said:
And now the liberals mock the high court.No. I mocked Judge Kavanaugh, not the Supreme Court, using an image CM included in a post previous to mine. And when you revisit that post, you'll find that he used insect/pest imagery to defend, not mock, the Court.
And will you continue to mock when he is on the Court or will you finally give him the respect he deserves?
If you put a rotten apple amount fresh apples, does that makes the rotten apple healthy? If anything, the rotten apple will spoil the good apples. It's temperament and character now and it will be the same if placed on the High Court. His name was not cleared. He loved job over family. The FBI did a half background check, not an investigation. An investigation follows all fruitful leads. Besides, what they could investigate was limited by the President. Sorry to say, he lied about their "free hand".
Temperament is a non-argument. He has not had poor judicial temperament. So you can quit arguing that now because it just makes you look partisan and idiotic. That being said, his character is not in question. He loved job over family? How in the world do you get off saying that? His name WAS cleared. The FBI has checked him more thoroughly than any other justice or nominee. Are you saying all 7 of his background checks were done half-way? Seriously? The investigation did follow fruitful leads and found nothing. And you have no proof that it was limited by the President.
Mr. Kavanaugh is who he is, on or off the courts. The old saying goes, if you put a ribbon and lipstick on a pig it's still a pig, whether in a palace, farm or in a barn. Character and temperament, need I repeat? Am I calling Kavanaugh a pig? He is unfit for the Supreme Court. CM
He is more than qualified. He has proven that for years.
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@reformed said:
He is more than qualified. He has proven that for years.
"A fish rots from the head first"-- The White House, the Cabinet, the FBI, and ere go the Supreme Court. Women, prepare for womb invasion. Privileged "white men" holding on to power is what this is all about. Kavanaugh is bias, angry and revengeful. He's not repentance he's pandering for a job. He feels entitled knowing that the "fix is in". His prepared statement is true. His apology is a Lie! CM
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@C_M_ said:
@reformed said:
He is more than qualified. He has proven that for years.
"A fish rots from the head first"-- The White House, the Cabinet, the FBI, and ere go the Supreme Court. Women, prepare for womb invasion. Privileged "white men" holding on to power is what this is all about. Kavanaugh is bias, angry and revengeful. He's not repentance he's pandering for a job. He feels entitled knowing that the "fix is in". His prepared statement is true. His apology is a Lie! CM
Prepare for womb invasion? How has Kavanaugh shown bias from the bench? Please show proof.
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@reformed said:
@C_M_ said:
@reformed said:
He is more than qualified. He has proven that for years.
"A fish rots from the head first"-- The White House, the Cabinet, the FBI, and ere go the Supreme Court. Women, prepare for womb invasion. Privileged "white men" holding on to power is what this is all about. Kavanaugh is bias, angry and revengeful. He's not repentance he's pandering for a job. He feels entitled knowing that the "fix is in". His prepared statement is true. His apology is a Lie! CM
Prepare for womb invasion? How has Kavanaugh shown bias from the bench? Please show proof.
What I stated above is beyond what your mind would allow you to accept at this time. CM
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@C_M_ said:
@reformed said:
@C_M_ said:
@reformed said:
He is more than qualified. He has proven that for years.
"A fish rots from the head first"-- The White House, the Cabinet, the FBI, and ere go the Supreme Court. Women, prepare for womb invasion. Privileged "white men" holding on to power is what this is all about. Kavanaugh is bias, angry and revengeful. He's not repentance he's pandering for a job. He feels entitled knowing that the "fix is in". His prepared statement is true. His apology is a Lie! CM
Prepare for womb invasion? How has Kavanaugh shown bias from the bench? Please show proof.
What I stated above is beyond what your mind would allow you to accept at this time. CM
In other words, it is just a bunch of hogwash that you can't defend.
