Kavanaugh Confirmation

[volinbham]

But Grassley has already said they're not going to subpoena Judge or anyone else.

why not have the hearing where both accuser and accused make their case and then we can see if there's anything to investigate.

The security clearance background check that K went through to for his position in the Bush WH most likely already talked to everyone involved except Ford. They also talked to many people who knew him at the time (I'm betting they talked to Judge). No hint of this or anything like it. The investigation has been done save one person.

 

[GAVol]

I already tried this line - got nothing. If Ford is just going to tell the truth in the hearing then what the FBI finds is irrelevant to her ability to do so.

The whole thing defies logic. It's basically saying "I can't give you any facts or corroborate my story with any details until you investigate and come up with the details."

 

[evillawyer]

What impact does an investigation have on whatever Dr. Ford might recount about the incident?

Until she actually makes a specific accusation and offers some details, this is the political equivalent of asking "Do you still beat your wife?"

The Senate is not going to call Judge or PJ Smith (evidently one of the other redacted names in the letter). Thus, the only way to get them to make a statement where truth or falsity has any consequences is to have them speak with the FBI. And she's made a specific accusation. As for detail, she's identified the location of the incident within the house, the location of the bathroom within the house, the stair steps and who was there.

 

[evillawyer]

why not have the hearing where both accuser and accused make their case and then we can see if there's anything to investigate.

The security clearance background check that K went through to for his position in the Bush WH most likely already talked to everyone involved except Ford. They also talked to many people who knew him at the time (I'm betting they talked to Judge). No hint of this or anything like it. The investigation has been done save one person.

Who's the we? I think that would be the president alone. Seems like a completely unbiased party that often bows to public pressure. Amirite?

 

[Franklin Pierce]

The Senate is not going to call Judge or PJ Smith (evidently one of the other redacted names in the letter). Thus, the only way to get them to make a statement where truth or falsity has any consequences is to have them speak with the FBI. And she's made a specific accusation. As for detail, she's identified the location of the incident within the house, the location of the bathroom within the house, the stair steps and who was there.

 

[NorthDallas40]

The very first sentence is the tell on this article. If the author can't admit the timing of the release of the letter is suspicious then what follows clearly shows the author's bias.

Not to be outdone, the author suggests that only the Republicans are playing politics with the timing issues.

That’s the definition of a “good read” for evil.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

Conservatives that trash Corker are the worst.

Most of the time when he breaks with or chides the rest of the party it’s based on, at the very least, a desire to appear as if he hasn’t sold out his morals to beat the democrats. It’s almost always common sense stuff but too many people are caught up in partisan bickering to understand constructive criticism and think every disagreement needs to be met with hostility.

Corker generally tries to advocate for the party to be better, do the morally correct thing, do things for the right reasons, or in the right way. When everybody else invariably goes a different way, he usually gets on board because he knows that’s the best thing he can do for Tennessee.

I don’t understand how a true conservative Tennessean can possibly be against any of that.

We’re gonna get stuck with a Democrat or a lunatic next cycle because Bob Corker got tired of selling out his morals when he couldn’t convince the rest of his party to simply be better.

I wouldn't vote for Bob for head garbage man!

 

[bamawriter]

Took the FBI all of three days to do the investigation of Thomas in response to Anita Hill's concerns.

Given that the alleged incidents occurred while Thomas and Hill were employed by a federal agency, the FBI had jurisdiction. They don't in the Kavanaugh/Ford situation.

 

[evillawyer]

Given that the alleged incidents occurred while Thomas and Hill were employed by a federal agency, the FBI had jurisdiction. They don't in the Kavanaugh/Ford situation.

Interesting point, but I have not seen that articulated as why they had authority to investigate the Hill accusations. I don't believe there was ever any accusation of a crime, just sexual harassment. Does the FBI have jurisdiction to investigate sexual harassment in other federal agencies? Serious question. I don't know the answer. If they don't, then the authority would simply be based on their role in performing background check for government appointments.

 

[T-TownVol]

Given that the alleged incidents occurred while Thomas and Hill were employed by a federal agency, the FBI had jurisdiction. They don't in the Kavanaugh/Ford situation.

Nor do they have enough information to even begin an investigation.

 

[Franklin Pierce]

Nolte: Kavanaugh Accuser’s Classmate Deletes Claim that Everyone Knew of Alleged Misconduct

Cristina King Miranda, who says she is a former classmate of Brett Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford, has deleted her claim that everyone knew of the alleged misconduct.

Ford is accusing Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh of groping her at a house party 36 years ago when they were both teenagers in high school. After Ford came forward, she told the far-left Washington Post that Ford “told no one at the time what happened to her.”

Nevertheless, on Tuesday, Miranda tweeted that she knew both Kavanaugh and Ford and that “the incident was spoken of for days afterwards in school.”

Kavanaugh Accuser's Classmate Deletes Claim that Everyone Knew of Misconduct

 

[bamawriter]

Interesting point, but I have not seen that articulated as why they had authority to investigate the Hill accusations. I don't believe there was ever any accusation of a crime, just sexual harassment. Does the FBI have jurisdiction to investigate sexual harassment in other federal agencies? Serious question. I don't know the answer. If they don't, then the authority would simply be based on their role in performing background check for government appointments.

The FBI is the investigative agency for accusations of misconduct within federal agencies. It doesn't have to be a criminal accusation.

 

[volfanhill]

The latest on Kavanaugh’s approval

Opposition to Kavanaugh grows, support at historic low: Reuters/Ipsos poll

Why would anyone care? His popularity is totally irrelevant.

 

[evillawyer]

The FBI is the investigative agency for accusations of misconduct within federal agencies. It doesn't have to be a criminal accusation.

OK, assuming that's true, is there any indication that if not for that authority they could not have done the investigation of Hill's accusations?

 

[evillawyer]

Why would anyone care? His popularity is totally irrelevant.

Posted in response to a claim that the masses would revolt if Dems succeeded in defeating Kavanaugh's confirmation.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

The Dems want the FBI to investigate this accuasation well exactly how do they suggest they do that?

Do they own a customized Delorean from Dr. Emmett Brown or a TARDIS from Gallifrey that we don't know about?

 

[AirVol]

Interesting point, but I have not seen that articulated as why they had authority to investigate the Hill accusations. I don't believe there was ever any accusation of a crime, just sexual harassment. Does the FBI have jurisdiction to investigate sexual harassment in other federal agencies? Serious question. I don't know the answer. If they don't, then the authority would simply be based on their role in performing background check for government appointments.

Lawyer huh?

 

[bamawriter]

OK, assuming that's true, is there any indication that if not for that authority they could not have done the investigation of Hill's accusations?

What an odd question.

If, hypothetically, the FBI were not the agency tasked with such investigations, I can only assume that another agency would have that authority.

 

[volfanhill]

Posted in response to a claim that the masses would revolt if Dems succeeded in defeating Kavanaugh's confirmation.

Missed that

 

[InVOLuntary]

But Grassley has already said they're not going to subpoena Judge or anyone else.

Not my point. If an FBI investigation has the ability to catch Kavenaugh in a lie, so does testifying in front of congress. Same with Ford. Wonder if that's why she doesn't want to testify in front of congress?

 

[volinbham]

Who's the we? I think that would be the president alone. Seems like a completely unbiased party that often bows to public pressure. Amirite?

No - the whole point of the dang hearings is to get a "feel" of who's truthful. If she comes of as the truthful one then Flake, Collins and maybe some others will bail and we're done.

Sure looks like they don't want to take that chance.

Her testifying on Monday would do NOTHING to stop a subsequent FBI deeper dig if it appeared necessary other than it not being needed because people believed her.

 

[hndog609]

The Dems want the FBI to investigate this accuasation well exactly how do they suggest they do that?

Do they own a customized Delorean from Dr. Emmett Brown or a TARDIS from Gallifrey that we don't know about?

If given the option I'll take the TARDIS and Clara Oswald for my companion.

 

[evillawyer]

What an odd question.

If, hypothetically, the FBI were not the agency tasked with such investigations, I can only assume that another agency would have that authority.

My point is this. Sometimes an agency can do X because it has more than one source of authority. That is, it has authority to do X pursuant to A or B or C ....

Here, it looks like the FBI could investigate the allegations if directed to by the WH as part of the FBI's practice of performing background investigations for WH appointments. So, while it's true that Hill and Thomas were federal employees, I'm not sure that was why the FBI did the investigation. This article says the FBI can do the investigation as long as the WH asks for it.

Can the FBI investigate the allegation against Brett Kavanaugh?

 

[volinbham]

The FBI is the investigative agency for accusations of misconduct within federal agencies. It doesn't have to be a criminal accusation.

and background checks for various clearances - something that was done thoroughly on K on 6 occasions including one for top level security clearance.

 

[GAVol]

Missed that

Probably because he's either misunderstanding or mischaracterizing what I meant. I clarified that I didn't mean "masses" in terms of the entire electorate. I meant the Republican base.

I don't think anybody will necessarily break Republican. I DO think it will provide the GOP with something to fundraise off of and motivate the base to show up and hold onto the Senate.