An Open Letter to Senator Collins on Brett Kavanaugh
Kavanaugh brandishes a worn "pocket" copy of the U.S. Constitution. Are you reassured?
W.J. Astore
Brett Kavanaugh's elevation to the Supreme Court is a done deal. Critical to his elevation was the support given to him by Senator Susan Collins of Maine. My wife and I watched her speech yesterday, during which she praised Judge Kavanaugh for his demeanor and judicial record, affirming that he will uphold Roe v. Wade since it is "settled" law. Collins also affirmed that Kavanaugh's accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, experienced some form of sexual assault, but not at the hands of Kavanaugh, as there was no corroborating evidence. In short, even though Ford affirmed under oath that she was 100% certain that a 17-year-old Kavanaugh attacked her 36 years ago, Collins chose not to credit her account as truthful or accurate.
In response to Senator Collins's speech in praise of Kavanaugh, I wrote the following short letter to her. Let me say this: for the good of our country, I hope I'm wrong and Senator Collins is right.
Letter to Senator Collins
Dear Senator Collins: My wife and I respectfully ask you how a 15-year-old girl misidentifies her attacker when he's on top of her and putting his hand over her mouth so she can't scream.
As near as we can tell, Christine Blasey Ford had no reason to lie. Her life has been turned upside down. Judge Kavanaugh, however, had reasons to lie. He has a lifetime job at the highest level of his profession that hinges on denying Dr. Ford's allegations.
We also ask you whether you approve of Judge Kavanaugh's belligerence, his lies before the Senate committee, and his hyper-partisan attacks on the Democrats -- your colleagues, even if they are on the other side.
We think you will regret the "yes" vote for Judge Kavanaugh. He is not the man you think he is. And we almost guarantee he will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade.