So they can crush it

I didn’t watch the hearings the Senate Judiciary Committee held for Christine Blasey Ford, who is accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault. I have been reading some feminist reactions.

A large number of women are in tears today. They’re being traumatized again. Blasey Ford’s testimony brings to mind their own assault – which never goes away. These women are thankful that she is telling her story and angry that she has to. They appreciate every expression of kindness the committee Democrats are showing. Sarah Kendzior describes it this way: “She bares her soul so they can crush it. There aren’t words for how sick this is.”

Then Kavanaugh took the stand. And proved everything his opponents have been saying about him. His testimony was full of “unhinged, entitled rage.” Twitter user umairh wrote:

The contrast between an obviously traumatized, shattered victim of abuse and an equally obviously entitled malevolent abuser has rarely been clearer or so public.

Matthew Chapman adds:

I have never seen anyone behave this rudely when called to testify before the Senate. Ever.

That prompted comments that Kavanaugh is playing to a specific audience – the extreme right and their conspiracy theories that this is a Democratic sabotage. The part he is playing is the aggrieved white dude. No matter what happens – especially if he is not confirmed – he’ll join their pantheon of heroes.

TbashII notes:

anyone else worried about the degree of flagrant and ludicrous perjury going on here without any regard for consequences?

Melissa McEwan of Shakesville has a photo and notes the expressions of every woman caught in the frame. She adds:

I just briefly turned on the hearing so I could get the tone of Kavanaugh's opening statement. Holy christ. If you're trying to convince someone you don't have a problem with violent entitlement and uncontrolled rage, this ain't the way to do it. Just to be clear: Kavanaugh is using the occasion of defending himself against allegations that he committed a violent sexual assault to issue vague threats of retribution and to behave like a rageful, entitled tyrant. Anyone who doesn't have an overt agenda, or a haughty commitment to maintaining "objectivity" even when it's manifestly unwarranted, will note that Kavanaugh exudes precisely the spoiled, narcissistic, entitled ego of repeat abusers who have never been held accountable.

Fanny Wolfe comments, “If you're still denying the role misogyny plays in rigging systems for men and against women, you're hopeless.”

And a couple more comments from McEwan:

In addition to everything else, Kavanaugh has made it abundantly clear with this opening statement that he is comprehensively incapable of being an impartial jurist. Or even a reasonable one.

Trump's whole presidency so far has been about giving sadists opportunity to cheer for public malice. This hearing is a case in fucking point.

It seems the GOP is so annoyed with how the day has gone they threaten to make false sexual abuse accusations against Democrats in future hearings. McEwan adds:

It's remarkable (if unsurprising) to see conservatives just openly threatening to make false accusations against Democrats in future. That's their takeaway: Not "don't nominate abusers," but "invent abuse accusations." Deplorable was far too kind.

The war against women is now blatant.