Op-Ed On Brett Kavanaugh’s Nomination: In Vino Veritas
By Michelle Nguyen
“I want to be heard,” said Justice Brett Kavanaugh in an interview with Fox News. “All I’m asking for is fairness, and that I’d be heard in this process.”
The irony here is almost laughable.
In the past two weeks, the treatment directed towards Dr. Christine Blasey has been anything as fair. Although she may have been heard, the Republicans have endlessly maneuvered to undermine her as they attempt to smother her story and push forward with his confirmation. Their behavior has been so deplorable, they can’t even pretend to respect her as they mount their smear campaign.
So far, the White House has unequivocally dismissed Blasey as a “liar” despite the evidence that has emerged against Judge Kavanaugh. President Trump has tweeted that “if the attack on Dr. Ford was as bad as she says, charges would have been immediately filed with Local Law Enforcement Authorities,” snidely insinuating that Blasey is, in fact, lying. His son, Donald Trump Jr., took a more brazen approach when he mocked her on Instagram, likening the attempted rape allegation to a juvenile attempt at romance. Chris McDaniel, a Mississippi senatorial candidate, believes that the scandal is a lie cleverly crafted by the left and that rape allegations, in general, are “ninety-nine percent of the time, are just absolutely fabricated.”
Does any of this sound fair to you, Judge Kavanaugh?
Perhaps what’s even more disturbing is how quickly failed people will peddle out the “boys will be boys” defense. Failed Republican candidate Gina Sosa has said, “We’re talking about a 17-year-old boy in high school with testosterone running high. Tell me, what boy hasn’t done this in high school? Please, I would like to know.”
What boy hasn’t tried to drunkenly rape a girl at a high school party before? I would like to know. Although I might not be a hormone-driven teenaged boy myself, I’m quite certain that shoving a girl into a locked room, pinning her down to the bed, and covering her mouth so that she wouldn’t scream is not your typical teenaged behavior. Sosa’s argument is flimsy at best as she attempts to normalize this kind of heinous behavior, making it seem as though those who don’t engage in it are the ones in the wrong. But hey, “there was no intercourse,” as GOP voter Irina Villarino kindly remarked. “There was maybe a touch.”
Yes, perhaps his hand had only grazed her clothes as he tried to tear them off.
And perhaps in a kookier universe, that argument might just fly. No penetration, no problem, right? However, this ignores the elephant and the ethical issue in the room. Regardless of whether the allegations are true or not, to let him off the hook and dismiss his behavior under “boys will be boys” sends the wrong message to the youth of today. In framing improper behavior as what makes boys boys, it gives them a moral waiver when they should be held accountable for their actions. It would be unfair to Christine Blasey who is still feeling the consequences of yesterday when Kavanaugh has lived most of his life unbothered up until now.
In Latin, there is a phrase that goes, “In vino veritas.” In wine spills the truth. What soberness conceals, drunkenness reveals. So far, Judge Kavanaugh has vigorously defended his actions by chalking it up to youthful indiscretion and one too many beers, but perhaps what we’ve heard of his alleged behavior isn’t an anomaly that can simply be attributed towards alcohol. Perhaps what Dr. Blasey saw that night was a frightening glimpse of his true character.
