I thought #MeToo was a little over the top, a bit of a witch hunt at times, and I didn’t think someone’s life should be ruined by an accusation. And, well, maybe I still think that, to some degree. For the record, I am a man, that could share a #MeToo story right now, but I won’t.
Regardless of what I think about all the aspects #MeToo, what is happening with Kavanaugh, and the way both he and the Republican Congress has treated Christine Ford is disgusting, and has opened my eyes a bit more. This whole thing proves that #MeToo is necessary, and makes a lot of sense. If rich and powerful men are able to get away with whatever the hell they want, what message does that send to everyone else? What message does it send to kids in school to say high school boys can do whatever they want, it doesn’t count? The only way to make a difference is to teach kids right and wrong — when they are still kids.
Kavanaugh didn’t even listen to her testimony. Listen, I have OCD — so I am constantly worrying I did something that I didn’t actually do, it is part of the disease. But if that was me, and these allegations were made against me — with all of this corroborating evidence, for that matter -- when I was an older man and what allegedly happened was when I was 17 (when I partook in a LOT of drugs and a lot of it is just a blur), I would think, oh my god, might I have actually done this perhaps under the influence and I don’t remember? I would have a hard time living with myself knowing I could have caused someone this much distress. And even though I can’t imagine myself ever doing something like that, I would want to get to the bottom of it with an objective investigation just as much as anyone else.
I would not demand a seat on the highest court in the country, as if it belonged to me.
I would withdraw, for the good of the country — and my family, for that matter.
I would demand a proper investigation.
I would apologize, even if I don’t remember, I would say (and mean it), if there is a 1% chance that I did this to you, I am truly sorry and would be filled with regret. And I would, without a doubt, listen to what she had to say. Openly.
I am a skeptical person — I tend not to really believe anyone and think that everyone (men included of course) can have ulterior motives, and to be completely blunt our grasp on reality can at times not be as firm as we’d like to believe.
But I believe Christine Ford, and I think she deserves better than this. Kavanaugh has proven he cares more about his entitlement, than the good of the country. And that should be an automatic disqualifier.
I still don’t believe someone’s life should be ruined over an accusation. But not getting a seat on the Supreme Court is not a life ruined. In fact, if Kavanaugh went to the private sector, he would probably make a lot more money than he does now. Public service is a privilege that is earned, not a right.
The women in this country are angry, and upset, and they deserve to be heard, and to say, screw them — this seat is mine, is, well, undemocratic, and unamerican.
Being a man is not easy. But being a woman is even worse. Sexual assault is extremely traumatic to women. It may be a cruel twist of fate, but men need to understand that. So on behalf of men, I’m sorry.