impressions and quotes as dr. ford shares her testimony...

I am watching the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing as Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh make their respective cases about allegations of sexual assault. The chair, Chuck "Blowhard" Grassley, opens the day with an attempt to clean himself up while blaming Democrats and Dr. Ford for the inconvenience of this crucial hearing. My first impression is simple: I am angry that this has been set up to be a farce.

As the morning unfolds, the NY Times reports that the Republicans have chosen  "to turn over their questions to Ms. Mitchell, a sex crimes prosecutor, so that they could have a more targeted, coherent hearing. But as the questioning got underway, the arrangement appeared more halting and cumbersome than efficient, as it resembled a courtroom trial than a typical Senate hearing. The juxtaposition was jarring, particularly with Democrats using their time to cut straight to the heart of Dr. Blasey’s story. After Dr. Blasey’s opening statement gripped the hearing room, Ms. Mitchell immediately dug into granular details, asking the witness to read and correct messages she exchanged with a reporter at The Washington Post and a letter shared with Ms. Feinstein."

NOTE: It would appear the Republicans will obfuscate over "granular" details. Please remember: men who were abused/assaulted by priests 30 years ago are now believed and given the benefit of the doubt. It took a long time for most Americans to accept their truth, too but now it is beyond question. Please hold all assaulted women - and men - in your prayers as PTSD explodes throughout the USA right now.

After the first recess for lunch CNN reports that Senator Orin Hatch said, "She's not an uncredible witness... in fact, she is an attractive, good witness... she is pleasing." Commentators noted that while they understand his nuance - Hatch believes that Dr Ford is thoroughly believable - on the face value of Hatch's comment we can see how thoroughly clueless this group of old, privileged, white men  actually are! To be fair, it is possible for men of privilege and power to change and exhibit solidarity with the suffering of those who are very different. Robert Kennedy is the example that comes to mind. He was a man saturated in racist history and the privileges of great wealth; who, through the persistence of his Bishop and the grace of God, became a champion of the oppressed. It takes a ton of guts, lots of listening, good mentors and people who will tell you what your shadow is exposing to make this change, but it is possible. Sadly, this is not the case for the majority of Republican men on this committee. Some of the Democratic men are learning, but they have a long way to go, too. I give thanks today for the women on the committee.

Earlier in the morning, Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, asked Christine Ford about the things she remembers about the night of the alleged attack.  She replied: "The stairwell, the living room, the bedroom, the bed on the right side of the room — as you walk into the room, there was a bed to the right — the bathroom in close proximity, the laughter, the uproarious laughter, and the multiple attempts to escape and the final ability to do so." (CNN) When asked explicitly if she knew that Brett Kavanaugh was her assaulter, Dr. Ford answered, "One hundred percent."

This is a kairos moment in our culture. It is not yet clear how the power brokers will decide, and raw ideology may triumph over compassion and fairness; but it is clear that more and more of us are learning to believe the wounded. Many are women, but some are men, and all of us who have been assaulted are being honored and empowered in new and essential ways. Mormon women are crying out against the male status quo. Powerful men and their allies are discovering ears to hear and hearts to feel, too. Partisans sitting on the political fence feel it vital to now take a stand and make a decision. 

Dr. Ford has asked the FBI to investigate her charges. Judge Kavanaugh has not. She has provided witnesses who could be called who have offered sworn testimony. Judge Kavanaugh has not. She has taken a polygraph test and given all her evidence to the Senate committee. Judge Kavanaugh has not. Her case merits close attention - especially now that two other women have come forward with similar allegations. To do anything less is a pure ideological grab of power - right-wing power, to be clear - that must never be confused with justice. During the break, Senator Lindsey Graham, flexed his political muscle in this none too subtle threat:

Well let me put it this way to my Republican colleagues. If this becomes the new standard where you have an accusation for weeks, you drop it right before the hearing, you withhold from the committee a chance to do this in a professional timely fashion. When they say they’re going to do this is to delay the vote, get the Senate back in 2018 so they can fill the seat. I don’t want to publicly reward that kind of behavior. I think we’ve been very fair. And to my Republican colleagues. If you can ignore everything in this record an allegation that’s 35 years old, that’s uncertain in time, place, date and no corroboration. If that’s enough for you, God help us all as Republicans. Because this happens to us, but this never happens to them. Let me tell my democratic friends, if this is the new norm, you better watch out for your nominees.

The committee has now excused Dr. Ford and taken a 45 minute recess. I pray that America will say: I believe you - and act accordingly.