Brett Kavanugh vs Christine Blasey Ford: Don’t send an assaulter to the Supreme Court bench!

Published: September 29, 2018

Kavanaugh testified on Thursday, so did Ford, both their testimonies were compelling, but in my opinion Kavanaugh appears guilty as charged.

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 27, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS Kavanaugh testified on Thursday, so did Ford, both their testimonies were compelling, but in my opinion Kavanaugh appears guilty as charged.

Christine Blasey Ford recently accused an attorney and a sitting judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Brett Kavanaugh, of sexually assaulting her in the early 80s, when they were both in high school. Kavanaugh was nominated for a position in the Supreme Court by Donald Trump and after finding out that her perpetrator may go on to be a part of the top court, her civic duty compelled her to bring her past into the spotlight. 

The Senate held a hearing for this purpose, to decide whether or not Ford’s allegations hold some truth. Kavanaugh testified on Thursday, so did Ford, both their testimonies were compelling, but in my opinion, Kavanaugh appears guilty as charged.

Why, you ask me?

Because being a model student, star athlete and an assaulter are not mutually exclusive. A person can be both, and be very effective (at both) all at once.

Judge Kavanaugh came swinging and punching. He defended his public record. He spoke about his numerous achievements in school and college, he talked about being a coaching dad, called his wife, Ashley Kavanaugh, his rock, talked about his respectful, close and platonic relationship with countless women, and his mentor-like and nurturing role of hiring young women as law clerks. But all the while he spoke of his many accomplishments, and undeniably there are many, he could not effectively refute the accusations made by Ford.

The 40-minute long monologue by Judge Kavanaugh was repetitive and dramatic; he was openly emotional, almost desperate in his tone when talking about his public service and personal life. He was compelling; almost to the point where the audience felt they were watching an episode of House Of Cards, West Wing, or a courtroom drama from 16th century England.

And then began the question-answer session. When the Democratic senators on the judiciary committee asked questions of the judge, he was combative, belligerent and evasive. Each time he was asked if he (Judge Kavanuagh) was so sure of his innocence, then why not support an FBI investigation and clear his good name altogether. He was asked this question countless times. The first time he stumbled on his words, usually like a liar does, and then progressively became more aggressive and evaded the question, and instead referred to his public service, private life, academic laurels and athletic prowess yet again.

He was not a perfect witness, and for anyone looking for the truth, he appeared guilty and a liar.

Guilt and fear is an awful thing, it creeps on one like Banquos’s ghost (the ghost from Macbeth). Guilty people have an air about them, their eyes show it once they are caught, and sometimes their guilt escapes their lips in the form of words. Guilt is palpable, it’s unmistakable!

What was most troublesome to watch was the many layers of wrong, right, truth and lies, and then to rummage through the many layers. The American public wasn’t watching to judge him for drunkenness in high school.

Yes, drunkenness is vile.

Yes, good people do awful things when they are drunk, and add to that an underage hormonal teenager.

Yes, decent teenagers do stupid things when they are young, and can turn out to be model citizens. The whole world is made up of them.

Yes, committing sexual assault is an absolutely abhorrent crime, in a state of drunkenness or sobriety, regardless of the assaulter being a teenager or an adult.

But these truths are not under discussion here.

What’s under discussion are the lies the judge is telling, and the way he is rushing to move forward his confirmation in the Supreme Court.

Ford was credible, real, authentic and human, and on top of that, she was respectful too. The Republican senators did maintain decent optics, I do not think she felt bullied, and we, the audience, felt that she was treated with courtesy and respect. That until now seemed to be the only saving grace from the hearing, but as I was getting ready to file this blog, a new development emerged.


Why this change? It happened because in true democracies, shouting and hurting protestors and citizens are actually heard. It was a moment out of a Shakespearean play; two women protestors spoke to Senator Jeff Flake, and in a moment made history.

The delay was the result of a last-minute change of heart by Senator of Arizona, Flake, whose stunning move to force an investigation was quickly backed by several senators, considered swing votes on Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

The Kavanaugh headlines have thrown the sexual assault debate in the forefront. I’ve had countless discussions on it, and the truth is that society and nature not only allow men to violate women physically (such as in the Bill Cosby and Kavanaugh cases), but verbally too, where the response they have to any losing argument, or reasonable and serious conversation is sexual insults!

I firmly believe that as responsible parents and keepers of the next generation, we have a monumental responsibility to raise children who understand sexual assault and sexual disrespect, and understand that there are consequences for bad behaviour. And today, that is exactly what the protestors said to Senator Flake.

Don’t send an assaulter to the Supreme Court bench!

It is more important to raise boys who respect women, rather than only focus on teaching girls to protect themselves. Why is it that society only focuses on the latter?

Boys must be taught to respect girls from a young age; they must be told that if it’s disrespectful to your mother and sister, it’s disrespectful to other women. Do not berate your female acquaintances, and do not refer to them as sexual objects, because that will translate to you verbally or physically (sexually) abusing your wife.

Always remember that when a man is being sexually inappropriate, it’s his fault, not yours! Call him out, and be intellectually aware that he’s weak and that’s why he’s putting you down. Always tell people about it.

I know many good men, courageous, respectful and strong, who never feel the need to sexually berate someone when arguing with them. They are secure in their masculinity. These are the sons, fathers, husbands, brothers, friends and decent men in society.

These are men who elevate women because they know the value of the womb, the womb that nurtured them to birth and after. These are the many good men and more! We need more of these men, not more of Kavanaughs.

Bisma Tirmizi

Bisma Tirmizi



  • Parvez

    You have made a compelling case … but as a casual observer I wonder if the system will uphold your view or will politics and the numbers game win. I may be wrong but Ill bet on the latter.Recommend

  • UJ

    The author forgot one key detail: accusation is not equivalent to the truth. Due process must be followed to see if the allegations are true. If true, then Brett Kavanugh must be prosecuted and indicted.Recommend

  • numbersnumbers

    Author somehow neglected to mention that ALL the Kavanaugh Accusers somehow suffer from severe SMD (Selective Memory Disorder), demonstrated by their total inability to state WHERE and WHEN this incidents occurred, nor can they name any other people who were actually at these large parties some 30 years ago!Recommend

  • Omar Anis

    why didn’t she do it 30 years ago? Gold digger, cashing in to boost her retirement benefits.Recommend

  • Arslan Sikandar

    “Don’t send an assaulter to the Supreme Court bench!” Congrats, you are now the judge, jury and executioner.Recommend

  • Patwari

    Wrong. This is not about indicting and punishing. This is about character and
    background of a women abuser. Who is also accused of lying under oath.
    And is about to be elevated to the Supreme Court.
    Simply to protect Trump during impeachment, if that happens. Because Kavanaugh believes a sitting president cannot be indicted or impeached, for high crimes, regardless
    of how erratic or incompetent a president may be. Nor can he be subpoenaed to appear in a court.
    [Trump has been accused by 36 women, of sexual assault. Going back decades. Even
    before he was elected. He even bragged about it and admitted it, in a tape recorded interview. Has Trump been indicted and punished for these sexual assaults? Which is all besides the point.]Recommend

  • Patwari

    Wrong again. It is amazing, to see YOU, a Hindustani, supporting a serial
    women abuser. But then, again, Hindustan, is the rape capital of the world.
    The women, now there are 4 of them, have accused Kavanaug, of sexual
    misconduct. And have named places, and approx. times.
    No, obviously, they did not record it in their diaries the exact time date and
    place down to the minute and hour, of their sexual assaults. Thinking that
    30/36 years from now they will be required to produce all these facts.
    They were traumatized women. Do you understand at all?Recommend

  • Patwari

    Unlike you, she does not have to open a pan shop to boost her retirement benefits.
    Or sell oranges at the roadside.
    She is a doctor and well off.Recommend

  • Patwari

    A very sanctimonious observation. But pathetic and sad.
    Since the Republicans are not allowing a full investigation to proceed [because they
    are afraid more sick facts will emerge] what would you suggest? A fatwa?Recommend

  • numbersnumbers

    Hmm, Patwari must be able to testify in court that he was there when all allegations occurred, OR NOT!
    All note that NOT A SINGLE ACCUSER has named the PLACE and DATE where alleged incidents occurred, which is curious since such an event should be burned in their memory!Recommend

  • Arslan Sikandar

    Pathetic? Since when does the notion of innocent until proven guilty is pathetic? I am an outsider to US politics and have no stakes in it, but i know this is one of the tactics employed by both parties to stop someone to reach a key post or to impeach in Monica case. To me the important thing is the ideal. Investigate him and if found guilty, punish him however you like. This behaviour of “lynch mobing” by far left is very similar to Pakistan where if someone accuses a person of blasphemy, then he/she is doomed. The rational arguement here is similar, investigate and proceed. Now since you are patwari and doesnt have the decency to use your own name, dont @ at me.Recommend

  • Rex Minor

    kavanaug future now hangs in the hands of two women. Let us see if they agree with th author.

    Rex MinorRecommend

  • LS

    The problem here is that republican party has stymied the investigation and restricted FBI to just do supplemental background check and also restricted them to interview select candidates approved by white house and then appointed a Kavanough sympathizer to investigate. What kind of investigation precludes interviewing the accuser and the accused? So all in all this investigation was a “Fog Screen” created by Republicans:
    1) POTUS mentioned FBI could investigate anyone they could in various forums and gatherings but actually restricted the investigation heavily as revealed by other FBI officers.
    2) Restricted the documents to ONE copy that was NOT even made public so that no one knows what was in the investigationRecommend

  • LS

    Here is why she could not do it 30 years ago
    1) Rape and assault is not easy to talk about for women.
    2) 30 years ago law did not care about rape cases and women were not even believed and victim shaming was rampant. So women just sucked it up and kept quiet
    3) Contrary to popular belief this is NOT the first time she is talking about it. She has talked about it to her therapist, her husband and other close friends since 2003 at least 4 times.
    4) How much time has passed does not lessen the impact of crime
    5) Lastly, you just saw this circus and this is one of the MOST important reason not many come forward and those who do risk their reputation.

    You did not believe her and nor to many billions of people so what difference would it have made if she came out and told 30 years ago? In fact this whole circus must have ruined her life that time.Recommend

  • LS

    1) Do you remember every detail of an incident that happened 30 years ago? Let me answer it for you – NO
    2) You ONLY remember one or few major details esp if its an event that shocks you to the core.
    3) She DID NAME the people who were involved i.e Mark Judge.
    4) lastly when she that incident happened there were ONLY 3 people in that room (Her, Kavanaugh and Judge) – that too upstairs with a room blaring loud music.. )
    5) It was NOT a large party either… that is YOUR presumption and even if it was apart from those 3 people there was NO ONE else who would remember it. You see people don’t attempt rape in a crowded place… in front of everyone..Recommend

  • Parvez

    Well….I just found out…..I doubled my money. Politics most always wins over high principles and morals.Recommend

  • Arslan Sikandar

    You do know, it was the Republican senator at whose insistence this FBI investigation was started. Kavanaugh could get approved without the investigation at the first place. Now, i am no one to object how FBI is conducting this investigation and knit a conspiracy theory to demean US institutions or why Ford hasn’t produced a single evidence that she claimed to have. As an outsider, my issue is with this “mob virtue signaling behavior”. This is the reason why the right wing is getting stronger all over the world. The far left is getting ideological day by day which is creating more place to the right or far rights.Recommend

  • Omar Anis

    wrong dear, read the statute of limitations. I don’t disbelieve her, just the timing is wrong. looks like revenge time.Recommend