Last week I wrote about the Court’s own investigation into the damaging leak of the draft Dobbs opinion, which ultimately overturned 50 years of a constitutional right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade. I noted how the failure to hold the Justices to the same scrutiny as the Court’s own staff rendered the investigation little more than a performative sham. Then, over the weekend, another bombshell dropped, calling the very legitimacy of the Court’s composition into question.
If Kavanaugh had a shred of decency, he'd resign. But it's pretty clear he has no decency. At all. And Roberts doesn't have the spine to do anything about this.
I hope this information gets spread far and wide, if for no other reason than to cause Kavanaugh the maximum amount of embarrassment. We all knew he was lying during those confirmation hearings and now there is proof.
 The most chilling observation you make, Jay, is the corruption of the FBI by the Trump White House. The lack of professionalism and poor judgment by the FBI is stunning. It is also extremely disheartening.
It is ironic that Republicans are claiming Democrats "Weaponized" the federal government. That has been the Republican playbook for the last sux years, at least! They are masters at deflecting their bad-faith actions by throwing the same shade on their opposition (us). We must not stand for their ugly and false accusations.
"(It is a sad and horrible fact that a woman’s own account of sexual assault often goes unbelieved or discounted, while a man’s word against his friend or dorm mate would be deemed credible.)" It's this reason, and this reason alone, why I--as well as countless other women--have never stepped forward to accuse our attackers publicly. Because we're simply not believed. Or our past is called into question. Or the accused is a person of means or power or authority. Because we know that we are, and will remain second-class citizens regardless of recent progress in that regard. We'll always be vessels to carry babies, care for them, run the household, care for men, and leave our own needs unmet. This is how it is. Still.
On another note, the possibility of expanding the Supreme Court seems to have died a quiet death. I just don't understand why Biden refuses to even entertain the notion. Unless I'm missing something, it just plays into the narrative that Democrats are afraid to take action, to rock the boat so to speak. They're just content to have status quo (no pun, Jay) unless the Republicans are the ones to make the change, and that's usually not to Dems' favor. Time to shake things up, for real.
While they have the ability to impeach, there's no way that will happen in this Congress. The House has no credibility now, and the Democrats in the Senate wouldn't be able to find enough Republicans with integrity to make that 2/3rds vote. It is a travesty that he was confirmed, and shows the need for serious reform.
Not surprising....after all, he and four others openly committed perjury at their confirmation hearings when they all "respected" stare decisis regarding Roe v Wade. So of course it is only natural that he would lie about his indiscretions of the past.
The state of that body is even more dire than depicted in your well articulated essay, but the sum total of the implosive deterioration nearly defies descriptors, so devastatingly corroded is it such that the remnant is nearly throughput rot.
The question is, can we continue to coexist with this decayed remnant of a respectable stalwart, and, if not, then what is our move?
I find it appalling that the highest court in the land has justices seated that are sexual predators, and those who have no problem perjuring themselves for their agenda if we do not hold them to a higher standard of morality then what is the point. Kavanaugh is an accused rapist and still to this day the victim is not believed, and is the one put on the chopping block. SMDH shameful !
As you state, there is no unringing of the bell, no rewind, no justice…and the reputation of the Supreme Court under the “leadership” of John Roberts is further dragged through the dirt.
I know this is more about SCOTUS, but how are we supposed to have any faith in the FBI? They don't seem to actually do their jobs, but end up just being a tool of whoever is in power. Aren't they supposed to have standards and be independent? It's really pathetic to hear about them burying yet ANOTHER important investigation.
Every FBI investigation agent on-duty and above the grade level corresponding to GS-12 in 2018 & subsequent should be summarily fired for breaching their oath to protect and defend the Constitution. The FBI was completely suborned to TFG’s political agenda and has since surrendered the trust of the American people. I am doubtful that the current AG is the person with the fortitude to clean up this degree of betrayal.
Once the documentary is updated with any further solid evidence that is reportedly coming in - not speculation - WE should help sponsor its much broader distribution, preferably on cable as well as public television. This should be part of a concerted effort to *educate* the public and pave the way for popular support for specific court reforms. I'm sure we all have some strong opinions on what those reforms might be. And if Kavanaugh's reputation suffers as a byproduct of this effort, then so be it. He can take it to court!
What is most concerning is the behavior by the FBI during the Trump administration. The Biden administration needs to investigate the FBI and the Secret Service. They are no longer trusted by the American people!
If Kavanaugh had a shred of decency, he'd resign. But it's pretty clear he has no decency. At all. And Roberts doesn't have the spine to do anything about this.
I hope this information gets spread far and wide, if for no other reason than to cause Kavanaugh the maximum amount of embarrassment. We all knew he was lying during those confirmation hearings and now there is proof.
 The most chilling observation you make, Jay, is the corruption of the FBI by the Trump White House. The lack of professionalism and poor judgment by the FBI is stunning. It is also extremely disheartening.
It is ironic that Republicans are claiming Democrats "Weaponized" the federal government. That has been the Republican playbook for the last sux years, at least! They are masters at deflecting their bad-faith actions by throwing the same shade on their opposition (us). We must not stand for their ugly and false accusations.
And this is why NO politically appointed position should EVER be a lifetime appointment!
"(It is a sad and horrible fact that a woman’s own account of sexual assault often goes unbelieved or discounted, while a man’s word against his friend or dorm mate would be deemed credible.)" It's this reason, and this reason alone, why I--as well as countless other women--have never stepped forward to accuse our attackers publicly. Because we're simply not believed. Or our past is called into question. Or the accused is a person of means or power or authority. Because we know that we are, and will remain second-class citizens regardless of recent progress in that regard. We'll always be vessels to carry babies, care for them, run the household, care for men, and leave our own needs unmet. This is how it is. Still.
On another note, the possibility of expanding the Supreme Court seems to have died a quiet death. I just don't understand why Biden refuses to even entertain the notion. Unless I'm missing something, it just plays into the narrative that Democrats are afraid to take action, to rock the boat so to speak. They're just content to have status quo (no pun, Jay) unless the Republicans are the ones to make the change, and that's usually not to Dems' favor. Time to shake things up, for real.
While they have the ability to impeach, there's no way that will happen in this Congress. The House has no credibility now, and the Democrats in the Senate wouldn't be able to find enough Republicans with integrity to make that 2/3rds vote. It is a travesty that he was confirmed, and shows the need for serious reform.
Not surprising....after all, he and four others openly committed perjury at their confirmation hearings when they all "respected" stare decisis regarding Roe v Wade. So of course it is only natural that he would lie about his indiscretions of the past.
The state of that body is even more dire than depicted in your well articulated essay, but the sum total of the implosive deterioration nearly defies descriptors, so devastatingly corroded is it such that the remnant is nearly throughput rot.
The question is, can we continue to coexist with this decayed remnant of a respectable stalwart, and, if not, then what is our move?
I hope we can make Kavanaugh cry on tv again.
Let’s not forget the unethical way Mitch McConnell handled the nominations (Garland v Barrett).
I find it appalling that the highest court in the land has justices seated that are sexual predators, and those who have no problem perjuring themselves for their agenda if we do not hold them to a higher standard of morality then what is the point. Kavanaugh is an accused rapist and still to this day the victim is not believed, and is the one put on the chopping block. SMDH shameful !
As you state, there is no unringing of the bell, no rewind, no justice…and the reputation of the Supreme Court under the “leadership” of John Roberts is further dragged through the dirt.
I know this is more about SCOTUS, but how are we supposed to have any faith in the FBI? They don't seem to actually do their jobs, but end up just being a tool of whoever is in power. Aren't they supposed to have standards and be independent? It's really pathetic to hear about them burying yet ANOTHER important investigation.
Every FBI investigation agent on-duty and above the grade level corresponding to GS-12 in 2018 & subsequent should be summarily fired for breaching their oath to protect and defend the Constitution. The FBI was completely suborned to TFG’s political agenda and has since surrendered the trust of the American people. I am doubtful that the current AG is the person with the fortitude to clean up this degree of betrayal.
Once the documentary is updated with any further solid evidence that is reportedly coming in - not speculation - WE should help sponsor its much broader distribution, preferably on cable as well as public television. This should be part of a concerted effort to *educate* the public and pave the way for popular support for specific court reforms. I'm sure we all have some strong opinions on what those reforms might be. And if Kavanaugh's reputation suffers as a byproduct of this effort, then so be it. He can take it to court!
What is most concerning is the behavior by the FBI during the Trump administration. The Biden administration needs to investigate the FBI and the Secret Service. They are no longer trusted by the American people!