He's in over his head
This paper would have done us a favor by leaving Philip Martin to his solipsistic musings as a critic and not allow him in wider areas of discussion where he is in over his head.
In writing about Judge Kavanaugh he wrote that a wiser man would have greeted the father of the killed Parkland student at the hearing.
Kavanaugh had no way of knowing who the man was. In the milieu of a toxic environment of frothing protesters who have been told that you are evil, one would be foolish to openly turn to a stranger approaching you rapidly, even if they appear to just be wanting to shake your hand.
Martin parroting the view that this shows he is uncaring is OK for a slack-jaw follower of the Democrats, but for a person considering himself a journalist, it shows only either extreme ignorance or extreme partisanship.
PAUL NEIS
Mountain Home
Party politics in court
Re Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court: It was evident that Professor Ford was not playing politics, but compelled, not willingly, to stand within her own character against an earlier alleged action of the nominee.
I had not planned to watch the hearings but a telephone call changed my entire day. After ignoring all the "break comments," I sat watching his wife and Judge Kavanaugh as he took the seat. Within minutes of his angry indignation, I was having reactions--what was shock became disgust, which became tragic. I felt I was watching a man broken and desperately clawing himself back into his deserved place, established in terms of academics, sports, law, judging and society, and he seemed to believe that this is what life's all about. That is neither the definition of character nor of integrity when extended only to matters on a resume. Good character comes from within and involves the whole being's actions.
Consensual sex, whatever form it takes, has been rampart in the last decades. Forced sex, accepting that the term sex is not limited to intercourse, is not acceptable. Kellyanne Conway believes sexual assault should be confronted between victim and the assailant. Certainly courage is needed to do so. S.E. Cupp wrote that Kavanaugh felt betrayed and reflected "a deep and growing anger among average Americans over what they have seen as a political hatchet job." Indeed, that thinking was shouted to the universe by Sen. Lindsey Graham at the closing of the day.
This increasingly present warfare between Republicans and Democrats, fueled by great sums of money, is anti-American at best and disastrous for the USA. The president will appoint another nominee, if he must. It will be a Republican. Perhaps a woman. But let us make it clear that we do not want party politics operating through the highest court in our land.
JUDITH BAUM
North Little Rock
Despicable treatment
Straight, sometimes raw, talk is needed. This treatment of Kavanaugh is despicable, and is recognized as such by decent, fair, non-ideologue people with enough sense to come in out of the rain.
Proof that you are mistreating and abusing the rights of another is that you don't want it for yourself. Would you stand in support of an accuser of your sons and grandsons if they were in Kavanaugh's place? Is the onus on the accused? What thinking person believes women never lie, and should always be believed?
Maryland has no statute of limitations on this type of crime. A sure way to stop this nomination dead in its tracks is for Ford to press charges in criminal court. Not only would it be a quick and easy way to stop the nomination, but it would also remove Kavanaugh from the federal bench as well. It'd be tantamount to cutting off both legs and arms. Are any of his detractors smart enough to figure out why charges have not been filed?
Not interested in due process of law that protects everyone? Want to leave it up to public opinion? Will you submit to public opinion in your life? Maybe you think you can throw the law and common decency to the side, just this once, while you destroy this man, with the intention of picking up the law and decency later for yourselves?
There is a literary term, "suspension of disbelief," which describes the creation of a fantasy world. Are we such nonthinkers?
This country has more citizens with college degrees than at any time in our history. It is obvious that haters have educated themselves to the level of an imbecile; and blind ones at that.
JOHN MEADOWS
Hazen
Acrimonious process
When the founding fathers wrote the U.S. Constitution, they recognized the need for a third branch of government to ensure actions taken by the other two branches of government, the states, and other parties were legal under the Constitution. Thus, the U.S. Supreme Court was given the duty to interpret the Constitution and laws, and evaluate the constitutionality of challenged laws.
The justices of the Supreme Court are to be appointed by the president, not elected, and for "good behavior" or life if they don't do anything to be impeached. It was hoped that these two factors would prevent politics from influencing their selections or decisions. As we have seen over the years, nothing could be further from the truth. The candidates interviewed by both parties of the Senate are questioned about their political philosophy, ideology, religious beliefs, ethnicity and any other questions the interviewers feel might qualify or disqualify the candidate, depending on which side is asking the questions. The Constitution is seldom mentioned.
As the process has become more acrimonious, uncivil, and character-assassinating, it is a wonder that anyone would want to undergo such humiliation in order to gain such an honor. It is enough to make one wonder that, if the Lord himself were nominated, how the process would go.
Democrats would want to disqualify him because he would no doubt reverse Roe v. Wade, or because he taught that people were to work for their sustenance where possible. Republicans would want to disqualify him because he taught that we should care for the poor, the old, and downtrodden, and justly share the bounties we are given. Both would shun him because he despised hypocrisy, false witness, and incivility.
The one thing we all need to remember, no matter what our political persuasion may be, is that the Lord will indeed someday be the chief justice and his decisions will be just, binding, and nonappealable.
PAUL HANSEN
Sherwood
Different memories
I know a little about memory and memories; I was not born yesterday (1940, to be exact). Any two people can experience the same event and tell two different stories; just ask any of my children, happens every day.
Also, memories can fester and re-examine time and time again. Some will brood hate and some will bring out a real solution.
In my 70-plus years I have met some men who were bad to the core, and many who are honest and decent. I know some women who are very vicious, and many who are sweet and gentle. The sex of a person does not determine quality of that person.
Is this world fair? 'Course not. To many it is a man's world, but I was brought up by a father who taught me I could do anything I wanted to do. Also, I have many very successful female friends who have made great contributions to society without tearing down another human being.
Mr. Kavanaugh and your family, I wish all the best to you.
MARY ANN VANCE
Morrilton
Editorial on 10/04/2018