After last week’s senate hearing on sexual assault charges against Supreme Court nominee, students judge next steps

     Due to an increasing rate of teens getting involved in politics,students were invited to share their points of view on one of the most heated topics throughout the nation as well as a popular topic in social media. 

The president’s attempt to nominate judge Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court has given birth to many different view points throughout the United States. 

     His nomination not only bothered some senators such as Kamala Harris, but also spiked up human rights activists and movements like #MeToo because of the sexual harassment accusations. Following Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, two other women have reported that they have been sexually abused by Brett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh has pleaded not-guilty, and an FBI investigation is currently looking into the case.

What is your point of view on Supreme Court nominee judge Brett Kavanaugh and the sexual assault allegations made against him?

“I think it’s something important we have to talk about. Republicans delayed a nomination for replacement Antonin Gregory Scalia, which wasn’t ethical. Trump has already nominated one person, and this is his second time attempting, and it’s such a crucial seat because you want someone that’s gonna be more bipartisan because there are nine people, and it can’t be half and half. To nominate somebody like Kavanaugh, what I just noticed watching videos was that Kavanaugh was very defensive and aggressive, I’d say almost Trump-like. And on top of allegations, because some people don’t believe them, just his attitude is enough to keep him off the Supreme Court because I don’t think he portrays appropriate behavior. I also noticed that there have been a lot of people, both Democrats and Republicans, said that they sympathised with Dr. Ford, but that’s not enough. I am glad they’re finally going through with an FBI investigation because apologizing for what she’s been through isn’t enough and shows that they’re taking her seriously.” 

—junior Kellen Chenoweth 

“Personally, for someone to be on the Supreme Court, I don’t think they should even have the allegations he has, so I think the best case of action would be nominating a new judge. It’s the fact that if Kavanaugh makes it to the Supreme Court, I don’t think his judging will be just because he has gone against what he has set to judge people on, basically having a criminal as a judge, which doesn’t work.” 

— junior Solon Grant 

“I think that the situation as a whole is very controversial, but it sheds more light on the #MeToo movement. I think because of the current state of our society that he will make it to the Supreme Court, and I think that it’s a bad thing. 

Regardless of whether the allegations are true or not, anybody with this much controversy around their name probably shouldn’t hold a Supreme Court justice position. It shows how much dissatisfaction the public has with him.” 

— senior Jacob Bonebrake

“He is a profound, conservative judge that has done a fantastic job within the Bush administration. Throughout his career he has employed multiple female law clerks. I believe that it is egregious that some people would aim so low to take down such a fine gentleman’s career. I believe that the allegations are nothing more than rumors and petty politics. Multiple politicians have been accused of sexual harassment and misconduct. In my opinion, this is a tactic used to defame their reputation. Dr. Ford can not remember the key moments of the ‘most traumatic event’ of her life. She is unaware of where the ‘assault’ took place, where the house was, what street it was on, and she can’t even remember the year. 

I would like to point out that even her ‘lifelong’ friend has denied being at the gathering or at any gathering Mr. Kavanaugh has been at. Long story short, Dr. Ford’s testimony is inconsistent. I would like to say that if I were to be in the exact same room as Dr. Ford, I would ask her why she wouldn’t have told anyone. I think that he will be a fantastic addition to the Supreme Court, specifically representing people who share conservative viewpoints.” 

— junior Beau Andersen

“I think he is definitely not capable of being up to the task of being a Supreme Court nominee. He has shown so much disrespect to multiple members of the Supreme Court in his testimonial process. His behaviour shows that, first of all, he is incredibly biased, and, second of all, prone to easily getting angry and emotional when people attack him. A Supreme Court judge needs to be level headed and should have the capability of understanding both sides of an issue. 

Based on these qualities, Brett Kavanaugh is not qualified for this position, and I haven’t even mentioned the sexual assault allegations yet. Christine Blasey Ford has overturned her life in order to tell the nation about the biggest trauma she has ever experienced. She did not do this to become famous, nor to have any gains in her life. She did it only because of her worries of what would happen if Brett Kavanaugh were to become a Supreme Court judge. 

The fact that someone had to go through what she had to go through and then divulge the story to an entire country is horrible, and she should not have to do that in vain. Brett Kavanaugh refused to listen to Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony before his own. Therefore he disregarded that one of Blasey Ford’s friends attorney has stated that his client does not refute Blasey’s claims against Brett Kavanaugh, and states that she believes her. That is the basis of how I feel about this issue.” 

— junior Devin O’Loughlin

“I believed the women when they accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, and especially now after his testimony I think he is wholly unqualified for the Supreme Court. His statement in front of the senate judiciary committee was poorly thought out and brash, not to mention blatantly partisan and full of animosity toward the Democratic Party, which needles to say, is not the way a supposedly impartial judge should act.” 

— junior Ryan Westhoff

“There is really no evidence. The only thing that there is is what she said and nothing else. The witnesses she called, none of them have stepped forward and verified what she said is true. He has been in the public eye for 20 years, and this is now popping up, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence. 

Someone is innocent until proven guilty, and there is no proof of sexual assault, so I believe Brett Kavanaugh is innocent.” 

— senior Cole Miller