WNHH FM’s Pundits.
As an historic showdown took place in Washington, local pundits weighed in in real time.
WNHH “Pundits” Babz Rawls-Ivy (host of “Love Babz Love Talk and editor of the Inner City News); New Haven Independent reporter Markeshia Ricks; and WNHH FM Station manager Harry Droz watched the showdown — a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing into sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh — and live-blogged their reactions in an online discussion thread along with State Sen. Gary Winfield and State Rep. Pat Dillon and occasional pop-ins from members of the WNHH/Independent community.
A sampling of some of the punditry:
Harry Droz: Something may have happened to her. It does not mean her very questionable recollection is true.
Babz Rawls-Ivy: I know I would not be able to remember things that happened to me 42 years ago. I do know I was raped and sold several times. Where and dates would be hard to recall.
I like to think I have been successful in creating a life…And upon further examination you can and will see the cracks and breaking points. I daresay, Dr. Ford probably has cracks too.
Gary Winfield: Memory…I have an assault in my past. There is a lot that is not clear to me anymore…the date, the day of the week, how I got in the room etc but what is clear is the trauma itself…it is crystal clear…but that is how it tends to work because it has been ever present…and I did not say anything for 27 or 28 years.
Pat Dillon: Dr Ford is stronger than she appeared and held up well to hostile questions. Unfair and disrespectful, cowardly on part of Senators afraid to ask their own questions. Why run for office if you’re afraid?
If they’re afraid of ‘optics’ they could appoint Republican women to Judiciary.
Harry: very respectful hearing. Great Job by the senators. Why would old white men ask questions? It would be disrespectful. They did what was asked of them. They Shut UP! And stepped up by giving Dr. Ford a comfortable alternative. Falling into a political trap of optics is what everyone not interested in justice for this woman wanted, but Republicans are more respectful than that.
Markeshia Ricks: I believe Dr. Ford was a class act even though she was treated like a witness at a trial. The prosecutor tried repeatedly to trip her up and I don’t think she was successful. And I do think the optics of having the prosecutor do their dirty work makes the Republican Senators look bad. Like they were afraid they couldn’t behave any better than Grassley seemed on the urge of behaving nearly every time he opened his mouth.
Pat: Anger, talking over Feinstein. Leahy question obvious
Markeshia: I’d recommend that he’d curb some of these faces. And stop acting like the questions are stupid.
Harry: Boring……….Let’s get to those crazy Dems.
Markeshia: He’s just going to talk over everybody. No woman candidate would do this. He doesn’t even understand that he is operating in his privilege to speak to sitting senators this way. He’s interrupting and then challenges about being interrupted. Dr. Ford was unfailingly polite and respectful. Almost too deferential though she was being treated like she was on trial.
You can watch portions of the hearing below …
… and follow the full pundits’ discussion below in real time. (You may need to refresh your browser to keep pace with added comments.)