In 1789, Benjamin Franklin famously wrote: “Our new Constitution is now established, and has appearance that promises permanency; but in this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” After watching the latest retake of the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings, I would like the last sentence of Ben’s quote to read: “But in this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death, taxes and politics.”
I was watching the Ford-Kavanaugh hearing in the family room when my wife entered the room and commented, “Who cares what someone puts in their yearbooks? It’s ridiculous.” She then asked, “How can you watch that?” I replied, “This is the most important thing I have ever watched.”
Let me try and explain my last remark. America was founded on the rule of law. The Constitution does not say that people can rule the country with innuendos, distortions, unfounded accusations and the overthrow of due process. No, the Constitution says that we are to be governed by the rule of law.
What we were witnessing in the Ford-Kavanaugh hearing was a sham. The Democrats were trying to sidestep the Constitution in their favor so that they can win an election to determine how you and I should live. This is against everything that I have been brought up to believe. Not only is it not fair, in my opinion, it borders on criminality.
The true victim of the hearings was Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Ford’s opening remark was, “I am petrified being here.” What in the world were the Democrats thinking? Ford, a victim of sexual assault, just wanted to do her civic duty and sent a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein telling her she was sexually assaulted by Judge Brett Kavanaugh — and requested confidentiality.
As a political ploy, the Democratic senator — or members of her staff — released the letter to the press after holding it for six weeks. I must admit that the tactic threw a monkey wrench into the confirmation hearings.
Not only was Ford’s unfortunate situation exposed to millions of Americans, just think about the harmful effects to her family. You also can’t forget what the Democratic senators did to Judge Kavanaugh and his family. Eight people will be marred for life. I am horrified by the cruel acts that Feinstein and her cronies pulled. Not only was it un-American, it goes against any principle of human decency.
Thank God for Lindsey Graham. His remarks were right on. He challenged his fellow Republicans to all vote for Judge Kavanaugh and I can’t imagine one Republican senator not doing so. If Brett Kavanaugh does not end up on the Supreme Court, our country is not only in deep trouble, it is the end of your and my freedom.
I listened to both Ford’s and Kavanaugh’s testimonies and I believe that both parties are saying what they believe. And I also listened to what the Democrats said and I was shocked by how cruel they were and, in some cases, they sounded like idiots.
After the hearings were over, I heard the pundits say that this is just politics and the Democrats had a good game plan. If that was a good game plan, I really think that the Dems have lost the game.
I like to think of myself as a thick-skinned kind of a guy. I was a street salesperson and got knocked around all day long. I got “no” as an answer 95 times before I got a “yes.” I had one guy tell me that he was busy and to come back and see him in a year even before I introduced myself. This is the life of a street salesperson.
If I were in Brett Kavanaugh’s shoes, I would have lost it. But he didn’t lose it and he sold me that he will be an outstanding member of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Robert Pembroke is the former chairman and CEO of Pembroke’s Inc. in Salt Lake City.