# Can Democrats actually stop the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 4, 2018, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733 "2018-09-04T12:49:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 181
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3601 "2018-09-26T00:33:06Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I think it’s about on par with what Ford has provided I think I’ve found the problem. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3602 "2018-09-26T00:34:04Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Fuck Avenatti and the horse upon in which he rode. If we can’t do this without a media whore like him, we should just take up knitting and heroin. There’s a lot of that going around lately: [The Daily Beast - Democrats to Michael Avenatti: You’re Not Helping in the Kavanaugh Fight](https://www.thedailybeast.com/democrats-to-avenatti-youre-not-helping-in-the-kavanaugh-fight) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3603 "2018-09-26T00:36:34Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > This is substantially less evidence than Ford provided, but her you didn’t believe. Yeah, but on the other hand, its from a thoroughly disreputable source by way of a partisan outlet. So, it cancels out, making it valid. Excluded muddle. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3604 "2018-09-26T00:37:40Z")
…this is what I said about Avenatti and his accusation in another thread: > [@I'm wondering if avenatti might not be such a bad choice for president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-wondering-if-avenatti-might-not-be-such-a-bad-choice-for-president/820668/94): > > …on the same day Avenatti implied he had evidence that Kavanaugh engaged in gang rape of drugged women Ronan Farrow and Jane Mayer released a meticulously detailed thoroughly-fact-checked article that comprehensively detailed what allegedly happened to Deborah Ramirez. > > Farrow and Mayer have been ruthlessly efficient. > > Avenatti has not. > > And this in a nutshell is why he is not Presidential material IMHO. > > I don’t have faith that what Avenatti has claimed is going to actually pan out. And that’s a problem. Its the difference between a quiet achiever who gets things done and just being person who demands attention but is really full of hot air. If Avenatti wants to be taken seriously then he better deliver on his claims. Because they are pretty fucking serious allegations and if he doesn’t have anything he may be a “cold blooded fighter” but he isn’t helping the cause of the Democrats at all. That was two days ago. My opinion hasn’t changed. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3605 "2018-09-26T00:43:17Z")
From the LA Times piece… > [@](#): > > His mention of sports events often included the suggestion that he did not remember what happened the next day, such as, “Georgetown vs. Louisville — Who Won That Game Anyway?” and “Orioles vs. Red Sox — Who Won, Anyway?” That’s some black out drunk stuff right there. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3606 "2018-09-26T00:44:13Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > If someone is a notably heavy drinker even for a frat guy in the 80’s, then that person has been black out drunk. Numerous times. The alternative is not remotely believable. I don’t drink either. Is blacking out an inevitable result of binge drinking? I was under the impression that it was a specific physiological reaction that not everyone experienced as a result of alcohol consumption. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3607 "2018-09-26T00:46:27Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Is blacking out an inevitable result of binge drinking? Yes. If you drink enough, you will black out. No one is immune. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3608 "2018-09-26T00:54:32Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Yes. If you drink enough, you will black out. No one is immune. …that really wasn’t the question though. Of course if you drink enough you will black out. But “[binge drinking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binge_drinking)” describes the action of drinking to get intoxicated where blackouts is a common risk that may or **may not occur**. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3609 "2018-09-26T00:59:53Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I don’t drink either. Is blacking out an inevitable result of binge drinking? I was under the impression that it was a specific physiological reaction that not everyone experienced as a result of alcohol consumption. Blacking out is an inevitable result of not knowing when you’ve had enough, in my opinion. I personally believe having periods of memory that are not there or are difficult to recall is fairly common for people who drink heavily, whether they will admit it or not. I’ve also known people who routinely drink to the point where they don’t recall how they got home, where they left their work bag or briefcase, etc. but would never admit that is blacking out. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3610 "2018-09-26T01:01:22Z")
An infrequent binge drinker might puke or even pass out out before they get black out drunk. A frequent, practiced, binge drinker will get black out drunk often. Not every time, but often enough that apologizing for something you don’t remember doing is the kind of thing you do without batting an eye, and asking who won game that you attended after tailgating is fairly common. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3611 "2018-09-26T01:01:47Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > There’s a lot of that going around lately: [The Daily Beast - Democrats to Michael Avenatti: You’re Not Helping in the Kavanaugh Fight](https://www.thedailybeast.com/democrats-to-avenatti-youre-not-helping-in-the-kavanaugh-fight) > [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …this is what I said about Avenatti and his accusation in another thread: > > > [@](#): > > > > …on the same day Avenatti implied he had evidence that Kavanaugh engaged in gang rape of drugged women Ronan Farrow and Jane Mayer released a meticulously detailed thoroughly-fact-checked article that comprehensively detailed what allegedly happened to Deborah Ramirez. > > > > Farrow and Mayer have been ruthlessly efficient. > > > > Avenatti has not. > > > > And this in a nutshell is why he is not Presidential material IMHO. … > > … I have to agree. And I don’t think many voters have an appetite for yet _another_ “I AM THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE IT’S ALL ABOUT ME” president. (Also I’m not convinced he actually holds any progressive views.) ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3612 "2018-09-26T01:09:29Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > A frequent, practiced, binge drinker will get black out drunk often. …cite please. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3613 "2018-09-26T01:10:25Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …cite please. I hope it’s not from personal experience. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3614 "2018-09-26T01:16:52Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …cite please. > [@](#): > > Subsequent research has indicated that blackouts are most likely caused by a rapid increase in a person’s blood-alcohol concentration. One study, in particular, resulted in subjects being stratified easily into two groups, those who consumed alcohol very quickly, and blacked out, and those who did not black out by drinking alcohol slowly, despite being extremely intoxicated by the end of the study. From [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackout_(drug-related_amnesia)), under the heading “Causes”. Yeah, I know, Wikipedia. But before you dismiss it that looks like a well written article with multiple citations to outside sources. [This is a link](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5458472) to the abstract for the article they used as a source. Feel free to slog through that if you so desire. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3615 "2018-09-26T01:23:24Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > From [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackout_(drug-related_amnesia)), under the heading “Causes”. Yeah, I know, Wikipedia. But before you dismiss it that looks like a well written article with multiple citations to outside sources. [This is a link](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5458472) to the abstract for the article they used as a source. Feel free to slog through that if you so desire. …not a cite that blackouts exist. We all concede that blackouts exist. A cite that “A frequent, practiced, binge drinker will get black out drunk often.” From your cite: > [@](#): > > t is a common misconception that blackouts generally occur only in alcoholics; research suggests that individuals who engage in binge drinking, such as many college students, are often at risk as well. In a 2002 survey of college students by researchers at Duke University Medical Center, 40% of those surveyed who had consumed alcohol recently reported having experienced a blackout within the preceding year 40% is high. But it isn’t everyone. So it is completely possible that Kavanaugh can be a binge drinker but not experienced a blackout. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3616 "2018-09-26T01:30:18Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > 40% is high. But it isn’t everyone. So it is completely possible that Kavanaugh can be a binge drinker but not experienced a blackout. The study says, “40% of those surveyed who had consumed alcohol recently reported having experienced a blackout within the preceding year.” Kavanaugh was a notably heavy drinker even for a frat boy. He wasn’t someone who “recently consumed” alcohol. He was someone who frequently incoherently drunk. He was definitely in that 40%. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3617 "2018-09-26T01:46:07Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …not a cite that blackouts exist. We all concede that blackouts exist. > > A cite that “A frequent, practiced, binge drinker will get black out drunk often.” > > From your cite: > > 40% is high. But it isn’t everyone. So it is completely possible that Kavanaugh can be a binge drinker but not experienced a blackout. The thing about getting black out drunk is that by the very nature of “blacking out” I would think there are at least another 10-20% who simply don’t realize they blacked out. I know this is purely anecdotal but I’ve worked in the service industry for 25+ years and I’ve encountered a lot of people who have made total fools of themselves while drunk and later had no memory of it. Most of them are highly successful types who would never consider themselves to be black out drunks. Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt, as the saying goes. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3618 "2018-09-26T01:54:47Z")
This is a fascinating diversion into the biology of blacking out as it relates to drinking heavily, but could we maybe get back to Kavanaugh? I’m really not sure what it has to do with the matter. On Fox News, and other places, Kavanaugh lied about (or at least severely underplayed) the amount of drinking and partying that he practiced during his high school years and beyond. 1. That by itself implies alcoholism, not generally considered a good characteristic for the Supreme Court 2. If he’s willing to deceive about his level of drinking, what other bad habits may he be being deceptive about? * * * By the by, I’m curious. I’ve read that in 2016 Kavanaugh had a credit card debt of $60,000 - $200,000…and then he didn’t. Presuming I’ve got my facts right, has any explanation of that ever come to light? Mortgage loan, lottery win, just really saving his $120,000ish salary? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3619 "2018-09-26T02:03:35Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > This is a fascinating diversion into the biology of blacking out as it relates to drinking heavily, but could we maybe get back to Kavanaugh? I’m really not sure what it has to do with the matter. I agree this is a diversion but I would say it relates to the topic at hand at least to the extent that Kavanaugh, like most blackout drunks I’ve known, wouldn’t be willing to admit publicly that he has ever been a blackout drunk. > [@galen\_ubal](#): > > On Fox News, and other places, Kavanaugh lied about (or at least severely underplayed) the amount of drinking and partying that he practiced during his high school years and beyond. > > 1. That by itself implies alcoholism, not generally considered a good characteristic for the Supreme Court > 2. If he’s willing to deceive about his level of drinking, what other bad habits may he be being deceptive about? 1. Is it possible he is so in denial about his level of drinking that he hasn’t honestly ever considered he is in fact a blackout drunk? Or is he lying about this as well? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3620 "2018-09-26T02:06:41Z")
Good heavens. Is there anyone who drank (or otherwise imbibed) heavily at some period in their lives who would NOT agree that they “lost” various parts of their time while drunk? :smack: As Dave Edmunds said, “What did I get into? Tell me who should I apologize to?” ([What Did I Do Last Night](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDJAfnGpE6o) - great song on a great album!) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=180) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=182)