# How is someone like Christine Ford supposed to prove her case? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 12, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383 "2018-11-12T00:53:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/421 "2018-12-02T16:10:17Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > People are afraid to speak. > > From the Senate Report: My bolding. > > (Oct. 3, Oct. 5): **REDACTED** said that her family is familiar with the Blasey family as both were members of the Columbia Country Club. She told the Committee she was in contact with several individuals who knew Dr. Ford from high school and who have information regarding\*\* her drinking and partying\*\*, but none are willing to come forward and identify themselves I don’t want to put myself out there.” \*\*REDACTED \*\* said, “ **I wish I could say all of the things I know, but I don’t want to put myself out there."** > > [https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2018-11-02%20Kavanaugh%20Report.pdf](https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2018-11-02%20Kavanaugh%20Report.pdf) Pretty cowardly form of victim blaming. Won’t say who you are, or give any details, just that you have claim to have information that if she were sexually assaulted, then she deserved it. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/422 "2018-12-02T17:12:36Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > People are afraid to speak. > > From the Senate Report: My bolding. > > (Oct. 3, Oct. 5): **REDACTED** said that her family is familiar with the Blasey family as both were members of the Columbia Country Club. She told the Committee she was in contact with several individuals who knew Dr. Ford from high school and who have information regarding\*\* her drinking and partying\*\*, but none are willing to come forward and identify themselves I don’t want to put myself out there.” \*\*REDACTED \*\* said, “ **I wish I could say all of the things I know, but I don’t want to put myself out there."** (Leaving aside for the moment that Dr. Ford’s history of drinking and partying, like her sexual history, has exactly fuck-all to do with whether or not she was sexually assaulted or the claims put forward against Kavanaugh…) Hmm, I wonder why someone would be afraid of coming forward. Maybe because another woman who came forward [had to leave her home and seek out professional bodyguards in the wake of unending credible death threats](https://www.businessinsider.de/christine-blasey-ford-cant-move-home-kavanaugh-testimony-death-threats-2018-10?r=US&IR=T). ---
**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:** [December 2, 2018, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/423 "2018-12-02T19:07:47Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > People are afraid to speak. > > From the Senate Report: My bolding. > > (Oct. 3, Oct. 5): **REDACTED** said that her family is familiar with the Blasey family as both were members of the Columbia Country Club. She told the Committee she was in contact with several individuals who knew Dr. Ford from high school and who have information regarding\*\* her drinking and partying\*\*, but none are willing to come forward and identify themselves I don’t want to put myself out there.” \*\*REDACTED \*\* said, “ **I wish I could say all of the things I know, but I don’t want to put myself out there."** > > [https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2018-11-02%20Kavanaugh%20Report.pdf](https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2018-11-02%20Kavanaugh%20Report.pdf) This evidence that Dr. Ford liked to drink and party back in high school corroborates Dr. Ford’s claim that she was drinking and partying on the day in question. It’s fairly weak corroboration, but corroboration nonetheless. Thanks for posting that and welcome to the corroboration bandwagon. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/424 "2018-12-02T20:01:17Z")
I’ve pretty much given up on this discussion since neither side is going to budge, but I stand by my earlier statements about Christine Ford acting in a manner consistent with truthfulness and Kavanaugh acting in the manner of someone pulling the DARVO defense – “Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender”. Anyway I just wanted to drop in for a moment and say that as long as we’re quoting corroborations from the Senate report, let’s mention that there are many others than just the one that LAZombie likes to cite from an anonymous source that doesn’t even want his name publicized and refuses to give details. For instance, 79 statements and allegations made by Paul Rendon, included as Exhibit 20 and made under penalty of perjury. It’s fascinating reading and paints Kavanaugh as a drunk and a major asshole. Let’s just cite numbers 74, 75, and 76: > [@Paul Rendon](#): > > 1. When I heard Dr. Ford describe Brett Kavanaugh and Mark Judge laughing at her, I immediately recalled Brett Kavanaugh and Mark Judge laughing together at someone else’s expense. > > 2. The reason I decided to come forward and share my interactions with Brett Kavanaugh is that Brett Kavanaugh’s presentation of himself as some honorable and nice person who always respected girls in high school and who was a moderate drinker could not be farther from the truth. > > 3. Based on everything I witnessed first-hand about Brett Kavanaugh as a person during my four years with him in high school, I have strong reason to fear that he did exactly as Dr. Ford testified he did to her in high school and that Mark Judge was with him at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/425 "2018-12-02T20:43:34Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > This evidence that Dr. Ford liked to drink and party back in high school corroborates Dr. Ford’s claim that she was drinking and partying on the day in question. > > It’s fairly weak corroboration, but corroboration nonetheless. Thanks for posting that and welcome to the corroboration bandwagon. No it doesn’t. There is no evidence to back up her claim there was ever a party in the first place. At best, it indicates she’s not a prohibitionist. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/426 "2018-12-02T20:47:08Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > No it doesn’t. There is no evidence to back up her claim there was ever a party in the first place. At best, it indicates she’s not a prohibitionist. You sir, as far as I’m concerned, are on a corroboration conversation timeout until you can explain this. > [@Magiver](#): > > Taking information off the internet that matches somebody you’re accusing of a crime is a corroboration of the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/427 "2018-12-02T21:30:38Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > You sir, as far as I’m concerned, are on a corroboration conversation timeout until you can explain this. It’s self explanatory. Ford’s statement that she had a beer at a party is not corroborated by anyone saying she’s capable of drinking. How you don’t understand this I don’t know. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2018, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/428 "2018-12-02T21:39:03Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It’s self explanatory. Ford’s statement that she had a beer at a party is not corroborated by anyone saying she’s capable of drinking. > > How you don’t understand this I don’t know. That doesn’t explain the following post at all. > [@Magiver](#): > > Taking information off the internet that matches somebody you’re accusing of a crime is a corroboration of the internet. As far as I can tell, the post above shows that you have a fundamental misunderstanding of the meaning of the word corroborated. I might be wrong. I’m willing to listen. I’m not going to discuss other posts with you until you make a reasonable attempt to make some sense out of your, “corroboration of the internet,” post. ---
**Author:** ![LAZombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LAZombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LAZombie)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/429 "2018-12-02T23:45:43Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’ve pretty much given up on this discussion since neither side is going to budge, but I stand by my earlier statements about Christine Ford acting in a manner consistent with truthfulness and Kavanaugh acting in the manner of someone pulling the DARVO defense – “Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender”. Anyway I just wanted to drop in for a moment and say that as long as we’re quoting corroborations from the Senate report, let’s mention that there are many others than just the one that LAZombie likes to cite from an anonymous source that doesn’t even want his name publicized and refuses to give details. For instance, 79 statements and allegations made by Paul Rendon, included as Exhibit 20 and made under penalty of perjury. It’s fascinating reading and paints Kavanaugh as a drunk and a major asshole. Let’s just cite numbers 74, 75, and 76: The big difference is that Ford supporters can speak freely without retribution. Kavanaugh, not so much. Thank you for pointing that out. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/430 "2018-12-02T23:52:22Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > The big difference is that Ford supporters can speak freely without retribution. Kavanaugh, not so much. Thank you for pointing that out. LOL. Disagreement and criticism is “retribution” now? I’m very sorry if being criticized is so hard for you. It’s okay, criticism and disagreement isn’t going to hurt you. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/431 "2018-12-03T01:19:53Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > That doesn’t explain the following post at all. > > As far as I can tell, the post above shows that you have a fundamental misunderstanding of the meaning of the word corroborated. I might be wrong. I’m willing to listen. > > I’m not going to discuss other posts with you until you make a reasonable attempt to make some sense out of your, “corroboration of the internet,” post. Yes, you’re wrong. I’ve posted the definition of the word multiple times and you continue to misuse it. Ford’s story is that Kavenaugh assaulted her at a party 30+ years ago. That is what has to be proved. Nothing she brought up in the hearings corroborated her story. She can’t even establish that they were ever at a party together. ---
**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:** [December 3, 2018, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/432 "2018-12-03T02:33:55Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Yes, you’re wrong. Don’t tell me I’m wrong. Show me I’m wrong by explaining this post. I don’t see how someone who understands the concept of corroboration could post this. Can you show me? > [@Magiver](#): > > Taking information off the internet that matches somebody you’re accusing of a crime is a corroboration of the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2018, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/433 "2018-12-04T00:14:18Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Don’t tell me I’m wrong. Show me I’m wrong by explaining this post. I don’t see how someone who understands the concept of corroboration could post this. Can you show me? If Ford said it was a sunny day that’s not a corroboration that the Sun exists. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/434 "2018-12-04T02:51:50Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > If Ford said it was a sunny day that’s not a corroboration that the Sun exists. Is that supposed to explain this? > [@Magiver](#): > > Taking information off the internet that matches somebody you’re accusing of a crime is a corroboration of the internet. I don’t see the connection. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/435 "2018-12-04T19:20:39Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Second, meaningful or relevant are not elements of determining if a statement is corroborated. **For any particular statement either evidence exists that tends to support it or no such evidence exists**. > > Evidence exists that tends to support Dr. Ford’s assertion that she attended a gathering where Kavanaugh and Judge were drunk. **That evidence comes in the form of the mountain of evidence that Kavanaugh and Judge were drunk together at many gatherings**. > > It doesn’t prove that such a gathering occurred, but it does tend to support it. (post shortened, underline and bold added) You’re statement that “it doesn’t prove that such a gathering occurred” is correct. You’re statement of “but it does tend to support it” is incorrect. There is no actual evidence that such a gathering occurred, and that is only one of the items of Ford’s claim that has not been corroborated. Actual evidence does NOT support Ford’s assertion that she attended such a gathering, or that such a gathering even took place. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/436 "2018-12-04T19:31:55Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Don’t tell me I’m wrong. Show me I’m wrong by explaining this post. I don’t see how someone who understands the concept of corroboration could post this. Can you show me? \ ***corroboration** noun [U] uk ​ /kəˌrɒb.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ us ​ /kəˌrɑː.bəˈreɪ.ʃən/ the act of proving an account, statement, idea, etc. with new information: Without corroboration from forensic tests, it will be difficult to prove that the suspect is guilty. They could find no independent corroboration that he was telling the truth.\* > **[corroboration](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/corroboration)** > > 1. the act of proving an account, statement, idea, etc. with new information… Neither you, or anyone else, has been able to corroborate (according to the common definition of the word) Ford’s claims that she was molested, or that she was molested by Kavanaugh, or that anyone witnessed this alleged molestation, or that Ford was even at such a party/place when this alleged molestation took place, or that such a home even exists. ---
**Author:** ![LAZombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LAZombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LAZombie)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/437 "2018-12-04T22:17:42Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Hmm, I wonder why someone would be afraid of coming forward. Maybe because another woman who came forward [had to leave her home and seek out professional bodyguards in the wake of unending credible death threats](https://www.businessinsider.de/christine-blasey-ford-cant-move-home-kavanaugh-testimony-death-threats-2018-10?r=US&IR=T). If Ford hasn’t filed police reports, then these death threats haven’t happened as far as I’m concerned. I’ve seen this movie before. In 2016, a woman represented by Lisa Bloom daughter of Gloria Allred claimed Trump had raped her when she was 13. Moments before the alleged victim was to speak to the press she backed out claiming death threats. Bloom and the alleged victim never filed police reports. We’ve never seen this woman’s face and her identity is still a mystery. Some people in the press questioned whether woman existed or not, and many news outlets refused to carry the story due to its lack of credibility. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/438 "2018-12-04T22:18:20Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Neither you, or anyone else, has been able to corroborate (according to the common definition of the word) Ford’s claims that she was molested, or that she was molested by Kavanaugh, or that anyone witnessed this alleged molestation, or that Ford was even at such a party/place when this alleged molestation took place, or that such a home even exists. This is false. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2018, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/439 "2018-12-04T23:26:00Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > This is false. It’s not just true, it’s 100 percent true. Not one piece of evidence backs up her claim. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2018, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383/440 "2018-12-05T00:43:13Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > This is false. Then perhaps you could provide the corroborating evidence, as that’s where the burden of proof lies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-someone-like-christine-ford-supposed-to-prove-her-case/824383.md?page=23)