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Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#255426: Sep 23rd 2018 at 7:35:19 PM

I certainly don't trust Avenatti to have a concern for truth over spectacle. He's a lawyer, not a news reporter... wait, bad comparison.

That said, this doesn't surprise me. If Kavanaugh attempted rape in high school and got away with it, it was as likely as not that there would be more such acts turning up. Sexual predators typically don't stop. Remember how Al Franken initially tried to pass off the groping accusation as a one-time mistake, only to have more accusers show up and make it plain that he had a habit of it? #MeToo indeed.

I still wouldn't put it past the GOP Senate to try to force this thing through anyway, no matter how horribly unpopular such an act would be.

Edit: [up] Michael Avenatti is the lawyer for Stormy Daniels. He's gotten himself a reputation as a loose cannon, leaking accusations and evidence of the same like a firehose that was recently attacked by a cheese grater. He really seems to prefer getting people convicted in the court of public opinion over the court of law, although I could offer the benefit of the doubt and say that he reserves that tactic for people who act like they are above the law.

Edited by Fighteer on Sep 23rd 2018 at 10:41:49 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#255427: Sep 23rd 2018 at 7:38:18 PM

I predict that people will try to downplay the allegations against Kavanaugh by blaming the women for partying with him and his friends in the first place.

Do not obey in advance.
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#255428: Sep 23rd 2018 at 7:38:42 PM

As long as he stays as far away from 2020 as possible, I personally don't give a shit what Aventtati does.

New Survey coming this weekend!
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#255429: Sep 23rd 2018 at 7:40:12 PM

[up]More or less this, unless he manages to fuck over actual court cases.

Otherwise, he's just another forgettable blowhard who has no business running for high office.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#255430: Sep 23rd 2018 at 7:43:58 PM

Does anyone think Avenatti is running for office? No, he's a lawyer who takes advocating for his clients seriously and is not above fighting fire with fire: that is, countering smear campaigns with his own smear campaigns. Apparently, his very high-profile work for Ms. Daniels has come to the attention of women with accusations to register against public figures and they're starting to come to him with stories.

The main problem I have with him is that his mudslinging is indiscriminate enough to potentially prejudice real legal cases and jeopardize justice for his clients. Secondarily, he helps feed the right-wing media stories of rabid anti-men Democrats, and he can come across as a bit of a loudmouth during interviews.

Edited by Fighteer on Sep 23rd 2018 at 10:46:56 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#255431: Sep 23rd 2018 at 7:44:14 PM

To give him some benefit of the doubt, in these situations there is minimal chance of things making it to court or getting anywhere in court. Like when dealing with the POTUS, getting the information out would seem more important than getting it out in court.

wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#255432: Sep 23rd 2018 at 7:47:44 PM

Does anyone think Avenatti is running for office? No, he's a lawyer who takes advocating for his clients seriously and is not above fighting fire with fire: that is, countering smear campaigns with his own smear campaigns.

I mean, Avenatti has been mulling a 2020 run over in public, and popping up as a talking head to discuss matters outside his cases. So... yeah, I don’t trust him.

In other news, the local political cartoonist is garbage and I loathe him.

Edited by wisewillow on Sep 23rd 2018 at 10:47:58 AM

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#255433: Sep 23rd 2018 at 7:50:18 PM

[up] I didn't know that. Oh, and one other thing: Avenatti has released information that was known to investigators, such as the Special Counsel's office, but was being kept secret to avoid tipping off targets. That makes him potentially an enemy of justice.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#255434: Sep 23rd 2018 at 7:51:50 PM

Fighteer: Ah, thank you.

I predict that people will try to downplay the allegations against Kavanaugh by blaming the women for partying with him and his friends in the first place.

Already happening. Don't read any Yahoo comment section involved in the story, it's all the same copy-pasted right wing smear that starts exactly with what you said.

wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#255435: Sep 23rd 2018 at 7:56:40 PM

Here’s a better analysis of why I don’t like what Avenatti is doing.

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#255436: Sep 24th 2018 at 2:25:59 AM

While I don't like the tactics Avinatti is using in principle, you can't deny that they work. I mean, what happend to the 16 women who accused Trump of sexual harassment? Don't know? Exactly.

Stormy Daniels gave him the green light to go public and if he hadn't done it and fought the way he did, I am not sure if the story had ended so well for her. A lot of people admire her now - naturally not the right wingers, but by fighting back the way they did they ensured that the usual smear campaigns didn't really work.

It also helps that Avinatti is ALWAYS prepared. Every single time he claimed something on TV, it turned out to be true and he always had proof for it.

My only concern is that he might like the spot-light a little bit too much and that there is a danger that he loses sight of the interest of his clients. I also wonder if he has a long-term plan to built a political career on this (which frankly, would only be a bad thing if he would step over his clients on his way).

But so far it doesn't look like Stormy Daniels in unhappy, there are no complains raised against him from any client and he has been pretty successful making Trump's life difficult.

So when he talks about rape parties, I would take it seriously. Especially since the notion isn't really surprising.

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#255437: Sep 24th 2018 at 4:09:49 AM

Avinatti is a wrecking ball but I point out that his strategy of going out swinging so the other side isn't the one always on the attack is perhaps the only thing which may actually prevent a rapist from ascending to the Supreme Court. Going public was always going to be dangerous for this woman thanks to the propaganda machine of the Republican party.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#255438: Sep 24th 2018 at 6:44:46 AM

There were questions earlier about how many people will actually care, a new Fox News poll found that 50% of voters think that Kavanaugh should not be nominated, which increased from 46% in August. So clearly the numbers are increasing, which should spell rather bad things for the Republicans especially as more women start popping up.

The poll also found that 14% of Republicans believe Ford, and once more stories come out I wouldn't be surprised if that number rises. I know that 14% isn't the highest but frankly it's a rather large minority, slightly more than 1 in 10 is nothing to scoff at.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Sep 24th 2018 at 9:44:33 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#255440: Sep 24th 2018 at 7:32:11 AM

I can't believe I ever said anything positive about Graham, there are no good Republicans.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#255442: Sep 24th 2018 at 7:36:42 AM

Mueller is a public servant, first and foremost. Whatever politics he has, he leaves them at the door.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#255443: Sep 24th 2018 at 7:37:14 AM

"Unless there's something more, no, I'm not going to ruin Judge Kavanaugh's life over this."

So, what about all the other accusations that came out right after this interview, Graham?

TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#255444: Sep 24th 2018 at 7:43:53 AM

Rod Rosenstein is resigning

Um....holy fuck.

New Survey coming this weekend!
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#255445: Sep 24th 2018 at 7:48:30 AM

[up] He's only resigning because he's fully expecting Trump to fire him in the coming days.

This is still terrible news. Whoever Rosenstein is gonna be replaced with is going to be a Trump Toadie. We need a Democratic Senate, more now then ever!

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#255446: Sep 24th 2018 at 7:49:12 AM

I really, really hope that isn't true, because it would be far "better" if he forced Trump to fire him and try explaining why he did so.

And color me skeptical about this one, as the article cites two unnamed sources and is literally 2 sentences long.

Edit: USA Today and other outlets are reporting on the more general (and concrete) information that Rosenstein was summoned to the White House this morning - so it'll be interesting to see how this shakes out, if nothing else.

Edited by ironballs16 on Sep 24th 2018 at 10:57:04 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#255447: Sep 24th 2018 at 7:53:52 AM

Ruin his life? Currently the only question is if he should be confirmed to a live-time appointment or not. Not getting it is hardly "ruining his life". And it is pretty unlikely that he will ever face punishment beyond that. It's not like the woman who accuse him even have launched any complains against him at the police, they just don't want him in a position in which he really shouldn't be if the stories are even remotely true (and they most likely are).

Also damnit! How have they managed to get rid of Rosenstein after all? Hopefully this isn't true. It would be a little bit strange for him suddenly giving up after all the sh... he already faced.

Edited by Swanpride on Sep 24th 2018 at 7:53:58 AM

TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#255448: Sep 24th 2018 at 7:53:58 AM

Watching MSNBC is reporting that Rosenstein hasn't resigned, but is expected to be fired today. Heading to the White House now

New Survey coming this weekend!
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#255449: Sep 24th 2018 at 7:57:01 AM

Other sources are refuting Axios' sources saying Rosenstein is being fired today.[nja]

Edited by tclittle on Sep 24th 2018 at 9:56:40 AM

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#255450: Sep 24th 2018 at 8:02:41 AM

[up] That nearly gave me a heart attack. Hopefully they’re right.


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