Optimist
  • News
  • Pessimist
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Opinion / Letters to the Editor / Letter to the Editor: A case for Kavanaugh’s confirmation

Letter to the Editor: A case for Kavanaugh’s confirmation

October 11, 2018 by Special Contributor

-by Colton Powell, senior finance major from Nashville, Tenn.

Last week’s edition of The Optimist included an opinion piece arguing against the confirmation of then Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh. Since, as I’m sure you are aware, Kavanaugh was confirmed by the US Senate by a narrow margin of 50-48. Given the magnitude and complexity of the situation, I believed it necessary to respond in order to give fair representation to both sides.

Aspects of last week’s opinion piece I vehemently disagree with include arguments concerning Justice Kavanaugh’s:

  1. Temperament
  2. Truthfulness under oath
  3. “Issues” with alcohol
  4. Partisan nature

In my full response, which you can read here, I thoroughly refute each of these points and explain why I believe The Optimist is completely unwarranted in their analysis. Setting those discrepancies aside, however, here is why the Senate did, indeed, confirm Brett Kavanaugh and why I back that decision to do so.

Brett Kavanaugh has an exceptional record of public service including twelve years on the nation’s second highest court. This lifetime résumé, which is the reason Kavanaugh was nominated in the first place, is completely ignored by last week’s article. Instead, the article draws conclusions based off a Senate hearing in which Kavanaugh was asked to respond to internationally publicized accusations of serial gang rape, sexual assault, and rampant alcoholism. You cannot create a better scenario to catch someone outside of their normal character. Regardless, Kavanaugh’s temperament throughout the hearing was perfectly acceptable and expected. Assuming his innocence, which we have no evidence telling us to assume otherwise, he should have been upset. That is no valid justification for opposing his confirmation. Kavanaugh’s temperament in any rational situation is perfectly displayed in his outstanding performance as a federal judge.

Any actual apprehensions to the Kavanaugh’s confirmation unrelated to his professional record should regard the sexual assault allegations. Everything else is diversion tactics. Conveniently, this is the topic least evaluated by The Optimist. The FBI investigation found nothing. Since confirmation, Dr. Ford has announced she will not be pursuing her allegations at the federal court level, even though the statute of limitations in Maryland is such that Kavanaugh could still be convicted of sexual assault committed in 1982. Even if we do not go with “guilty beyond reasonable doubt,” the evidence does not even meet “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning “more likely than not.” It is nonsensical to suggest destroying the career of an individual and altering the totality of our judicial system at the highest level without the presence of evidence.  Proclaiming one’s guilt without proof is not “rule of law,” it’s the absence of it. Given this, along with his flawlessly qualifying record previously mentioned, the Senate was absolutely justified in confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court.

Filed Under: Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Other Opinion:

  • Skipping class is a drug

  • Athletics have a lack of traditions leading to low engagement from students

  • Directionless but encouraged: My experience on The College Tour’s film set

About Special Contributor

You are here: Home / Opinion / Letters to the Editor / Letter to the Editor: A case for Kavanaugh’s confirmation

Other Opinion:

  • Skipping class is a drug

  • Athletics have a lack of traditions leading to low engagement from students

  • Directionless but encouraged: My experience on The College Tour’s film set

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
16 Feb

Black Student Union, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have joined together to plan events that educate others and provide celebrations during Black History Month. Read more:
https://acuoptimist.com/2023/02/black-history-month-events-educate-celebrate-acu-community/

Reply on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Retweet on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Like on Twitter 1626340622872285184 2 Twitter 1626340622872285184
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
11 Feb

BREAKING: Robert D. “Bob” Hunter, vice president emeritus, passed away Saturday. Hunter served as a representative of the 71st district of Texas and worked part time with ACU until 2013.

Reply on Twitter 1624540404690436097 Retweet on Twitter 1624540404690436097 4 Like on Twitter 1624540404690436097 23 Twitter 1624540404690436097

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

1 week ago

The Optimist
BREAKING NEWS: Dr. Charles Wadlington, associate professor of psychology, was arrested Wednesday on allegations of sexual abuse of a child. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Professor arrested on allegations of sexual abuse of a child - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Dr. Charles Wadlington, associate professor of psychology, was arrested Wednesday on allegations of sexual abuse of a child. Wadlington has been charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, appare...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 week ago

The Optimist
FilmFest, a student short film festival designed to give students who are interested in film production access to a creative outlet, will host its 19th annual FilmFest Gala April 14 at the Paramount Theatre. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

FilmFest prepares to take the big screen - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

FilmFest, a student short film festival designed to give students who are interested in film production access to a creative outlet, will host it’s 19th annual FilmFest Gala April 14 at the Paramoun...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 22, 2023

Our top stories this week include the passing of Dr. Bob Hunter, a new endowment ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 8, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 1, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved