2026 Mid-Term Elections

[Tigers!]

Accusations of violence against former girlfriends

Firstly, it's a bit fucking rich that this one time you have decided to believe a woman's accusation.
Secondly, the accuser was part of a group called "women for Kavanaugh", so...

So you don't believe women either?

 

[Patooka]

Accusations of violence against former girlfriends

Firstly, it's a bit fucking rich that this one time you have decided to believe a woman's accusation.
Secondly, the accuser was part of a group called "women for Kavanaugh", so...

So you don't believe women either?

Sure, why not? I have a decades long posting history of being reflexively skeptical of any claims of assault brought forward by a woman. [/sarcasm]
But I am always cynical of last minute October Surprise-esque scandals appearing at the back end of any election cycle, regardless of type or gender. If I lived in Maine, I would be less worried about Platner's personal past (which stricly speaking should not be an issue in US politics since June 16, 2015), and more concerned with the possibility of Platner pulling what I would call a "Sinemetterman" immediately after being sworn in.

 

[laughing dog]

Firstly, it's a bit fucking rich that this one time you have decided to believe a woman's accusation.

I neither believe nor don't believe. That's why I wrote "accusations of violence". What is with

Secondly, the accuser was part of a group called "women for Kavanaugh", so...

Speaking of Kav, you lot wanted to crucify him based on allegations from when he was a minor (or as Toni would say, "a child"). But you are willing to give Plat the benefit of the doubt for things that happened well into his adulthood. And not just accusations of violence. Kav was criticized for drinking in high school. Plat has been a full-fledged alcoholic in his 30s. There certainly is a double standard here.

Alcoholism is a disease. Normally, we don't blame people for their diseases.

And moreover, Kav never had any Nazi tattoos, nor did he praise terrorist organizations, nor did he go on podcasts with antisemitic conspiracy theorists.

It is true that there is no public evidence of any of that, but that does not mean it is true. More importantly, Kavanaugh is an idealogue who is actively reducing the public's quality of life and the vibrancy of our democracy. Whatever Platner may have done, it is small potatoes to Kavanaugh. Really, your response is ridiculous.

 

[laughing dog]

Trump is trying to reduce the democratic vote by putting the postal service in charge of vetting mail in ballots.

Trump and his administration is absolutely evil.

Postal Service Seeks to Block Mail Ballots in States Resisting Trump Demands​

Democrats and voting-rights groups have challenged the proposed rule as a harmful federal intrusion that could affect millions of voters who cast their ballots by mail.

The U.S. Postal Service has proposed a new rule that would allow it to refuse to deliver mail ballots in states that don’t turn over voter rolls to the federal government.

The rule, proposed last week, is vaguely written but appears to establish broad authority for the agency to intervene in the mail voting process. It calls on states to compile lists of mail voters that Postal Service employees would use to screen ballots for eligibility. If states refuse to comply, the agency could refuse to send their mail ballots.

I can imagine millions of ballots not being delivered due to Trump administration illegally interfering with the vote.

Unless this is resolved quickly I can imagine having to vote in person. But millions of eligible voters have a very hard time voting in person due to their work ours or hours long lines to vote.

Trump is absolutely evil.

Postal Service Seeks to Block Mail Ballots in States Resisting Trump Demands

Democrats and voting-rights groups have challenged the proposed rule as a harmful federal intrusion that could affect millions of voters who cast their ballots by mail.

www.nytimes.com

What a stupid rule. One would think it would be easy for a state to make such return ballots impossible to identify as ballots.

 

[ZiprHead]

Whatever Platner may have done, it is small potatoes to Kavanaugh.

And microscopic compared to Trump (mumble nipple mutilation mumble).

 

[Toni]

Firstly, it's a bit fucking rich that this one time you have decided to believe a woman's accusation.

I neither believe nor don't believe. That's why I wrote "accusations of violence". What is with

Secondly, the accuser was part of a group called "women for Kavanaugh", so...

Speaking of Kav, you lot wanted to crucify him based on allegations from when he was a minor (or as Toni would say, "a child"). But you are willing to give Plat the benefit of the doubt for things that happened well into his adulthood. And not just accusations of violence. Kav was criticized for drinking in high school. Plat has been a full-fledged alcoholic in his 30s. There certainly is a double standard here.

And moreover, Kav never had any Nazi tattoos, nor did he praise terrorist organizations, nor did he go on podcasts with antisemitic conspiracy theorists.

Eh, some of the accusations come from when he was a college student, 18 or older.

I believe that Kavanaugh has confessed to in the past, having had a problem with alcohol. I would be a bit surprised if it were in the past, but that's only judging by more recent photos I've seen of him. I think that if he still abuses alcohol, that is highly problematic in a USSC judge. And would be no matter who.

 

[Toni]

Firstly, it's a bit fucking rich that this one time you have decided to believe a woman's accusation.

I neither believe nor don't believe. That's why I wrote "accusations of violence". What is with

Secondly, the accuser was part of a group called "women for Kavanaugh", so...

Speaking of Kav, you lot wanted to crucify him based on allegations from when he was a minor (or as Toni would say, "a child"). But you are willing to give Plat the benefit of the doubt for things that happened well into his adulthood. And not just accusations of violence. Kav was criticized for drinking in high school. Plat has been a full-fledged alcoholic in his 30s. There certainly is a double standard here.

Alcoholism is a disease. Normally, we don't blame people for their diseases.

And moreover, Kav never had any Nazi tattoos, nor did he praise terrorist organizations, nor did he go on podcasts with antisemitic conspiracy theorists.

It is true that there is no public evidence of any of that, but that does not mean it is true. More importantly, Kavanaugh is an idealogue who is actively reducing the public's quality of life and the vibrancy of our democracy. Whatever Platner may have done, it is small potatoes to Kavanaugh. Really, your response is ridiculous.

Schizophrenia is a disease. Bipolar disorder is a disease. Stage 4 cancer is a disease. While we should not blame people who suffer from serious mental or physical diseases or disorders, we also should not elect them to high office if they are not in recovery. That includes alcoholism, which can be and often is extremely destructive not just to the alcoholic but to anyone and everyone that they significantly interact with. Best case scenario, alcoholism, if the person is still drinking at all, makes the sufferer extremely unreliable unless you think being reliably unreliable is reliable.

The thing is, a lot of alcoholics are pretty charming, engaging people. At least at first and if they are not very drunk. Later, that tends to disappear along with most semblance of self control or decent behavior--if the alcoholic does not seek help and stop drinking. Both are necessary. Of course alcoholics can recover. Many do but all know that they must be vigilant against what triggers drinking for them. One bad night can lead to years of renewed drinking. Or not. It's not worth the risk.

Moreover, repeated allegations of physical abuse against anyone should give anyone a lot of pause, particularly if the alleged abuser has not received significant professional help. Same thing with alcohol abuse.

Serving in public office is a high stress job. Stress tends to exacerbate behavior issues such as domestic violence or any violence, and issues around abuse of substances. Add in the fact that there are far too many people willing to attempt to curry favor by indulging/ignoring 'slips' or even attempting to trigger them for nefarious reasons. I'm pretty appalled that Platner got the nomination and unhappy that the Democratic party is largely handwaving this away.

Platner may be a good guy who has put behind him all of his wicked ways but I got a feeling that ain't entirely true. His former campaign worker certainly raised significant concerns. https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics...paign-chief-124219661.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

Susan Collins should lose, of course, but surely there was a better Democratic candidate in Maine to accomplish this.

 

[ZiprHead]

One of the right wing Republican nitwits running for governor here says he will "DOGE the budget and eliminate the income tax." And "Like Trump, I don't back down."

 

[Playball40]

Firstly, it's a bit fucking rich that this one time you have decided to believe a woman's accusation.

I neither believe nor don't believe. That's why I wrote "accusations of violence". What is with

Secondly, the accuser was part of a group called "women for Kavanaugh", so...

Speaking of Kav, you lot wanted to crucify him based on allegations from when he was a minor (or as Toni would say, "a child"). But you are willing to give Plat the benefit of the doubt for things that happened well into his adulthood. And not just accusations of violence. Kav was criticized for drinking in high school. Plat has been a full-fledged alcoholic in his 30s. There certainly is a double standard here.

And moreover, Kav never had any Nazi tattoos, nor did he praise terrorist organizations, nor did he go on podcasts with antisemitic conspiracy theorists.

He was NOT a minor. He was in college. And the difference is who has acknowledged their behavior and works to do BETTER and who denies it completely and takes NO responsibility.

 

[Shadowy Man]

So what is the 'not so good stuff' (the link wouldn't load for me). All I've heard so far is very vague.

• He had a Nazi tattoo he affectionately called "My Totenkopf" (reminiscent of the Are We the Baddies sketch)
• Accusations of violence against former girlfriends
• Praised Hamas' tactics
• Wrote that a wounded US soldier did not deserve to live
• Wrote that all cops are bastards and identified as a communist
• Is linked with antisemitic conspiracy theorists

Among other things.

So perhaps more SecDef material?

 

[Patooka]

Speaking of Kav, you lot wanted to crucify him based on allegations from when he was a minor (or as Toni would say, "a child"). But you are willing to give Plat the benefit of the doubt for things that happened well into his adulthood. And not just accusations of violence. Kav was criticized for drinking in high school. Plat has been a full-fledged alcoholic in his 30s. There certainly is a double standard here.

And moreover, Kav never had any Nazi tattoos, nor did he praise terrorist organizations, nor did he go on podcasts with antisemitic conspiracy theorists.

Completely and utterly wrong. I won't repeat all the other points others have brought up, but I'll also add the allegations towards Kavanaugh were never my reason he shouldn't be on the SC. The fact that Kavanaugh is thin skinned and instantly became petulant the instant people had questions about his past disqualified him for a job he will have for the rest of his life that requires him to be impartial for nation changing rulings. And his actions since being appointed have validated my position.

 

[Derec]

He was NOT a minor. He was in college.

Kav was a minor in high school for the attempted rape allegation by CBF.
He was in college for the much less serious accusation of exposing himself at a party. By the way, the accuser in that incident wasn't even sure that it was Kav who exposed himself, and there don't seem to be any witnesses who remembered it either.

Who is Deborah Ramirez, the second Kavanaugh accuser?

On the night of the alleged incident, Ramirez admits to being drunk and, since then, having gaps in her memory. According to The New Yorker, “she was reluctant to characterize Kavanaugh’s role in the alleged incident with certainty.”
The magazine reported that it took six days of “carefully assessing her memories and consulting with her attorney” for Ramirez to go on record accusing Kavanaugh.” The Times reported that Ramirez had contacted several of her former classmates to see if they remembered the incident because she could not be certain that Kavanaugh had been the perpetrator. CNN has not been able to find any firsthand eyewitnesses to corroborate her story.

[emphasis added]
We talked about all these things at length years ago. And yet some people stick to the long debunked party line.

And the difference is who has acknowledged their behavior and works to do BETTER and who denies it completely and takes NO responsibility.

Note that neither incident was ever proven, or had any corroborating evidence. This attitude that "acknowledging behavior" is better than maintaining innocence is a real Catch 22 for anybody factually innocent of accusations of sexual misconduct.

 

[Derec]

Eh, some of the accusations come from when he was a college student, 18 or older.

Just the Ramirez "he took it out" story. And even she admitted that she could not be sure that the alleged penis belonged to Kav. See the CNN article above.

I believe that Kavanaugh has confessed to in the past, having had a problem with alcohol.

AFAIK he only confessed to having liked to drink beer. That is not the same as having a problem. Platner on the other hand had a real problem with alcohol well into his adulthood.

I would be a bit surprised if it were in the past, but that's only judging by more recent photos I've seen of him. I think that if he still abuses alcohol, that is highly problematic in a USSC judge. And would be no matter who.

You have zero evidence that he abuses alcohol or has a drinking problem. Speculation based on photos is not evidence. Especially since he is on the wrong side of 60 by now, and will look older than 8 years ago.

 

[Toni]

Eh, some of the accusations come from when he was a college student, 18 or older.

Just the Ramirez "he took it out" story. And even she admitted that she could not be sure that the alleged penis belonged to Kav. See the CNN article above.

I believe that Kavanaugh has confessed to in the past, having had a problem with alcohol.

AFAIK he only confessed to having liked to drink beer. That is not the same as having a problem. Platner on the other hand had a real problem with alcohol well into his adulthood.

I would be a bit surprised if it were in the past, but that's only judging by more recent photos I've seen of him. I think that if he still abuses alcohol, that is highly problematic in a USSC judge. And would be no matter who.

You have zero evidence that he abuses alcohol or has a drinking problem. Speculation based on photos is not evidence. Especially since he is on the wrong side of 60 by now, and will look older than 8 years ago.

There was a different story that I’m too lazy to search for, about him and a bunch of his other drunk buddies going out and harassing women while in college.

I know that Kavanaugh claims he just ‘liked beer’ but quite a few people who knew him spoke about a lot of excess drinking.

You know which alcoholics admit to having a drinking problem?

Those in recovery.

BTW, nice guys don’t shove their junk in girls’ faces when they are drunk. They get drunk so they have the nerve to shove their junk in girls’ faces.

Shoving your junk in someone’s face is evidence that you are not a nice person and have fucked up delusions of entitlement.

 

[Derec]

Alcoholism is a disease. Normally, we don't blame people for their diseases.

It may technically be a disease, but it is a self-inflicted one.

Whatever Platner may have done, it is small potatoes to Kavanaugh. Really, your response is ridiculous.

I disagree that alleged domestic violence is "small potatoes". Especially since the allegations are far more recent than the >30 year old ones against Kavanaugh.

 

[Derec]

There was a different story that I’m too lazy to search for, about him and a bunch of his other drunk buddies going out and harassing women while in college.

"Harassing" is a verb that covers a wide range of behaviors, even if this were true.
Can you give more details?

I know that Kavanaugh claims he just ‘liked beer’ but quite a few people who knew him spoke about a lot of excess drinking.

And excess drinking is not uncommon when young. That is very different than Unterscharführer Platner being a drunk, and allegedly a domestically violent drunk, into his 30s.

BTW, nice guys don’t shove their junk in girls’ faces when they are drunk. They get drunk so they have the nerve to shove their junk in girls’ faces.

I am not saying it's a good thing to do, but that Ramirez herself admitted she wasn't sure whose junk it was.

Shoving your junk in someone’s face is evidence that you are not a nice person and have fucked up delusions of entitlement.

There is no evidence it was him who did it though.
And is exposing himself at a college party really worse than domestic violence when much older and supposedly more mature than some 18-22 year olds?
Again, here is what is alleged about your boy Platner:

Mr. Platner could be rough with her, Ms. Fifield said, particularly when they were drinking, leaving her shaken and sometimes afraid. In the interviews, Ms. Fifield grappled with how to process her experiences. She was quick to note that he “never hit me, he never punched me.”
But she said he regularly grabbed her by the shoulders — sometimes hard enough to leave marks — and, on one occasion, yanked her out of a cab by her wrist after an argument when she wanted to stay in the car.
During one argument, she recalled, he twisted her arm behind her back, shoved her into a bedroom and held the door closed from the other side so she couldn’t get out, telling her to remain there until she was “calm.” Eventually, Ms. Fifield said, she fell asleep and left the next morning.
“It hurt,” she said. But she added: “It didn’t cause an injury, it didn’t break my arm.”

 

[Toni]

There was a different story that I’m too lazy to search for, about him and a bunch of his other drunk buddies going out and harassing women while in college.

"Harassing" is a verb that covers a wide range of behaviors, even if this were true.
Can you give more details? And note

I know that Kavanaugh claims he just ‘liked beer’ but quite a few people who knew him spoke about a lot of excess drinking.

And excess drinking is not uncommon when young. That is very different than Unterscharführer Platner being a drunk, and allegedly a domestically violent drunk, into his 30s.

BTW, nice guys don’t shove their junk in girls’ faces when they are drunk. They get drunk so they have the nerve to shove their junk in girls’ faces.

I am not saying it's a good thing to do, but that Ramirez herself admitted she wasn't sure whose junk it was.

Shoving your junk in someone’s face is evidence that you are not a nice person and have fucked up delusions of entitlement.

There is no evidence it was him who did it though.
And is exposing himself at a college party really worse than domestic violence when much older and supposedly more mature than some 18-22 year olds?
Again, here is what is alleged about your boy Platner:

Mr. Platner could be rough with her, Ms. Fifield said, particularly when they were drinking, leaving her shaken and sometimes afraid. In the interviews, Ms. Fifield grappled with how to process her experiences. She was quick to note that he “never hit me, he never punched me.”
But she said he regularly grabbed her by the shoulders — sometimes hard enough to leave marks — and, on one occasion, yanked her out of a cab by her wrist after an argument when she wanted to stay in the car.
During one argument, she recalled, he twisted her arm behind her back, shoved her into a bedroom and held the door closed from the other side so she couldn’t get out, telling her to remain there until she was “calm.” Eventually, Ms. Fifield said, she fell asleep and left the next morning.
“It hurt,” she said. But she added: “It didn’t cause an injury, it didn’t break my arm.”

I’m certainly not defending Platner.

More than one woman WAS sure that it was Kavanaugh and multiple people talked about him frequently getting black out drunk.

Maybe that’s all in his past. But it happened.

 

[Derec]

Missing the point with irony. Bravo!!!!

You are the one missing the point. Congratulate yourself!

If he won by the rules, it was fair.

That does not logically follow. If the rules themselves are not fair, then him winning is not fair either.

BTW, you cannot know what proportion of votes were against him. All one can say is that he was not the 1st choice for more than 70% of the primary voters.

I.e. he wasn't the first choice of more than two thirds of primary voters. Why should he be the nominee then?

This thread is about current midterm elections not optimal election rules.

The electoral rules, as they affect the current midterm elections, are very much relevant to this thread. Certainly far more than the digression about taxing billionaires we had earlier.

I suspect if the winning candidate met your approval, the rules would not be an issue.

Is that the reason you defend these clearly flawed rules? Because you like this islamoleftist terrorist supporter?

Let's forget for a moment who "won". Can you give any arguments as to why you think this the superior electoral system compared to the majority one?

 

[Derec]

I’m certainly not defending Platner.

You seem to be.

More than one woman WAS sure that it was Kavanaugh and multiple people talked about him frequently getting black out drunk.

Do you mean CBF? Her accusation (of something that would have happened when they were both minors, or as you would say "children") had no corroborating evidence. And even her friend Keyser was skeptical of it.

Maybe that’s all in his past. But it happened.

We don't know that. No evidence is no evidence.

 

[ZiprHead]

All this talk about Platner when we have a kid fucking murderer in the Whitehouse.