Conservative lawmakers are leaping to discredit Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's claims that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a party when the two were in high school. And Samantha Bee is having none of it.
The comedian and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee host gave a scathing takedown of Kavanaugh's defenders and the degree to which Americans in general defend white men accused of sexual assault, usually at the expense of the victim's safety and reputation.
With the trademark wit that's made her a staple in living rooms and laptop screens across America, Bee provided the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee with a much-needed reminder:
"It's never okay to try to rape somebody, not even in high school."
She also asked a relevant question:
“How is it never the right time to bring up assault allegations against a rich white dude? The woman Brock Turner raped reported it immediately, and I guess that wasn’t fair because it would ruin his future? Christine Blasey Ford reported Kavanaugh’s alleged assault 36 years later, and somehow she’s also ruining his future. How much future do rich white guys get to have?”
You can watch the clip below:
Famously, Brock Turner, who attempted to rape an intoxicated woman behind a dumpster, was only given a six-month prison sentence, of which he only served three months. Many were horrified when his defenders requested leniency, citing Turner's promising future as a swimmer.
Now, similar defenses are being used to defend Kavanaugh in an effort to secure his lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.
People cheered Bee for her pointed reminder:
Bee referred to several examples of lawmakers and commentators defending Kavanaugh.
One of her most startling examples referred to comments by Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) who said of the allegations that he'd hate to have someone ask him what he did 35 years ago.
As Samantha Bee aptly pointed out:
“Chuck, 35 years ago, you were 50 and a senator! You looked like a cereal spokesman and were trying to ban abortion.”
Viewers applauded:
Because justice for rape and sexual assault victims seems so hard for many Republican lawmakers to grasp, Bee even broke it down using a Seussian rhyme and once again referring to the Brock Turner case.
“You must not rape folks on a boat; you must not rape folks in a moat. You may not, must not after dinner; you cannot, even if you’re a good swimmer. You must not rape a woman or man; you can quote me, Sam-I-Am.”
But unfortunately, many of the hateful reactions to her segment and against Dr. Ford demonstrated Bee's point on the ways in which Americans defend the alleged abuser at the expense of the victim.
But it's statements like Samantha Bee's that play a part in dismantling this culture and, as she said in reference to the Anita Hill case, put an end to these "90's reboots."
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