READERS WRITE: OCT. 16

Kavanaugh’s emotions were justified

Yes, liberals also were upset about Justice Gorsuch because he is a conservative (“Gorsuch process different for a reason,” Readers Write, Oct. 9). Had Kavanaugh been first, he probably would have received the same treatment as Gorsuch. They are both men with outstanding reputations, as well as being exceptionally well-qualified with excellent judicial records and high praise from all associates. There the similarity ends. Gorsuch was replacing a conservative; Kavanaugh is replacing a moderate, with the potential of changing the balance of the court for at least a generation. Thus, the explosion of hate and venom set on a scorched-earth policy of destruction at any cost, even going back as far as 36 years with baseless accusations. When that didn’t seem to work, they accused him of not having the correct “temperament” for the court, simply because he was emotional trying to defend himself. In a similar situation, who wouldn’t be emotional?

JUDITH MCCARTHY, ATLANTA

A letter writer on Oct. 5 (“Why no difficult questions for Ford?”) advocates for harsher treatment of sexual assault victims via bizarre questions the Senate and the hired prosecutor missed out on, such as, “Was the one-piece bathing suit under your clothes wet? And if not, why not?” The professional Right-wing fringe counterpart beneath this letter, Pat Buchanan, encourages even more unrest in our country (“Republicans act like wimps as Democrats fight for keeps”). The other letter, “Ford’s testimony warranted FBI probe,” simply stuck to reason and the facts, pointing out Dr. Ford has taken a polygraph and welcomed an FBI investigation. Those who support Trump, Kavanaugh and their fellow Republicans are not interested in the truth, intellect, honor or respect. Stoking anger, fear and ignorance is a vile but effective tactic to use when you have nothing else to offer.

LAURIE WARLICK, ATLANTA