Kavanaugh SCOTUS hearings

[Belsnickel]

(09-21-2018, 01:11 PM)PhilHos Wrote: Excellent article. I don't see how anyone can really argue against any of it.

Well, her first point about remembering is based on a lack of knowledge of how the brain encodes memories. When put into a situation like that where the fight, flight, or freeze part of the brain takes over, the neurotransmitters that help to encode memories aren't doing that. They are shut off to conserve energy for the more primitive parts of the brain that involve getting away. Everyone reacts to those situations differently, so using one person's memory of an attack to discredit another person because they lack enough details is just rooted in ignorance of psychology/neurobiology.

Character statements are also worthless in these situations. Time an again you will get statements from people that will say "well they never acted that way with me." I hear it often when I have to adjudicate sexual misconduct cases at the university.

Now, the timing of Feinstein bringing it up is interesting, I won't deny that. And I also find some of the inconsistencies a little troubling. Things like the polygraph and Judge refusing to testify under oath tends to lend some credibility to her side, though.