One part of the testimony that I already wrote I found believable and I will go farther and say 'honest' was when Dr. Ford said she was weighing the balance of testifying versus the personal cost to her based on how effective it would be. If the selection was a 'done deal' why bother? If she was going up against a 'stone' wall of unbelief or obstruction, why bother? It is reasonable that she is not alone with these considerations. The fears that stifle free expression in our supposed 'free' society are different than those in other countries that we think we are 'superior' to, but the result is no less injurious.

So I think it does some credit to many of the Republicans that they have proven themselves open to hearing out these issues so publicly. Our society is not finished (yet).