Amy Coney Barrett- what in the actual F?

[Anonymous]

I don't have an opinion about Barrett's second thoughts about adopting. I'm not an adoptive parent, but from what I know it's complicated...so I'm willing to say that there's something nice about her candor. Or, there would be were it not for the potential for her son to interpret it negatively.

As a (non-white) American who will soon be subject to her jurisprudence, I find the fact that the mother of 2 Black sons hasn't read a single book or article on the intersection of race and criminal justice to be problematic. It would be problematic for a justice not to learn about this regardless of her family. But the fact that not even parenting Black children is sufficient for her to admit the possibility there's some kind of racial component to how we enforce laws (like, not even be open enough to the idea to read a single article or book) suggests that nothing ever will. And that does not bode well for the future of criminal law rulings. Of course, she might also just have been lying to Sen. Booker.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:To the PP lawyer who keeps saying you don’t know the child is yours until the adoption is final-

Don’t they also stress that the kids aren’t dogs and you don’t get to try them out and return them if it doesn’t work? The kid in this case was already stateside. Things could go awry but the parents should be committed at that point. You don’t get to return or rehome your intended children-weird it even seemed like an option to her.

It isn’t that you don’t know the child is yours; it is that you are explicitly told that legally that child is not your child until a court blesses it and you need to understand that until finalizing the child can be taken from your family for any reason at all and there isn’t anything you can do about it.

Again, life is not easy and neat. Everybody on both sides of the political aisle agrees that an unexpected pregnancy can be and often is paradigm shattering event for a woman. I don’t understand the critique that she had a human reaction in that particular moment and she was honest and candid about it. Would you rather she hide the truth or pretend it didn’t happen? And of course, the situation was compounded by the fact that she was already in the middle of a stressful event (taking custody of a child she was trying to adopt). I don’t doubt that some people would have a perfect emotional response in such a moment, but having been through the process myself and knowing others in the community that have been through the process, I would venture that many (perhaps most) would have reacted as she did.

Aer. S

The court does not "bless" you. The court finalizes the adoption.

Yes, I would rather that she had the presence of mind to understand that second guessing her near-final adoption bc she was having another child is not a talking point. She may as well have said that she found out she was having twins and deliberated for three hours whether to abort one.

Okay. Well, if you listen to the interview the story is a lot more complicated than portrayed here. Listening to her in her own words, prior to the Haiti earthquake she and her husband had been led to believe the adoption wasn’t happening. Post-earthquake they were told some state department red-tape would be lifted but it wasn’t entirely clear they would be able to adopt. During this time the child was in Florida but there was still some confusion as to whether they would be able to clear the process. Then they got the go ahead that they would clear diplomatic red tape and they had to decide whether they were going to adopt or not (the reference of going to Florida to kick him up) while simultaneously finding out they had an unexpected pregnancy.

she shouldn't have shared the story. You know who's life was more complicated??? Her kids. Adoptive parents like her looooooove to center themselves. It's disgusting.

Last I checked, it was considered a good thing to be open about adoptions and adoption stories. Honestly, I have like 10 adopted kids in my circle and I know the details of them all. It is much better than when all this was swept under the rug. There is nothing to be ashamed of in adopting or being adopted.

As for the comments, the older child was thought not ever able to walk due to severe malnutrition, so of course her parents are proud she has overcome that and is strong and healthy. And the younger had severe PTSD from the orphanage and earthquake he lived through, so of course they are proud he is outgoing and happy-go-lucky. It is a huge achievement and shows how much he has been loved by his adoptive family. Her other kids haven’t been through any ordeals so their descriptions are more run of the mill.

OMG!!! SHE IS SUCH A SAVIOR!!!!!

NP. Apparently, you would prefer her children be languishing in a Haitian orphanage. Or more likely, dead. Please tell us: what the F is your problem?

+1

My problem is her using her kids as props. And you suckers for eating it up.

Nope. Your problem is that ACB is a white, conservative woman who dared to adopt children of a different race - children who would otherwise probably be dead. These are not props - they are her family. And if she was a liberal, you’d be worshipping her, not only for adopting children of color, but for managing to raise a family while simultaneously succeeding in a demanding career. You’re such a sad, pathetic person.

Sorry you are having trouble keeping up. My issue is not that she adopted these kids, it’s how she thinks about them and what she says publicly about them and their adoption. She doesn’t think of them as “her kids”, she thinks of them as “her adopted kids that she saved”. They aren’t just families members, they are props she is using in an attempt to demonstrate something about herself. And you fell for the whole “savior” thing. Sorry.

Oh. It’s how she thinks about them. Maybe you should be a judge because you sure are judgmental. It actually sounds like you feel bad about yourself because there’s someone that shows some decency and takes action to help someone in need vs. you who just like to talk about it. I get it, a little guilt trip for yourself.

Again, sorry you are having trouble keeping up. We are talking about ACB and her using her adopted children as props.

It’s sad that you think so little of children to believe that is acceptable. Hopefully you don’t have any kids yourself.

Whatever you say hypocrite. Good to know you’re omniscient and have gotten to know her so well under these staged situations. My kid’s are just fine by the way and are much better off than yours given your judgmental, all talk and no action ethos.

[Anonymous]

Let’s let this counter the OP. Between this and the gall of Dems bringing up laundry and raising kids, things they’d never bring up with a man, shows Dems true colors. Hypocrites to the end.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/16/barrett-children-adopted-racist-slur/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let’s let this counter the OP. Between this and the gall of Dems bringing up laundry and raising kids, things they’d never bring up with a man, shows Dems true colors. Hypocrites to the end.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/16/barrett-children-adopted-racist-slur/

It was a REPUBLICAN who asked her about the laundry. Facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let’s let this counter the OP. Between this and the gall of Dems bringing up laundry and raising kids, things they’d never bring up with a man, shows Dems true colors. Hypocrites to the end.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/16/barrett-children-adopted-racist-slur/

Your ignorance is astounding.
It was REPUBLICAN’S who asked those questions. I’m embarrassed for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can all say nasty things but none of you have adopted kids of your own.

I have two internationally adopted children and my husband and I are both attorneys so I have a lot of thoughts on this subject. Adopted children need so much time and attention to deal with the loss, grieving, and trauma. This is not a one time thing, this is at every developmental stage and especially in the teen years dealing with self identity. I can’t phantom any large family being able to do this well. My grandmother had 7 kids and my father and his siblings love to trade stories of how little attention they got as a joke. With adopted kids that would not be funny. Putting that first issue aside, I just feel terrible for what her adopted children are going to read as they get older. ACB clearly needs a lot more adoption education training on how to talk about her children but more importantly how NOT to talk about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can all say nasty things but none of you have adopted kids of your own.

I have two internationally adopted children and my husband and I are both attorneys so I have a lot of thoughts on this subject. Adopted children need so much time and attention to deal with the loss, grieving, and trauma. This is not a one time thing, this is at every developmental stage and especially in the teen years dealing with self identity. I can’t phantom any large family being able to do this well. My grandmother had 7 kids and my father and his siblings love to trade stories of how little attention they got as a joke. With adopted kids that would not be funny. Putting that first issue aside, I just feel terrible for what her adopted children are going to read as they get older. ACB clearly needs a lot more adoption education training on how to talk about her children but more importantly how NOT to talk about them.

Me again. Does any of this effect her ability to be a judge? No, her career and record speak to that. It’s unfortunate and sexist her children are even being discussed. If her husband was the one being considered we definitely wouldn’t be talking about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let’s let this counter the OP. Between this and the gall of Dems bringing up laundry and raising kids, things they’d never bring up with a man, shows Dems true colors. Hypocrites to the end.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/16/barrett-children-adopted-racist-slur/

A male Republican senator thought it would be cute to ask Barrett about her laundry.

The article you posted in just an opinion piece, and one that doesn't make any strong points. Apparently people are "rude" to criticize Barrett for her family choices. OK!

I grew up in a family in which children were treated as props, so I am sensitive to it. I see red flags.

Let's not act like expressing views on a public figure's family choices is out of bounds. Critcizing a child is out of bounds. Criticizing a nominee is very much in play.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:You can all say nasty things but none of you have adopted kids of your own.

I have two internationally adopted children and my husband and I are both attorneys so I have a lot of thoughts on this subject. Adopted children need so much time and attention to deal with the loss, grieving, and trauma. This is not a one time thing, this is at every developmental stage and especially in the teen years dealing with self identity. I can’t phantom any large family being able to do this well. My grandmother had 7 kids and my father and his siblings love to trade stories of how little attention they got as a joke. With adopted kids that would not be funny. Putting that first issue aside, I just feel terrible for what her adopted children are going to read as they get older. ACB clearly needs a lot more adoption education training on how to talk about her children but more importantly how NOT to talk about them.

Me again. Does any of this effect her ability to be a judge? No, her career and record speak to that. It’s unfortunate and sexist her children are even being discussed. If her husband was the one being considered we definitely wouldn’t be talking about them.

Disingenuous. Voters always look at the family and consider questions of character. In some cases, the family is an asset (thinking of the Obamas). Sometimes the family has red flags.

In recent weeks I have heard plenty of discussion on male politicians' families.

This case is a nominee, and voters will not get their say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So it seems the bizarre trolls here would a) prefer ACB had left these children to languish in an orphanage, b) prefer she never speak of the fact that they were indeed adopted, or c) leave them at home at all times so that no one need be reminded that she and her husband adopted two black children.

You people are beyond disgusting. There really is no hope for you.

Woosh. 95% of this thread went over your head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So it seems the bizarre trolls here would a) prefer ACB had left these children to languish in an orphanage, b) prefer she never speak of the fact that they were indeed adopted, or c) leave them at home at all times so that no one need be reminded that she and her husband adopted two black children.

You people are beyond disgusting. There really is no hope for you.

Actually, I personally would prefer that she: 1) Would seek guidance from experts on transracial adoption. And 2) follow that advice.

[Anonymous]

Lots of people adopt children from difficult circumstances without speaking f them as if they were performing creatures without any intellectual polish.

What I want is for Barrett to have done that. That doesn't mean;
1. not adopting them
2. not speaking of them
3. not acknowledging them

It means adopting them, and speaking of them respectfully and with as much admiration in her acknowledgment as she gave her biological children.

[Anonymous]

It's like some PPs cannot imaging adopting children and not treating them differently from the children you gave birth to.

it's as if criticizing the way the children are spoken of means you criticize the adoption. That only works as an argument if adopting NECESSARILY means treating them differently. They can't separate the two issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's like some PPs cannot imaging adopting children and not treating them differently from the children you gave birth to.

it's as if criticizing the way the children are spoken of means you criticize the adoption. That only works as an argument if adopting NECESSARILY means treating them differently. They can't separate the two issues.

They sound like Trump supporters so not exactly the brightest bulbs on the tree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can all say nasty things but none of you have adopted kids of your own.

I have two internationally adopted children and my husband and I are both attorneys so I have a lot of thoughts on this subject. Adopted children need so much time and attention to deal with the loss, grieving, and trauma. This is not a one time thing, this is at every developmental stage and especially in the teen years dealing with self identity. I can’t phantom any large family being able to do this well. My grandmother had 7 kids and my father and his siblings love to trade stories of how little attention they got as a joke. With adopted kids that would not be funny. Putting that first issue aside, I just feel terrible for what her adopted children are going to read as they get older. ACB clearly needs a lot more adoption education training on how to talk about her children but more importantly how NOT to talk about them.

Me again. Does any of this effect her ability to be a judge? No, her career and record speak to that. It’s unfortunate and sexist her children are even being discussed. If her husband was the one being considered we definitely wouldn’t be talking about them.

She and her paymasters highlighted her role as a mother; it was the centerpiece of most of the GOP questions about her.

But the disparate ways she speaks of the children she birthed vs the children she adopted speaks to her atrocious judgment, just as her atrocious decisions speak of the same. I don’t know you, but the way I was raised, the ‘n’ word is about the most hostile thing that can be spit at a black person and I personally think that personal responsibility matters for rapists. Amy sees the n word as acceptable and has no problem letting rapists off the hook.

She’s going to get seated alright, but she’s an astonishingly bad candidate.