so objectively Trump and McConnel stole three supreme court seats.

[drray23]

First by denying Merrick Garland, then getting Anthony Kennedy to retire under suspicious circumstances and now trying to appoint a replacement for RBG days before an election.

[TwilightZone]

1. Kennedy wasn't really a surprise.

He was bound to leave before Trump's first term ended, regardless. It was probably hastened a bit, but I think he wanted to ensure that he be replaced by another conservative, in this case, his hand-picked frat boy. Lucky for him, the Federalist Society already had their eyes on him.

[drray23]

2. his son got a sweet deal when he retired.

its well documented.

[JHB]

3. I know we have this compulsion to want all the facts neatly arranged, but...

...just let a good symbolic argument stand.

There is some dodgyness to the circumstances of Kennedy's departure, so let's highlight that part, yes?

[TwilightZone]

4. It's not either/or

It can be a symbolic argument, certainly, but that doesn't preclude understanding the circumstances. I would argue that the theft of the seat was placing Kavanaugh in it more than Kennedy's departure.