Councilors play dirty at hearing
By Margery Eagan Boston Herald Columnist It was a crazy seesaw on Beacon Hill yesterday between adoring supporters of Barbara Lenk — Deval Patrick’s nominee to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court — and her detractors, a couple of whom seemed unhinged.
Supporters spoke to the Governor’s Council hearing of Lenk’s “exceptional intellect . . . fairness . . . judgment . . . temperament” and unbiased adherence to the law.
Detractors spoke mostly about sex. Councilor Marilyn Devaney spoke of “penile/vaginal penetration” — David Funnell of the Commonwealth Covenant Keepers, of “bodily pleasures, unbridled sexual license” and the “militant homosexual subculture elevating their shame to status.”
Omnipresent anti-gay crusader Brian Camenker discussed some “disgusting,” “vulgar,” “profane” and “degrading” Concord Carlisle High School play about homosexual lovers, though it was unclear how that connected to Lenk.
At one point, the prose turned so wanton that Councilor Mary-Ellen Manning advised those under 18 to leave.
I believe only Lenk’s two teenage daughters, who remained, were underage.
Then Manning delved into whether incest statutes cover homosexual activity.
“You with me on that?” Manning asked Roderick Ireland, the state Supreme Court’s chief justice and the first witness to support Lenk’s nomination.
“I’m following you so far,” Ireland replied.
He may have been the only one.
You had to wonder: Are these sessions always XXX-rated? Or was yesterday’s so fleshy because Lenk is openly gay and — despite her tailored appearance in navy suit and librarian’s glasses — suspected by some as a secret swinger and immoral advocate for homosexual incest?
She later assured councilors that she opposes all incest, but had ruled in a particular incest case on a narrow definition of the crime. The Legislature later broadened the statute to include homosexual acts.
Clearly, those who support abolishing this odd council, including this newspaper, would have reveled in the embarrassing, cringe-worthy performance of Councilor Charles Cipollini. He launched into a bizarre series of questions to Lenk including whether she’s “a supporter of Dr. Kevorkian, yes or no?”
“Councilor,” admonished Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, who presided over the proceedings.
“Yes or no!” Cipollini pressed on.
“Are you asking me?” Murray said to Cipollini. “At this moment, I think I am (with Kevorkian).”
Supporters spoke to the Governor’s Council hearing of Lenk’s “exceptional intellect . . . fairness . . . judgment . . . temperament” and unbiased adherence to the law.
Detractors spoke mostly about sex. Councilor Marilyn Devaney spoke of “penile/vaginal penetration” — David Funnell of the Commonwealth Covenant Keepers, of “bodily pleasures, unbridled sexual license” and the “militant homosexual subculture elevating their shame to status.”
Omnipresent anti-gay crusader Brian Camenker discussed some “disgusting,” “vulgar,” “profane” and “degrading” Concord Carlisle High School play about homosexual lovers, though it was unclear how that connected to Lenk.
At one point, the prose turned so wanton that Councilor Mary-Ellen Manning advised those under 18 to leave.
I believe only Lenk’s two teenage daughters, who remained, were underage.
Then Manning delved into whether incest statutes cover homosexual activity.
“You with me on that?” Manning asked Roderick Ireland, the state Supreme Court’s chief justice and the first witness to support Lenk’s nomination.
“I’m following you so far,” Ireland replied.
He may have been the only one.
You had to wonder: Are these sessions always XXX-rated? Or was yesterday’s so fleshy because Lenk is openly gay and — despite her tailored appearance in navy suit and librarian’s glasses — suspected by some as a secret swinger and immoral advocate for homosexual incest?
She later assured councilors that she opposes all incest, but had ruled in a particular incest case on a narrow definition of the crime. The Legislature later broadened the statute to include homosexual acts.
Clearly, those who support abolishing this odd council, including this newspaper, would have reveled in the embarrassing, cringe-worthy performance of Councilor Charles Cipollini. He launched into a bizarre series of questions to Lenk including whether she’s “a supporter of Dr. Kevorkian, yes or no?”
“Councilor,” admonished Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, who presided over the proceedings.
“Yes or no!” Cipollini pressed on.
“Are you asking me?” Murray said to Cipollini. “At this moment, I think I am (with Kevorkian).”
For her part, Lenk sat stoically throughout, declining to give opinions on issues that might come before her and insisting that rule of law, not her personal life, determines her rulings. No word on what she really thought of the “bodily pleasures” brigades.
Commentary
I find it funny how Eagan didn't say that when asked by the Governors Councilors about how her partner actually had a case brought before Barbara Lenk at one point but don't let Margery Eagan's liberal biases get in the way.Talk about a conflict of interest.Lenk was also asked by The Council about the second amendment from what I have been told she became puzzled.
Last point I was told by our own Governors Councillor Mary Ellen Manning who does a great job by the way that there was no media there or news reporters whatsoever during the hearing.
Commentary
I find it funny how Eagan didn't say that when asked by the Governors Councilors about how her partner actually had a case brought before Barbara Lenk at one point but don't let Margery Eagan's liberal biases get in the way.Talk about a conflict of interest.Lenk was also asked by The Council about the second amendment from what I have been told she became puzzled.
Last point I was told by our own Governors Councillor Mary Ellen Manning who does a great job by the way that there was no media there or news reporters whatsoever during the hearing.
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