Barney Frank – Blasts Justice Anton Scalia – Another Low Point for the Massachusetts 4th

Barney Frank, Democrat Congressman of Massachusetts 4th District, in an interview with with the website 365.gay.com, did not hesitate in calling Justice Anton Scalia a “homophobe” in reference to gay marriage as a constitutional issue. Why would Frank paint Scalia as a bigot? Scalia has made no remarks that would lend one to believe he is, as Frank claims, a homophobe – rather, Scalia, true to his nature is interpreting the Constitution, a document Frank doesn’t necessarily understand. In referencing issues such as gay marriage and abortion, Scalia rightly points out that the constitution does not mention questions of morality, rather questions of law – a point not taken by Frank. The quote: "I wouldn't want it to go to the United States Supreme Court now because that homophobe Antonin Scalia has too many votes on this current court," underscores Frank’s understanding that the court is a bit more conservative than he feels necessary, preferring the Massachusetts Supreme Court model, whereby any constitution is considered ripe for legislation rather than interpretation. Instead of pointing to the differences between how Frank and Scalia view the document in question, Frank, in his usual form, throws out unsubstantiated and unseemly adjectives.

Frank, who is campaigning for reelection in 2010 in a district which includes New Bedford and Fall River and Taunton, all, for the most part, heavily affiliated as Catholic; yet, support for Frank, who is a pro-choice has not waivered allowing the man to serve the 4th since 1981. In the last election cycle, Frank did face an underfunded opponent, Earl Sholley. Sholley is positioning to run against Frank again in 2010. Frank, who has several unsavory ties to the Freddie and Fannie disaster highlighted here at Anybody But Barney.com, would, one might think, be a rather easy target. Yet, the Massachusetts 4th, which relies heavily on the fishing industry, receives considerable ”bacon” from Frank. That aside, not everyone in the 4th is enamored of Mr. Frank, and should a strong candidate emerge, Mr. Frank could face retirement in 2010. For more on Earl Sholley, visit Sholley for Congress.