When villains threaten Gotham, Commission Gordan initializes the Bat Signal and superheroes spring into action. When judges bully defenders, Mark Bennett initiates our Bat Signal and leads his fellow superheroes into battle.
Superheroes represent positive values by being responsible. While this may seem simple enough, responsibility is an ongoing internal struggle for superheroes. Simply put, power corrupts. Responsibility is the essential quality that distinguishes superheroes from regular villains. Being responsible, no matter the personal cost, is the superhero’s only defense against being corrupted by power. Superheroes are thus defined, limited, and restrained by their struggle to be responsible, to exercise their abilities and power with restraint. Supervillains’ lack of restraint and utter irresponsibility are a threat to the superhero, and to the people the superhero protects.
Superheroes Need Superior Villains by Stanford W. Carpenter
Being responsible, no matter the personal cost, Mark Bennett leads a top-quality HCCLA strike force of superheroes to combat the supervillains in our midst who threaten our defenders and thus the people we protect. He truly embodies the superhero who maintains responsibility against those who exercise irresponsibility and lack of restraint. Though his skirmishes are numerous, one in particular warrants review.
Super Defender Cheryl Irvin was threatened in the zealous defense of her client. Her zealousness was met with an improper order of incarceration. This judge wasn’t “patient, dignified and courteous” as required by the Texas Canons of Judicial Conduct. She ordered Cheryl into the holdover to wait. She demanded an apology. Within minutes the bat signal was initiated and Mark and others rushed to aid our super-defender in her contest with the supervillain.
While he assessed the situation, more superheroes assembled to investigate and research the facts and options. Mark proceeded to assemble a resolution. After much to-do about nothing, the resolution consisted of Cheryl going about her own business, leaving the holdover, and ultimately filing a grievance.
Super-defenders provided affidavits discussing the facts and circumstances. Slowly, yet surely, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued its decision: a private sanction.
The villain retreated. But, like all villains, returns at a whim.
After the death of colleague, Mark took over a case in the judge’s court. Mark requested a short two-day reset to consult an immigration attorney before his new client could take a sweet deal. “No good deed goes unpunished,” she warned. After all, the supervillains’ lack of restraint and utter irresponsibility are a threat to the superhero, and to the people the superhero protects. The ongoing struggle continues.
As for Mark, he will “look for more opportunities to do the right thing the same way.” And the CJC is a safer place for all his efforts.
