Crockett speech on Janus blown away by nor’easter in Philadelphia: Communing with the Framers, Meeting Prof. Amy Wax

I am in Philadelphia to give a speech to the Federalist Society at Penn Law. I graduated from the law school in 1987 and founded the Federalist Society there as a 1-L (first year law student) in 1984.

I was going to talk to students and faculty about the Janus case before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as the Center’s work fighting the unionization of people who get paid with welfare transfer payments (personal care attendants and child care providers). The Janus case, if won, gives me hope that we can restore the political and cultural health of our Republic.

But then came the fourth nor’easter in a few weeks; wind and snow storms that blow from, well, the northeast. This whole town is shut down. But the people here have been good-humored. I was not the only person out and about.

So instead of giving a speech at the law school, I got to enjoy a long brunch with Federalist Society members at a great and quaint restaurant. Thank you to Paul Cozzi and the rest of the chapter for tromping out into the storm to talk about the Janus case, the Trump administration and the growing divide between Americans. These young lawyers-to-be are impressive and good.

My plan was to see the sights; I loved hanging out at Independence Hall as a student and young lawyer many years ago but even the federal parks are closed. So, I bought a hat and pair of boots and walked a lot, visiting Rittenhouse Square (made famous Eddie Murphy in the movie Trading Places, “I can see, I can see!”), the Declaration House where Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence over a two -week period and Christ Church Cemetery. Ben Franklin is buried next to my hotel—I can see it from the window of my hotel room. Now that would be a welcome haunting!

Tomorrow morning, I am hoping to pop into Independence Hall. Pay my respects. 

Then, assuming the rest of the town re-opens, I am going to Penn Law to meet an amazing law professor named Amy Wax. She is a bold, politically incorrect talent on the law faculty. Our friend Heather Mac Donald wrote about the latest controversy around Prof. Wax in The Wall Street Journal Monday (“The Penn Law School Mob Scores a Victory: Now Black Lives Matter wants Amy Wax fired for arguing that preferences harm their ‘beneficiaries.’).

The campus mob at the University of Pennsylvania Law School has scored a hit. Prof. Amy Wax will no longer be allowed to teach required first-year courses, the school’s dean announced last week. Now the leader of Black Lives Matter Pennsylvania wants Ms. Wax’s scalp. According to a weekend newspaper report, if she isn’t fired within a week, “he plans to make things on the West Philadelphia campus very uncomfortable.”

Ms. Wax’s sin this time was to discuss publicly the negative consequences of affirmative action. Her punishment underscores again the dangers of speaking uncomfortable truths in a university setting.

Wish I could have had her for first-years courses. If I had, I might give alum money to Penn Law.

Cannot wait to meet her. Pay my respects.