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While I'm coming at this as an outsider, not a FedSoc member, I think some public accountability by the organization is necessary, not merely a quiet internal re-shuffling of offices and committee heads. 1/ https://twitter.com/smmarotta/status/1351538443671597057
David correctly notes that FedSoc is bound up with the President and his judicial selections (plus some of the litigating stances his supporters and the administration have taken.) I'm skeptical that separating the personal capacity from the orgnization is so easy. 2/
When we talk about governmental office and personal capacity for ethics purposes, we ask "would this benefit or gift be offered if the individual was not in their government position?" Well, would anyone be listening to Leonard Leo if FedSoc didn't exist? 3/
So when you have an organization who lends its reputation to its members and their positions, and membership in the organization is used as a proxy for vetting political or legal ideology, you can't disavow that connection merely by remaining silent. 4/
I believe you have a responsibility to reject those who are inconsistent with the organization's values with the same full-throated voice as you once promoted them, and invited them as speakers, and sent the message that "these are people worth listening to." 5/
Yes, it's probably better for FedSoc if it could avoid public displays of dissent or conflict within the ranks. It's the same reason gov't agencies close ranks when accused of corruption; no one likes to be embarrassed or admit they placed their trust in the wrong people. 6/
But trying to quietly bury the whole thing and 'let Internal Affairs handle it' without any public accountability or transparency just leads to a continued breakdown in trust between the organization and anyone outside it. 7/
As for trying to be non-partisan, I don't really believe that the org or its leaders are capable of voluntarily relinquishing the access to power that partisanship currently gives them. I think too many FedSoc members *like* the idea of being the shadowy cabal running things. 8/
I think it's part of what the org sells itself on, starting in law school. Maybe it's not much different from what law school alumni networks claim to offer, but it feels different from looking at it from the outside. 9/
So I appreciate the thoughtful proposal... but I'll be shocked if any meaningful part of it pays off in a way that makes a damn bit of difference to anyone who matters. 10/end
