On Monday, March 11 at 4:00 I went, at the invitation of a friend, to a Dedication Ceremony of the new wing of the Albany Law School. This dedication was "A Tribute to the Hon. Hugh Jones" [deceased] which was sponsored by The Fund for Modern Courts. Everyone there revered Judge Jones. Heck, why shouldn't they? I'm fond of deceased judges, too.
When I arrived at the registration / sign-in table, I was asked my name and "affiliation". I had to spell both JAIL & Judges for the gal as she apparently forgotten know how to spell either word. Somehow she knew how to spell 4. After she wrote it down on her Guest List, she gave me a little "hello" badge which I placed on my shirt and I proceeded inside to find a seat among the many judges, lawyers, & other rare species of politicians who came to give due homage and shake the hand of the New York State Chief Judge Kaye.
The guest speakers were:
Everyone listened attentively to the speakers, with appropriate and generous applause for the words of these distinguished and important people.
As is customary with all good public speakers, Richard Welsey inserted a joke at the beginning of his speech. "We have to be careful what we say here today as I have just been informed we have an observer from the Commission on Judicial Conduct." Everyone roared with laughter... except me.
Richard Wesley gave us a lecture about how well Judge Jones wrote new law, and the court's responsibility to "fashion law." He spoke of the "Art of Appellate Judging." He told us the courts are the "Laboratory for the development of the Common Law" and should function in harmony with the "...underlying social and economic forces..." currently at work in our society. He said courts should "...follow the law and the persuasion of logic," He said, "...so that the people will reasonably know what rights will be respected and protected".
Wait a minute. I must not understand. I actually thought judges took an Oath of Office to recognize and protect ALL of our rights.
At the close of his speech after much hand shaking, we adjourned to the lobby for a reception of food, more hand shaking, and conversation among the elite. The free food was fit for a king. It was delicious. There must have been a couple dozen of the richest desserts I have ever seen in one place. The fresh fruit and cheeses were superb. I can't vouch for the wine as I don't drink socially.
I waited patiently for the moment to introduce myself to Judith Kaye. Seizing the moment, I extended my hand and told her "Your Honor, it is a privilege to be here and listen to you speak, understanding of course, that I am one of the few attending who is not part of the choir of judges and lawyers -- just an ordinary guy". She beamed with pride and told me how "wonderful it is that citizens are interested in the judiciary," to which I replied, "Oh, I'm very interested, Your Honor. My name is Ron Loeber!" It was probably the first time she was ever struck speechless. After a pregnant pause, I told her it was a great privilege to meet her and I returned to my food.
About 20 minutes later, as she walked across the room, she smiled in my direction with a "Hi, Ron." Naturally, being the gentleman that I am, I responded with "Hello, Judy." Gosh. She made me feel like we were old friends.
It was a wonderful afternoon. I introduced myself to other esteemed speakers and told them what a great privilege it was to attend and hear them speak,... again with the understanding, of course, that I was probably the only one there who wasn't one of the choir of judges and lawyers... but just an ordinary guy. Well... they all thought it was just wonderful that a "citizen" would be interested enough in the judiciary to attend. Of course, being the polite folks they are, they all expressed great joy that an ordinary citizen would be interested the judiciary and take the time and effort to attend. Naturally I had to confirm my interest in understanding the workings of the judiciary and offered them my NYJAIL4Judges business card.
WOW! Those friendly smiles and warm greetings disappeared fast. You would think I was a skunk at the lawn party.
If ya ain't havin' fun, ya ain't doin' it right.
Ron Loeber,
Thomas Sponsler - Dean, Albany law School [Welcome] Fern Schair - Chair, Fund for Modern Courts [Welcome] Hon. Judith Kaye - Chief Judge [Introduction] Hon. Richard Wesley - Associate Judge, NYS Court of Appeals [Lecture]
Lt. JAILer-In-Chief
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"..it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.." - Samuel Adams
"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is
striking at the root." -- Henry David Thoreau <><