Sunday, December 16, 2007

'Every generation needs a new revolution'

Bro. Theron Dunn, Masonic pontificator extraordinaire, has graced this blog twice thrice already voicing disapproval of my recent endorsement of U.S. Rep. Dr. Ron Paul.

I'm usually on the right track when he disagrees with me. And this time, I've also "disappointed" him. Man, I know I'm on the right track!

Bro. Dunn wrote: "It is one thing for a man to say: I support Fred Thompson, or I support Hillary Clinton, or in this case, Ron Paul; it is another to stand up as a Mason and say I support whatever candidate."

Let me climb to the highest soapbox — nay, let me write it in big bright 23-feet tall neon letters upon the side of a blimp hovering over Boston Harbor on this, the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party: "I am a Mason and I support Ron Paul!"

Bro. Dunn constantly writes here, there and everywhere about how much he loves his grand lodge and Masonry "just like it is." Much of his writing on his blog and on various forums make him seem almost like a paid shill for mainstream, grand lodge American Masonry, constantly singing the praises of the grand lodge system, oblivious to what we've seen in many jurisdictions across America where the system is being used to attempt to silence brothers who think outside the current Masonic box. In just the past few months and years, we've seen improper and/or illegal abuse of power by grand masters in Georgia, Alabama, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, and even his home state of California, where recently membership in certain Masonic-themed groups was outlawed by an edict by their grand master.

"But you swore to uphold the rules and obey all those guys in gold chains and black suits," we constantly hear....

No — we didn't.

We promised that if such constitutions, laws and edicts did not violate our obligations to God, our country, our neighbors, our families and most importantly, ourselves and our consciences, we would keep that "obligation."

It's often said that our Declaration of Independence, our U.S. Constitution and our original American ideals were based on Masonic principles, and many of our founding fathers and early presidents were Masons.

Curiously, one founding father, Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, has never been shown to have been a Freemason, though he was probably the most philosophical and Masonic of them all.

I've often wondered why he never became a Mason, when most of those around him were. Certainly he had the opportunity had he had wanted to.

There are only two places in Washington, D.C. I really care to visit: The Smithsonian Museum and the Jefferson Memorial.

I've seen all the monuments, sat in Congress, admired the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and toured the White House. I think I was about twelve or thirteen the first time I was there, where my family and I spent a week.

In the ensuing years, I've been back to D.C. many times, often putting up with the horrendous traffic just to make a side trip into town when nearby on a roadtrip further north, to visit my former in-laws in Pennsylvania, or to the east to see my relatives in Delaware.

On these excursions into the nation's capital, I only want to go to one place: The Jefferson Memorial.

I remember the first time I was there. I stood in awe in that circular building, gazing not upon the statue of Thomas Jefferson, but focused on his engraved words which circumscribe the wall:
"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
I swore that oath, too, when I was but a boy. No philosophy has ever superseded it. No oath shall ever be greater.

I have stood in that great hall many times since, committing that phrase to memory. That statement is what induced me to be a libertarian and an outspoken critic against all attempts to ban or suppress free thought, free speech and free expression. I support anyone's right to say and think whatever they want... as long as they don't attempt to use their "authority" to suppress the rights of others, including myself, to say and think what we want.

Perhaps the reason Jefferson didn't become a Mason was that while he supported the original tenets of Freemasonry (as do I), he could not abide the "some men are more equal than others" grand lodge system that attempts to force "peace and harmony" by silencing those who think differently than those in positions of power.

Jefferson also wrote, "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." With that statement, he predicted today's mainstream American Freemasonry, where a tiny minority rules a group of good men who never speak up when it matters.

With the above statement and this one — "Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories" — he predicted our 21st century America.

And with this quotation, Jefferson set a course for our future, as Americans and as Freemasons: "Every generation needs a new revolution."

Image: "The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor." From an 1846 lithograph.

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48 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Running to tattle-tale to my "superiors" is hardly handling things "personally," is it, Bro. Dunn?

    This is not a forum, it's a personal blog. And it's not a Masonic blog, it's a blog run by a Mason.

    All opinions have validity. As the article discusses, I'll support your right to say whatever you want, even when I disagree.

    So go ahead, do the Masonic thing. Bring on the tyranny in an attempt to silence those who don't agree with you.


    — W.S.

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  3. Brother;

    I asked if you were confident enough in your actions to do that, not that I would unilaterally do that. As I said in my email to you, if you agree, and they are ok with a masonic forum, using masonic symbols, by a man self identifying as a mason and supporting candidates for office AS A MASON is okay with them, I will apologize publicly.

    So here you are, waffling and accusing me of tattling, when you know very well, and anyone with an IQ over 6 can see I asked you if that is what you want to do.

    I mean, come on, brother. You attacked me for liking and admiring and supporting my grand lodge, which has nothing at all to do with YOU using a masonic forum to violate masonic tradition and rules to support a political candidate.

    Its not about Me, its about YOU. Its funny, when you can't answer, that you attack me for following my obligation...

    Funny, but sad.

    Now, do you want to run it by your grand lodge, or not?

    I will stand by your decision either way, but if you choose not, then you are admitting I am right.

    ReplyDelete
  4. W.S, while I agree with Jefferson's assertions, I might make a point here. It is possible Jefferson *was* a Freemason, but did not openly profess it (as many do). It's also good to recall, before we fall into the trap of 'Jefferson worship', that he retained slaves his entire life despite Franklin's vehement opposition to the practice, and that he shunned Paine after the latter's book 'Age of Reason' became known. This granted, I hold Jefferson in high esteem and do not think he held ill-will against Paine. Just a thought.

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  5. kudos to the widow's son! yes there is help.
    viva la revolution! more "masons" need to speak their minds about the very things the established GL system says not to. ever wonder ,my brothers, why it is we're not supposed to discuss politics and religion? maybe its because the powers that be would rather have lodges that turn out sheep, drones who happily tow the party line than anything as dangerous as free thinking men.
    i am a proud member of Halcyon Lodge. proud to be a member of a lodge that refuses to just fall in line. a lodge full of brotherly love, energy and yes, free thought. heck we even dicuss esoteric studies at our lodge. unheard of activities in the present christianized coffee and donut club free masonry of america.
    we have a phrase for Bro. Dunn and his ilk, "kool aid drinkers". i'm sure he has worked up quite a thirst running to tell the purple aproned hall monitors about this terrible blog, so i'll do the brotherly thing and let Bro.Dunn have mine. drink up brother and maybe someday they will let you join the ranks of ignorant and misguided Grand Officers and you can lord over some poor blue lodge, stamping out any spark of illumination.
    i'm off to research this Ron Paul guy. a brother has endorsed him and i for one would like to see what he's all about. thanks again, widow's son.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think we are not to speak of politics or religion because it pisses people off and, in general, is a confusion of redundancies and worthless diatribes. I, for one, can do without the prolific political bickering and religious proselytizing by religious and non-religious people offered in nearly every corner of the Internet and world in general. Jefferson also said;

    "I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it."

    We can agree that a blog is a type of newspaper or not. I find I enjoy this site most the amount I visit it the least.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alright, first off, it is your blog that just happens to have a lot of posts on Freemasonry, do whatever you want as long as it isn't vulgar. While I will not use my blog in the same manner, that is my choice. Jefferson probably wasn't a Freemason because he was agnostic. Nevertheless, he was a fine man. I don't know when Masons stopped allowing political discussion, but it certainly wasn't banned in colonial times. If it was, then we certainly had nothing to do with the revolution! Of course, that may be your opinion, but we'd have to stop touting our role in forming the nation if it is!

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  8. Bro. Dunn,

    If I had wanted anyone's permission before I posted my opinions, I would have asked them already.

    The role of a Junior Warden is not to grant or deny permission for a Mason to do something; he's the go-to guy when someone wants to file a charge of unmasonic conduct. By you even bringing him up, it's clear that your "polite" suggestion to ask his permission is simply a veiled threat of pressing charges.

    Just in the past couple of hours, at least two other Masons have posted their support of Ron Paul on their blogs where they also discuss the Craft. Are you going to email their JW's, too?

    You might want to hold off a few days. There may be more of us freedom-loving heretics out here.


    — W.S.

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  9. According to historians, "President Thomas Jefferson was a Protestant. Jefferson was raised as an Episcopalian (Anglican). He was also influenced by English Deists and has often been identified by historians as a Deist. He held many beliefs in common with Unitarians of the time period, and sometimes wrote that he thought the whole country would become Unitarian. He wrote that the teachings of Jesus contain the 'outlines of a system of the most sublime morality which has ever fallen from the lips of man.'"

    Hardly sounds like an agnostic.

    — W.S.

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  10. I see that Bro. Dunn has wasted no time trying to foment disharmony on another Masonic forum regarding my support of Ron Paul.

    On Three Pillars, he writes: "I seem to recall an injunction against using masonic symbols in your business, in politics and in any endeavor that is not directly masonic related.

    "How is a 'masonic' forum, run by a mason, using masonic symbols, representing itself as heretical masonry in any way acceptable as a forum for promoting a political candidate?

    "Where is the outrage at masonry being used to promote a candidate? Even if you agree that Ron Paul is all of what he claims, is that what we want for our fraternity?

    "Widow's Son could have started a blog to promote Ron Paul, and I would not care less, but he is using his association with Freemasonry to reach out to freemasons to promote his personal political opinions... and in my opinion, for whatever it's worth, I think that is wrong."

    "Where is the outrage?" Oh, come on....


    — W.S.

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  11. would not he be better served to get to the bottom of an expelled Past Grand Master without a trial, than worrying his little mind about who you support for presidency?


    WS, is your blog tyled and only read by masons?

    Here, I'll help shovel dirt on that grave, WS. They will keep digging deeper and deeper.

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  12. Quote: "If I had wanted anyone's permission before I posted my opinions, I would have asked them already."

    You may be interested to know more about a situation prior to opining. The example you give of abuse of power in CA has nothing to do with some GM throwing edicts. If you check the facts, which are really not too inconvenient, you will find that it is the particular group you mention that has indeed abused their power and is acting in a most improper manner; they have implied that they are prepared to engage in activities that are potentially illegal. By saying that the GM has merely impeded their “Masonic-theme” is to grossly underestimate the problems they have created and to give them credence.

    Before you defend them, know what you’re talking about, please. Otherwise your revolutionary point is moot.

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  13. ...and this group you reference is *not* masonic.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Bro. Hiram,

    I am not attempting to defend or even discuss the Grand and Glorious Knights of the Creeping Serpent (the Snakes).

    My point was that the California grand master, by edict, outlawed Masons in his jurisdiction from becoming members. According to Bro. Dunn's blog, the GM's actions were upheld by a vote at the 2007 grand lodge.

    Here's an apparent notice from 2006 from the California Grand Secretary regarding the Snakes:

    "The 'Snakes' is an organization composed of Masons, and does not legally operate in California. The term 'clandestine' does not apply. No California Mason - nor any Mason living in California - can belong to an organization which requires Masonic membership unless the organization has been approved by vote of Grand Lodge. This organization has not been approved, and therefore California Masons - and any Masons living in California - cannot belong to it."

    "John L. Cooper III, Grand Secretary"

    The blogs Moveable Jewel and Freemasons for Dummies, as well as AboveTopSecret.com, have written about the Snakes.


    — W.S.

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  15. Oh, the irony...

    While I have no problem with the hard line stance in regards to masonry and preserving her solemn ways. I find it difficult to understand those who pick and choose which issues they want to be hard liners about. W.S. my advice to you is to quit Masonry and start your own lodge. Then you will not have to worry about some Masons coming out to question your blog. In fact, I am sure you will find great support from some of those who previously would dissent.

    Silly, no?... Hypocritical, yes.

    Indeed, you should not be using your blog to promote partisan politics as a Mason, but you knew my opinion already didn't you?

    Br. Arthur Peterson

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  16. Bro. Peterson:

    Irony?

    On August 18, the Taper featured a story about a politician giving a stump speech at a Masonic lodge in your home state of North Carolina.

    In the comments section you wrote:

    "The congressman was not in an open lodge giving the speech. He was at a gathering of cubscouts, masons, and townsfolk which happened to be at a Masonic Lodge.

    "I am sure he was not endorsed by ALL the cubscouts, masons, or townsfolk who were present.

    "Just because he is a politician does not mean that he waived his freedom of speech.

    "Now if the Brethren invited him into lodge for the express purpose of giving the speech, or publicly said that they as an organisation endorsed him then they would have violated the taboo and the law."


    You defended his right to speak of partisan politics at a Masonic lodge, and defended the lodge that allowed him to do so.

    If a politician can stump for himself while he "happened to be at a Masonic lodge," surely I can endorse a candidate on my own blog.

    I am not a Masonic organization. I'm just a Mason with a website.


    — W.S.

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  17. W.S.

    There is a slight difference between a public forum that happens to be at a Masonic lodge, and a Masonic Forum that happens to be public.

    However, this is all perspective, and yours obviously differs from mine. No worries...

    Br. Arthur Peterson

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  18. At first, I had the same reaction Bro. Dunn had – "EEEK! A political opinion! On a Masonic forum! My eyes! My eyes!"

    Thankfully, common sense kicked in.

    Surely you've seen this from the Calvin Coolidge election.

    This is the Widow's Son's blog, not a forum. It's his soap box, his living room. And having a political endorsement in here has precisely zero to do with Grand Lodges, obligations or whether he should be booted out of the lodge door. It his personal opinion space, whether he posts a square and compasses on it or not.

    Brother Dunn advocates squealing to W.S.'s GL over this supposed infraction to determine whether it is an appropriate use of Masonic symbolism. Well, to my knowledge, W.S. is not using the S&C to sell anything here. He is simply identifying his blog as belonging to a Mason. When any of you become embroiled in a political argument, is it incumbent for you to turn your Masonic ring around, take off your Masonic belt buckles or stick your Masonic watch in your pocket? Should Masons who regularly engage in political discussions who happen to have a Masonic tattoo be required to wear long sleeve shirts before they open their mouth?

    And since when did the Landmarks say anything about this, apart from saying no political or religious discussions IN OPEN LODGE? I read them and the laws of my own GL as simply saying once lodge closes, discuss the issues of the day all you like.

    Certainly it's what our founding brethren did.

    So put that S&C back up Brother, and feel free be Dr. Paul's Sancho Panza.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Quote:"My point was that the California grand master, by edict, outlawed Masons in his jurisdiction from becoming members. According to Bro. Dunn's blog, the GM's actions were upheld by a vote at the 2007 grand lodge."

    I understand, but you are lumping this rather serious situation in with other "events" when in reality it has nothing to do with them or this so-called "revolution" taking place within the American Craft.

    Yes, this group which is NOT masonic but admits Masons (the Shrine does the same thing in practice) has been involved in some rather unsavory activities. THIS is why the GM did what he did. Quoting from Theron or the G.S. proves nothing other than what happened.

    Yet, you give no detail or insight other than lump it in with other events so the reader is left to believe that the GM of CA was in the wrong. However, you can be assured, he was not.

    Please provide the full facts of the case and the nature of those "victimized" by the spectre of GL tyrrany before leaping to this conclusion.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Is this what we want young, intelligent men to think about masonry?

    That in your Lodge will be a man, or men, watching over you, making sure you do not "discuss" improper topics in Lodge, around Lodge or on the internet, and if you do, he or they threaten with going to the "JW" of your Lodge?

    Is this what young men want? An environment that big brother thrives in? An environment where if I speak my mind, a brother may run to the "JW"?

    for all the young non masons who read this blog, not all masons are narcs and are going to monitor your every step and word. Some still value the tenet of Freedom of speech and thought.
    Again, not all Lodges and masons wish to monitor your freedoms.

    I would hate to think that I have brothers sitting in Lodge with me
    that sole purpose is monitoring speech and thought!

    Also, I really doubt WS is seeking Theron's permission or endorsement, so if you have nothing to add to the thread, DO NOT POST!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I echo what Chris said. This is WS's Blog. If ya don't like what he says you do not have to read it.

    I understand what Theron is saying about mixing business and pleasure but this site is not endorsed by a GL therefore he should be able to say he likes a candidate or not.

    I have a feeling that no matter what he writes he is damned if he does and damned if he don't.

    It's the holiday season lets try to get along.

    Cory

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  22. I have a feeling that no matter what he writes he is damned if he does and damned if he don't.

    Unfortunately, it looks that way to me.

    In the meantime, I have a dilemma. Both my Democrat friend and I have Indiana Masonic license plates on our cars, and "Proud To Be A Mason" magnetic signs as well.

    Should we both be forced to remove our "Run, Hillary, Run!" bumper stickers?

    He has his on the back bumper, and I have mine on the front.

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  23. W.S.

    Mark this day on your calendar.

    It doesn't happen often, so the sun, moon, stars, and planets must be in alignment.

    After considering the other perspectives recently posted, I was wrong about the issue.

    Nuff said!

    Br. Arthur Peterson

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  24. "That in your Lodge will be a man, or men, watching over you, making sure you do not "discuss" improper topics in Lodge, around Lodge or on the internet, and if you do, he or they threaten with going to the "JW" of your Lodge?"

    Anyone who reads Theron's statement, it is strictly NOT what was said. There was NO threat to run to W.S.' JW.

    As far as Ron Paul goes, W.S. does have a right to his political opinion. As does every American. For the understanding of the Libertarian party, look deeply before making any off-the-cuff judgment on any candidate is my suggestion. Think about the economic disparity in this nation-would Paul improve that situation or make it worse? 80% of all the world's resources are in 1% of the population. The Libertarian party has the potential to give that 1% even more power. Look to your ballot and vote for the good of the American people, not the flashiest, cashiest candidate around.

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  25. Brother Art,

    We'll give the WS a two fer for today. I agree that this is his blog and his blog and he is free to write as he pleases.

    This is not a tyled lodge, and I don't think he is wearing his apron out to the local Ron Paul Ralley.

    Masons are enjoined to be good citizens and part of being a good citizen is being involved in the political process.

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  26. Chris Hodapp wrote: Brother Dunn advocates squealing to W.S.'s GL over this supposed infraction to determine whether it is an appropriate use of Masonic symbolism.

    Lets not mischaracterize here. What I suggested was not squeeling or snitching or anything else silly like that. What I suggested was that if he really felt I was wrong that we contact the Junior Warden of his lodge and the grand secretary of Georgia and ASK THEM. So that if they agreed with W.S. that it was no great shakes that I would apologize, and if they agreed, that he would apologize.

    I see from looking at the forum that he decided to remove the square and compass instead... kind of a vindication of my point, I would think.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Should we both be forced to remove our "Run, Hillary, Run!" bumper stickers?

    That depends do you mean "Run" for President or "Run" far far away and never look back?

    ReplyDelete
  28. The Square and Compasses symbol has not been removed. Rather, it burns more brightly.

    In the old bannerhead graphic, the Square and Compasses were rather dim and barely emerging from the darkness.

    Now, two of the three Great Lights of my Craft stand alongside the Torch of Liberty, brilliantly burning for all the world to see. The third Great Light is represented by the quotation from John 1:5.

    The title of the blog, The Burning Taper, repeated three times, represents the Three Lesser Lights — the Sun, the Moon, and the Master.


    — W.S.

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  29. I'm totally confused now? Are Masons free thinkers? Or do they require the permission of the Junior Warden or Grand Secretary to speak and act?

    This blog seems like the ideal place for a square and compass and even perhaps the level (Especially with all the controversy).

    Not that I endorse Ron Paul but I firmly believe in freedom of conscience and therefore would fight for the Widow's son's right to freedom of speech (Kind of like the first amendment).

    Just my two cents.

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  30. Should we both be forced to remove our "Run, Hillary, Run!" bumper stickers?

    He has his on the back bumper, and I have mine on the front.


    *laughs*

    I can't believe all the carping over here over this. Has everyone missed the part where WS disavows himself from in any way speaking as a representative of his lodge or GL? He's not saying "As a Mason, I support Ron Paul, and suggest that all other Masons do likewise." He's not saying "Like most of the other Masons in my lodge, I'm supporting Ron Paul."

    In a forum, a post like this would be problematic because a forum presupposes a certain equality among the members who are all aware and encouraged to be tolerant of each other's views.

    This is a web log. Here, he is not a "member," he owns it. He can write about anything he wants. Hell, he can post vacation pictures or link to the stoopid lolcatz or put up cheesecake porn or re-post the half a dozen pro-Paul articles from Reason every day. He can do that 'cos it's his blog.

    Sheesh.

    That said, I think I would be disappointed if WS suddenly festooned his blog with Ron Paul propaganda and used it as a platform for Paul's campaign. I can't tell you why it would bother me, but something about it would seem... not quite right.

    Yeah, yeah - kind of like "I can't define art, but I know it when I see it." But from my own perspective (not that my own opinion is better or worse than the others), I don't think that WS has crossed any lines.

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  31. Theron's initial post"Lets run your support for Ron Paul on a forum dedicated to masonic issues by your Junior Warden and your Grand Secretary. Lets see if they feel using a masonic blog as a soapbox for political candidates is an appropriate use of Masonic Symbolism, shall we?"

    Sounds like a threat of running to the JW and Grand Secretary, but I may misinterpret things again...............

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'd imagine I'll be lost among the comments same as the last few times I've commented. I guess that's the penalty of only being a Mason for a year.

    I don't understand how people perceive harmony so oddly.

    Harmony: the use and study of different pitches occurring simultaneously, and chords, actual or implied, in music. (wikipedia)

    Now, I understand this isn't music. I don't understand how harmony can be perceived as "one unilateral voice made of multitude of monotones"

    Why do people expect that there are no notes but their own, and if such idea presents it's head, they proceed to try to out-shout their own note above all others.

    Brilliant cows.
    mooooo

    Bravo.

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  33. "Theron's initial post"Lets run your support for Ron Paul on a forum dedicated to masonic issues by your Junior Warden and your Grand Secretary. Lets see if they feel using a masonic blog as a soapbox for political candidates is an appropriate use of Masonic Symbolism, shall we?"

    Sounds like a threat of running to the JW and Grand Secretary, but I may misinterpret things again..............."

    It is a clear misinterpretation on your part. Read it again. This time, without a clouded view.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Theron Dunn, Adam Kendall, Arthur Peterson, and Cliff Porter all want to go back to grade school and rat out everyone else on the playground. They don't won't to be our brothers in Masonry but want to use it as a means of control over us.

    Thanks to these idiots we now have an "Enemies List" being passed around at the Grand Lodges. See http://masonictraveler.blogspot.com/2007/12/enemies-list.html

    These guys rat out anyone who says anything against the Grand Lodge or Grand Master. Be careful my brothers what you say or you may end up the Enemies List.

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  35. I'm not surprised that Jefferson was never a Freemason. As I understand it, George Washington, who is always trotted out as a prominent Mason, never attended lodge meetings, saying they involved too much "idle chatter."

    Maybe George warned him off.

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  36. There is evidence that Jefferson was, in fact, a Freemason. This evidence is of course circumstantial. Still, it never stopped anyone from making all kinds of cases for more impossible ideas with even less evidence. Until it is proven, the only reasonable assumption is that Jefferson was a Freemason. Much of his writings bear out the theory too.

    It may be he was not a Mason, but the evidence is insufficient to conclude either way.

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  37. This 'black list' for Freemasonry has been purported, but until substantial evidence is available, I'll file it with Nessie sightings. All kinds of things are purported to exist, but evidence is unfortunately scant for much of it.

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  38. Quote: "Theron Dunn, Adam Kendall, Arthur Peterson, and Cliff Porter all want to go back to grade school and rat out everyone else on the playground. They don't won't to be our brothers in Masonry but want to use it as a means of control over us.

    Thanks to these idiots we now have an "Enemies List" being passed around at the Grand Lodges. See http://masonictraveler.blogspot.com/2007/12/enemies-list.html

    These guys rat out anyone who says anything against the Grand Lodge or Grand Master. Be careful my brothers what you say or you may end up the Enemies List."

    Are we paranoid today? Did someone forget their medication?

    ReplyDelete
  39. This argument has become a parody of the comment section of this blog. Better yet, it's become a parody of the typical lodge of sneering, backbiting Masons.

    It's obvious this is not a "Masonic blog." I haven't paid any dues to be here, and I don't know if any of you people are even Masons. This blog is created by WS and can be deleted by him at any time. You wouldn't think anyone would have to explain that, but then maybe I've assumed the IQ level here is higher than it is.

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  40. Dunn,

    Happy to hear you're supporting Ron Paul as well..

    Bi Sheng

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  41. "This argument has become a parody of the comment section of this blog."

    Someone finally got the joke! ;,) Parody is the sincerest form of flattery, after all!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Wow...

    so does this always happen when you don't log on to "The Taper" for a day? ;-)

    Thank you W.S., I have enjoyed your blog the last couple of weeks- whether I've agreed with your points-of-view or not.

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  43. As a champion of the proverbial underdog, I wouldn't be myself if I didn't say: "Give brother Theron a break!"

    He loves "Big Brother," and if surrendering his freedom of thought, expression, and association makes him happy, I'm happy for him.

    I'm reminded of the old adage: "If you loan a friend $20 and never hear from him again, it was money well spent."

    -- Diogenes

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  44. "Theron Dunn, Adam Kendall, Arthur Peterson, and Cliff Porter all want to go back to grade school and rat out everyone else on the playground. They don't won't to be our brothers in Masonry but want to use it as a means of control over us."
    Perhaps you do not pay much attention to Masonic Forums, so I will forgive your error. If there was such a list and Theron Dunn had a say so in who was on it, I would be right on top!

    We are as opposite as night and day.

    Br. Arthur Peterson

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  45. Art Peterson says of himself and Theron Dunn: "We are as opposite as night and day."

    I wouldn't have believed that not so long ago, but brother Art earned himself a measure of my respect when he was big enough to admit he was wrong, as he did in a message posted above.

    Brother Theron could learn something from that, rather than continuing to try to maintain an indefensible position with personal attacks. I don't think there's much future in that, but what do I know?

    -- Diogenes

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  46. "He loves "Big Brother," and if surrendering his freedom of thought, expression, and association makes him happy, I'm happy for him."

    Let me say that as a regular Mason, I despise what 'Big Brother' stands for with all my heart, and it is my supposition brother Dunn does as well. The GL does not seem to represent BB in my jurisdiction, and I have seen them bow to the will of the brethren more than once.

    It sounds like brothers in other jurisdictions take issue with the decrees of the GL. I am not there, know only what is repeated by those who dislike not just the specific GL, they seem to hate all GLs across the board. Therefore, I can not informed enough to pass judgment. One thing that is true, that this would not be allowed to go on here. I have seen with my own eyes.

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  47. Brother A.A. is right in his message above. I have been guilty of painting all grand lodges with the same broad brush, and perhaps undeservedly so.

    Like everyone else, my perception of Masonry has undoubtedly been colored by my own experiences, and I can tell you for sure, the things I've seen have surpassed the realm of "ugly," and can only be described as "evil."

    My grand lodge IS "Big Brother," and I feel confident beyond reasonable doubt that similar situations exist in Georgia, Florida, West Virginia, and several other states. That doesn't mean EVERY grand lodge is that way, and it's obviously wrong to make unfounded assumptions.

    On the other hand, I'm just one person in a relatively small state, and if I'm aware of the corruption in several American grand lodges, why aren't other grand lodges aware of it as well? More importantly, if they ARE aware of it, yet choose to do nothing, aren't they effectively complicit in it?

    I seem to recall an obligation that says: "I will not wrong, cheat, or defraud a Master Mason, nor will I suffer it done." If Masons in other jurisdictions take that same obligation, aren't they violating it when they're aware of wrongs committed against brothers, yet "suffer" those to be done without lifting a finger?


    In a "comment" here a few days ago, I wrote about a brother in my grand jurisdiction who was unfairly charged with un-Masonic conduct. He was called to appear before a sham trial committee, but before he had a chance to defend himself, he suffered a heart attack. I wrote about how another "brother" refused to share potentially life saving medication with him, and how the grand lodge trial committee proceeded to "try" and expel the brother, even while he was undergoing emergency heart surgery.

    Does ANYONE think that's right?

    Even if the brother had actually committed a heinous crime (which he hadn't), is it "right" in any sense of the word, for a group of "brothers" to treat one of their own in such a way? If a civil trial would be postponed in an American court under those same circumstances, shouldn't Masonic "brothers" extend an even greater "courtesy" to each other?

    I've yet to find anyone who says what happened to that brother was "right," but even so, has a single brother attempted to do anything about it? Has anyone offered to "aid and assist him in his fallen fortunes," or to prefer charges against the brothers who obviously and deliberately wronged him?

    Where is Masonic justice when things like that are allowed to go unchallenged, and what sort of people are WE when we can sleep at night after saying: "That's too bad, but there isn't anything I can do about it."


    I know from my own observation that SOME Masonic grand lodges in the United States have entirely abandoned the Masonic principles of friendship, morality, and brotherly love. I HOPE that other grand lodges still maintain higher standards, but how much "better" can they really be, if they're aware of the wrongs being committed by their counterparts, yet choose to do nothing?


    To take it to a more personal level, suppose that you were an "able bodied" man among a group of 50 others. Furthermore, suppose that one (or more) of that group jumped a defenseless person, and started beating the crap out of him.

    Even if you didn't know the person being beaten, would you be justified in observing such an act of savagery without attempting to intervene? What sort of person would say: "That isn't any of my business," and simply look the other way?

    THAT, friends and brothers, is the "justification" I use for painting all "regular" grand lodges with the same broad brush.

    I hope I'm wrong, and that Masonry in most grand jurisdictions is as ideal as many think it is, but the implication of their actions (and lack thereof) doesn't seem to suggest it.

    -- Diogenes

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