Published:
May 16, 2008
Secret Masters are Looming, Is G. W. One of Them?
By Sean Stubblefield
Any secret society worthy of the name is bound to be shrouded in mystery, enigma and half-truths. Anything we know, or think we know, about these groups is questionable, because it is probably what they want us to know; composed of speculation, rumor and disinformation. Any alleged insiders claiming to reveal group secrets cannot be completely trusted, because either they've betrayed their sacred oath of loyalty to their group or they haven't.
Whatever we are told, or allowed to know, about them is likely to be in some way sensationalized, unsubstantiated, skeptical, harmlessly trivial or a mixture of fact and fiction; serving to create and enforce a particular reputation of power. For those not properly initiated, the whole truth of who these societies are and what they really do may never be common knowledge. Which is a cultivated tactic both deliberate and coincidental.
That which is forbidden or hidden tends to provoke curiosity; in absence of definitive answers, we guess and invent based on what little we do "know". So secret societies become mythic and religious in form and function- internally and externally, the subject of conspiracy theory, suspicion and imagination among the uninitiated. Proliferation of an unknown power often incites paranoid delusions laced with supposition, fear and intimidation. Our doubts frequently cause us to worry and imagine the worst.
What's the secret? And why? What are they plotting (against me)? The common assumption, although not necessarily accurate, is that if they are hidden, operating in secrets and shadows, then they must be up to no good. The anonymity of working behind the scenes permits a degree of mobility and liberty that moving out in the open may not, because they don't have to answer to anyone but themselves and their code.
Because they are always surrounded by mystery and mystique, a hint of doubt and intrigue persists.
All group signs, activities and attitudes are full of symbolic ruse and ritual, imbued with pomp and circumstance to encourage an impression of distinguished significance and grand purpose. Members are typically immersed in propaganda and instilled with a noble sense of duty (to a cause and/ or each other), delusions of grandeur, or some combination. People are often drawn to and inspired by icons of mythic proportions, which is why so many people are inclined to rally around a representative logo, flag or banner.
Secret societies are often attributed, both inside and out, with more power and importance than they may actually have, or deserve. Perhaps their greatest power is to engage the imaginations of people, whether members or not.
It is said that knowledge is power. The element of secrecy, being privy to restricted information and access, the appearance of prestige, serving a cause, the sense of rogue, the bonding rituals, and the aspect of being chosen by an elite agency appeals to the ego and one's need for purpose, creating an image in the minds of members of being special, important, powerful. All of this helps to facilitate commitment.
This identity of uniqueness is used to empower, motivate and manipulate members, consciously and subliminally, to do the group's bidding.
The Illuminati. The Free Masons. The Rosicrucians. The Millennium Group. The Arcanum. The Priori of Sion. The Skull and Bones.
Each of these groups listed profess to promote similar goals for serving or preserving their community (while serving themselves), though use their own agendas, methods and philosophies for achieving them.
Public information, such as it is, on these secret societies is already available and accessible. An expose book entitled Secrets of the Tomb, by author/ journalist Alexandra Robbins, for example.
And secret information is, well, secret. Only those on the inside can know, and only those at the top level of the inside can know for sure what goes on behind their closed doors. By definition, everything about a truly secret society is refutable and nothing is provable.
So I won't waste time and effort being unnecessarily redundant here by pretending to know something I don't and can't. Any such attempt would only be superficial and incomplete. Therefore, I'm just going to present some essentials.
About The Skull and Bones, here's what we do know:
Why the name Skull and Bones? Why is their logo a skull and crossbones?
On their headquarters in printed, "Wer war der Thor, wer Weiser, Bettler oder Kaiser? Ob Arm, ob Reich, im Tode gleich".
Borrowed from an Illuminati initiation ceremony, this translates as, "Who was the fool, who the wise man, beggar or king? Whether poor or rich, all's the same in death."
As I understand it, the symbol is a constant reminder not only of our mortality and the need to make the most of our time, but also that all members are united equally, all are brothers/ sisters.
The home of Skull and Bones, located at Yale University, is an imposing stone building known as "The Tomb" or "The Temple". Every year, 15 senior classmen (and, since 1992, women, as well) are chosen, or "tapped", by the existing senior class to join in forming a strong bond with their fellows-- known as Bonesmen, and groomed in order to develop an elite association with friends in high places. Those selected comprise a wide variety of archetypes and personalities, and are sworn to secrecy and silence upon initiation; confirming and denying nothing to outsiders, and reportedly everything to each other. 322 is said to be a holy number to them, because it is the year B.C. that Eulogia- the goddess of eloquence, to whom they supposedly pay tribute-- ascended to the pantheon of gods. The Skulls, as the name may be abbreviated, are also sometimes referred to as Chapter 322, The Order 322, The Eulogian Club and Knights of Eulogia.
President George W. Bush, whose father and grandfather became members, and is himself an acknowledged Bonesman, wrote in an autobiography, "My senior year I joined Skull and Bones, a secret society so secret I can't say anything more."
John Kerry, the democratic candidate and his political opponent in the last presidential election, is also a member. (this means that it might be irrelevant which of the two became president, because-- either way-- the Skulls would have an agent as P.O.T.U.S.)
The oldest of several secret societies based on the Yale University campus, The Order was founded in 1832. At least on the surface, it is fundamentally a fraternity/ sorority, but an organization that openly admits using its socio-political connections to advance its members into positions of political power and influence in government, business and finance. Like any fraternity, Skull and Bones is a kind of members-only club; its members become as family- in some cases, perhaps more important than family, obliged to support each other with whatever resources they have. According to them, they declare a commitment to each other, and to the community. By helping each other into power, they are better able to help others.
There have been three Skulls movies, based on a "true story", which use conjecture and fantasy to depict the rumors about this secret society's nefarious conduct.
Maybe the most relevant questions and genuine concerns about The Skull and Bones is the extent to which they do or don't abuse their system of nepotism and their quest for power. It is said that a man cannot serve two masters. Even if their stated intent is the pursuit of power for community service, can a person whose first and prime allegiance is to the interests of their society be trusted to fairly serve our society?
Is the good of the group always compatible and consistent with the good of their mission?
Is the group indistinguishable from its proclaimed mission of service?
And, indeed, is their vision for our community really in everyone's best interests, or just theirs? By what means are they held accountable?
Send Comments to: exastra@hotmail.com
Currently based in Houston Texas, Sean Stubblefield graduated Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Television Production. A philosopher poet, Stubblefield has been writing non-fiction for 15 years, and has penned eight books to date. His first book, Paradox: A Journey Inside Out is available today.
For More Information: www.myspace.com/exastral.
Source: http://newsblaze.com/story/20080516190147sean.nb/newsblaze/OPINIONS/Opinions.html