Recent content by admarcus1

And when was this wonderful time?

Couldn't agree more.

I don't think this was because a weak confederation was God's preferred form of government. It's that they did not need a king when they already had one. Malchei HaMelachim, the King of kings, should have been enough. In the arguments between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, I don't...

I can see how someone could be duped into paying for the degrees online and believe that he was a 32 degree SR Mason. People have been conned into crazier things. What doesn't ring true is that someone could be duped into thinking he had been Master of 4 lodges. You can fool someone into buying...

My experience is that bigots rarely wear their bigotry on their sleeves, especially as it becomes less and less socially acceptable. It's easy to recognize an Archie Bunker (and there I am dating myself), but characters like that are relics, though we occasionally see an exception on the news...

Sounds like a lodge to be proud of.

I'm a fan of Taylor, but not the sandalwood so much. I use Shark Chrome blades. Tried Feather, but they are clearly trying to kill me. Can't get through a shave with them without drawing blood. It can take a while to find the right blade.

I can think of a number of situations where someone wrongs somebody else, and the victim is embarrassed that it happened. If you are a victim of a scam, physical or sexual assault. The person may have victimized someone you know, but that person doesn't want the information shared -...

That's kind of my point. Welcome by law, but the single black ball could be used as a veto that renders the law meaningless. It only takes a single bigot.

You should check with the GL in the jurisdiction where you are petitioning. If the local lodge is asking, the Grand Lodge can probably give you the info (though the local lodge secretary should be able to give you the info). I wouldn't want you to spend money on a report from the link I posted...

In Massachusetts, there is a particular site you have to use for the background check, so you can't find a cruddy online site that will do whatever you want. The company has been vetted. Also, you go through a particular link. You couldn't run one locally and not include national because a...

The background check in MA in no way replaces an investigation, and no one pokes around on the internet. The petitioner is required to order the background check to be delivered to himself, not the lodge or the GL. They must be willing to show it to the investigation committee, but it is never...

Criminal background checks don't have to go through a LEO or find someone with connection. Anytime you apply for a job, they do a background check. You can be sure that the police wouldn't want to deal with all those requests. Private companies do it for you. GL of MA uses Infocheckusa. The...

Try asking the Grand Lodge to find out is they have any preferred providers. There are any number if companies that will do it for you. The Grand Lodge if MA has a link to one on their website. The federal check is almost instant. Local depends on where you are.

I agree that bigger is not necessarily better, but I doubt the 3 ball vs 1 ball is an attempt to grow the fraternity. If the investigation committee is doing even half- assed job, even one black ball should be so rare as to have little if any impact on overall numbers. My jurisdiction has one...