014: RANT!

Listen Now:

So where the hell have I been all this time? Well, this is the Autumn of my Discontent. First...my lodge has to move. We've been doing a relentless schedule of degrees before we lost our building, both in our Blue Lodge and in the York Rite Bodies (I am EHP this year). So rehearsals, degrees, rehearsals, degrees...you get the picture. Then a protracted bout with larangytis, then a colossal hard drive failure (thank the GAOTU for backups)...it's just one thing after another. A bunch of religious holidays...finally another cold. I'm tired and I'm cranky. So with your indulgence brothers, I will go on a gentle rant:

[RANT] So this episode I need to get some things that are bugging me off my chest. The Scottish Rite in Chicago sold their building and abandoned the Second City, leaving it without a downtown Masonic presence for the first time since 1844. Not only is it going to hurt Chicago Masonry in the short term, I think it will hurt my Scottish Rite Valley in the long term.

The recent press stories around Masonry and racism are making me see red. It's not just the South and their failures at integration and recognition of Prince Hall GLs, but the spectre of a disgruntled group of expelled masons who seem to be helping the press coverage along. Bottom line: 1) Racism is wrong. If you are a lodge discriminating based on the color of a person's skin, cut it out. You are hurting on ly yourselves and the Craft. 2) Even if you are a clandestine mason, you are still bound by your Obligation. If you are a clandestine Mason helping to place press stories that are damaging to Masonry, cut it out. If you need some help, listen to episode 013, or go to your Kabbalah dictionary and look up "Lashon Hara" [/RANT]

I mean really you'd think episode 013 would have been unlucky, but 014 has been cursed from the start...just as I began recording, I realized I had caught another cold. But I decided, let's just soldier on, and so you'll hear me sounding a little more nasal than usual, a little coughing, etc.

But I am happy to say that we are now (fingers and toes crossed) back on track. I am gearing up for a few shows before the end of the year, including the second annual Christmas Music Show. If you would like to add a holiday greeting to your brothers, call the X-Oriente Skype-in line and leave your message, or better yet, record some audio and send it to me.

Speaking of music, Howie Damron a Brother from Ohio recently sent me a couple of really good albums. Howie is a singer-songwriter who sings a really pleasing blend of country and folk...on him album called Family Ties, he sings duets with his lovely daughter Karisa. Check out his song "The Masonic Ring." is very inspiring!!!

Thanks for being there for me, thanks for your emails, IM's and calls...this is the best Fraternity in the world and our lives are better for being a part of it.

Fiat Vox!

Notes:

00:00 Intro

00:50 Catching up

01:45 Rant about the loss of the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Chicago

10:40 Masonic Media Desk: Misconceptions on both sides of the Pond (both USA and the UK)

15:57 Troubles in the South: Alabama, racism and the press

22:42 The Grand Lodge of...what? Clandestine GL stirs up trouble in the South: Let's make it all stop. Now.

25:44 The Contest: The Masonic Playlist Challenge!

30:00 Bro. Howie Damron: the Masonic Ring

Note: This rant is my own opinion, based on what I have read and the conclusions I have drawn. I am open to constructive rebuttal and if you are an interested party and you'd like the opportunity to rebut anything I've said, send me your audio or written rebuttal within the next 30 days and I will post it. I reserve the right to edit for clarity and content appropriateness. Fair is fair.

Music:

"The ending before the beginning - instrumental" by Bill de Rome

"Gunshot Wake," by Blackout Gorgeous

"Investigating The Phantom Signal" by Anterrabae

"Sienna Bullet - Grunge Mix" by after touch

"Son of Ambriel" by Cargo Cult from the Vibrant Album available on Magnatunes

"Seasons" by Cargo Cult from the Vibrant Album available on Magnatunes

"The Masonic Ring" by Howie Damron from the album Share the Feelin'. Available at his web site, howiedamron.com

Comments

[Steve Harrison]

WELCOME BACK! WE MISSED YOU!

[Jason Riffle]

When we lose historic properties like this we lose our connection to the past, and a vital part of our identity with the community. I agree with you Brother. We have a responsibility to preserve our history not only as Masons but members of our community. Especially in Chicago which has such a rich architechtural history I am sadened by the lose of such a property. We have this notion that new is better is America. This isn't always the case. Modern architechure can't grasp the character of the past or the depth of its history. On walking into my lodge you can feel the history, it has its own presence. The hundreds of men who've spent evenings there laughing, crying, and chatting. These things can't be replaced, and when they're gone they're gone forever!

[David Cooksey]

To the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe, and under the auspices of the United Grand Lodge of America in the state of Georgia in the city of Atlanta under the Sun where Peace, Virtue, Truth, Brotherhood, and Fraternal Union prevail.

Greetings,

Brethren, I speak to you with authority as the Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of America and hope that a few items can be clarified.
First let me say as of this moment only two members of the UGLA and/or lodges with amity with the UGLA have or ever have been erased. These two members where erased by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the state of Georgia last year. All other members of the UGLA and/or lodges with amity with the UGLA either have demitted from the several Grand Lodges that they were members of. At the time of demitting these brethren were/are in good standing. We also have visiting brethren who have not left the American Blue Lodge system yet. The UGLA does not restrict Masons of any jurisdiction from visiting a lodge with amity of the UGLA as long as warm fraternal relations are intended. The UGLA however did recently pass a resolution 2006-4 that states all joining members must be demitted from their Grand Lodge jurisdiction before joining the UGLA or a lodge with amity with the UGLA.

There are three elected positions within the UGLA they are; the Grand Master, Grand Secretary, and Grand Treasurer. All other officers are appointed by the newly elected Grand Master. These positions are purely ceremonial and are only required to assist in the opening and closing of the annual communication of the UGLA, which is held the first Saturday of each August.

The Grand Lodge officers of the UGLA are busying with membership, new Lodges and amity from Grand Lodges and Orients throughout the world.

We are fully aware that NOT all Grand Lodge jurisdictions within the United States have the problems that some do, yet we realize that problem areas exist and I hope we can agree upon that. If you have any questions for the UGLA please feel free to email me at anytime at dcooksey@uglofa.org I will do my best to answer them.

May Peace, Virtue, Truth, Brotherhood, and Fraternal union prevail.

G. David Cooksey
Grand Secretary
United Grand Lodge of America
Venerable Master Temple of Regulus
Past Master Von Bayer #699
Demitted member of Rising Virtue #4
Demitted member of Shades Valley #829
Demitted KCCH member of A&ASR Valley of Birmingham
Former Stage & Production Director of the A&ASR
Former Degree Director A&ASR
Former member of York Rite Metro East

[CONNIE]

Intresting thoughts, I enjoyed it very much.