Harry S Truman 9/9/09

Thanks to Kevin C. for sending me this.

Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.

The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri. His wife had inherited the house from her mother and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.

When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an "allowance" and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.

After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There were no Secret Service following them.

When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale.."

Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."

As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.

Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale.

Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!

I say dig him up and clone him!!

Brother Mason - 1906 Song 3/8/08

Click on the picture to listen to the song.

Brother Mason

King Solomon was ruler of the wisest of the nations.
He founded that great Brotherhood we know as Freemasons.
All Masons are as Brothers, we suppose they’re all akin.
Unless a man is kind and good, he cannot enter in.

In sickness or in trouble, they are bound to help each other.
No matter where a Mason goes, he'll always find a Brother.
George Washington was proud to be a Mason good and true.
And Roosevelt is a Mason and a mighty good one too.

CHORUS:

All, Brother Masons, Brothers kind and true,
When you're in trouble, they will stand by you.
Across the sea, where e”re you be or in your native land,
Wherever there's a Mason, you will find a helping hand.

Lodge Number 3, of Kankakee made Hiram Brown a Mason.
They had a heard of billy goats at his initiation.
When Hiram Brown came in the room, the goats began to sniff.
They butted in and butted out, poor Hiram have a biff.

They kicked poor Hiram all around, they knew he had no gumption,
They threw ice water on him 'til he said he’d get consumption.
And when he said he'd catch a cold, they said none of your lip,
You cannot be a Mason, boy, unless you'd have the grippe.


All Brother Masons, Brothers kind and true,
When you're in trouble, they will stand by you.
Poor Hiram’s Third Degree was worse than all the other two
But he’s a Blue Lodge Mason cause they beat him black and blue.

The Lambskin - 5/23/07

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

It is not ornamental; its cost is not great,
There are things far more useful, yet truly I state
That of all my possessions none can compare
With the White Leather Apron, that all Masons wear.
As a young lad I wondered, just what it all meant,
When Dad hustled around, and so much time was spent
In shaving and dressing and looking just right.
Until Mother would say, it’s the Masons tonight.
Sometimes Mother would say, “Dad what makes you go,
Way up there tonight, through the sleet and snow;
You see the same things each night of the year.”
And then Dad would say, “Yes, I know my dear;
Each time I see the same things, it is true,
Though they be old, they always seem new,
For each hand that I clasp, each friend that I greet
Seem just a little closer, each time that we meet.
Years later I stood at that very same door,
With good men and true, who had entered before,
Kneeled at the Altar, and there I was taught.
That Virtue and Honor never be bought.
That there on the level, men meet and abide.
That wealth and position, is all cast aside.
So Honor the Lambskin, and may it remain,
Forever, untarnished, and free from all stain.
So that when we are called to the Grand Architect’s Love
We will meet him up there, in that Grand Lodge above.

Thanks to Charlie B. for sharing this.

TONIGHT IS LODGE NIGHT (4/19/07)

1. He slowly opened the door to his locker. He hung his police uniform on the hooks and took out his suit. It was Lodge night.

2. He watched as the last employee left his business, locked the building and made the evening bank drop. He then headed off with a whistle on his lips and a spring in his step. It was Lodge night.

3. The young man helped his wife clear the table. He then said good night to his children and snuck into his room to change his clothes. Upon leaving he smiled at his wife and kissed her. It was Lodge night.

4. It had been a hard day. Navigating through the complexities of the legal system was rewarding work. It was also tiring. Normally he would have been headed home for a relaxing evening. But tonight was not normal and he felt none of the usual fatigue as tonight was Lodge night.

5. Life had not been pleasant since his wife died. His family lived far
away and with each passing year it became harder and harder to do the simple things in life. And most of all he missed his life long partner. Tonight he felt a little less pain and life didn't seem nearly as bad. It was Lodge night.

6. The accident had been terrible. But there was some consolation that his skills as a doctor had saved a life. Still it would not be easy and there were possibilities of complications. But for a while he could place his worries in the hands of others as tonight was Lodge night.

7. It is hard looking for work when the job market is scarce. Each day he faced the nameless horde of people who continue to tell him that he was not needed. He faced rejection and the possibility of hardship at every turn. Tonight he knew he was wanted and needed, it was Lodge night.

8. He sat alone in the small room wearing clothes that were not his. He had received warm welcomes from a number of men he didn't know and a few he did. Now with an ancient relic of a bygone age they told him to wait patiently, yet he looked forward to it with anticipation. It was his first Lodge night.

9. From all walks of life we come. We donate our time to an age honored tradition. We donate our money to help those who cannot help themselves. We gather in fellowship and part in peace. For a while we can lay aside our differences and worries to bask in our shared experiences. We can talk with men who are our equals, men who work to better themselves. And we serve as mentors to our newly-raised Brethren

Tonight is Lodge night and I am glad I am a Mason.
Author Unknown