National Treasure

The American Thinker ^ | Nov. 21, 2004 | Thomas Lifson

[Kitten Festival]

As long as I am confessing less than elevated interests today, I might as well admit that I really enjoyed the new film National Treasure. This is probably the first Jerry Bruckheimer-produced movie I have ever praised, unless you count Team America, which is a parody of his extravagent explosion-filled action movies, acted by puppets.

Sure, it is a highly-implausible adventure film, but it has a number of redeeming values. It is first-rate storytelling, with nary a dull moment, and a mostly coherent narrative line. It is basically a treasure hunt, comparable in many ways to Raiders of the Lost Ark or King Solomon's Mines, two other very well-crafted screen adventures. John Turteltaub, the director, is quite impressive in the way he keeps advancing the narrative, and makes appealing characters out of what could have been stick figures.

[pctech]

If you dig into REAL history you will find the Freemasons are a force what what's wrong with this country

In addition, the more you dig into "Morals and Dogma" - essentially the handbook of Freemasonry, the more occult it gets. M&D was written by Albert Pike

Finally, another enlightened mind who knows the truth. Though you know you're liable to get flamed for your efforts, as now will I!

[pctech]

Washington and Franklin were not Masons, free or otherwise. That's just another lie invented by the main stream press of the past to try and tarnish these great men.

[5Madman2]

Another anti Mason loon

You have no clue what you're talking about.

Tighten down your tinfoil jumpsuit,and go crawl back under your rock.

Quit badmouthing something you have no idea about

[5Madman2]

Morals and Dogma and Pike have all the credibilty of a Kitty Kelly book-quote something taht resembles a real source.

[Militiaman7]

Back in your hole troll!

[Uncle Vlad]

Don't believe the Freemasonry propaganda. If you dig into REAL history you will find the Freemasons are a force what what's wrong with this country.

To call Art Bell, East of the Rockies, call 1-800-618-8255 (toll-free)

In the Western US, call 1-800-825-5033.

First-Time Callers: 1-775-727-1222

And our Wild Card Line: 1-775-727-1295.

[null and void]

Washington and Franklin were not Masons, free or otherwise.

But but but we have a photo! see post #17...

[Henchster]

"..Specifically, the "invention" of the myth of seperation of church/state (most people think it IN the consitition). I challenge anyone to find it in any of the documents that our Republic holds dear."

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

[Skooz]

It isn't there.

Keep looking.

[Katya]

and I bet when you hear the term "occult" your mind goes straight to Satanic devil worshiping heathens....

[KillTime]

Pasted from the following link supporting that Washington was a Mason, just not a stongly practicing one:

http://www.bessel.org/gwfmy.htm

Washington admired the principles and goals of Freemasonry, but he was not very familiar with them and did not attempt to learn more about Freemasonry.

Washington wrote letters indicating that he was happy to be a Mason; presided in a major Masonic ceremony laying the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol in Masonic regalia, and possibly in some other Masonic ceremonies; never sought to resign or repudiate his Masonic membership; and did not say or do anything negative toward Freemasonry, other than that some Masons promoted the radicalism of the French Revolution (as did others).

However, there is little or no evidence that Washington attended many Masonic lodge meetings in his whole life after becoming a Mason 1753.

Washington attended at most 3 meetings, possibly fewer or none (he may have attended dinners but not the preceding meetings), of the lodge that today is called Alexandria-Washington Lodge #22, and of which he was the first Master under its Virginia Charter. While he was Master of that lodge, he did not do anything to assist the work of the lodge, and he attended, at most, one meeting (if he attended that one), when officers were reelected. There is no indication that he actually presided as Master on that occasion and it is unlikely that he did so. Paintings and sculpture showing Washington presiding as a Master of that or any other Masonic lodge are probably based only on wishful thinking.

Some Masons may have gotten carried away with their delight that the most eminent citizen of the United States, George Washington, joined the Freemasons when we was very young and continued to be a member throughout his life and wrote letters supporting Freemasonry, and they may have attempted to portray him as an active and enthusiastic member of the Craft even though the evidence indicates that he was not.

George Washington was apparently a Mason who was not very interested in attending lodge meetings, although there is considerable evidence that he was happy to be a member and publicly supported Freemasonry.

[Henchster]

That's pretty clear to me. Read it again but turn your comprehension to "On." {;^)

[Skooz]

That's pretty clear to me. Read it again but turn your comprehension to "On." {;^)

Hmmm..... Let me try this again.

Okay, if I try REAL hard, and put on my special ACLU approved decoder glasses, and drink the DNC Kool-Aid...........

Well, by George, there it is.

The phrase "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" is actually code for "There shall be absolute and total separation of church and state at all times, from the federal level down to the local to the point that even local public school plays that mention the word "Christmas" are gross violations of the law and all references to religion must be summarily expunged from every public place. Period."

Yep. Sure enough. There it is. Of course, I had to descend into the absurd, contradictory abyss of Bizarro World to see the code.

[snowman1]

I haven't seen the movie yet but I take exception to the negative things you said about the masons. I can see for sure that you were right in saying you knew a little about them(DAMN LITTLE) No man can become a mason without a belief in a supreme being thats why there are JEWS, HINDU'S, CHRISTIANS ,BUDDIST'S, MUSLIMS, ETC. Look at the pictures of the signing of the Declaration of Indpendance then look up the background of them, most were MASON'S look at the list of presidents of the United States and tell me how many were and are Mason's. I've been a proud mason for nearly 50 years and you should look up the worlds greatest philanthropy, The Shiners Hospitals for Children. It's people like you who know little and think they know everything about an organization. Read Born in
Blood if you want to learn something.

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

I saw National Treasure also. It would be good for families, there wasn't any cursing, none that I can remember, or really anything violent. There were gunshots, but I can't remember anybody getting shot and killed. I didn't think Bruckheimer would make a PG rated action movie (well, he did make Top Gun, but that was more for adults, and wasn't made by Disney). He seems to be hanging up the R-rated stuff and going for broader audiences.

Also, The Polar Express continues to tank. Whose bright idea was that to release that movie a month before Christmas?

[PresbyRev]

Without getting into an anti-mason vs. Mason thread, let me offer that 'Morals and Dogma' is not the handbook of Freemasonry - essentially or otherwise.

[PresbyRev]

Both were Freemasons - it is historical fact; completely verifiable. The "Mainstream Press" has nothing to do with it.

http://www.masonicinfo.com/

[Henchster]

"Of course, I had to descend into the absurd, contradictory abyss of Bizarro World..."

Yes, you certainly did.

I'm only saying there is a clear separation between government and religion, as it should be, and it's not only in the Constitution, but the 1st amendment of the Bill of Rights. It also allows people to gather for any reason or religion.

And I'd like to point out my lack of bias, as I am not religious, nor am I a Mason. I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night though!

[PresbyRev]

Here is a brief take on the movie from a Masonic point of view.

http://www.masonicinfo.com/nationaltreasure.htm

[snowman1]

Actually it was the Knights Templar treasure that was stashed after the start of the inquisition by of all things a FRENCH POPE when the Templars got too rich and too strong for his tastes. Read the book "BORN IN BLOOD' written by a non mason by the way(when he wrote the book, later became one) The white clock with the red cross were the Templars, the blue cross denoted the hospitlars.