Skeletons in the closet

While at Yale University, both John Kerry and George Bush joined an elite secret society, the Order of Skull and Bones. How might their lifelong allegiance to the club affect their relationship - and political decisions? Suzanne Goldenberg tracks down other Bonesmen to find out

Thursday May 20, 2004
The Guardian

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There is a secret that binds the two men who would be the next leader of the free world. President George W Bush and Senator John Kerry both spent a portion of their youth laying bare their sex lives in Gothic rituals presided over by a human skull and the skeletal remains of various other animal species in a windowless building known as the Tomb. They also formed an unusual attachment to the number 322, which holds a special resonance for the club's members.
Such college pastimes are not entirely unheard of among the American elite. For those in the know - pillars of government, business, media and academia - the occult rites, secret codes and nicknames are a marker of respectability: admission to the most exclusive club at the Ivy League preserve of Yale University, the Order of Skull and Bones. Those not in the know, dismissed as "barbarians" by the Bonesmen, have little chance of penetrating its mysteries. Bones membership lasts a lifetime, and alumni take a vow of secrecy.

But even those anointed few - those, for example, who could be trusted with the secret of President Bush's society nickname which was "Temporary", as he defied convention and failed to choose one - would be staggered at the odds of two Bonesmen turning up in a direct contest for the US presidency.

The society is open to only 15 students from the senior or graduating class of Yale each year, and it is believed there are fewer than 800 living members. That both Kerry and Bush will feature on the presidential ticket next November might be dismissed as weird coincidence, except for the fact that for generations the club's alumni have occupied positions of power and influence in America.

"Skull and Bones is probably the most successful elite network this country has. This is an organisation where members can call up presidents, supreme court judges and cabinet members, and ask for jobs, money and connections," says Alexandra Robbins, author of Secrets of the Tomb, an exposé of Yale's secret societies.
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More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1220758,00.html

to succeed. He actually earned his positions through his own brave choices, diligence and innovative thinking.

They do point out that Bush used his access throughout his life but fhen fail to contrast Kerry's choice to ACHIEVE success on his own merits. I cry foul.

My question is, how would you know that if it's a secret?

Listen, you may be absolutely correct, it's just that I don't think anyone giving the Oath of Office should be holding secrets about their membership in a secret society. Since when does an oath taken in college supercede the oath of office?


The very word 'secrecy' is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths, and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweigh the dangers, which are cited to justify it.

- John F. Kennedy Address to newspaper publishers April 27, 1961

Reporters did find that Bush was given favorable treatment for his ventures. In fact, it was easy enough to track, considering that Bush needed it so often.

The fact that they couldn't find any favorable treatment for Kerry while factoring in his undisputed reputation as a hard workerm should tell you plenty.

to win that bet, eh?

Epsom Derby?
NB third leg of triple crown looking pretty good after last Saturday's Preakness.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=511048&mesg_id=515077&page=

Only 6 days left.

J K Rowling and the Tissue of Lies?

I stand by that. J K Rowling is a BFEE-sponsored liar and plagiarist. Poodle's disgraced ex-Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson fixed that one.

Hadn't realised it was six days to go, must get the egg-timer out.....

Edit: The Wallis biography: still scheduled for 30 June UK launch.