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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Hamburg & Vancouver
Posts: 7,693
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Secret societies...what do you know about them???
I have for some years been vaguely interested in secret societies solely from the standpoint of the amazing networks they seem to represent.
I'm thinking of the Knights Templar, Freemasons, Rosicrucians etc—but also even more esoteric sects. I stress that I'm not interested in the funny hats and secret handshakes—just the networks. I recently had some dealings with a gentleman whose business card contained the legend "Member of the Knights of Malta" together with a Maltese cross. During the course of these dealings, which lasted a couple of weeks, this guy picked up the telephone a half dozen times and absolutely blew me away with the people he had access to in the very highest levels of government in three different Asian countries. I lived and worked in Asia for many years and know how valuable and precious such "know-who" is, so was doubly impressed that this guy had this kind of access—apparently through his Knights of Malta network. Anyone have similar experiences? I would love to hear from you. How the feck does one become a Knight of Malta for example? (I didn't have the presence of mind to ask this gentleman about this, and he's now far gone.)
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_____________________ These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others.—Groucho Marx |
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11-24-2008, 03:15 PM
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-mike |
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11-24-2008, 03:18 PM
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Registered
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Location: Higgs Field
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Jeff '72 911T 3.0 MFI '93 Ducati 900 Super Sport "God invented whiskey so the Irish wouldn't rule the world" |
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11-24-2008, 03:19 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Whitsundays, Qld, Australia
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If i told you, it wouldn't be a secret!
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Boilermaker......another young man in an old man's body. Col. 3-'74 911 targa. |
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11-24-2008, 03:25 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Colorado, USA
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I know some of them have some very catchy tunes.
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11-24-2008, 03:27 PM
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"O"man(are we in trouble)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: On the edge
Posts: 16,452
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They remain secret because the membership wants it that way and have agreed to not discuss anything about the organization.
Those that have websites are not necessarily secret but perhaps "exclusive" or "selective" in who they allow in as members. If they are secret then you are either asking for outside information which may or may not be accurate or asking a member to break an oath of secrecy. I'd guess most are just exclusive and are fraternal in nature. Last edited by widgeon13; 11-24-2008 at 04:07 PM.. |
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11-24-2008, 03:37 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Hamburg & Vancouver
Posts: 7,693
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Quote:
Well I'm thinking they've been around for so long that there must be a body of information accumulated through former members etc etc.
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_____________________ These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others.—Groucho Marx |
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11-24-2008, 03:40 PM
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No Band
Join Date: May 2007
Location: The Casino
Posts: 3,901
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FWIW, I think we probably have a better networking opportunity on this board than anything that these orgs could produce... Although the calibre of persons may differ, that is what I think, and here we don't have to wear anything but foil hats... 
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"HEY A$$MAN!!!" 
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11-24-2008, 03:55 PM
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Feelin' Solexy
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: WA
Posts: 3,788
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Interesting topic... I've always wondered the same.
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Grant In the stable: 1938 Buick Special model 41, 1963 Solex 2200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1986 VW Vanagon Syncro Westfalia, 1989 VW Doka Tristar, 2011 Pursuit 315 OS, 2022 Tesla Y Gone but not forgotten: 1973 VW Beetle, 1989 Porsche 944, 2008 R56 Mini Cooper S |
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11-24-2008, 04:08 PM
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Dog-faced pony soldier
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I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.
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A car, a 911, a motorbike and a few surfboards Black Cars Matter |
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11-24-2008, 04:10 PM
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"O"man(are we in trouble)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: On the edge
Posts: 16,452
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I knew that was going to come out eventually!
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11-24-2008, 04:13 PM
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meister member
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usually there isn't much secret about the organization and much can be told. All you need to do is ask. Usually to get into an organization it is good to know somebody or get to know somebody who is in it. Usually you need a couple people who know you to vouch for you and your character.
Speedy 
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1983 944 guards red with 16" Fuchs, Host of Wisconsin area timing/ balance shaft belt tensioning party 1987 944S Purchased from Legion. Corvette LT-1 V-8 conversion with Mega Squirt II Check on progress ---> www.porschehybrids.com/gallery/speedracing944 Favorite Road = www.tailofthedragon.com 318 turns in 11 miles (11 min 20 sec best run) |
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11-24-2008, 04:32 PM
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Unregistered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
Posts: 55,652
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I have a friend who is a freemason and we talk about it occasionally.
They do charity work and strive to be good human beings. Nothing mysterious about it. |
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11-24-2008, 04:48 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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The Masons arent so mysterious. My father and grandfather are both master masons. Like someone said they mostly do charity work and stuff. However masons with give "brothers" as they refer to each other business breaks and do things for them that they wouldnt for regular joes. You do have to ask to join and be approved. Cant tell you much else as some things they do are still secret
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11-24-2008, 06:56 PM
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Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
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We have a curious cat in the barn.
Repeat, we have a curious cat in the barn...
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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
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11-24-2008, 06:59 PM
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Sultan of Sawzall
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Louisiana "Take me to 'da bridge"
Posts: 4,806
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Quote:
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Gruppe B #319 2 '86 911 Carrera coupes (red & white) '66 Corsa convertible 140/4(red) '66 Monza coupe 110/PG(white) '95 993 cabriolet (wife's) |
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11-24-2008, 07:13 PM
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Registered
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Location: Houston TX
Posts: 8,703
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Quote:
Some more obscure, and quite secret old societies that still exist in some form are the Golden Dawn, the Ordo Templi Orientis, and the Argenteum Astrum (Silver Star)
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Mike Bradshaw 1980 911SC sunroof coupe, silver/black Putting the sick back into sycophant! |
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11-24-2008, 07:17 PM
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Free minder
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Funny nobody has mentioned the Skulls and Bones yet. Now, here is a secret society which had a member in office, hence must have had an influence on the policies of the past eight years...
Aurel
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1978 SC Targa, DC15 cams, 9.3:1 cr, backdated heat, sport exhaust https://1978sctarga.car.blog/ 2014 Cayenne platinum edition 2008 Benz C300 (wife’s) 2010 Honda Civic LX (daughter’s) |
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11-24-2008, 08:15 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
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I was once asked to join a militia. I responded that I didn't want to get that close to DEA agents...
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) |
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11-24-2008, 08:53 PM
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i'm just a cook
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: downtown vernon,central new york
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11-24-2008, 09:01 PM
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1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
