The reason for the season

Last week, during the mad rush of last minute shopping, parties and family visits, I neglected to comment on "the reason for the season...

We all shine on: Brian Napier

Scottish brother Brian Napier writes in to tell us "This is Who I Am." Thank you, Bro. Brian. Dear Widows Son, My ...

You might be a libertarian...

Though he holds office as a Republican, it is no secret that U.S. Rep. Dr. Ron Paul is a libertarian. In fact, he ran for president as the ...

Best Masonic blogs of 2007

All the news channels and entertainment shows do a year-end wrap-up of "best of's," "top tens," etc., so I thought I...

Hotties 4 Ron Paul

If you're a regular reader of The Burning Taper , you'll remember the firestorm a couple of weeks ago, when my endorsement of U.S. R...

Guest editorial: Regularity and Recognition

The following statement by Grand-Master Mason John Graves of the Grand Lodge of All England at York was released by Grand Secretary Peter Cl...

Masonic monuments at Macon, Georgia's Rose Hill Cemetery

Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia , was established by the then 16-year old city in 1840. It was designed by Simri Rose, city councilman ...

Freemasonry opens its book of secrets

Timed to correspond to last week's opening of National Treasure: Book of Secrets , the Washington Post published a surprisingly balance...

We all shine on: M.M.M. from the North Eastern Corner

I would like to say first off that is an honor and a pleasure to introduce myself on the blog that inspired me to create my own source of Li...

Bro. Chris Hodapp home from hospital

While we were all fa-la-la-la-la-ing through the halls earlier this week, Bro. Chris Hodapp was ho-ho-ho-dapping it up in the hospital. He...

We all shine on: Chris Garlington

Here is a special holiday episode of "This is Who I Am," where readers tell us about themselves. Thanks for writing, Bro. Chris. I...

We all shine on: Thomas Munkholt

Fellow blogger and Danish brother Thomas Munkholt introduces himself in our latest "This is Who I Am" essay. Welcome, Bro. Thomas....

We all shine on: Roughesler

From southeast Asia, Bro. Roughesler writes in to say "This is Who I Am." Welcome, Brother. Hi, Widow's Son, distinguished bre...

We all shine on: Chester Hall

Here is another essay in our ongoing series "This is Who I Am," where readers introduce themselves. Welcome, Bro. Hall. My name is...

God-free citizenship for naturalized aliens (and believers in aliens)

Earlier this month at the federal courthouse in Las Vegas, Nevada, several dozen new Americans took their oath of citizenship, just as I...

We all shine on: Byron Morgan

Bro. Byron Morgan writes to tell us about himself, in this installment of "This is Who I Am." Thanks, Bro. Byron! I am Byron Morga...

Festivus for the rest of us

What with all this Christmas, Kwanza, Hannukah, and Winter Solstice partying going on, it's easy to forget today's holiday. It's...

We all shine on: Movable Jewel

Here's another in our series "This is Who I Am" essay, submitted by my fellow blogger and good friend and brother. Movable Jew...

We all shine on: Mark Koltko-Rivera

Here's our second in a series "This is Who I Am" essay, submitted by a Burning Taper reader. Thanks, Bro. Mark! I can understa...

We all shine on: Key of C

This is the first of what I hope will be many "This is Who I Am" posts by the Taper's Neighbors. Our first reader to step up t...

Hey, Mars! Duck!

The Super Bowl won't be the only thing worth watching about a month from now. There's a chance that Mars, our neighbor to the, uh, e...

Happy Holidaze from Mary and the Widow's Son

Mary and the Widow's Son wish you and yours a superduper happy and healthy holidaze! Knock back some eggnog (but avoid drinking the Kool...

We all shine on

Lately there's usually a Beatles (as a band or individually) song playing on my stereo or in my head. (Perhaps that will give you an ind...

No horse, no wife, no mustache

I'd like to personally and publicly thank my friend Grouchogandhi for creating the new Square and Compasses with Lady Liberty's Tor...