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.

[Samwise]

We just got home from seeing it. We took our twelve-year-old. She enjoyed it as much as we did.

[Skooz]

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

Yes, you certainly did.

All who agree with the ACLU's position on this must descend the same absurd abyss.

"Separation of church and state," as currently defined by the ACLU, People For the American Way, Americans United, et al, is nowhere in the Constitution and is certainly not to be found in the 1st Amendment. The founders were merely making sure that no "Church of the United States" could be formed along the lines of the Church of England.

I prefer to understand the text as it is actually written, rather than how it has been twisted and tortured to conform to the mores of the day.

[Henchster]

"All who agree with the ACLU's position on this must descend the same absurd abyss."

I never said anything about the ACLU, and CERTAINLY don't agree with any of their views.

You're trying to put words in my mouth. Stick with the actual content of my post, not some implied beliefs you've conjured up in your "absurd abyss".

[Safrguns]

snowman, My father is a 32nd degree mason, and I love him very much. I understand why you took exception with what I said, but I can assure you that this was not the intention of my post. False teachings can be found in just about any organization you can think of including some of the best churches America has to offer. My statement was not directed at masons, but rather the organization itself, based on many of it's basic doctrinal statements... universalism being one of them as demonstrated in your rebuke. I'm not anti-mason... I'm pro-christian Thank you for the reference to "Born in Blood"... I will read it. Feel free to freepmail me if you wish to continue this discussion. Thanks

[Safrguns]

Informative link... Thanks!

[Skooz]

You're trying to put words in my mouth. Stick with the actual content of my post, not some implied beliefs you've conjured up in your "absurd abyss".

Well, I certainly never intended to equate you with the ACLU. My point is that your original post seemed to imply that the First Amendment is the document that contains the "separation of church and state." I disagree.

No big deal.

[pctech]

It's not an actual photo, anyone can see that. Heck, they said the same thing about Lincoln too. It's all bullhocky!

[null and void]

Did my post really need a sarcasm tag?

[pctech]

And I still say that no matter what people produce in the way of so-called "facts," that neither Washington, Franklin, Lincoln, or any other of our presidents were masons. All the proves is that the masons are trying to legitimize themselves by claiming former presidents were among their ranks. Masons are liars, and have even claimed to murder people, just to keep the truth from coming out about them.

[Hugin]

Read Born in Blood if you want to learn something.

Outstanding book, written by a non-Mason. A lot of history I didn't know about, including the demise of the Knights Templar and the Peasant Rebellion a century later. Fascinating stuff, whether you accept the conclusions or not.

[5Madman2]

Another one that needs to strap on his tinfoil suit

People like you used to disgust me, then amuse me, now you bore me

Use that active imagination of yours for something decent, like writing comic books.

[small_l_libertarian]

I saw it Friday night and enjoyed it. Not great, but a good, fun movie.

[Netizen]

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.

---

That means that there will be no single state sponsored religion forced upon people. In other words our government will not claim that you must adhere to the Catholic religion. (just an aexample).

Notice that it also says that Congress will not make a law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. In other words our government will not abolish religion.

It's all about religious tolerance.

[snowman1]

What a DORKAS!! You can't deny the facts if you are smart enough to read(you can read can't you). Go to the National Library web site and it will give you all the information . If you have the guts to be proven wrong. By the way I can name a few recent Pres that were Masons Starting with Harry Truman.

[snowman1]

Yeah and Jefferson, Teddy Rooseevelt, Lincoln, Truman,Reagan,ETC.
How about a few well knowns like Danny Thomas, Earnest Borgnine, Dave Thomas(WENDY'S)

[snowman1]

Since Neither of you knows diddly about the Masonic order why don't you keep your mouths shut until you know what you are talking about.

[The South Texan]

Any talk of the Free Masons, the CFR and the Trilateral Commission will guarantee a 500 plus response thread on FR.

[snowman1]

I have been a mason for nearly 50 yr's. And there is one thing you need to under stand "RELIGION" unless it has a bearing on the order is never discussed in a lodge meeting.
By that I mean someone dissing the order with out facts.

[pctech]

Man, when you can't stand the facts you resort to insults and taunts. What are you, a troll in disguise?

[snowman1]

No TROLL but if you don't understand shut-up