The Skull and Bones Society

Not surprisingly, but appallingly, the majority of the American public as well as the global public, do not know that George W. Bush belongs to a secret society with occult overtones, called "The Order of Skull and Bones". And yes, it is just as bizarre as the name implies.

We must ask ourselves first and foremost if this is of any significance to begin with. And if we decide that it is of significance, what statement does it make that most people are unaware of this? What impact does this have on society, and the government?

(Pictured left: George H.W. Bush with fellow Skull & Bones members, circa 1947)




Basic Information

• Skull and Bones, as it is commonly called, is a secret society based in Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut (USA).


• It was established in 1832-33, by William Huntington Russell, and was incorporated in 1856 under the name "Russell Trust Association" -- which is its alumni organization, overseeing property and other activities. In 1978 and onward business of the Russell Trust Association was handled by John B. Madden, a partner of "Brown Brother's Harriman & Co. (1)


• Each year 15 new students are "tapped" (selected) to join the group for the following year - their senior year. There are usually only 600-800 living members at any given time.


• Members are sworn to absolute secrecy and are not allowed to reveal anything to "barbarians" (non-members), including family, spouses, clergy, etc. If asked about the group by anyone, they are instructed to immediately leave or refuse to answer.


• The Skull and Bones lodge is known as "the tomb" or "the temple", a windowless imposing building on campus.


• The lodge has many relics: from Hitler's silver collection to the Apache warrior Geronimo's skull, and a supposed resident prostitute. (2)


• The number "322" is of great significance to members, and is reputed to be the initiation room, as well as the possible number of the organization's chapter.


• Upon graduation, members are given a large amount of cash to help them get started in life, and older members may give them jobs or special starts in business, politics, or legal careers.


• "Bonesmen" as members are called, are not merely members for a year or period of time, but are considered members for life.


• They conduct strange, occult rituals which include coffins, drinking out of skulls or skull shaped cups, chants, oaths, and secret promises.
  

The History

Depending on whom you speak with, the Order of Skull and Bones (formerly known as "The Brotherhood of Death")* has various histories. We'll start with the generally told tales, and then go on to what we do know for fact.

Legend has it that sometime in the 1830's, William Russell travelled to Germany and became a member of a sinister and secret society. This German secret society was an offshoot or outgrowth of The Illuminati secret society. Russell became obsessed, and upon returning to America began his own secret society "The Brotherhood of Death" (later to be called "Skull and Bones") which was based on the Germanic society. He took the symbols, logos, rituals, and virtually everything else and transferred it to this new society, including the German society's ambitions and beliefs.

This explanation as to the origins of Skull and Bones is usually laughed off by group defenders as here-say and nonsense. Many claim that it is nothing more than a myth which has grown into legend. However, there may be some basis of truth in this legend. For every person that dismisses it, there is another that believes it. Currently research is still being done as to authenticate this story, but it remains a commonly-held belief, as this author so succinctly put it:

"He did found S&B at Yale after spending 1831-32 studying in Germany. From
S&B’s own documents, it seems that The Order may be but a U.S. chapter of a
German secret society. And it is quite possible that the German society was (is)
directly connected to the infamous Order of the Illuminati, which was founded in
Germany in 1776. The Illuminati, which played a central role in the French
Revolution and in spreading subversion and revolution throughout Europe,
actually sent agents to the United States to overthrow our republic while it was
still in its infancy. In a 1798 letter to Rev. G. W. Snyder, President George
Washington acknowledged that these agents were then active here, spreading the
Illuminati’s "diabolical tenets."**

The 'semi-official' version more or less, according to the society's defenders and public mouthpieces, goes something like this:

In December of 1832, William Russell founded Skull & Bones. He was upset about changes in a fraternity election process (Phi Beta Kappa) and decided to form his own group. It was the "Eulogian Club", an American chapter of a German student organization. The 322, and skull and crossbones are symbolic of homage to Eulogia (goddess of Eloquence), and revolving around Demosthenes and his death in 322 B.C. (3)

So here we have two essentially completely different versions. One revolving around a sinister secret society and its inception in America, and one revolving around a harmless student organization, concocted by a rebuffed student with semi-superstitious elements.

What do we actually know for fact? We know these documented facts:

The group was established by William Huntington Russell in about 1833. Russell came from a powerful and wealthy family that made its money from criminal activity -- namely, the opium trade. (Russell and Company). (4)

After the murder of William Morgan, there was a great outcry in the country against secret societies, with John Quincy Adams (former president) writing that those who take oaths to politically powerful international secret societies cannot be depended on for loyalty to a democratic republic. Despite this great outcry, Russell and his family were protected by intermarrying and doing business with other powerful elite families, who happened to be Pro-British, and would bring their children into Skull and Bones. (5)

While the history is too detailed to go into great lengths, we can sum it up with this: Criminal families who made fortunes off opium and were pro-British (this was not long after the American revolution had ended and America was beginning as its own country) desired to overthrow the infant government and bring it back into English power. Using the Skull and Bones society as a front, and integrating it with supporters, loyalists to the cause, and family, they hoped to achieve their objective, and continue smuggling opium undisturbed. (6)

Whether you believe it is an offshoot of the long lost Illuminati, or whether you believe the group's version - history does not lie. One thing becomes clear, documented fact: the original inception of this organization revolved around illegal activity, drugs, elitists, and traitors to the American cause who hoped to initially overthrow the government.

Strange Behavior

Since its beginning, Skull and Bones has been filled with many of the most powerful men in the country. Down the long list of members, we see that it has included several presidents, heads of the CIA and world banks, leaders of major universities, military, government, and media.

To give just a few examples: William Taft, Henry Luce, Averill Harriman, and three generations of the Bush family: Prescott Bush, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. (7)

The average person, upon reviewing such a membership would be unlikely to guess the bizarre, occultish and sometimes perverse activities that these men have participated in, as members of this exclusive club.

What do some of these activities include? Initiates must endure all sorts of rites, including lying in a coffin, chanting, drinking from a skull in the "Firefly" room, to name but a few things. Each initiate must also sit in front of the entire group and relate his complete sexual history, sexual fantasies, life's history, and ambitions for the future.

Defenders say this is nothing more than to breed loyalty to one another, to get to intimately know other initiates, and to become close like a family. They laugh it off as nothing more than fun college hazing meant to bring the group together and exaggerate its mystique.

Critics believe otherwise. Many point out that by participating in these activities these men are being brought under great emotional and mental duress, and can be easily manipulated. Aside from that, by divulging all personal information they leave themselves open to blackmail, and have little choice but to become intensely loyal. Even more, by knowing and trusting one another intimately, they gain a knowledge of future plans and very often will promise to help each other later on in life - politically, financially, and so on - considering themselves Bonesmen first, and the club above all other things.

Defenders of the group dismiss any concerns regarding its power or influence. Anyone who questions its magnitude or history is considered a 'conspiracy theorist' or is condescendingly told that these men are not capable of any great influence or wielding power over an unsuspecting public. We are told that the reason so many powerful men come from Skull & Bones, and have such great wealth ... is because Yale attracts the best and brightest in the country, and S&B taps the best and brightest of those students. Of course - they tell us - these men are destined for great things in many fields and are naturally going to be leaders and innovators. It would seem plausible enough.

A skeptic however, might remember that many of these members are from a long line (generations) of family who were previous members. More so than that, the beginning of the organization started with elite, rich families bringing in their children and grandchildren. Further more than that, these members are given great sums of cash upon graduation to start their careers, are helped by older Bonesmen later in life, and have the power to "tap" the new generations of Bonesmen. And of course, there are other kickbacks ... like the fact that from a special act of state legislature in 1943 its trustees (Russell Trust Association) are exempted from the normal requirement of filing corporate reports with the Connecticut Secretary of State. How interesting. (8)

Yes, the Order of Skull and Bones is odd indeed. And these men take it very seriously. Whether it is sharing sexual experiences, lying in coffins, conducting rituals, drinking out of skulls or anything else - they do what they are told, and they don't speak of it again. What little we do know comes from investigative journalism, rare interviews, and leaked documents by unknown sources.

Here is a great example: Prescott Bush in about 1918 actually stole the skull and other remains of Geronimo, the great Apache Indian warrior. It has since been used in Skull & Bones ceremonies. An informant leaked photographs and other useful information to provide proof, including the whereabouts of the skull. To this day, the society refuses to give it back, despite protests and legal wrangling in the mid-eighties by a former chairman of the Apache Band. Of course, even with Prescott's grandson being the current President of the United States, the desecration of these remains continues without shame. (9)

How ironic it is indeed, that George W. Bush's core base of supporters and voters were Christians, particularly evangelical Christians. This is mainly due to the fact that Bush claimed to be a "born-again Christian" and based much of his campaign and PR on Christian ethics and his supposed deep faith. One has to wonder what percentage of his Christian voter base knows of his active participation and history in Skull & Bones. And are these evangelical Christians supportive of his past which includes drinking from skulls, lying in coffins, chanting, swearing oaths and other strange behaviours? Is this cohesive with his current public image? Especially notable is the fact that Bush has not renounced Skull & Bones at all, but continues his close relationship with members, and even hires them!

One of George W. Bush's first social functions as President was to have his Bonesmen (class of 1968) at the White House. Eleven of his "Bonesmen brothers" have visited Camp David at least once during his Presidency. A number of Bonesmen have found work in Washington. (10)

Of course it's not at all suprising that there is a lot of 'backscratching' going on. Bush got help earlier on in his life and career several times from Bonesmen, including being bailed out of a few fiasco's and scrapes.

More Bonesmen History

For people to suggest that Skull and Bones members do not wield any unusual power over the public, or have not actively changed American history - is laughable, to say the least. Here are just a few examples of what Skull and Bones members have "contributed" to society since the organization began: (11)

• Involvement in the CIA, and inspiration/influence over covert operations such as MK-ULTRA (See: Richard M. Bissell Sr = Mental Hygiene Society)
• Intricately involved in Cuban missile crisis, and the training of Florida-based hired killers and assassins who would go on to work in Vietnam, the Middle East, the Contra Wars and Central America. (See: Richard M. Bissell Jr)
• Several members married into prominent families, including the Warburgs, and were business associates, supporters or employees of the Harriman group - both of which supported Hitler's rise and reign.
• Countless early members going on into the 1900's were involved in opium smuggling, and would go on to buy and own some of the most premier companies and establishments in America.
• Helping to get Rutherford B. Hayes the Presidency in 1877, and to withdraw troops that were enforcing blacks' rights from the South. (See: Alphonso Taft)
• Making decisions that helped to restrict or retract rights obtained for blacks during the Civil War. (See: Morris R. Waite, a Supreme Court Justice)
• Helping the rise of the Harriman's - who would later go on to become smugglers and financiers for Adolph Hitler. (See: Chauncey M. Depew)
• The list could go on and on ... which brings us to current US President and Bonesman George W. Bush and his activities: aggressive war with Iraq, lying about WMD, the Patriot Act, rolling back civil liberties, destroying Habeus Corpus, etc.

Admittance

In case anyone should actually disbelieve that these men belong to this organization, there is plenty of evidence and documentation. But even further than that, George H.W. Bush admitted his membership in his own autobiography "A Charge To Keep". He said, without a hint of irony, that his senior year he had joined the Skull and Bone Society, but that it was so secret he couldn't tell anything more about it. (12)

In 2004, George W. Bush admitted on national television that he was a Skull & Bones member, but refused to say anything more. This also occurred on the same program ("Meet The Press" with Tim Russert) with John Kerry his political rival. (13)

Click on this "MEET THE PRESS LINK" to watch video clips of both men discussing it.

Bonesmen in the Whitehouse

"The Hangman equals death, The Devil equals death, Death equals death!" It's
weird to think that the two men who are now contesting the most powerful job in
world politics, both apparently went through an occult ritual that involved
dressing-up and chanting the words above, prostrate in front of a fellow student
wielding a butchers' knife and dressed in animal skin." (London Guardian, 2004) ~

2004 marked an unprecedented year for the Skull and Bones society. While there had been many Bonesmen presidents, and leaders in every possible field of power, never had there been two Bonesman contending for the Presidency of the United States at the same time.

John Kerry was the Democratic nominee (Bonesman of 1966), while George W. Bush was the Republic nominee, running for re-election after his first term as President (Bonesman of 1968).

There was decent media coverage in the US, and around the world, although it was generally talked about in a very silly manner as though joking about Skull and Bones. The initiations and rites were laughed off as juvenile fun, and the extreme power of Bonesmen was downplayed. Anyone who asked tough questions was viewed as paranoid. Much to the credit of the rare journalist, some fair and accurate reports were put out by the international press.

It seemed odd and somewhat chilling however, that in a "democratic and free" society, with a population of 300 million -- the two competitors for President happened to be from the same secret society, which only had 800 living members and formed a core elite of power and wealth among America's top establishment.

If the secrecy, rituals, bizarre behavior and troubling history were not all disturbing enough -- it's hard to believe that so few people were troubled by this event. If nothing else it proved that America was still run by a small established group of elite and wealthy families which had been dominating the political and business sphere since America was formed!

George W. Bush did end up winning the election and went on to a second term as President.

What Does It Mean For America?

The course of events over the last decade, along with the very existence and history of Skull and Bones, spell out a dangerous and uncertain future for America. It is a sad statement indeed that the political process is dominated by Bonesmen and that they infest every wing of political and banking infrastructure.

While some may claim that this is due to "tapping the best and brightest" and a "natural result of that occurrence", the thinking man, reflecting on the society's history and the allegiance of Bonesmen to each other, knows otherwise. To deny the facts would be sheer foolishness and extremely naive.

While some Bonesmen may have contributed positively to society, or done little wrong, there is a great history of corrupt Bonesmen who affected society and America very negatively. Not to mention that many Bonesmen belong to other corrupt organizations, and a good portion are Bohemian Club members and attend the Bohemian Grove. There's also the links to Brown Brothers Harriman and other companies that supported Nazism and Adolph Hitler.

Beyond that, we must question the mental state of these men. Any average person should find these activities odd. Most fraternities or groups who haze do silly things like streaking, or embarrassing activities or maybe even degrading acts to intiate members. But drinking from skulls? Stealing an Indian war chief's human remains? Decorating a lodge with skeletons, skulls, symbols of death ... Hitler's silverware? Lying in coffins and pledging allegiance to one another until death?

Even if one can get past the somewhat perverse activities previously mentioned, there remains a larger, more disturbing issue at hand. Can men who have pledged allegiance, sworn oaths of secrecy and lifelong brotherhood to an organization - really uphold the Constitution? Can these men be counted on to defend the Republic and look out for the best interests of their country? The public can never know whom their true allegiance lies with ... the people, or the Brotherhood? And if they have sworn secrecy and refuse to discuss these things, the public cannot find out about an important and influential part of a candidate's history.

As Ron Rosenbaum stated so well: "When you have two presidential candidates who come from that same extended family, I think it's a challenge ... to examine the influence that this family has had on them." (14)

The American public should heed the warning of its greatest founders and patriots, and should examine history instead of remaining ignorant. Skull and Bones is much more than an overhyped fraternity, it is not the 'obsession of the paranoid', but rather the concern of every person worried about loyalty to country, open and honest government, and where our leaders come from, who they are, and what they believe in most.

It is of the utmost irony that the current president of the United States, along with his father, and grandfather - all belonged to a secret society which was originally created to overthrow the American government, and funded by smuggling opium; and which was opposed by George Washington down onward to John Quincy Adams. What would the great patriots of early America dare say today? What would they think of today's generation and its total disregard of important facts such as those?

The American people should, if they were sufficiently educated, propose and implement a law whereby no President (or man holding a serious position of power within government) should be allowed to simultaneously belong to a secret society. They ought to resign from that society and to be open to questioning about it, as they are questioned about every other aspect of their lives. And if they refuse, their candidacy or position should be refused and stripped from them. It is only common sense and can avoid much future trouble.

Now, I leave you with the words of a former President who said it so perfectly:

"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 outweighed the
dangers which are cited to justify it."

-- John F. Kennedy, April 27th, 1961.

Sources:

* (Book) "America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull and Bones" by Antony C. Sutton

** (Article -archived) The New American: http://www.prisonplanet.com/020304bipartisanbonesmen.html

** [Post Script] - The letter could very well have been referring to the Pro-British Skull and Bones members, as opposed to the assumed Germanic society, original Illuminati, or any offshoot organization.

** Washington’s letter to Rev. Snyder appears in Volume 36 of The Writings of George Washington (U.S. Government Printing Office)

~ London Guardian article, Feb 24, 2004 : (archived)http://www.prisonplanet.com/240204_skeleton_key_to_the_whitehouse.html

(1) "Skull and Bones" in Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull_and_Bones

(2) (Book) "Secrets of the Tomb: Skull and Bones, the Ivy League, and Hidden Paths of Power" by Alexandra Robbins

(3) (Article - archived) "Knights of Eulogia" by Alexandra Robbins. http://www.prisonplanet.com/george_w_knight_of_eulogia_1.htm

(4) , (5), (6), (8), (11) : Chapter 7 of "The Unauthorized Biography of George H.W. Bush" by Webster Tarpley. http://www.prisonplanet.com/the_racist_nightmare.html (Archived) Please see the chapter sources for greater details, more references, and a geneological record.

(7) For a larger list of past members: http://www.freedomdomain.com/skullbones.html

(9) (Article) The Independent http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article622744.ece

(10) (Article) The Baltimore Sun: http://www.propagandamatrix.com/230304keepersofthecrypt.html

(12) (Excerpt of George H.W. Bush's Autobiography) "A Charge To Keep" http://www.prisonplanet.com/Pictures/chargetokeep2mds3r3.gif (Archived)

(13) (Video) Tim Russert's "Meet The Press" on MSNBC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcZig9Fkr1A

(14) Ron Rosenbaum quoted in Baltimore Sun article: http://www.propagandamatrix.com/230304keepersofthecrypt.html

London Telegraph: http://www.prisonplanet.com/010204secretsociety.html

Antony C. Sutton interview: http://www.freedomdomain.com/secretsocieties/suttoninterview.html

Antony C. Sutton website: http://www.antonysutton.com/

News Article Index (Archived), several dozen pieces: http://www.prisonplanet.com/archive_skull_and_bones.html

Recommended Reading:

"America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull and Bones" Antony C. Sutton

"Fleshing Out Skull and Bones: Investigations into American's Most Powerful Secret Society" Kris Millegan

"The Unauthorized Biography of George H.W. Bush" Webster Tarpley (Chapter 7)

Webster Tarpley's full book can be downloaded here: http://www.kmf.org/williams/bushbook.html

Author's Note:

I realize the full extent of the irony of my comments in the last 2 paragraphs, along with the quote from JFK and what it implies. I am fully aware of the fact that several leading American Patriots (George Washington for example) were Freemasonry members and belonged to secret societies. However I would suggest that upon research there is very good evidence to show that these men used the secret societies in order to avoid being caught in their revolutionary plans. The societies were "piggybacked" if you will, as a source of secret messengers, funding, and planning.
It could be justifiably claimed that the American revolutionary heroes and patriots were indeed traitors - but only to England, and not to America. If a secret society influences or compels an individual to act against his own country, then it is treason and he is a traitor to that country. Washington and others claimed America as their new country and rebelled against England. They did not commit treason against their own proclaimed and oathed country - the United States of America.

It does not strike me as a compelling argument that the early Skull and Bones members were not traitors. Some may suggest that they were being loyal to England (and viewed that as their mother country) thus were not technically being traitors. However, the American Revolutionary Wars had by that time ended, and America was already established as a full and independent nation seperate from England in every way. Therefore they were technically committing treason against their own lawful country, and were guilty of conspiring to overthrow the government of the country - something which no American patriot ever dreamed of doing in England.