MW Bill Miller

And Emeth, knives, and a hat

It is with great sadness that I write about the passing of Most Worshipful Bill Miller. Bill was, I think, the second Grand Master I ever had the pleasure of meeting. He was a long time out of the East by then, but was the SGIG for the Scottish Rite in Washington.

There was a great deal of age difference between myself and MW Miller, but I never had any doubt about the fact that he was in my corner, offering quiet support as I worked within our Grand Lodge. He attended my events, and he lent his voice to my efforts. I am sorry that we have lost him.

He certainly lived respected, and has died regretted.

His service will be on:

Sunday, December 14

11:00 AM

Alki Masonic Temple, Seattle

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In my very first post here on Emeth, I included a definition of the word Emeth.

But, alas, I think that post probably went to two only subscribers. My first two. Myself and my daughter.

So, perhaps it is no surprise that folks wonder about the name. If I’m selling some new form of methamphetamine or something. E-Meth like E-Cigarettes!

But, alas, no.

From that first post:

“Our Brother Albert Pike, in his The Book Of The Words defined Emeth, as used in ‘high degree’ Freemasonry. He wrote that it means:

“Truth, Justice, Right, Fairness, Sincerity, Fidelity, Integrity, Firmness, Stability; A true man.”

I believe that as Freemasons we are all on a quest for self improvement, and I believe that these are all attributes that we should seek to empower within our lives. I hope that a subscription to Emeth will lead to self reflection for its readers, and thus, help to fulfill the promise of Freemasonry which is to help a good man become an even better man.

He also defined the word as meaning:

“Perpetuity, Permanence.”

These words are certainly accurate descriptors of our Ancient Fraternity. As we all know though, interest in our Lodges ebbs and flows over time. I hope that a subscription to Emeth will also provide readers with powerful methods for creating a great Lodge experience, and as a result can serve to assist a Lodge in the goals of thriving and growing.”

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For almost as long as I’ve been writing Emeth, I’ve been reading another Substack called The New American Diaspora. It is a chronicle, by a person in Oregon, of the tragedy of homelessness here in the western states.

To be clear, here is a man who writes with passion, concern, and empathy about those going through homelessness. Here as well is a man who does what he can to help in small ways those whom he can help.

He wrote the other day that he’s afraid now. That he’s carrying a knife for defense now. That post can be found at: Carrying A Knife.

Two thoughts came to my mind as I was reading his post. The first is personal, the second societal.

I’ll start with the first by commenting that I just don’t think that a knife, and particularly a folding knife kept in a pocket is a good tool for self defense. Will he be able to get it out of his pocket? Does he realize how close and brutal one would have to be to actually kill with a folding knife? Is it the right tool for fending off someone addled by drugs?

Personally, I don’t think it is any of those things.

An effective self defense tool, when attacked on the street by a committed attacker is in my opinion a handgun in an adequate caliber that one has practiced a great deal with.

But, that’s a hell of a commitment, a massive responsibility, and probably isn’t the right tool to fend off a stumbling, addled homeless drug addict.

I might suggest that a cane would be a much better suited self defense tool than a knife for the situations he describes. A simple, but stout gentleman’s walking stick. Perfect for keeping dogs at bay, and probably almost as effective at keeping the kinds of people he writes about at bay if needed.

We know that a walking stick was essential to a gentleman’s wardrobe in the past, and if homelessness in western cities continues as it is, I imagine that we would do very well to bring it back into fashion.

In the 1830’s, Past Grand Master, and President Andrew Jackson was attacked by an assassin who meant to shoot him dead. Our President, who had much experience in war, attacked the assassin with his walking cane, beating the hell out of the would be murderer, and ending the attempt on his life.

The fellow should, I think, ditch the knife for a stout hickory stick.

But, the second thing that popped into my mind is much more important I think.

I’ve never been an anarchist. I’ve always considered myself to be a classic liberal, but never an anarchist. But now, well, I’m not so sure.

Government’s first responsibility is to protect its citizens from those who would do harm. But, in an awful lot of cases, here on the West Coast anyway, it doesn’t seem to be doing that. It certainly doesn’t seem to be doing that where this fellow walks to enjoy the beach.

So, what are we paying our taxes for? If government can’t be bothered to enforce the law and at least try to keep people safe, why are we paying for it?

Anarchy? No, I don’t think that would be good. But I wonder, is not what we have now on Third and Pine in downtown Seattle anarchy? And if it is, why are we still paying the people we hire to prevent that situation?

At some basic level, government must function. If it isn’t functioning, what is the point of having it?

This is a heck of a lot of off topic ranting, but reading the post linked above seemed to get me all fired up!

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On to happier subjects.

I made a trip to Madsen’s, the world’s greatest man store yesterday and snagged a Filson ‘Tin Cloth’ Packer Hat.

Here’s a solid review, with some pics: Filson Tin Cloth Packer Hat.

I snagged the hat for work, on bad rainy days, as moving from office building to office building takes a good bit of outdoor wandering in rainy Western Washington. Alas, a big western hat would be more effective, but probably isn’t a statement I want to make in that context, and is difficult to deal with once inside. I hate to bash fine felt hats around.

Honestly, I’ve been questionable about the Packer Hat for quite a few years now.

I really like canvas hats, regular in the sun, oil waxed in the rain, and the Filson is a very good one of the latter, but I’ve always felt that I look better in a Tilley brand hat. So, some years ago I bought a waxed Tilley, but it is made differently than their unwaxed summer hats. It doesn’t fit right, as it is built round, while I have an oval head! As a result, I’ve never really worn it.

The Filsons fit better, but they don’t look quite as good to my eye, so I never bought one.

Then, Melinda bought me one a Christmas or two ago. Not a regular one though. A heavily insulated one, with fold down wool ear flaps. That one will keep a guy warm! Alas, I don’t think Filson makes them any longer, so I fear you are out of luck.

The point is though, I started wearing it quite a lot in the winters. (Earflaps up and hidden away of course, one does not want to look like a lunatic.) And the look of the Filson Packer really started growing on me.

But, again, one probably can’t wear a hat with earflaps to work, even if one tries to keep them hidden away!

So, I snagged a Filson Tin Cloth Packer this afternoon. Brought it home, smeared it with a whole lot of oil wax, and then melted the whole deal into another glorious hat!

There is a sad part of the story though.

While Filson was always, always made right here in Seattle, with the very finest quality workmanship and materials possible, that’s no longer the case. They make their stuff overseas now. Honestly, the quality of the Packer looks as good as ever, but only time will tell.

They of course didn't lower their prices to reflect the slashed labor costs. And, I couldn’t help but notice when buying a can of Filson oil wax that the cans now are about half of the size that they used to be. Such is the way of corporate greed I suppose, but it is sad to see such an iconic Seattle institution degrade itself.

All of that complaining aside though, the hat does look to be just as good as those produced in Seattle used to be, and I’m sure it will serve well until long after I’m gone.

How’s that for a mixed bag of stuff?

I promise that my next post will be much less scattered!