Brother Richard Dreyfuss And Politics

Brother Richard Dreyfuss, from William Baumbach II's photo gallery. 

Brother Richard Dreyfuss' son Harry has penned a brief but thoughtful piece about his father. It seems that Richard attended a Ted Cruz speech and he was spotted in the audience. The Twittersphere and electronic media immediately erupted over it. So, son Harry has responded with an entry that all of us should take to heart, no matter what our political persuasion may be.

From the post:

My father went to a Ted Cruz rally. My father also won an Oscar in the 70s and his name is Richard Dreyfuss. Those two things are only related because by virtue of being famous, my father’s attendance at a Cruz rally got written about by a couple of media outlets. Those write-ups were absorbed by a number of mouth-breathers, and so began The Dumb. 

Let me clarify. When asked if his being there suggested he supported Cruz, he responded, “It suggests that I’m interested in what he has to say… It’s the politics of my country, so I’m interested.”  

This seems like a pretty clear answer to me: 

I don’t necessarily endorse these views, but I’m curious about them because they are poised to have a very big effect on me and my country.

Just for the record, Brother Dreyfuss also attended rallies with Rubio, Fiorina, Carson, and Trump. 

As Freemasons, we should occasionally go back and read our own founding documents, just to remind us once in a while of the duties we are taught to shoulder, as well as the manner in which we are supposed to behave towards Brethren who have different political beliefs than our own.

From the Ancient Charges:

A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he resides or works, and is never to be concern’d in Plots an Conspiracies against the Peace and Welfare of the Nation, nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior Magistrates; for as Masonry hath been always injured by War, Bloodshed, and Confusion, so ancient Kings and Princes have been much dispos’d to encourage the Craftsmen, because of their Peaceableness and Loyalty, whereby they practically answer’d the Cavils of their Adversaries, and promoted the Honour of the Fraternity, who ever flourish’d in Times of Peace. So that if a Brother should be a Rebel against the State, he is not to be countenanc’d in his Rebellion, however he may be pitied as an unhappy Man; and, if convicted of no other Crime, though the loyal Brotherhood must and ought to disown his Rebellion, and give no Umbrage or Ground of political Jealousy to the Government for the time being; they cannot expel him from the Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indefeasible.

Brother Dreyfuss was made a Mason "at sight" by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia F&AM in 2011.  He has founded the Dreyfuss Civics Initiative, a Research Society promoting civics and enlightenment values. Its goal is, “To teach our kids how to run our country, before they are called upon to run our country…if we don’t, someone else will run our country.”