from: http://www.geocities.com/harvard_lampoon/ Click Here: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/harvard_lampoon/">Secrets of the Harvard Lampoon</A> ----- Secrets of the Harvard Lampoon You may know it as a sort of "boot-camp" for american illiterati and comedy writers. The alumni list reads as a virtual whos-who of american comedy and literature. These include William Gaddis , Robert Benchly , George Plympton , George Santyana , John Updike , the writers of Caddyshack , Animal House , and On the Rez , scores of writers for Saturday Night Live and The Late Show with David Letterman , Conan O'Brian , over twenty writers for the Simpsons , the creators of over 90% of animated television comedies on the air at this moment, and the list goes on. Does it seem odd that one organization at a university more reknown for academic rigor than anything else, is such a dominant force in the world of comedy? Perhaps there is something more... Skull and Bones There has been a long standing rivalry between Harvard and Yale, but the two may be closer than expected when it comes to the Lampoon. Skull and Bones, founded in 1832, is the infamous Yale secret society and another long esablished bastion of power and influence. Grads of Skull and Bones have gone on to a multitude of high power jobs in the government and intelligence community. Graduates of Skull and Bones include former President of the United States George Bush, and his son George W. Bush. Skull and Bones was founded as chapter number 322 of a German secret society known as the Knights of Eulogia. This chapter number is misleading because it was not the 322nd branch of the German secret society, rather it was the second. However there is logic to the numbering. When Skull and Bones was created, it did not reside in it's current "Tomb" at Yale University. Rather the society moved once the tomb was built. The society was originally dubbed chapter 22. After the move they were required to change addresses so to speak. However they were not a new chapter justifying becoming 33. Thus they became 322. By this logic, the next chapter of the Knights of Eulogia should be 44. The Harvard Lampoon was established in 1876. 44 is this number that is affixed to the door of the Harvard Lampoon castle. Though it is the first building on the first of two blocks that make up Bow St. in Cambridge, Mass, it is given the address 44 Bow St. (You can learn more about Skull and Bones at Kris Millgin's Page Like Skull and Bones, the Harvard Lampoon has island compounds where members and alumni gather to make contacts and deals. It is even reported that the Lampoon has connections with the Harvard Secret Society: Medfac. Medfac is also related to Skull and Bones and the German Knights of Eulogia, though it is unclear if it is considered chapter 55. Recently the Harvard Crimson attempted to learn more about the lampoon secrets and the society's connection with Medfac and Skull and Bones, but 'poonsters, as they are called, were equivocal and reticent. Changing the Course of History The Lampoon Castle was built by funds from newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst. Hearst was one of the first media multi-millionares. Many feel that he had a large part in initating the Spanish American War of 1898. Hearst is quoted as telling one of his photographers who wanted to return home, "Please Remain. You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war." Hearst was crucial in rallying public support for a war the government wanted to get in to - a government with fellow 'poonsters and bonesmen in very high positions. Other Lampoon members have gone on to high positions in government. One even served under Richard Nixon during the infamous Watergate scandal. He resigned early, before the scandal was completely unearthed and was never prosecuted. (This information has been corroborated by several contributors, but I lost my saved e-mail when my computer crashed, so if you could send me this individual's name and position in the Nixon whitehouse I would be most greateful.) The government influence of the lampoon was not limited to the united states. Lampoon gratuate, John Reed, was an influential american communist. While his party's idea's did not catch on in the U.S. he was esteemed in the U.S.S.R. and to this day is the only american to ever be buried in the Kremlin. This is just one example of many in the history between the lampoon and russia. (Harvard has been known as contemporary haven of liberal thought). In fact, the lampoon is reported to have a compound in Moscow (see previous Harvard Crimson article), and the lampoon was able to regain an artifact stolen by the Harvard Crimson and sent to Russia with relative ease during the 1950s, despite Cold War tensions. The Lampoon and the University Much like the story of Skull and Bones with Yale (A plethora of bonsemen have gone on to become president of Yale and no administration has been anti-skull and bones even when the student body was heavily against the elitist nature of the secret society - especially during the progressive 60's.) Harvard appears to maintain some special status with the university and the area in general. There are several reports in the Harvard Crimson of the Lampoon being excessively loud during finals period and even threat of charges by the Cambridge fire department for arson. Yet there is no record of any administrative action taking place by the university or the fire dept. In fact, the Crimson has run several more mentions of loud behavior from the lampoon and even logged calls the the police department. Their actions continued unabated. This type of special status is apparently not unique to this year at the lampoon. Members often pull off lavish pranks that leave few unaffected. At one point they sent an entire truck-load of cow manure to be dumped on the steps of the Harvard Crismson - perhaps as a warning regarding the constant negative press. As usual, not even an admonition was issued. Alumni Network While many feel that Lampoon has lost it's egde in recent years, the jobs held by alumni does not reflect it. Conan O'Brian himself graduated about 10 years ago, while many television screenwriters have graduated within the last few years. Even the heavily hyped modernhumorist.com is founded by recent lampoon graduates. It is apparently an almost guarantee or instant validation in the entertainment industry to come from the harvard lampoon. While members ay claim otherwise, why else would many sit unemployed for over a year while sitting on a harvard degree? Also possible is the application of the harvard "old boys network" legend. The legend goes that if a club member is not a millionare by age 30, the club will send him a birthday check of 1 million dollars. While this may seem drastic, it is probably unneccissary as the strong alumni network could easily find places for recent grads by the age of 30. Thus allowing them to earn the million on their own. From a Comedy Magazine? How does a simple comedy magazine attain this sort of power? The lampoon is not just a comedy magazine. Traditionally the magazine was written by literature and art members of the lampoon. However, there are also business members who not only sell adds but act as liazions between the current members and the alumni board. An alumni board that has had time to gain influence. From the start, the members of this undergraduate club have a public (the literature and art members) and private (the business and possibly other members of secret responsibility.) This explains the members in government and business. However, once the initiation is through, they all become part of one and help each other until the very end. (If anybody has any information regarding initiations please let me know.) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ===== from:alt.conspiracy As, always, Caveat Lector Om K ----- Subject: Secrets of the Harvard Lampoon From: <A HREF="mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]">[EMAIL PROTECTED] </A> Date: Thu, Aug 3, 2000 11:08 PM Message-id: <8mdmkg$44t$[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Find out why this venerable comedy magazine is more that just that. Learn of ties witht the U.S.S.R, watergate, Skull and Bones and more. All while becoming america's leading producer of comedy writers. Alum have gone on to write for the national lampoon, Sat. night live, david letterman, conan obrian, the simpsons, futerama and much more. I think you'll be surprised at what you learn. <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/harvard_lampoon">http://www.geocities.com/ha rvard_lampoon</A> if anyone has addtional information regarding this organization i would love to add it to the page. Brian Howard Sent via Deja.com <A HREF="http://www.deja.com/">http://www.deja.com/</A> Before you buy. ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, All My Relations. Omnia Bona Bonis, Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! 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