Good ol' Allybammy?

As far as I can see, Masonic lodges are a bit of an anachronism these days -- mostly populated by old guys -- but I guess it depends on where you live. But they still have lots of lodges in Alabama -- separate ones for blacks and whites. And why not? They are private fraternities so membership is by invitation from existing members. And maybe I am not supposed to mention it but there is a tendency for blacks and whites to feel most at home in the company of others of their own race. So it is no mystery how a private "band of brothers" tends to voluntarily self-segregate.

But Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is being criticized for belonging to the "white" lodge. So far he is defending his membership. It seems a sad day to me that preferring the social company of others like yourself is seen as wrong.