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The “9/11 goat story” refers to an event that occurred during the 9/11 terrorist attacks when then-President George W. Bush was reading a book called “The Pet Goat” to elementary school children in a classroom at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida.

Key Details:

• The Pet Goat: On the morning of September 11, 2001, President Bush was visiting the school as part of a scheduled event. He was sitting with a group of second-grade students, listening to them read from The Pet Goat, a story in a children’s reading book.
• 9/11 Attacks: During the reading session, Bush was informed about the first plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Shortly after, while he was still in the classroom, his Chief of Staff, Andrew Card, leaned in and whispered the news that a second plane had struck the South Tower, confirming that the U.S. was under attack.
• Bush’s Reaction: President Bush remained seated for several minutes after hearing the news. His decision to stay calm and composed in front of the children has been a topic of discussion and criticism over the years. Some felt that he should have immediately responded or left, while others argued that he was trying to avoid causing panic.
• Historical Impact: This moment has become iconic because of the juxtaposition between the innocence of the classroom setting and the catastrophic events unfolding. The image of Bush sitting quietly, processing the information while children continued reading, has been captured in both photos and video footage.

The “goat story” is often mentioned in conversations about Bush’s immediate response to the attacks, highlighting the surreal nature of that moment in U.S. history when the country—and the world—changed forever.

“Riding the goat” is a phrase associated with the rituals and initiation process of Freemasonry, but it is actually a myth or joke rather than a real practice. The phrase has its origins in misunderstandings, mockery, and folklore surrounding the secretive nature of Masonic rites, often perpetuated by non-Masons or critics of the organization. Here’s a breakdown of its meaning and history:

Origin and Meaning:

• Myth and Mockery: The idea of “riding the goat” was used humorously or mockingly to suggest that new initiates in Freemasonry had to undergo strange or even humiliating rituals, often involving a goat. It became a playful expression to poke fun at the perceived secrecy of the Masonic initiation process, where outsiders imagined bizarre or mysterious activities taking place behind closed doors.
• Symbolism of the Goat: Historically, goats have been linked to various symbolic meanings, some of which involve mischief, sexuality, and even the devil in certain cultures. This association with the goat was sometimes used by anti-Masonic critics who spread rumors of devil-worship or occult practices, which were not true.
• No Actual Goat: In reality, no goat is involved in Freemason rituals. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization with rituals focused on moral teachings, allegories, and symbolism, mostly derived from architecture and stonemasonry. The rites focus on personal improvement, brotherhood, and charity, and there is no evidence of any such “goat riding” ritual ever being part of Masonic practices.

Usage in Freemasonry:

• Within the fraternity, the phrase “riding the goat” has been embraced as an inside joke or bit of lighthearted humor, often used to tease new members. Senior members may jokingly tell initiates they will “ride the goat” during their initiation as part of a humorous rite of passage. However, this is entirely in jest and meant to play on the mysterious reputation of Freemasonry rather than describe anything actually done.

Conclusion:

The “riding the goat” story is a humorous myth surrounding Freemasonry that has no basis in the actual practices or rituals of the organization. Instead, it’s a piece of folklore that has been used over the centuries to either poke fun at or criticize the fraternity’s secretive nature.