JFK Assassination

[FirstSunday33ad]

Here’s a subject of some interest that might be fun to kick around.

Was JFK killed as the result of a conspiracy? If so, who was involved and what was the motive?

I myself have some definite ideas on the subject, but want to get the ball rolling before sharing them but I will start by saying I know that there was no conspiracy.

How about you?

[elysian]

I don't believe the complete truth will ever be made known in my lifetime, but I have always suspected (but cannot prove) that LBJ had some role in it. There is a distinct irony that it happened in LBJ's home state of Texas, and it was well known that LBJ did not hold the Kennedys (especially Bobby Kennedy) in terribly high regard. Of course this is not enougn to condemn the man but it does send up a red flag or two regarding the possibility of his involvement.

I often wonder if the KKK or other extreme groups may have played a part. Johnson was no fan of the KKK so it is highly doubtful that both the Klan and LBJ were involved in a joint conspiracy to assassinate Kennedy.

Arguably Kennedy had many enemies: the Cubans who thought he'd let them down, the Mafia (who likely contributed to his winning the election, especially in the Chicago area) who his brother Bobby hunted down relentlessly, LBJ, who had always resented the fact that a "young upstart" got the nomination over him, anyone who opposed the civil rights movement such as the KKK, the John Birch society, many white Southern Democrats, and other factions of the extreme right from both political parties. (*Yes, there were groups of Southern Democrats that were far right beyond mere conservatism, and were rabidly racist and segregationalist. Governor George Wallace, who preached "Segregation now, segregation forever" was a Democrat and his view on segregation was widely held among Southern whites of that time. Abraham Lincoln was a Republican... and many in the South had not yet forgotten it.)

I tend not to give much creedence to the "extreme right wing" conspiracy- although there were a good number of Southern Democrats who absolutely loathed Kennedy because of his Catholicism and because of his centrist views. LBJ actually did more to actively promote civil rights than JFK.

So I would tend to take a serious look at 1. the Mafia, and 2. LBJ, and perhaps a combination of the two, though as I say I believe any conspiracy theory is impossible to prove at this time due to lack of evidence.

[robert65]

I think his wife had him
hit because of the Marilyn Monroe affair.

[FirstSunday33ad]

Thank you for your opinions and input. Okay now my observations which I use to support my contention that Oswald killed Kennedy, alone, from the depository window.

Oswald worked in the depository. It was his place of employment, they had his personal information on file, he was recognizable to his coworkers and his movements would be noticed.

If Oswald was not involved in the assassination, that would mean that the conspirators knew he would get a job at the depository, would be at work on the day in question, would be alone at the appropriate time and would not make a too sudden appearance to anyone. It would also mean that it was fortunate coincidence that he brought “curtain rods” from home – which would then disappear – and that immediately after the assassination he went home, changed his shirt, took a gun and shot a police officer.

There are too many variables outside of a conspirators control for this premise to be admitted.

The second alternative – Oswald was involved in the conspiracy but did not know he was going to be the fall guy.

The problem remains however, of Oswald working in the depository. Even if this was just coincidence, they had his personal information on file and he was easily recognizable. Oswald was not stupid; if he was part of a conspiracy and believed he was going to escape, he would NEVER commit the crime from his own workplace. The chances of being caught would be far too great. If anything he would have called in sick and been on the grassy knoll.

[Didaktylos]

My main reason for disbelieving in Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories is basically the same as my scepticism about most conspiracy theories:

Considering the resources that would have been required, the way that it occurred is hardly the most efficient way of doing it.

If there had really been a serious attempt to (contra-constitutionally) remove JFK from office, surely the most efficient way to have done it would have been to interfere with the medication he was taking for his Addison's Disease (any conspiracy capable of organising the alleged plot for Dallas assassination and cover-up would surely have been fully aware of his condition) with a view to forcing him to step down (whether voluntariliy or involuntarily) on health grounds.

[Johnny Mo Gonzo]

I myself am of Cuban descent and I do know that it was a hurtful time when Kennedy betrayed us. I think it is very possible that a group of extremists got together, came over, and killed Kennedy. Outside help such as the CIA is also very likely. It would explain the fall guy from LHO shooting from the depository as the Cubans shot most likely from the grassy knoll nearby. It would also explain the multiple shots captured in the audio of the film. So yeah. LHO was merely a pawn in a game much larger then himse...did you hear that? Oh, excuse me. There are men in suits outside. I have to go answer the door...

[gary cook]

I don't believe the complete truth will ever be made known in my lifetime, but I have always suspected (but cannot prove) that LBJ had some role in it. There is a distinct irony that it happened in LBJ's home state of Texas, and it was well known that LBJ did not hold the Kennedys (especially Bobby Kennedy) in terribly high regard. Of course this is not enougn to condemn the man but it does send up a red flag or two regarding the possibility of his involvement.

I often wonder if the KKK or other extreme groups may have played a part. Johnson was no fan of the KKK so it is highly doubtful that both the Klan and LBJ were involved in a joint conspiracy to assassinate Kennedy.

Arguably Kennedy had many enemies: the Cubans who thought he'd let them down, the Mafia (who likely contributed to his winning the election, especially in the Chicago area) who his brother Bobby hunted down relentlessly, LBJ, who had always resented the fact that a "young upstart" got the nomination over him, anyone who opposed the civil rights movement such as the KKK, the John Birch society, many white Southern Democrats, and other factions of the extreme right from both political parties. (*Yes, there were groups of Southern Democrats that were far right beyond mere conservatism, and were rabidly racist and segregationalist. Governor George Wallace, who preached "Segregation now, segregation forever" was a Democrat and his view on segregation was widely held among Southern whites of that time. Abraham Lincoln was a Republican... and many in the South had not yet forgotten it.)

I tend not to give much creedence to the "extreme right wing" conspiracy- although there were a good number of Southern Democrats who absolutely loathed Kennedy because of his Catholicism and because of his centrist views. LBJ actually did more to actively promote civil rights than JFK.

So I would tend to take a serious look at 1. the Mafia, and 2. LBJ, and perhaps a combination of the two, though as I say I believe any conspiracy theory is impossible to prove at this time due to lack of evidence.

A number of years ago ,a french guy said he killed him along with some other guys he named .But I think a lot of higher up were in on it .But I think you reap what you sow ,

[Solly]

It's all there in Illuminatus!

[salvationfound]

This is an embarrassing subject for me. For I was obsessed with this topic
for years when I was 17-19. After seeing JFK on video I was certain it was
a conspiracy. So I read book after book after book. Read the Warren
Commission report, Robert Groden books, Posner books, I even went to Dallas
to check it out myself. Man I still feel embarrassed knowing I spent over 2
years trying to find a conspiracy.

Want to know what conclusion I came up with after 2 years of intense study?

Oswald acted alone. There is no doubt in my mind and I have no idea why
anyone should doubt he acted alone.

[Earthbound Misf]

All I know is that I have a good alibi... I wasn't even born yet.

Personally, I think LHO acted alone. Main reason: He had the job a long time before the trip to Dallas was planned by JFK. In order for him to be part of a conspiracy, one would have to assume that he was in league with whoever set the trip up.

[gary cook]

I do believe jfk and his brother had a part in M.M. death ,That is why I believe they both had to die and shed there blood and they took her life .But I believe high people in our nation had part in there deaths .But I do not know who .oswalt was just a dumb and being used .

[sixfootsvn]

I do believe jfk and his brother had a part in M.M. death ,That is why I believe they both had to die and shed there blood and they took her life .But I believe high people in our nation had part in there deaths .But I do not know who .oswalt was just a dumb and being used .

Any conspiracy theories would have to have involved Jack Ruby, right? Well Jack Ruby arrived at least a half hour after Oswald was scheduled to be moved. The only reason he even had a chance to kill Oswald was because the police were running late. So really both Oswald and Ruby were each acting alone.

Consider this. Chief Justice Warren. one of our most respected Judges ever, had nothing to gain by lying and his great reputation to lose. Oliver Stone had millions of dollars to gain by lying and nothing to lose.

[runtmc2jc]

#1. you probably can't trust anything Oliver Stone has ever done.

#2. i watched a pretty convincing documentary (history channel i think) showing there was only one gunman.

#3. who knows if there was someone behind oswald. very well could have been.

[GzusFreak]

Not that I have alot of experience in this or anything... being in Law Enforcement and past Military.

In the movie Full Metal Jacket it was said..." Two hundred and fifty feet! He was two hundred and fifty feet away and shooting at a moving target. Oswald got off three rounds with an old Italian bolt action rifle in only six seconds and scored two hits, including a head shot!"

As much as the Marines are trained even back then, there is no way LHO was able to do that with a bolt action anything.

[roboticist]

Personally, I discredit the vast majority of conspiracy theories simply because in history--as in science--it is quite often the simplest answer which proves to be true.

That being said...

As someone who has a strong background in the firearms industry (my first job as a robotics engineer was with one of the largest ammunition manufacturers in the world) I agree with GzusFreak that the speed and trajectories of the shots are pretty unlikely. Also, a book (titled, I believe, Assassination: Kennedy, but you might want to verify that) provided some intriguing evidence that LHO, just a few months before Kennedy, was involved in a scare tactic where he shot above the head of a European ambassador in Russia. The theory was that this was how LHO was set up as a fall guy--he was certainly involved in the JFK situation, but he thought that he was going to just shoot over the head of Kennedy to try and make a point...he didn't realize that other shooter(s) would cap JFK when he wasn't looking. Considering his strong Soviet ties in the midst of the Cold War, this is perhaps the only conspiracy theory I have ever heard which actually makes sense.

If pressed, though, I do think that the balance of evidence still lies with LHO acting alone. In a civil trial, I could probably find him at fault; I just couldn't convict the guy "beyond a reasonable doubt".