Larry Hancock's JFKA Blog

[Lance Payette]

Just quick points:

1. I don't believe Oswald cared about escaping. I think he was completely astounded to find himself on the sidewalk outside the TSBD. I think he viewed this act as the end of his life, the big opportunity Fate had finally handed him. He would either be martyred for the Cuban cause or be taken into custody and have the opportunity to spout his political philosophy at a trial. If this had been a KGB or G2 operation, they darn well would have cared about the participants escaping if they had been so doltish as to use participants whose backgrounds screamed KGB or G2.

2. TSBD6 was a good location to shoot JFK; the roof of the Dal-Tex or County Records building would have been better by all I have read. In comparison to those, the TSBD6 was fantastically risky. Getting the weapon inside and assembling it when an entire floor-laying crew would be working all morning was risky enough. Betting the floor would be empty and no one would choose to watch the motorcade from that vantage point was fantastically risky. Betting Oswald could cleanly exit the floor and building and make his way to Wherever was likewide fantastically risky. Oswald did this for the reasons set forth in #1 above. No KGB or G2 organizer in his right mind would have chosen TSBD6. Oswald could have simply gone to lunch and found a preplanted rifle at a much, much safer location. If Oswald had cared about escapting, even he wouldn't have chosen TSBD6.

3. It's not a matter of thinking the "perps think as I do." It's a matter of thinking the perps at least think rationally. A JFKA by LN Oswald shooting from inside the TSBD makes sense for the reasons set forth in #1 above and because Oswald was Oswald and the JFKA was a last-minute, flying-by-the-seat-of-his-pants decision. Having the principal gunman fire from inside a building, with absolutely no control over what the circumstances would be at the time, just makes no sense unless the conspirators were the Three Stooges. What I think is going on here is pretty much what is always going on: You're stuck with Dealey Plaza and a JFKA in which Oswald was indeed firing from TSBD6 and this all has to be rationalized even though it's irrational in the context of any conspiracy. The conspirators needed a "diversion" from the TSBD6 on the GK when THERE WAS NO REASON TO HAVE A GUNMAN IN TSBD6 IN THE FIRST PLACE.

[John Corbett]

Just quick points:

1. I don't believe Oswald cared about escaping. I think he was completely astounded to find himself on the sidewalk outside the TSBD. I think he viewed this act as the end of his life, the big opportunity Fate had finally handed him. He would either be martyred for the Cuban cause or be taken into custody and have the opportunity to spout his political philosophy at a trial. If this had been a KGB or G2 operation, they darn well would have cared about the participants escaping if they had been so doltish as to use participants whose backgrounds screamed KGB or G2.

2. TSBD6 was a good location to shoot JFK; the roof of the Dal-Tex or County Records building would have been better by all I have read. In comparison to those, the TSBD6 was fantastically risky. Getting the weapon inside and assembling it when an entire floor-laying crew would be working all morning was risky enough. Betting the floor would be empty and no one would choose to watch the motorcade from that vantage point was fantastically risky. Betting Oswald could cleanly exit the floor and building and make his way to Wherever was likewide fantastically risky. Oswald did this for the reasons set forth in #1 above. No KGB or G2 organizer in his right mind would have chosen TSBD6. Oswald could have simply gone to lunch and found a preplanted rifle at a much, much safer location. If Oswald had cared about escapting, even he wouldn't have chosen TSBD6.

3. It's not a matter of thinking the "perps think as I do." It's a matter of thinking the perps at least think rationally. A JFKA by LN Oswald shooting from inside the TSBD makes sense for the reasons set forth in #1 above and because Oswald was Oswald and the JFKA was a last-minute, flying-by-the-seat-of-his-pants decision. Having the principal gunman fire from inside a building, with absolutely no control over what the circumstances would be at the time, just makes no sense unless the conspirators were the Three Stooges. What I think is going on here is pretty much what is always going on: You're stuck with Dealey Plaza and a JFKA in which Oswald was indeed firing from TSBD6 and this all has to be rationalized even though it's irrational in the context of any conspiracy. The conspirators needed a "diversion" from the TSBD6 on the GK when THERE WAS NO REASON TO HAVE A GUNMAN IN TSBD6 IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Why would a gunman need a diversion? Oswald's choice of the TSBD was the only choice available to him and from that standpoint it made sense. Oswald might very well have not known where he would fire from until the last few minutes. Who knows what he would have done had Bonnie Ray Williams decided to remain on the 6th floor. Maybe he takes the shots anyway. Maybe he goes up to the 7th floor to see if he would be alone there. As it turned out, the 6th floor turned out to be a perfect location. He had the floor to himself and a perfect line of fire down Elm St.

I'm not one to second guess Oswald's choices since he succeeded at what he was trying to do. It might have been the only thing he succeeded at in his whole miserable life. If only he could have been hit by a bus on 11/21/1963.

[Benjamin Cole]

LP--

THERE WAS NO REASON TO HAVE A GUNMAN IN TSBD6 IN THE FIRST PLACE. (All caps in original). ---LP

Huh?

Of course, there was a reason to have a sniper in TSBD6---by luck, that was where LHO worked and had an excellent view to the motorcade. LHO could secret weapons into the TSBD with little chance of detection. LHO could be in the building with no questions, and on any floor. All that was a relatively low-risk op.

LHO could know when to allow others into the building with little chance of detection, and know how to leave the building quickly. LHO would know which floors were occupied, and which were not. Reducing risk.

By luck, TSBD6 was as good a JFKA set-up as could be found, on relatively short notice.

You are setting up arguments against a straw man CT---that a powerful high-level cabal perped the JFKA, and why would they use LHO?

But how about a JFKA perped by a couple low-level G2'ers, acting without authorization, but in touch with LHO, through LHO's activities in MC and NO? And an LHO had a proclivity for shooting at public figures---see the Walker shooting. 

The JFKAC was not sophisticated, and it was risky. So what?

A couple G2'ers did not have a lot of resources at their command, but got lucky with LHO.

For the G2'ers, the mission had to be accomplished, so risks were taken. That happens in the political-nationalist zealotry of the Cold War Latin America.

LHO? I do not pretend to understand LHO, he was likely mentally ill, and possibly thought he would end up in Cuba.

My guess is that LHO was left holding the bag, whether by design or circumstance, I don't know. Perhaps LHO was supposed to be waxed also, but in such a low-budget op as the JFKA, things can go wrong. 

The GK diversion was a success.

I am talked out.

[John Corbett]

LP--

THERE WAS NO REASON TO HAVE A GUNMAN IN TSBD6 IN THE FIRST PLACE. (All caps in original). ---LP

Huh?

Of course, there was a reason to have a sniper in TSBD6---by luck, that was where LHO worked and had an excellent view to the motorcade. LHO could secret weapons into the TSBD with little chance of detection. LHO could be in the building with no questions, and on any floor. All that was a relatively low-risk op.

LHO could know when to allow others into the building with little chance of detection, and know how to leave the building quickly. LHO would know which floors were occupied, and which were not. Reducing risk.

By luck, TSBD6 was as good a JFKA set-up as could be found, on relatively short notice.

You are setting up arguments against a straw man CT---that a powerful high-level cabal perped the JFKA, and why would they use LHO?

But how about a JFKA perped by a couple low-level G2'ers, acting without authorization, but in touch with LHO, through LHO's activities in MC and NO? And an LHO had a proclivity for shooting at public figures---see the Walker shooting. 

The JFKAC was not sophisticated, and it was risky. So what?

A couple G2'ers did not have a lot of resources at their command, but got lucky with LHO.

For the G2'ers, the mission had to be accomplished, so risks were taken. That happens in the political-nationalist zealotry of the Cold War Latin America.

LHO? I do not pretend to understand LHO, he was likely mentally ill, and possibly thought he would end up in Cuba.

My guess is that LHO was left holding the bag, whether by design or circumstance, I don't know. Perhaps LHO was supposed to be waxed also, but in such a low-budget op as the JFKA, things can go wrong. 

The GK diversion was a success.

I am talked out.

Your beliefs lack two important elements. Oswald had no need for help from anybody. Killing JFK was a one man job.

The other thing you lack is evidence Oswald had any help. Your suggestion he had accomplices is based entirely on speculation.

[Benjamin Cole]

JC-

I conclude LHO has confederates based upon my observation Gov. JBC was shot at ~Z-295.

Connally: I was knocked over, just doubled over by the force of the bullet. It went in my back and came out my chest about 2 inches below and the left of my right nipple. The force of the bullet drove my body over almost double and when I looked, immediately I could see I was just drenched with blood. (1 HSCA 42)

That happens ~Z-295.

I have reasonable doubts JBC was shot through the chest ~Z-223, but after that executed a 180-degree turn in his seat to check on JFK.

In addition, I have reasonable doubts JBC was shot through the wrist at Z-223 by a large slug, that "tumbled" (WC version) through his wrist, shattered bone, but that JBC is seen gripping his Stetson at Z-275 without apparent injury. Huh? This does not hold water.

Thereafter, after tumbling through JBC's wrist, then CE-399 untumbled and made a small round hole entering JBC's pant leg, and burrowed into his leg. The WC version. Really?

OK, so the slug was removed from JBC in surgery (says JBC) but then ends up on the floor by elevators away from the surgery room. This despite well-known hospital regulations that all bullet wounds are reported to police and evidence retained. Hospital employee Tomlinson finds the CE-399 slug inexplicably lying on the floor, and gives it to OP Wright, hospital administrator and former police chief.

Wright says the Parkland Hospital slug had a pointy head, like most 30.06 slugs. A former cop said that.

The WC had a mandate: Determine an LN leftie-loser-loner Marxist acted alone. LBJ told Richard Russell, and Earl Warren, he wanted no results that might trigger a nuke war. Reasonable enough concern.

Did LBJ suspect the Mafia, US-based right-wingers or US-intel types? Mossad?

Obviously not. He suspected G2 or KGB. He had good reasons.

[John Corbett]

JC-

I conclude LHO has confederates based upon my observation Gov. JBC was shot at ~Z-295.

No wonder you reached a FUBAR conclusion. You started with a FUBAR premise.

Connally: I was knocked over, just doubled over by the force of the bullet. It went in my back and came out my chest about 2 inches below and the left of my right nipple. The force of the bullet drove my body over almost double and when I looked, immediately I could see I was just drenched with blood. (1 HSCA 42)

That happens ~Z-295.

WRONG!!! It started over 3 seconds earlier.

I have reasonable doubts JBC was shot through the chest ~Z-223, but after that executed a 180-degree turn in his seat to check on JFK.

Keep the silliness coming. We've had over 62 years of it. We can take a bit more.

In addition, I have reasonable doubts JBC was shot through the wrist at Z-223 by a large slug, that "tumbled" (WC version) through his wrist, shattered bone, but that JBC is seen gripping his Stetson at Z-275 without apparent injury. Huh? This does not hold water.

Why would you expect him to let go of his Stetson?

Thereafter, after tumbling through JBC's wrist, then CE-399 untumbled and made a small round hole entering JBC's pant leg, and burrowed into his leg. The WC version. Really?

OK, so the slug was removed from JBC in surgery (says JBC) but then ends up on the floor by elevators away from the surgery room. This despite well-known hospital regulations that all bullet wounds are reported to police and evidence retained. Hospital employee Tomlinson finds the CE-399 slug inexplicably lying on the floor, and gives it to OP Wright, hospital administrator and former police chief.

The bullet was turned over to the Secret Service.

Wright says the Parkland Hospital slug had a pointy head, like most 30.06 slugs. A former cop said that.

Here we go again. Relying on fallible eyewitness recollections instead of the bullet that was turned over to the Secret Service and positively identified by the FBI to have been fired by Oswald's rifle to the exclusion of all other weapons in the world. CE399 was the only bullet found at Parkland.

The WC had a mandate:

Repeating the same lie over and over again doesn't make it more credible. It just makes you look foolish. But you should be used to that by now.

Determine an LN leftie-loser-loner Marxist acted alone. LBJ told Richard Russell, and Earl Warren, he wanted no results that might trigger a nuke war. Reasonable enough concern.

Either you made that up or you are repeating something somebody else made up.

Did LBJ suspect the Mafia, US-based right-wingers or US-intel types? Mossad?

Obviously not. He suspected G2 or KGB. He had good reasons.

It's amazing the things you have convinced yourself of that aren't supported by a single piece of credible evidence. Only imagination and speculation.

[Benjamin Cole]

TC:

AI Overview       

       President Lyndon B. Johnson persuaded Chief Justice Earl Warren to chair the assassination commission by arguing that a swift, authoritative investigation was necessary to prevent public panic and a potential nuclear war. Johnson claimed that rumors of Soviet or Cuban involvement could provoke a war killing millions of Americans.Key Details of the

Conversation:The War Argument: Warren originally refused to serve, stating it was improper for a Chief Justice to engage in non-judicial work. Johnson argued that a chaotic investigation or multiple Congressional probes could worsen international relations and potentially lead to a nuclear conflict involving 60 million deaths, according to reports from Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.

"Patriotic Duty": Johnson appealed to Warren's patriotism, insisting he was the only one who could provide credibility and stop "wild conspiracy stories" that could threaten national security.

The Breakdown: Warren recounted that Johnson called him to the White House, described the fears of international fallout (including reports on Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and Cuban leader Fidel Castro), and that the President cried, asking Warren to serve as a matter of duty.

The Threat Analysis: Johnson wanted to ensure the public believed the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, acted alone, rather than as an agent of a foreign power, which could trigger a military response.

Following these arguments, which brought up the potential for war and the need to unify the country, Warren reluctantly agreed to lead the commission.

--30---

There are recorded telephone conversations of LBJ to this effect. LBJ had a similar conversation with Sen Richard Russell.

The above marching orders of LBJ are pretty well known, and not controversial.

Here is a recorded conversation between Russell and LBJ:


LBJ: Dick...it has already been announced and you can serve with anybody for the good of America and this is a question that has a good many more ramifications than on the surface and we've got to take this out of the arena where they're testifying that Khrushchev and Castro did this and did that and kicking us into a war that can kill 40 million Americans in an hour.

Russell: I have never...

LBJ: You're my man on that commission. And you're going to do it. And don't tell me what you can do and what you can't, because I can't arrest you and I'm not going to put the FBI on you, but you're goddammed sure going to serve. I'll tell you that.

Russell: Mr. President, you ought to have told me you was gonna name me.

LBJ: I told you. I told you today I was gonna name the chief justice when I called you.

Russell: You did not...

LBJ: I did...

Russell: You didn't tell me you was gonna name him...

LBJ: I told you I was gonna name Warren and you said it would be better to name Harlan.

Russell: Well you ought not to be so persuasive.

LBJ: Well, I think I ought to.

Russell: I think you did wrong getting Warren and I know damned well you did wrong in getting me. But we'll both do the best we can.

LBJ: No. I think that's what you'll do. That's the kind of American both of you are. Good night.

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