Reply #76: A few thoughts ....

[H2O Man]

"Life does not consist largely of facts and happenings. It consists mainly of the storm of thoughts forever blowing through one’s mind." – Mark Twain

I thought of this Mark Twain quote, which I had read a couple days before Christmas, when I heard Bush the Elder’s presentation yesterday. I have a few thoughts blowing through my mind that I’d like to add to this discussion.

{1} The Warren Commission did not originally have a "magic bullet" theory. In late 1963 and early ’64, they accepted the FBI and Secret Service reports that there were three shots, and that the 1st hit JFK in the back; the 2nd hit Connally (who testified he was hit after the 1st shot); and that the 3rd hit JFK in the head.

This had to be changed because of James Tague, who was standing near the Triple Underpass. He was wounded by a piece of concrete that came from a bullet striking the curb near him. His story had been ignored, until an assistant US attorney from Dallas sent commissioners an account of Tague, complete with a newspaper photograph of the bullet mark on the curb. (Crossfire; Jim Marrs; 1989; page 485)

{2} The role of both LBJ and Nixon are considered by L. Fletcher Prouty in his 1992 book, "JFK." His book was the inspiration for Oliver Stone’s movie "JFK"; he is played by Donald Sutherland in the film, in the scene where Man X speaks to Jim Garrison.

On page 310, Prouty notes that LBJ called J Edgar Hoover, and asked "How many shots were fired?" and "Were any fired at me?" He says, "We may be sure that he thought during his years as President about those shots that went right over his head. As any soldier can tell you, such an experience provides an excellent education."

He also notes that Nixon was attending a Pepsi-Cola Co. meeting in Dallas. He tells of the general counsel of the company confirming that everyone there, including Nixon, knelt in prayer upon learning that JFK was dead. Nixon would tell a number of untrue stories about his whereabouts. Prouty viewed that as part of Nixon’s nature as a compulsive liar, rather than any indicator that he was involved. Nixon’s m.o. was always to avoid being at the "scene" of crimes he was involved with.

Rather, Prouty viewed it this way: "Although Nixon may not have heard those guns of Dallas, there can be no question that they were never far from his mind, especially during the hectic years of his own presidency. Some people say Nixon became paranoid. That would be understanable."

{3} Prouty also notes that Ford was on the Warren Commission, and that Reagan served on the Rockefeller Commission. Both understood what had happened.

{4} A key to understanding the Warren Commission is found in Tip O’Neill’s 1987 book, "Man of the House." (see pages 211-212) O’Neill had believed the Warren Commission until the summer of 1968. After the deaths of MLK and RFK, he began to wonder about "lone gunmen." When having lunch with Dave Powers and Kenny O’Donnell – two of JFK’s good friends who were with him in Dallas – the two told him that they knew for sure that two shots had come from behind the fence on the grassy knoll.

Tip said that this wasn’t what they told the Warren Commission. They explained that investigators had pressured them to lie "for the good of the country."

Lying to investigators is a crime. Pressuring witnesses to lie is also a crime. When it is the investigators pressuring witnesses to knowingly lie, the investigation becomes criminal. We can think of Patrick Fitzgerald’s saying about throwing sand in the umpire’s eyes.

{5} There was an investigation that was reportedly done by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, at the family’s request. It is believed to be part of the report contained in the European book "Farewell America." It focuses a good deal of attention on the oil industry. Part II Chapter 10 is titled "Oilmen"; Chapter 11 is titled "Texans."

{6} There are some known connections with oil, intelligence, and Dallas. The best documented one involves George DeMohrenschildt (See Marrs; pages 199-202 and 278-279) George was a petroleum engineer, who was connected with several intelligence agencies. He was also involved with Oswald.

A number of people employed in the energy corporations were either Agency employees or assets. This is the context for the Bush report.