New Shocker in the JFK-Lee Harvey Oswald Story

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One final historical fact may begin to look slightly different in light of all this, too. The conventional wisdom at the time, was that LBJ did this due to polling showing lack of popularity. (And, I can't say he was my favorite person back then). He trailed in the primary poll in Wisconsin, and Bobby had challenged him, too. But LBJ could have pulled the party, dismembered between doves and southerner Wallace and Humphrey's "impossible" Vietnam position, together and kept a progressive position on Civil Rights. Why did he really say, on March 31, 1968:
"I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President."
He said it. I remember when he said it. Dad had been suspicious of LBJ since the assassination--and was surprised.
But, maybe the explanation is that he didn't want to deal with what he'd put together about revenge for our past "Murder Incorporated."
With this post, I'll cease trying your patience on this thread. I didn't do this research, I'm just, you know, putting it all out front, to see how it lays. It may be a patchwork of things, only a small part of which involved Castro or Brezhnev.

Max S of AR 1:01AM April 25, 2012

Another important witness was Carolyn Arnold who told the FBI on November 26 that she left the building around 12:15 to go out to lunch with some of the other secretaries. Arriving on the sidewalk in front of the building they found a crowd gathering to await the President. The secretaries decided to join the crowd. While awaiting the President’s passage, Arnold recounted that she looked back through the glass door of the building and saw Oswald. This would have been around five or ten minutes before the assassination. When asked if she was absolutely certain that it was Oswald, she could only respond that she felt it was (CD 5, p. 41) [2]. Subsequently however, Arnold would claim that the FBI had misquoted her and that she had actually seen Oswald on the second floor, not the first (Summers, p.60)."
Sorry about misspelling a couple of names. Other witnesses were somewhat confused as to when they had seen Oswald on the second or first floor, as well. Intriguingly, right at the time of the shooting itself, the work crew that normally would have been in the lunchroom floors, was outside, like Mrs. Arnold. This confusion might be accounted for by the presence of Oswald look-alike crafard's presence in the building.
as far as the exact trajectories of stray shots versus good shots, and their richochets into windshields, curbs, etc., many details are impossible to determine. And, even very recently, has come new data indicating Oswald started shooting slightly earlier than previously thought. His first shot, in this scenario, hit a traffic light, and bounced...somewhere. There was also some confusion about where a spent cartridge was found, as well as a possible additional bullet fragment found by a police officer. Please note that there was no crossfire, and the "magic" bullet really happened. No one was shooting from any knolls, etc. All the shots were fired from the TSBD. Tippit probably "barely" knew Crafard--barely. And Oswald had also behaved oddly on seeing Tippit, changing direction. Just odds and ends suggest Tippit was slightly lax in his approach to Oswald, best explained by a very casual acquaintance with Crafard, a (somewhat) look-alike.
There are a lot of gray areas and some can't be cleared up. Did the Castro/Brezhnev/Marcello clique manipulate Oswald to plan to kill Connally as he had tried to Walker, and also in revenge? Using the same rifle would have been a good way to get it all blamed on O', when he was only part of the "team".
This isn't popular or pleasant for those looking for a Far Right connection, and wishing to think JFK was more popular in Latin America. But it fits some facts.
Marcello hated the Kennedys at that point. Marcello was with, not against, Castro. Brezhnev wanted power from Kruschev and got it shortly after. LBJ ended the "murder inc" policy--not continue it. Castro was practically shell-shocked, we'd tried to kill him so many times. The USSR couldn't operate many governments, for our killing gov't leaders.

Max S of AR 12:22AM April 25, 2012

the preceding is a quote. I was unable to get quote marks into the screen before it closed. It's from
http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/faq
page. In this scenario, Crafard would be the other shooter, from either the second or first floor. "Oswald" was seen by secretary Carol Arnold on either the second or first floor (she seemed unsure which) from the outside through a window as she awaited the motorcade. If four shots were fired, one was fired virtually simultaneously to Oswald's second or third (the third, the head shot, would have been fired by crafard in this scenario). Oswald fired on stray shot that hit the side of the JFK limousine, the hit the windshield and was found on the limo floor and placed on a stretcher. His other stray shot hit a curb, then the triple overpass, then nicked James Taque. Crafard's one MC rifle shell casing was thus not found because he took it with him. His rifle was also not found in the TSBD because it was dropped off in Terre Haute, IN. Stories of other rifles being found on on floors stem from rifles brought into the building for display a few days before by a TSBD employee. Also, a Mannlicher Carcano is sometimes mistaken for a Mauser when seen from a distance. Much depends on the details coming out of Havana later.

Max S of AR 2:17PM April 22, 2012

For t
5.1 The number of shots
Of the approximately 200 witnesses whose statements were taken by
the WC, 88% said they heard three shots, 5% said they heard more than
three. Only 2% reported hearing shots coming from more than one lo-
cation, but the issue is complicated somewhat by the echoes created by
the buildings surrounding the Plaza. Three shells were discovered on
the sixth floor "sniper's lair" to bolster the theory that three shots were
fired.
5.2 The source of the shots
Of the earwitnesses who stated an opinion as to the source of the shots,
most thought the shots came from their end of the plaza; people on the
uphill end of Dealey Plaza tended to think the shots came from the di-
rection of the TSBD; people at the other end, tended to think the shots
came from the GK area. However, the consensus was the shots all orig-
inated from a single source.
5.3 The first shot
The current consensus is that the first shot was a miss, perhaps because
Oswald shot through the canopy of the tree in front of the TSBD. He
may have done this out of anxiety, or because he was aiming through an
opening in the canopy, or because the tree suddenly loomed before his
scope as he tracked the limousine. The bullet may have been deflected
by a branch.
5.4 The second shot -- Single Bullet Theory (SBT)
The second shot hit JFK in the back of the neck and emerged from the
bottom of the throat (a lower point), having been slowed. It also tum-
bles, its travel having been disrupted by the neck. It hits Connally's
back mid-tumble, causing an elongated wound, and "slap fractures"
Connally's rib. It emerges below Connally's right nipple, considerably
slowed now. It passes through the right wrist at about half its muzzle
velocity, too slow for the bullet to be damaged by contact with the wrist
bone. The wrist deflects the bullet which ends its path shallowly em-
bedded in Connally's right thigh.
This determination of the bullet's path was not obvious to the WC in-
vestigators. They had a minimum of information and were limited by
time and the analytical technology of the day. Certain aspects of the
shot, as revealed by the amateur Z-film, were ambiguous, especially the
question of whether JFK and Connally were hit at the same time. Ulti-
mately, the confidence of the investigators in the SBT arose from pro-
cess of elimination or, as Sherlock Holmes said, "When one has
eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improba-
ble, is the truth." Today, though, the SBT has been more thoroughly
studied and tested, using modern technology, and has been affirmed as
not only plausible, but the only likely solution to the puzzle.
Conversely, the critics of the SBT have failed to quantify their criticism
by showing how far from possible they consider the SBT to be. Nor
have they supplied a counter-explanation that accounts for all the phys-
ical and medical evidence.
5.5 The third shot
Oswald's third shot hit JFK in the cowlick5.5 The third shot
Oswald's third shot hit JFK in the cowlick area of the back of the head.
JFK's head moved forward for a brief fraction of a second and then his
body fell back and slumped to the left side. The explanation for the
non-intuitive backwards reaction relies on many possible factors which
would be almost impossible to duplicate in a single experiment. Some
of the factors are: 1) JFK's nervous system had already been damaged
by his first wound, whereby tissue displaced by the bullet pushed into
his spinal cord, 2) the head shot created instant, massive damage to the
nervous system, including stimulation of the nerves in the spinal cord,
leading to a neuromuscular spasm, 3) the bullet made a small hole on
entry, then created outward pressure in the soft tissue it displaced, caus-
ing a large exit wound and the escape of pressure to the front (referred
to as the "jet effect"), 4) JFK was wearing a back brace which stiffened
his upper body, 5) the vehicle was moving.
5.6 Miscellaneous
A bystander on the other side of Dealey Plaza, James Tague, was hit on
the cheek by shrapnel. There's no consensus on whether it came from
the first shot hitting the pavement or from the head shot.

MaxS of AR 1:24PM April 22, 2012

just want to add that this latest, or possibly last--possibly posited, in fact, quite early on, before the "crossfire" --scenario, that this was a Castro/Brezhnev/Marcello assassination, with two shooters, both firing from the TSBD--allows a lot of maneuvering room for many of the conventional "explanations" that have been presented.
For example, the "magic bullet" theory, so often ridiculed by conspiracy theorist who, however, are not of the quality, often, of those who worked to describe the real world physics of the "magic" bullet, still could stand with this scenario.
Also, the fact the police dictaphone "fourth shot" sound turned out to be a motorcycle backfire, can also stand.
These phenomena are simply natural phenomena, misunderstood at the time.
On the other hand, the fact the plot was a mix of the Marxists (Oswald, Castro agents, Castro, and Brezhnev) and mobsters (Marcello, Ruby and Craford) who were sypathetic to Castro due to their special casino and other underworld connections to Castro's Cuba, and involved two shooters, both firing the xame type of rifle from the same building (TSBD), provides the best explanation for the accuracy of the head shot, when compared to the relative "wildness" of the remainder of the supposed "earlier" shots.
If Oswald was, indeed, a relatively poor marksman compared to Crafard, this would best account for the wildness and relative ineffectiveness of the shots fired by him (apparently the three for which spent cartridges were found). The accuracy of the head shot, would best be explained, then, by its being the only shot fired by Crafard, from the slightly lower second floor.
It's taken a long time to weed through all of this. There have been many twists, turns, dead ends and red herrings. The fact it wasn't the Far Right is a relief in a way, a disappointment in a way.

Max S of AR 12:27PM April 20, 2012

Since I'm finally putting something into writing on this myself, I might add that I'd always been intrigued by the idea of a Far Right conspiracy against the Kennedys, due to their liberalism on Defense and Civil Rights issues. And, even as a kid back in those days here in the mid-South, I can tell you there definitely was hostility to them. I don't attack the character or quality of people who have posited other scenarios. I cite Angleton's comments from Joe Trento's _Secret History of the CIA_ (NY: 2005), and detailed info about Crafard from Whitmey's Site article, cited by him in this thread. Other places include actual human-packed video footage of the police arrest of James Brading 11/22/63 at the DalTex Building. Conspiracy literature is often helpful, too, when the research is sound, even when the conclusions drawn are faulty, or parts of the other research lack solidity. LBJ is often a favorite target--and understandably so. His recently-released private tapes have revealed he told sworn-to-silence listeners in '64 and '65 he had "overwhelming evidence" of a Castro/USSR connection. He also was advised by FBI/CIA to discontinue America's assassination policy, first
implemented under Eisenhower. It had been applied, in both the IKE and JFK admins., almost exclusively to Leftist regimes. Though it isn't pleasant for Liberals to admit, JFK, as the first Catholic Pres., was often timid to conservative in his approach. It's quite likely he'd expressed his discomfort with "Murder, Inc." policy to LBJ, but had felt impelled not to end it himself. Policy wonks at CIA and elsewhere set up their missions, then got permission from the political capital-expended JFK to go through with them. He had little liberal political impetus left while and after exerting pressure in the then-Democratic south in behalf of the Civil Rights movement. LBJ, by contrast, starting from scratch and already having a southern state under his belt, could re-examine and shut down the policy.

Max S of AR 1:35PM April 18, 2012

I noted that Whitmey had been able to get Crafard to admit he left Dallas on 11/22, the day of the assassination, rather than 11/23, the day after, as he'd told investiqators previously. Craford had told his wife at one point that he'd left 11/22, and the wife had told Whitmey this.
The car into which Craford may have gotten from the 2d floor of the TSBD, would have carried him northward, to Chicago (where he admitted he met a mob acquaintance) and then the Michigan/Canada border, where his sister's cabin was. From there, the driver, possibly a Castro agent, went on to Canada and may have gotten a plane to Cuba. This agent may very well have been a non-Cuban. This is why "Harry L. Power" (alias) is such an interesting person.
Years ago, evidence linking Marcello to the crime seemed to conflict with evidence linking Castro. It had been thought the Mob was totally hostile to Castro.
And, in large measure, the Mob WAS hostile to Castro. But now, we no one glaring exception to this was. . . Carlos Marcello, who had a more positive relationship with Fidel. Marcello, as mob-scenario researchers will tell you, made a number of statements strongly implicating him.
This "third agent" referred to by James Angleton (Casas and Polycarpo being the other two), but never named by him, may very well have been "Harry Power", the would-be Oswald accomplice in the Walker attempt. This could also explain why the FBI never gave his real name, only the alias. He may have been a double agent whose role was compromised by his part in the conspiracy. This would also explain his possession of a Manlicher-Carcano rifle on Nov. 25, when he dropped it off in a motel in Terre Haute, IN. All, on the way to Canada.
We don't know much about this guy.
One other thing: there were, in actuality--when you examine the layout of all the buildings and so forth in Dealey Plaza at that time--few if any other secure points besides the TSBD in which an assassin could hide and feel secure.
As mentioned, in reality the "grassy knoll" and the picket fence area were not secure from view FROM THE REAR, as they opened onto a big parking lot behind on a busy weekday.
Another site often posited, is the DalTex Building. But it was FULL of people that day. It was a manufacturing related facility--again, in the middle of a workday. There just was no private spot, on well-concealed place, there. The key suspect often cited there, James Braden or Brading, had no history of mob hits or violence.
By contrast, there is evidence Ruby once had murdered a man, back in the '40s, for the Mob, up in Chicago. And, Crafard told Whitmey he'd been a "hit man" for the Mob in Frisco in the '50s. Crafard worked for Ruby, who worked for Carolos Marcello.
There has been a reporter in Havana for about the past 18 months, going through Castro regime docs never before exposed. These are indicating, more and more, that Castro had knowledge in detail about the JFK shooting.

Max S of AR 12:30PM April 18, 2012

I might add George Senator's possible foreknowledge of Ruby's action against Oswald, may have been due to his intimate relationship w/Ruby and the insights this gave him about Ruby's plans. But since Crafard wasn't in town Nov. 24, Senator seems a likely culprit in the "dog caper" ("The Strange Tale of Jack Ruby's Dog" found on the Net).
I confess, too, that Ruby seems a weak link. Motivating someone to shoot in a circumstance where they are CERTAIN to be captured seems an uphill battle. The elaborate dog caper could have been put together by an entirely disconnected group--friends of Ruby at DPD or connected thereto, with no knowledge of the value of Oswald's death to a cover-up. Just simple "justice" for Jackie, at least in those persons' minds. And this could have given Jack Ruby the confidence to do his hit, for Carolos Marcello and--weirdly--his "partner" Fidel Castro, who, in turn, had been inspired to participate by Brezhnev and by the continuing United States government-sanctiioned assassinations, the most recent ones at the time being Diem, but even more recently, the ouster of Ba'athists in the Mideast, Nov. 21, 1963. The litany of Ike's and JFK's series of assassinations, referred to in recent years by the LBJ tapes, may have finally prompted action to try to end "the damn Murder Incorporated" referred to by LBJ therein. The policy was discontinued by LBJ.

Max S of AR 8:43PM March 27, 2012

sorry for spelling/typos. That should have been "missing" Ruby dog on Nov. 24, rather than "extra" dog. There were two Cuban agents in and out during the time--Castro agents. Angleton says there was a 3rd, but won't name him--just as the FBI won't give "Power"s real name. Could all CIA operatives have been ignorant of a Castro/Brezhnev plot? Or were some in comm. w/Allen Dulles, in trust that info would be passed on by the former DCI to the Secret Service. Anyway, "accessories" do not a conspiracy make. Stalin did the same thing to Trotsky in 1940--didn't pass on the warning info.

Max S of AR 8:05PM March 27, 2012

Just shocked to learn of the death of Crafard. Confess I'd been following the stories of Crafard leaving Dallas Nov. 23, arriving in Chicago (after visiting a fellow mob member in Chicago, on November 25, 1963, with "Harry L. Power" dropping off a Manlicher-Carcano in terre Haute, IN on the same date, November 25, 1963 ("Power" being an alias), and the "extra" dog belonging to Jack Ruby at the club on Nov. 24, 1963, as well as Ruby roomate George Senator's coincidental contact of a defense lawyer who he'd also been living with, shortly after Ruby shot Oswald and before Ruby's guilt was announced on media.
There were just a few interesting bits and pieces like those, as well as Marcello's friendly relationship with castro and Brezhnev's interest in upending the JFK-Kruscheve detente to protect the Soviet "establishment".
But I do have to add that all the acoustic and visual filmed evidence support the idea all the shooting was done from the TSBD. One shot seemed to have been a little louder than the others. A second shooter in the TSBD would still be a possibility. Perhaps a backup shooter. The "grassy knoll" and picket fence were exposed to observation from the rear. since they opened onto a big parking lot--too risky and distracting. A shooter on a lower floower of the TSBD could have escaped into (the white Rambler?) getaway car quiite handily, though Oswald shared the guilt--and fear--which could have brought on his shooting of Tippitt, who may have stopped him with his guard down, thinking he was Crafard, whom he apparently had met through Jack Ruby. I've steered clear of this whole thing in my own writing, but have followed others' research. I've only written one relatively limited piece more or less debunking "crossfire". But I tried to keep an open mind about a sufficiently limited conspiracy scenario. After all, Oswqald had "worked with" Mr. "Harry L Power" before, in the Walker thing. Though "power" was alleged to be political--a Trotskyite--while Crafard was not known to be politically motivated, just mob-connected.
Can't say there has been a conspiracy proven, but sure are a lot of questions unanswered. But--keep it simple. The more complicated the conspiracy, the less I would believe it.

Max S of AR 7:48PM March 27, 2012