Michael G. Smith

With due respect, that's not even close to being true. And what about their spouses and dependents? http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/issuebrief202 The number that is tossed around in the media is 47 million uninsured. Not sure if that includes illegals. Purchasing coverage can be expensive. I purchase for my business. as an example coverage for may family is $650 month, 1k deductable, no opticial or dental. I can lower that quite a bit if I opt for a higher deductable. In my case I made the choice to leave a nice comfy job with solid benefits to start a business. I knew the costs and I took the responsibility even when it hurt to do so. John, people squalk and talk, but the bottom line is............they have the big $$$ behind them, and the lobbyists pressure in the right places, so it will never happen. These insurance companies, the AMA, pharmacology companies, are getting filthy rich. Example: with our insurance you have to get an ok from the ins. co. to get an MRI, CAT scan, bone scan, etc....[not for regular x-rays or normal routine tests] You call the ins. co., they give you the OK to get it done. Then when the bill comes to them, they reject it! Then you have to call and find out why, [routine BS excuses to give you the run around} and it gets drug out for sometimes months. [it is a proven fact that the insurance companies only pay for 1/2 of the bills they are responsible for, because they just keep denying to pay until people give up, and pay it themselves, because they get so tired of getting the run around, phone calls, time spent. getting put on hold, getting cut off after waiting 20 min. on hold, and getting transfered to someone else and having to explain the whole situation all over again to someone else, and the reasons go on and on] People do pay them, because they keep getting collection notices, and so on. We kept getting a bill from one company over my last m/c accident, and we already had a reciept saying it was paid! We got collection notice after notice. My wife finally got ahold of someone at the ins. co. and they told her to POSSITIVELY send them no money as this company had been doing this for quite some time to everyone, and getting paid more than once for the same bill. Thank GOD my wife is a fighter and dosent give up! She will stay on the phone for hours fighting these people to get these bills taken care of. If it wasnt for her, I dont know what I would do. The politicians in our country [i cant say all, but most] are in the ins. co. pocket, and they will not do anything to change it. Any Senator, Representitive, Governor, etc.... recieves after retirement [maybe only serving a 2 year term, will recieve LIFETIME full coverage insurance for their whole family, their full wage [when they were in office] until retirement, and after retirement age, they recieve their full pension, plus all of the insurance benefits for free for life! Now what is wrong with this picture???? All of that for as little as a 2 year term!! Now something is wrong here. We work our whole lives, and we are lucky if we get social security, and if your really lucky, a pension and have to get by with that. [im not even going to mention about our elderly who have to get by on nothing] I doubt there will even be Social Security when I retire! I failed to mention, alot of these insurance co. here, will only allow you to see the doctors on their list of participating Drs.. That means you could have been seeing your regular doctor for 45 years, [like me] and not be able to see him because he is not on their list of participating professionals. Im getting sick just talking about this! Anyway, that is a rough idea of how things work here in the U.S.. Some will probably argue with me about this, but I will not answer or argue about this issue back. This country is in bad shape. If this war continues, and it will, only we will also be at war with Iran next [so that will actually be 3 wars we will be in at the same time] , it is going to killl this country off. Thanks to all who re-elected the jack-ass we have leading this country now. Just my opinion FWIW. thanks-smitty

John, The hospitals in the health care system I work for don't turn people away from the emergency room. This is true, curously enough, even for illegal immigrants, and is one of the many contentious issues in that debate. However, for non-emergencies like a knee replacement, you would have to be insured or somehow agree to pay for it yourself (which no one outside of the most wealthy citizens could ever hope to do). Cancer is something that would not be covered as an "emergency," and usually those without insurance would have to hope that Social Services or some other government agency would cover the expenses of treating them. I have heard varying estimates about the number of non-insured Americans. I believe that virtually all full-time workers have some form of health insurance. However, the problem is with those who are in the lowest paying jobs, like retail and the restaurant business. They often are given less than 40 hour work weeks, and thus do not qualify as full-time workers. Their insurance in those situations is weak and watered down, when they have it at all. The lowest paid workers in our society are often immigrants, many of them illegals, and they will often be uninsured. Since most private hospitals have a policy of treating any one who needs emergency services even if they don't have insurance, businesses know this and further exploit those immigrants (who are already being paid less than minimum wage in some cases) because they know that medical services will be there if they absolutely need it. It's a huge problem, because doctors make so much money under the present system, as do administrators and other health care executives, and thus they have no reason to want to see such dramatic changes. Nurses are paid very well, too, as are those with special skills like respiratory therapists, radiologists and orthopedic therapists. Factor in the absurd cost of precriptions, and you have a lot of powerful forces, who profit greatly from the present system, who would strongly resist any movement towards socialized medicine or any other kind of meaningful reform. This is a sore subject with me. You are right Don. That is about how it works here in the good ol' US of A. You will never see Socialized Medicine [sM] ever in this country. If this jackass Bush would take 1/4 of what he has pissed away in this senseless war, we would have SM already! Too many professional people make more money than they could ever spend robbing from all of the people in this country. Wheather it be medicine, specialized treatment, hospital stays, ER visits, or just Dr. visits. They dont even want us getting our prescriptions from Canada because they will loose $. [Prescriptions would probably be 1/2 to 1/3 of the cost here in the states!] Insurance in this country has gone wild! Thank god my wife works for the County, and we have Blue Cross/Blue Sheild [major medical insurance corp. in the US-but different kinds of B/C-B/S by name and carrier]. If we didnt have it, for get it! I have had cronic back problems since an 81' motorcycle accident, and I was hit by a car in 04' [on a m/c again] and my left leg was broken by the bumper of the car, and also broke off my inside ankle bone when it drove it into the engine case. If we didnt have the insurance, we would be on our way out the door to live on the streets. The state [nj] and county decided to close 3 of our 4 county hospitals, and build one larger centrally located new hospital. Great idea right? Wrong. When it opened, I heard from many people they had to wait anywhere from 3-6 hours waiting to be seen in the emergency room! Now the new hospital stated the other day, they were no longer going to accept Horizon B/C-B/S [our insurance plan!] What the hell is going on??? Now even though we have major medical insurance from the county, the new hospital [only about 10-15 minutes from me, and in our own county] wont accept our insurance! What are people to do? I feel so sorry for people who have to pay for just basic medical coverage out of pocket. I have heard horror stories. $500-$1000 a month is not unheard of if you have a family! With all of the money this country has, they will not, or never accept SM as a solution. The insurance companies, doctors, hospitals, and specialized treatment centers will never give up robbing from all of us honest tax paying citizens of this country. They all have their own lobbyists on Capital Hill getting paid big $ to make sure that SM never becomes a reality. So many people are on welfare in this country, its staggering. These poor people just cant win. They will never get ahead, because of insurance companies, doctors, dentists, and anyone else along that same food chain. And its not only the Medical insurance, its home owners [im paying $1200 a year for a 2 story bungalow that was built in 36'!], auto insurance, and any thing else that needs insurance. Look what those poor people are still going through from Katrina damage!! It makes me sick to see all of the money being spent on this senseless, sickening war [wars] we are in. The money being pissed away by the Military Industrial Complex is unbeleiveable. But the rich get richer, and Bush just keeps spending what he doesnt have. It wont be long, and we will end up like the USSR. Just give us a few more years, if this doesnt stop. I know im getting off track, but you get the picture. They will never give anyone free, excellent proffesional health care EVER here in the states! Even when they can see how well it works all over the world in other countries. ALL BECUASE THEY ARE SO DAMN GREEDY! Just my opinion FWIW. thanks-smitty

Cheney is as big a weasel than the other. Thats all he did after the attacks........hid. You didnt see his butt anywhere for quite a while after that. Hiding like a frightened little child. Speaking of Wolfulofxxxxz, do you all remember that clip from Michael Moores "Far. 9-11" film, where the clip shows him getting ready to be interveiwed I guess, and hes there licking his comb [like a horse does to a salt lick] to comb his hair back so he looks pretty? LOL! I couldnt believe it! I played that back a few times. Slobbering all over that comb like it was a piece of candy! Unbelievable! thanks-smitty

Cheney is as big a weasel than the other. Thats all he did after the attacks........hid. You didnt see his butt anywhere for quite a while after that. Hiding like a frightened little child. Speaking of Wolfulofxxxxz, do you all remember that clip from Michael Moores "Far. 9-11" film, where the clip shows him getting ready to be interveiwed I guess, and hes there licking his comb [like a horse does to a salt lick] to comb his hair back so he looks pretty? LOL! I couldnt believe it! I played that back a few times. Slobbering all over that comb like it was a piece of candy! Unbelievable! thanks-smitty

Cheney is as big a weasel than the other. Thats all he did after the attacks........hid. You didnt see his butt anywhere for quite a while after that. Hiding like a frightened little child.

Cheney is as big a weasel than the other. Thats all he did after the attacks........hid. You didnt see his butt anywhere for quite a while after that. Hiding like a frightened little child.

They all knew it was going to happen, so why be surprised? They all sat there waiting for the dunce to get done his story telling time in Florida, and let them know what would be the most public pronouncement/action for them all and when. Just my opinion FWIW. thanks-smitty

Raymond, no disrespect intended to Ms. Markum, but I beleive she was so unstable and shaken [wheather just at that time or not we dont know] that her testimony had holes in it. Depending on how much you can be assured was truth or not, just adds to the confusion of the different testimonies taken from the people in the area at the time. Her time line, may have been correct [?], but putting all of it together, and using her the way they did as a witness, more or less threw alot of the other testimonies into confusion. That is why I believe there was so much confusion over who saw what and when. When you consider how widely, in some cases, the testimonies were from witnesses there that day, it seems like completely different stories. If you beleive that the Dallas PD were involved, that even throws another wrench into the spokes, as they could have tampered with quite a few things that afternoon. Just consider the shell casings for one, and who knows how else they may have messed with witnesses or maybe even testimonies from people at the scene. [influencing witnesses while being interveiwed for example] As I said, this is just speculation on my part here, and Im not saying that this is what happened, but I think it is a possibility considering what a mess it was concerning what happened at 10th and Patton. Also considering what happened after the Tippit shooting, and other testimonies, Oswald could have been at the theatre for some time, going by other peoples testimonies and time lines. Who really knows?? Just my opinion FWIW. thanks-smitty

Jim, I understand your point. I didnt want to get into this thread really, I just wanted to help give an explanation as too what I felt was the best explanation I had heard of why he was seen traveling in two different directions. You are right. I never have beleived it was Oswald either. He was probably at his room and left. The people [assigned to take out Oswald] were the one [or ones seen] by the few witnesses there that day. It may have been two different people who were seen [witness claimed to have seen two people leave the scene??] traveling in two different directions. I dont believe Tippit was involved, and was killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. People were there to kill Oswald, I beleive, and ended up killing Tippit. As far as witnesses go, Markum, in my opinion, was a few beers short of a full six pack. I dont think she even knew what she was saying, and as far as what she saw, I dont think you can believe anything she said she witnessed. I think this is why there is so much confusion over what happened and what was seen that afternoon, because she was the one who supposedly saw most of what happened, and was taken at her word, and was used as the main witness as to what happened. Either way, Oswald was long gone, and his ordered killer, or killers, got jammed up, and ended up killing Tippit. This is just speculation on my part, and is just my opinon FWIW. thanks-smitty

Jim, I remember reading this somewhere a few years ago, but dont remember where, or who came up with this answer. It was explained, simply enough, that Oswald was walking, lets say east [for the sake of arguement], and was walking along. He saw the police car approching, and turned around and proceeded in the opposite direction [lets say west]. It is a simple answer, and is one that would fit the scenerio. If someone is trying to avoid being obvious, and unnoticed, sometimes people will do that..........change direction, so as not to be seen directly in the face, or what ever reason, or make some other change to avoid a confrontation with whoever it is they want to avoid. So simply said, he was walking down the street one way, saw the police car, turned directly around and continued in the opposite direction to keep from being seen directly, or draw attention to himself by getting further away from the police car. This is the best answer I have heard yet as to why two different people [or maybe more] saw Oswald walking in two different directions. Sometimes the best answer is the simplest, and thats why we dont ever see it. Hope this helps. Just my opinion FWIW. thanks-smitty

Whatever helps the forum is what is important. I support any action you feel is necessary. Including my own banishment if you feel that is the best course of action. If you are looking into insults......I personally like..... "[add the name], why dont you take the day off. You dont have to be an asshole every day! thanks-smitty

Personally, I havent been here long at all, compared to others. I have listened and bit my tongue alot in the beginning, but as it grew on I felt I had to say things a few times to people, [in a polite, but firm way] that they were not acting like they should. Not just in responce to my posts but others [Jack White attacks]. I always try to be polite and courteous to all, and expect the same in return. I dont need blowhards full of hot air spouting off at me or others. I beleive in the old, "one, two, three strikes your out" addage. Warn them, if needed again, and then kick them out on their collective asses if they cant act in an adult, proffessional, and respectful manner. I always end my posts with "Just my opinion FWIW", and that is what they are...my opinions. People dont have to agree or like my opinions, but at least have respect for them and move on. If you want to discuss why I may feel that way, Fine. Dont be a smartass and mouthoff at me for whatever reason you feel led. Most people have been very nice and respectful, but there are a few who continue to be that way. If someone lists a thought, new, fresh, and "out of the box", maybe we should look at it, think about it, as it may have not been looked at in that way before. But you hear the " what do you have to prove that, or what do you have to disprove it" crap. Maybe it is a new idea or thought, and it doesnt have anything to prove or disprove it with yet, because it is "out of the box" and there isnt anything. Does that mean that persons thoughts are wrong?? No. Discuss things in an adult manner. I am the first to have fun, and kid around, but being mean and hurtful purposefully, is wrong. There are certain people who are here to disrupt, and redirect certain topics that come up, because they are close to the truth, and these peoples jobs are to get it stamped out before it grows! This forum attracts alot of people, important people with connections to the JFK assassination. They are here to either listen, and contribute. Or they are here to disrupt when things get a little too "good". I hope bringing this topic up helps to get rid of the BS that has been going on for sometime. Thanks John and Andy. Just my opinion FWIW. thanks- smitty

The single most shameful and contemptible post I've yet seen on an assassination website. Paul, what it means is that Jack didn't look at the Bronson slide and start misreading it 30 to 40 years ago. All this started when he went on some sort of 'alteration witch hunt'. I also see that Chris is following suit. What kind of joker looks at Sitzman in deep shadow and says that she is now wearing a different colored dress than what she wore in the Zapruder film before the motorcades arrival? We are consistently seeing a few people who are asking things like why can't we see something in a poor image that we see in a good one ... well dah!!! Yes, I sure do believe this cr--p has been altered. Please prove what colored dress she is wearing in your supplied Bronson photo. post2 I have asked over and over for Bill to post his quality stuff so there is no doubt about what we are seeing. I guess what he supplied in post2 is his quality stuff. chris Remarks like that from Mr. Miller are common. [Jack-strokes] Dont even begin to argue anything with him. You are wasting your time. He has every volume of the WC report, and has taken panoramic views in Dealey Plaza. How can you argue with that? Just my opinon FWIW thanks-smitty

My apologies for leading this thread off its intended track. Naming people, and pointing fingers at people, are not going to get any of us anywhere. What I do hope is, that people will stop being disruptive, and just RESPECT peoples opinions. They are entitled to their opinions no matter what they are. Question them politely, and show the respect anyone would be entitled to. Fighting gets us nowhere, and only drags us all down, in whatever pursuit it is we are after. If someones idea seems crazy to you, move on. There are plenty of other topics to choose from here. There is no sense in arguing and fighting because you dont agree. Either be poilite, or change to another topic. We will all be the better for it. Just my opinion FWIW. thanks-smitty

John- This is something I really don't understand abut jacks defenders – John, you are well aware that Jack NEVER defends his work on Apollo, yet, you have never said a word, why is that? - However you do complain about Len not debating the facts (when he actually does) and being mean to Jack. A bit more biased than you'd care to admit? This is just my opinion based on the junk (the most polite word I can use) analysis Jack has done on Apollo, I can't believe any analysis he has ever done on JFK is any better. I have to ask all of you defenders of JW- do you like his work because of his “Outstanding Analyses” or is it his “Outstanding Confirmation” of what you want to believe??? If anyone doubts that Jack’s Apollo analyses is garbage, do some research yourselves and confirm where the LRV was stowed in the LM descent module, and then check out Jack’s “facts” regarding the LRV. If you are really honest, it should be a real eye opener. Since it seems that my post started this, I have to respond. I have been on many other "forum type" sites over the years, [not just JFK related] and I have to say, I no longer belong to any of them any more. Reason being.........because of the BS that goes on such as this. This type of imature back and forths, are what ruin excellent, educational sites. Johns JFK forum is the best thing I personally have come across in a long time. I have to admit, I almost threw in the towel again at one point a few weeks ago. Jack is Jack. As I said, I dont know Jack personally, but I do feel as though I do, from all of the contributions he has made over the years concerning the JFK assassination. Jack deserves his due. He may be older than most of us, but I can tell you he knows more than most of us can ever hope to know. I was raised to respect my elders. I dont know about all of you, but I can do nothing but respect Jack. Not only because of his age, but for what he has done for everyone that is working on the JFK assassination. Im sure there are many people who are members here, who may not have ever come this far if it wasnt for something they read, written by Jack. This is not just about Jack at this point. There are many members of this forum, who do nothing but look for posts that they can attack. I guess they have nothing better to do, or..........they have an agenda that they have a working responsibility to do so because that is their job. Paid, or because they have volunteered to do so "because they feel as though they will "become" something by doing the dirty deeds they perform for others. Even Mr. Simkins has been accused of being a spook!??!!? Give me a break! This back stabbing crap has to be stopped at this point. I have noticed more than a several times, as soon as a "certain" subject is brought up, there they are. The same ones- arguing, fighting, and downgrading whoever it may be. [maybe the subject hit the neve that needs to be cut off quickly!!!] I have been set up to look like a j-ass several times here by the same people. Every time. I have watched when other members who brought up the same type of subject, get made out to be mental midgets. Humiliated, and made to look stupid by the same group of people, because these "expeirienced, and knowing" people "know more than they do" because they own more books, and took alot more pictures than most at Dealey Plaza. Thats BS! Most of these trouble makers have nothing to stand on. Just a bunch of long, technical words, most of us have to look up to understand, which I am the first to admit to. Certain people here have no respect for anything, and I mean anything, other people have to say. Forums such as Johns, are "open" sites where people can expresss, and exchange ideas, with hopefully some successful results. To have people here who purposefully disrupt and redirect the topics, just tells me one thing. Johns "Forum" is working! There are new, fresh ideas coming through every week that may lead to new discoveries, and answers, to decades old questions. But guess what? As soon as something comes up, there they are! To date I havent really had any arguements with anyone, since I try to be cool and be polite to all, and respect all who post, and for the most part, responders have basically been the same in return. Except for the few who are still doing what they are "made, paid, or just feel" that they have to do. This may stir the pot a bit, but you know what?................it needed to be said. If im the scapegoat, so be it. I have very broad shoulders, and if you want to pile it on, go ahead. I can take the load. Jack, Ashton, Peter, John, Lee, Bill, and the rest of you [you know who you are!] keep up the good work, and speak your mind. Dont be deterred by the few who want to drag you down to their level. As always..........Just my opinion FWIW. thanks-smitty

Actually truth be told as we can see here Jack is normally the one to instigate personal attacks. If you go through the existent threads you will observe that those of us question the 9-11 CT's rebutt such theories with the facts. Jack all to often runs away when his pet theoroes have been disproven and neither defends them or admits error. I welcome you to the forum as well. You will find that if you are polite yourself and debate fairly we (or atleast I) won't attack you personally. Excuse me Len, I dont personally know you, and im sure I dont have to defend Mr. White, as he can hold his own in any situation. I am not personal friends with Jack, and the only correspondence with him has been through this forum. Personally, I am tired of people "attacking" Jack on this forum. If i could contribute 1/16th of what he has done for the JFK community, I would consider myself a very fortunate man. Nothing against you personally, but for some time [which hasnt been long] I have seen many people personally attack Jack for one reason or another on this forum. I am not speaking for Jack, or anyone else, but these attacks are unjustified for the most part. He has done so much for the JFK research community, I cannot even begin to list his contributions. He is entitled to his opinion, just like you are, and anyone else here. If you dont agree, fine. You dont, as an adult, and hopefully a professional, stoop to such tactics. I have held back for some time about responding to his attacks, but for some reason, when I read your post, it really hit home. I have read many of his book contributions, and I dont always agree with Jack, but that does not give me the right to attack him publically here or anywhere else. If you have done as much as he has over the years, which has been decades for him, you may have the right to maybe, and I repeat maybe, take umbrage with HIS opinions. Just myopinion FWIW.Thanks-smitty

The whole voting process in this country is crap. Do we need to look at Florida a few years ago??? When a country as big and powerful such as the good ol' US of A cannot, at this year and time have a perfect voting process is nothing but a scam. We had a different president years ago, and we wouldnt be in this war, if it wasnt fixed the way it was in Florida. Say what you want, its your right. We arent suppose to talk about politics and religion as a rule, just to avoid the arguements. All of you who voted for Bushy years ago, are probably kicking yourselves in the ass now, when you finally saw the truth. When we can elect a President, and have it overruled by a commitee, because they feel as though it isnt right for the country [or whatever reason] and change the majority vote, is beyond me! Why do we bother?? When you can have the countrys future President determined by a "misscount, or by a hole not being fully punched out properly], is beyond the normal mans brain. Especially when the states Governer is the candidates brother, is beyond reality. They must think we are nothing more than mental midgets, who believe everything we are told! You can say what you want about the last election too. Would you have protested, and at least had a recount, instead of conceding defeat and crawling away??? I wouldnt. How about you? Think there was something amiss there too?? Even after the debacle in Florida, things got worse, as far as voting machines [and process] goes. Was it any better?? NO! Can you honestly say, that with all of the technology this country has today, they cant come up with a consistant, state to state, voting process, that is the same all across the country??? [with foolproof- no tamper devices] How about the Electoral States?? What is with that? Do they matter, if your majority votes can be changed by a commitees decision who decide who will be President despite who got the most votes, and had the most electoral states?? Regardless of what you may think, this country was based on having elections where ALL people had the right to vote, who they thought was the best choice for their country, and whoever got the majority of votes, won. That is what an election is. If you vote, you are suppose to do your own homework and find out everything you can about each candidate and their thoughts, changes that need to be made, and what they will do to make the country a better place to live in. Wheather you decide on religion, where they are from, what they look like, what they think, is all YOUR decision. Its your vote. But if your vote doesnt count because of an underhanded, political, unlawful, decision made by the "higher ups", is disgusting. Thanks Ben, I feel better, but im going to get a drink and my meds and calm down! LOL! Just my opinion, FWIW. thanks-smitty

Personally, I dont believe Oswald owned ANY gun. I read somewhere long ago about someone in the FBI/CIA? who was ordered to purchase several M/Carcanos by his superiors. He didnt know why at the time, and we have to assume he did as he was told. [cant remember where I read it. maybe someone can help out here]There never was any proof he owned a M/C. He owned a rifle because his wife was pressured to say he had one?? I beleive the order form he supposedly sent was a phony. His rifle range scene, could have been one of the M/C's being used by the stand-in Oswald. Could be someone else used another to take a shot at Walker, as it as stated that there was proof that the bullet was fired from "his" M/C. I beleive any and all proof of him owning any weapon was falsified from day one. The .38, I think, was planted in the theatre, to show he shot Tippit. There is no real, actual proof. Alledged proof. Thats it. The M/C found in the TSBD didnt have his prints, nor the shells. The backyard photos, phony. Package under his arm? What package? The man was set up from day one. His wife was threatened with deportation if she didnt go along with what she was told to say. Its sad. The poor guy didnt stand a chance. Granted, he wasnt an angel, but he surely didnt deserve what he got. Just my opinion FWIW thanks-smitty

Thanks Tom, I couldn't shake that loose. Being an ordinary citizen from Ft. Lauderdale, would you know of a back alley joint called the Parrot Lounge? There might be a few Philadelphia Eagle fans there for the game vs. New Orleans Saints. Did you ever find the old Z film from friend's archives? Maybe its The Other film? Bill Kelly I know of a Parrot Lounge in Cooper City, and one somewhere else that I'd need to be at to remember where it was, lol... after some discussion, the warehouse film is almost undoubtedly a copy of the Garrison "college copy"...but I haven't managed to fish it up from the depths yet, so who knows? Its making me crazy now............who was the guy who sang the song with the lyrics about Martin, John, and Bobby? For the life of me I cant remember. Must have been all the drugs I did back then when the song came out!! LOL! Somebody out there knows.........help this brain dead old fart out here! -smitty

Thanks Peter. The picture of the Stemmons sign when blown up, is probably the best photo Ive ever seen of the sign after the shooting. Thanks again.--smitty

Exactly Charlie! If the damage was claimed to have occured in 61', it surely wouldnt have taken almost 2 years to make the repairs! Even if the trim was unique to that vehicle only, it wouldnt have been any big deal to replace the trim. It is painfully obvious from all of the posts by all involved, that the damage was done during the shooting. All indications show no damage to the trim before starting the motorcade. The damage was from a direct bullet strike, in my opinion. Even if they claimed a bullet fragment hit it, im sure that a small fragment would most likely just "ding" the trim if that. You can plainly see a direct "center" hit from the nose of a bullet. Any damage that was brought to everyones attention at the time, was dismissed as being there previously. Im surprised that they didnt claim that the windshield damage wasnt from a "wiper" malfunction back in 62'! Just my opinion FWIW. thanks-smitty

I like the part where he says " the slight damage may have gone unnoticed"!!! It is not "slight" in the least! I have restored quite a few classic cars over the years, and I can tell you from experience that window trim chrome [especially on a convertible] is pretty heavy stuff. You arent going to just "dent" it slightly by banging it with something that just broke off. To cause a dent like that, it would have to have been hit with alot of force, like say..............a bullet! thanks-smitty

Personally, I beleive that Oswald was told by his handlers to meet his connection at the theatre, [after assassination attempt] wheather to take him to Redbird or where ever. He was not going to leave Dallas alive. The person/people to kill Oswald, were the Dallas PD. I dont beleive Tippit was involved. He unfortunately got involved when he happened upon the men on 10th & Patton. [they were there to probably kill Oswald, and got stopped by Tippit] He was probably to be killed between the TSBD and the theatre, [probably after leaving his rooming house, remember the beep-beep of the cop horn?] but it didnt happen for one reason or another. When the police got to him at the theatre, they couldnt kill him there in front of witnesses, so he was taken into custody. He surely couldnt be killed under police protection while in jail, so that is where Ruby comes in. Under the guidence and assistence of the Dallas PD, Ruby kills Oswald while being transfered. This would explain several things for me anyway. Why he left work. Cop car tooting horn at rooming house. Conflicting reports of shooter/shooters at Tippet scene. Tippits killing. Why so many police at theatre. No lawyer/transcript at police station. Rubys easy access to shoot Oswald. Plus many other small things you could add up into this scenario. As always, just my opinion FWIW. thanks-smitty

Bernice, you are a real sweetheart! You have also just become my new best friend! LOL! I am so happy to have recieved this information from you concerning Mr. Mentesanas film, and to get all of the additional information is like Christmas all over again! I will be checking all of this information you posted for the next month or so! LOL! The "other" rifle, supposedly found on the TSBD roof, has been a thorn in my side for some time, and to finally get this amount of information in one lump sum, is just overwelming. I cant thank you enough for the time you put into this and your consideration to my interest in this matter. My deepest thanks to you for your help and thoughtfulness.-smitty

Robin, your photo in post #15, I assume is from Love field? If it isnt, do you know where it was at when taken? If it is from Love Field, I beleive you have the very proof needed to blow Specter away. From what can be seen in your photo, it looks straight and normal from what can be seen of it. If it is from L/Field, that is the best photo I have seen yet. I tried to find as many photos as I could years ago to prove this fact of it being hit, but most photos never really showed anything of value back then. If anyone else has anything showing the limo, at anytime during his Texas trip, please post them for us all to see. I will continue to look for the explanation they gave for the dent being there prior to the assassination. They positively assured everyone that the dent was there prior to Dallas, and had nothing to do with any shots. [LOL!] Thanks again for sharing your great photo collection with us all. -smitty