Pete Mellor

Patrick Kennedy, son of Sen. Ted Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, remembers being a young state legislator in Rhode Island some 30 years ago and hearing encouraging words from the opposition leader at the time. “I just want you to know that no matter what you do, nothing's going to take away from everyone's memory and appreciation of what your family has done for this country," Republican David Dumas told him. “He meant that ’Don't preoccupy yourself with worrying about whether you're a good representative of your family or not,'" Patrick Kennedy, now a former congressman, said in a recent Zoom interview. Kennedy spoke shortly before the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy, a seismic national event that predates most American lives but remains an inflection point in the country's history — as a wellspring of modern conspiracy theories, as a debate over what JFK might have achieved, as an emotional cornerstone of the Kennedy story. The anniversary arrives at an unusual moment for the Kennedys. It is a moment when the family's mission to uphold a legacy of public service and high ideals competes for attention with the presidential candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose anti-vaccine advocacy and inflammatory comments about everything from the Holocaust to the pandemic have led to a rare public family breach. Robert's sister, Kerry Kennedy, has cited her differences with him “on many issues,” while Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President Kennedy, has called Robert's candidacy “an embarrassment.” “We haven't seen this happening before in the Kennedy family,” says historian Thurston Clarke, author of books on President Kennedy and his brother Robert. “In the past," Clarke says, "they were very reluctant to attack each other.” For generations, the Kennedy dynasty ranked with the Adams', the Roosevelts and the Bushes. Their time in public office dates to the 1890s, to Rep. (and future Boston Mayor) John Francis “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, JFK's grandfather, and grew throughout the first half of the 20th century. During JFK's 1960-63 presidency, governing was decidedly a family affair. Robert Kennedy was attorney general and the president's closest adviser, brother-in-law Sargent Shriver was heading the newly formed Peace Corps and brother-in-law Stephen Smith was White House chief of staff. Youngest brother Ted Kennedy was elected to John F. Kennedy's former Senate seat in Massachusetts. The death of President Kennedy, and Jacqueline Kennedy's remembrance of his administration as a lost golden age, “Camelot,” intensified feelings about the family and longings for their presence. Ted Kennedy became a revered liberal voice and legislator, while Shriver was chosen as George McGovern's running mate in their unsuccessful 1972 presidential campaign. Patrick Kennedy was an eight-term congressman from Rhode Island; Joseph Kennedy II, Robert's son, served 6-terms as a congressman from Massachusetts; and Joseph's sibling Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was a two-term Maryland lieutenant governor. Arnold Schwarzenegger, married at the time to JFK's niece Maria Shriver, was California's governor for two terms. But the Kennedys have mostly withdrawn from electoral politics in the 21st century; no Kennedy or Kennedy in-law currently serves in Congress or as a governor. Caroline Kennedy, JFK's daughter and only surviving child, had been open in 2009 to replacing Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate after Clinton was appointed secretary of state by President Barack Obama. She soon stepped back amid signs New York Gov. David Paterson would not select her. He didn't. The Kennedy administration now lives on in more in spirit than in first hand memory. One of the last prominent White House aides, speechwriter Richard Goodwin, died in 2018. The last of President Kennedy's surviving siblings, former U.S. ambassador to Ireland Jean Smith, died in 2020. Robert F. Kennedy's widow, Ethel, is in her 90s and rarely comments publicly. Starting in 1968, after the assassination of Robert Kennedy, Ted Kennedy was the family's standard bearer and chosen orator. But no one has succeeded him since his death in 2009. The death of Caroline’s brother John F. Kennedy Jr. in a 1999 plane crash ended the life of his generation’s most prominent family member, the one most discussed as a possible presidential candidate. Caroline Kennedy has maintained a low profile as ambassador to Japan during the Obama administration and ambassador to Australia in the Biden administration.

Finished the read today Michael. A very comprehensive and balanced work. The medical chapters as well as JFK's Vietnam policies are not really my field of knowledge, so I will look forward to reviews from more experienced researchers on these topics. It will also be interesting to hear from the WC believers on what they make of this work. However, I certainly enjoyed the book and recommend its reading.

In case U.K. readers have missed this, ITVX viewable through the app are showing 'JFK: The Home Movie That Changed The World.' Produced by Shearwater Media, this 1 hour film tells the story of Abraham Zapruder's chance filming of the JFKA. Featuring actual voice commentary from Zapruder, Alexandra Zapruder, Sitzman, Clint Hill & Stolley from Life mag. Interesting that Zapruder is a firm WC believer when past reports have him stating a shot came from over his right shoulder. + speaking of the presidential limousine, "As it turned (referring to Elm Street) I started shooting pictures."

Yes, Hank had some research on Cobb. I look forward to what you report on these two versions.

Would have liked to watch this without the ad breaks, but certainly above the usual JFKA fayre. Q. Why would a S.S. man be warning a Parkland doctor not to talk about an entrance wound in the throat, just under two hours after the shooting?

Certainly June/Jerrie Cobb remains somewhat mysterious. Covered by Newman's 'Countdown to Darkness' & files still being kept out of the public domain. Her reports on Oswald in MC are weird. As for the purpose and function of the Redbird aircraft, that remains unknown. This report is incorrect concerning Babushka's camera as per Bev Oliver's explanation. But who knows? Anything on Cobb, IMO, shouldn't be thrown out with the bathwater.

Not sure that this is relevant, but just to complete the picture. Nov. '63 occupants on the opposite side of West 5th. Opposite to the Roberts' 2519, in 2518 were Roy & Margaret Benton. Opposite to the Paine's 2515, in 2514 were Allen & Priscilla Lewis. Opposite the empty 2511, in 2510 were Herbert & Mary Williams. Opposite the Schneider's 2507, in 2506 were James & Mary Goodwin. Opposite the empty 2503, in 2502 were Clarence & Mary Ponder. Just in case anyone recognises the name of a CIA agent spying from across the street. 👀

Well, my copy arrived a day early (Thursday) so already through the first 100 pages. Pages that cover the W.C., H.S.C.A. & A.R.R.B. 'investigations' and documents their findings/conclusions. I'm fairly conversant with these findings, but I have found information on some things I had put down as hearsay, or had not come across previously, that the text has highlighted. To quote the back cover:- "This is a solid, credible presentation of evidence that more than one gunman shot President John F. Kennedy, written by one of the most careful and respected researchers on the JFK case. This book has none of the exotic speculation, dubious claims, and extreme ideological bias found in so many other books on the JFK assassination." Another four hundred or so pages to read, and I will look forward to future reviews of Michael's work on this thread. I'm enjoying the book so far. Congrats Mr. Griffith.

You got it correct Marcus. Tune in, Channel 5 Sunday 19th @ 21:00hrs.

According to Nancy Weiford's recent Dealey Plaza U.K. article, West 5th Street shows two properties empty on 22/11/63. 2519 occupied by Ed & Dorothy Roberts. 2515 occupied by Michael & Ruth Paine. 2511 Empty since 1962. 2507 occupied by Clement & Rena Schneider. 2503 empty 11/63.

Me too Sandy. But no surprise. There are so many different versions of events in this case. We must live in a multiverse.

No. In fact Fritz didn't question him, according to Frazier's Interview with Gary Mack in 2002. The interrogation of Frazier was with Rose & Stovall. After hours with the two detectives Fritz made his appearance with a statement for Wes to sign, which resulted in the threat of a fist fight. Wes was taken back to DPD HQ to undergo a polygraph test that Fritz wanted him to take. Who knows why? Maybe just because Wes had stood up to Fritz in refusing to sign any statement. Bent cops can also be vindictive. Rose & Stovall knew Frazier was telling the truth and in the clear because at the same time he was being interrogated, Linnie was also being questioned in a different room and their two stories matched.

I get my paperback copy on Friday.

My access denied. ⛔

My conviction on the Vinson story exactly.

No you are not Bill. I have every volume on Kindle.

It is noted that Plumlee tells a very confusing, illogical story, with a complete lack of specifics, and that he has indicated that he has, in the past, used his imagination for the purpose of making his story more believable, i.e. in that he has admitted making up names of persons allegedly contacted by him. He has also stated that he was stood on Commerce St., next to the south knoll, but is nowhere to be seen in the Cancellare photograph. Like a WWII battleship under fire, he's making smoke.

Maybe Roberts saw Bill Randle and his co-worker Berry Caster. They were together at Westbrook on Friday morning before making a 200 mile road trip to Austin.

Just in case you thought you had heard it all. Also, never spoken of until Frazier told this on the Donald Jeffries American Unplugged Radio Podcast:- Buell spoke of what happened after the shots were fired, "I can't remember exactly how long it was before I decided to walk down those steps." Frazier recalled in 2023 to Nancy Weiford, "I think it finally hit me that Mr. Shelley and Billy had walked down the Elm Street extension." Encouraged by the safe movement of others on the steps, he started heading toward the railroad yards in search of his two friends. He hadn't even reached the double-gated chain-link fence where the depository mail truck was kept before he realised he had little chance to catch up with them in the crowd surging in the same direction. Reluctantly he decided to return to the TSBD. Frazier recalls that they had angled parking on the street in 1963. Cars were parked in a row angled in a southeast direction. Before he could turn around, he was suddenly startled by a man walking west and holding a rifle. "He wasn't a policeman. He was very well dressed. Very fine quality, much more expensive than a policeman could afford. Or the FBI and Secret Service dress code," he said. Frazier did not reveal this information until he published his autobiography 'Steering Truth' in 2021. He described the man as wearing light beige slacks with a white shirt and tie, light brown shoes, a brown coloured plaid tweed sports coat with a brown fedora. Frazier said the man proceeded toward a parked car, opened the trunk and placed the rifle inside. During that brief moment, Frazier also saw a pump shotgun resting there. Almost on autopilot Frazier turned around and headed back to the TSBD. He heard the car door open and close, the engine start and the car drive off. "I couldn't make sense of what I'd seen. I somehow put it out of my mind." In fact he was so flustered that it never occurred to him to alert a policeman. He didn't consider yelling out to anyone. He also says the memory remained suppressed until just a few years before he started to write his autobiography. (From Nancy Weiford's article in the 60th anniversary edition of DPUK's 'Dealey Plaza Echo'.)

Agree, very thought provoking. Never heard of this crew previously! No details exist in the official records of any non-depository men working on 6th floor. Strange, when DPD police officers were taking names and details of Depository workers gathered around Truly's office on the 1st floor.

On the 1st floor of the TSBD Frazier was questioned by a police officer about his whereabouts at the time of the shooting. He then fell in line with the other men to give proper I.D. & provided his contact details, both address and phone number to a 2nd officer. Shelley then announced that the men could leave & resume work on Monday morning. The men then left sometime around 13:30. (Frazier's W.C. testimony.) It is after this that the story, not just from Frazier, but also from DPD detectives Rose & Stovall as well as Detectives McCabe & McCarley of the Irving P.D. becomes a mish mash of times & events. Was Frazier in Irving when Rose and Stovall arrived at the Randle house? Or, was it Linnie May Randle who arrived home around 14:30 when Adamcik, Rose & Stovall arrived. Yet, we have Rose, Stovall & Adamcik at the Paine house with a report that a neighbour approached them at around 17:30 to say that her brother had driven LHO to work that morning and had seen him put a long brown package into the back seat of her brother's car. Did this event actually take place? Frazier insists no event took place. Frazier has insisted he was arrested at the IPC by Rose & Stovall. According to the official arrest record of the Irving P.D. McCabe & McCarley were contacted by Rose at 17:10, drove to the IPC & took Frazier into custody at 17:20. Rose & Stovall say they picked up Frazier at the Irving P.D. closer to 19:00. Sort that out.

Michael has already suggested Doug Horne's 'Inside the Assassination Records Review Board'. A five volume set well worth adding. Mike Davis' 'The JFK Assassination Witness Index' & 'The JFK Assassination Evidence Handbook' (2018) are handy reference books. Noel Twyman 'Bloody Treason'. (1997). Jim D & Probe Mag. 'The Assassinations'. (JFK-RFK & MLK). Ray Marcus 'The Bastard Bullet'. Monograph (1966). William Davy 'Through the Looking Glass-The Mysterious World of Clay Shaw'. Monograph (1995).

Mathew Smith.

I'm sure that's the case Joe. To promote the impression that all advocates of conspiracy must be nuts.

Me thinks thou doth think too much Keyvan. One thing we know for sure, Lee was placed there. Objection your honour! How do we know that? This would mean that Marina's father was a double agent for the CIA or Marina and the Russians had a hand in the assassination. Please, no.