Mike Williams Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 (edited) Pamela,If the shooters were trained snipers, this would have been a one shot event. Oswald would have been fatally framed(if not actually guilty), and we would not even be discussing it. What IS the correct amount of time? Yes it has been done by a man named Donahue during the CBS recreation, but that is beside the point. I suspect the reason more have not completed this event in the official time, is because the official time is flawed. The official timing of the shots was built from necessity, and not evidence. re-writing assassination related evidence Sgt. Williams? Gotta' open & close the bolt, re-acquire the target and pull the trigger, twice, in 5.6 seconds. What is not beside the point is simple, more than one known military sniper with "confirmed" kills says the alleged Oswald gig is impossible to re-create in fact, and recreation. Frankly if the Lone Nut-WCR purists thought they could re-create Oswald's shooting feat, they would of by know. We'd of seen the the results YEARS ago... How many of the top NRA Expert Marksman tried this feat and failed? Forget the CBS nonsense.... What I see here is simple Sgt. Williams, you're attempring to sell 8-12 second scenario (instead of 5.6 seconds). If the WCR seems uncomfortable for some lone Nutters, let's invent a new time frame, that about sum it up? Do you have a cite for this 8-12 second scenario (I'm curious)? Reminds me of Gerald Ford moving an entrance wound 4 inches. oopsee David, Perhaps you can offer some proof that the shooting event DID happen in 5.6 seconds? There is only one shot that can be determined to a precise time. Of course it would not, and does not surprise me that you would be fooled by the WC time line. I expected as much from someone of your obvious knowledge. I would suspect the reason many state it is impossible, is because they are holding to the old time frame. You are aware that this feat actually has been recreated aren't you? One good thing to note though, it is actually good to see you say something that relates to the assassination, and not just yammering away about nothing at all. Mike Old time-frame? WCR "OLD" time frame? Explain to us when the WCR was amended with a "NEW" time frame, Sgt. Williams. And Sgt Williams, have you heard of the Zapruder film? In the spirit of this thread Sgt. Williams, In simple terms, so even non-veterans AND military vet's can understand, IMHO, I forgot more about this assassination than you'll probably ever know... and Marine Sgt Williams unless you can deliver a factual accounting regarding any recreation that duplicated JFK's wounds, in the time alloted per the WCR, including proper heights, distances and wind conditions (not to mention the stress of shooter unknowables). I certainly hope you're not pinning all you hopes on the Australian connection regarding the "gaffer-tape shooting platform blowing around in the wind" re-creation, are you marine Sgt Williams? What I see here is simple Sgt. Williams, you're attempting to sell a new 8-12 second scenario (instead of 5.6 seconds). Its long been apparent to us if that IF WCR findings seem a bit uncomfortable for certain Lone Nutters, they simply prefer to change or invent a new time frame, does that sum up your position? Do you have a cite for this 8-12 second scenario (I'm curious)? Reminds me of Gerald Ford moving an entrance wound 4 inches. oopse Your experience shooting the manual bolt operated MC, please? D. Healy David, Look into a man named Donahue for openers who recreated the shooting on a moving target for the CBS inquiry. I would say first off that if you have me categorized as a lone nut, you know far less than you think you do. No real surprise there either. I believe the HSCA changed the time frame, you have heard of them haven't you David? And even their assessment is just an opinion, as there are no final and assertive facts in regard to the shooting event which conclusively pin down each shot. So the WC HSCA and in fact everyone here is speculating. Now as for an amended time frame from the WCR....Page 117 tells us that the shooting could have taken 7.6 seconds or more. I guess that was the part that you forgot.... MC experience, well I guess I have about 250 rounds down range with it now. Which when firing left handed operating the bolt with my right and not breaking the weld, I can get off 3 shots in under 5 seconds. With SOME degree of accuracy. What was your experience with the Carcano again? Have you even held one? Yes David I have heard of the Zapruder film, and should I desire to see it, I KNOW just who to petition, which is something obviously that eludes you. Have you finished that request yet? If you insist on using my rank, please use it properly. It is Master Gunnery Sergeant Williams. But for ease in spelling (which you may require) you can call me Mike. Now in regard to heights, the tower Donahue fired from was 60 ft., the distances equal to the limo travel in 5.6 seconds, being visible after coming out from the tree to the head shot. Windage.....is.....funny.....are you so uneducated that you really think windage would play a role in such a short distance of firing? Just for the record, as it is apparent you know little about my thoughts, I believe the shooting event was in 6.4 seconds. I may also add that in listening to Tom Purvis, and some of what he says makes perfect sense to me, I maybe changing my position a bit. Oh yes....if Mike is to difficult TOP is acceptable! Now as for you forgetting more than I will ever know...I would ask you if the assassination you are referring to if that of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.....or John Frances Kennedy. First and foremost one has to know WHOM was assassinated, which you apparently struggle with as well. (Thank you for that golden nugget news groups) http://groups.google.com/group/alt.conspir...arch+this+group Apparently one of the things you forgot what the Presidents middle name....nicely done. Mongolism must be difficult to overcome. However it is great to see that since you lack research ability and common sense that you can still offer us something in the way of comedic relief. Mike Edited August 15, 2008 by Mike Williams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Miller Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Mike, As you know by now ... David Healy is merely a loud mouth who probably knows less than anyone one on this forum when it comes to JFK's assassination. This is a guy who has bitched for years that the Zapruder film was being kept from him so he couldn't show that it was altered. Only when pressed we found out the screwball had not so much as made a request to examine the film. Instead of working on his request, he blesses us with idiotic remarks about people who don't agree with him as being lone nutters, needing to get on the varsity, boys, sons, and other trolling remarks. When something comes up relating to the actual shooting of JFK - Healy will ask beginner questions like 'Duh ... how do we know when the first shot was fired in relation to the witnesses statements?' (end) If being a total boob when it comes to offering anything intelligent to say was a crime ... Healy would have been hung a long time ago. Bill Miller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Williams Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 Mike,As you know by now ... David Healy is merely a loud mouth who probably knows less than anyone one on this forum when it comes to JFK's assassination. This is a guy who has bitched for years that the Zapruder film was being kept from him so he couldn't show that it was altered. Only when pressed we found out the screwball had not so much as made a request to examine the film. Instead of working on his request, he blesses us with idiotic remarks about people who don't agree with him as being lone nutters, needing to get on the varsity, boys, sons, and other trolling remarks. When something comes up relating to the actual shooting of JFK - Healy will ask beginner questions like 'Duh ... how do we know when the first shot was fired in relation to the witnesses statements?' (end) If being a total boob when it comes to offering anything intelligent to say was a crime ... Healy would have been hung a long time ago. Bill Miller Bill, I suspect that this might be well the case, except for one flaw. It would have to be someone else who tied the knot. I am sure David is still peddling about in velcro shoes and wearing a digital watch. Complicated things such as shoe laces and clock hands probably befuddle him! I just tried to give you a ring if you have time give me a call. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Jeffries Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Mike, I think you're swallowed the line that was first started by Gerald Posner, about the shots taking longer than 5-6 seconds. This is simply not possible, for a number of reasons. The original critics came up with the 5.6 second figure by slowing down the Zapruder film, calculating the number of frames per second and watching the reactions inside the limousine. While there is still debate about exactly when the first and second shots were fired, we are only taking about a second or less difference, and since we know that the shooting stopped at frame 313 (despite what a Tom Purvis might claim), we are left with a time frame that is very close to that 5.6 second figure. I have heard others claim that they could get off 3 shots with "some accuracy" as well. On a particularly bad "Hard Copy" t.v. show back in the early 1990s, Lee's brother Robert Oswald was trotted out to make this exact claim (this was just one of the many attempts network television made at that time to counter the influence of Oliver Stone's "JFK"). What is clear is that neither you, nor Robert Oswald, nor the foremost experts the government could find (and yes, every shooter ever used in these recreations, by the government or CBS, possessed a level of proficiency with a rifle that Lee Harvey Oswald never came close to) ever have done what this "rather poor shot" is alleged to have done. If the shots are so easy, and the Mannlicher Carcano was not the old, unreliable and half-broken weapon the original critics said it was, then it ought to be simple to trot out some sharpshooters to accomplish exactly what Oswald allegedly did. As for this Donohue guy you mention, I'm not sure what you're talking about. CBS performed tests designed to "recreate" the assassination during their 1975 special documentary. The conditions were not exact (shorter distance, as much time as needed for the first shot, and the shooters were all top experts), but still no one duplicated Oswald's fantastic performance. In fact, Walter Cronkite came up with one of the most memorable lines of all time in an effort to "explain" this failure. Cronkite acknowledged that none of CBS's shooters had done what Oswald purportedly did, but then closed with a bit of irrefutable logic; "This was not a normal circumstance- Oswald was shooting at a president" (may not be exact quote, but that was essentially what he said). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela Brown Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 LHO was never seen shooting the M/C, much less practicing with it. http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/russ/testimony/wood_s.htm Mr. LIEBELER. Now I want to show you another photograph which has not yet been marked, and ask you to look at it very carefully and tell me if any of the people in that picture look like the boy at the rifle range? Mr. WOOD. Yes, sir. w! Let me rephrase -- the real LHO was never seen with ammunition for the M/C, nor was he seen practice shooting with it anywhere. There were, however, sightings of LHO imposters doing various things, including practicing at a firing range and calling attention to himself. These sightings should have been immediately evaluated as possible indicators of a conspiracy, but instead the WCR simply excused them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Williams Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 (edited) Mike,I think you're swallowed the line that was first started by Gerald Posner, about the shots taking longer than 5-6 seconds. This is simply not possible, for a number of reasons. The original critics came up with the 5.6 second figure by slowing down the Zapruder film, calculating the number of frames per second and watching the reactions inside the limousine. While there is still debate about exactly when the first and second shots were fired, we are only taking about a second or less difference, and since we know that the shooting stopped at frame 313 (despite what a Tom Purvis might claim), we are left with a time frame that is very close to that 5.6 second figure. Actually the WC even tells us the event could be longer WCR117. If the Willis photo is really at 202, and the shot was the cause of that photo, then some simple tests show that the shot was likely fired at 195. If the last shot were at 313 then that is 118 frames, or 6.44 seconds. Personally I believe this is the case. However as I said I am listening to what Purvis has to say, and much does make sense. I have heard others claim that they could get off 3 shots with "some accuracy" as well. On a particularly bad "Hard Copy" t.v. show back in the early 1990s, Lee's brother Robert Oswald was trotted out to make this exact claim (this was just one of the many attempts network television made at that time to counter the influence of Oliver Stone's "JFK"). What is clear is that neither you, nor Robert Oswald, nor the foremost experts the government could find (and yes, every shooter ever used in these recreations, by the government or CBS, possessed a level of proficiency with a rifle that Lee Harvey Oswald never came close to) ever have done what this "rather poor shot" is alleged to have done. If the shots are so easy, and the Mannlicher Carcano was not the old, unreliable and half-broken weapon the original critics said it was, then it ought to be simple to trot out some sharpshooters to accomplish exactly what Oswald allegedly did. As for this Donohue guy you mention, I'm not sure what you're talking about. CBS performed tests designed to "recreate" the assassination during their 1975 special documentary. The conditions were not exact (shorter distance, as much time as needed for the first shot, and the shooters were all top experts), but still no one duplicated Oswald's fantastic performance. In fact, Walter Cronkite came up with one of the most memorable lines of all time in an effort to "explain" this failure. Cronkite acknowledged that none of CBS's shooters had done what Oswald purportedly did, but then closed with a bit of irrefutable logic; "This was not a normal circumstance- Oswald was shooting at a president" (may not be exact quote, but that was essentially what he said). Actually that was for the 67 Documentary, a 4 night special. This was the one where they used the 60 foot tower and recreated the moving target rather exactly. A shooter named Donahue did in fact complete this feat. I have said it before and I will say it again. The difficulty in the shots is the timing with which they try to cram them into. This is what causes the difficulty for all who have tried. By the way I might add Oswald would have been a marginal shot by Marine standards, but better than average among the general population....so calling him a rather poor shot is not accurate. By the way Simmons testimony about the rifle shows it to be quite consistent, for someone with Marine Marksmanship skills this would have been a sufficent weapon to complete the task. If you would like a copy of that 67 documentary I would be glad to copy and send you one if you provide the mailing address and information, you can of course contact me privately about that. MikeWilliams@JFKLancer.com Edited August 16, 2008 by Mike Williams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Williams Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 Let me then rephrase.....Just because he was never observed practicing does not mean he never did. Hell I practice often....and am never observed. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Kelly Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Let me then rephrase.....Just because he was never observed practicing does not mean he never did.Hell I practice often....and am never observed. Mike The fact that nobody saw him practice doesn't mean he never did, but still there is no evidence or even a witness to Oswald shooting a gun after leaving USSR. The one man who did match the TSBD assassin's marks had plenty of practice. It was never determined if the TSBD shooter used that rifle, used the scope, ever alligned the scope, ever practiced with any rifle, ever used the rifle before, where the ammo was obtained, what became of the rest of the box of ammo, and where the rifle's shoulder strap came from. Determining the answer to any of those questions would be significant. BK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Williams Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 (edited) Let me then rephrase.....Just because he was never observed practicing does not mean he never did.Hell I practice often....and am never observed. Mike The fact that nobody saw him practice doesn't mean he never did, but still there is no evidence or even a witness to Oswald shooting a gun after leaving USSR. The one man who did match the TSBD assassin's marks had plenty of practice. It was never determined if the TSBD shooter used that rifle, used the scope, ever alligned the scope, ever practiced with any rifle, ever used the rifle before, where the ammo was obtained, what became of the rest of the box of ammo, and where the rifle's shoulder strap came from. Determining the answer to any of those questions would be significant. BK Bill, I would whole heartedly agree with you. However the lack of answers to these questions carries the same circumstantial weight. The questions in whole, answered or not, would not convict nor acquit. Donahue was given little practice before the event. I have held for some time that all the tests were a bit askew. A proper test would allow some firing at still targets (as Marina alleges Lee did) , some cycling of the weapon(as Marina alleges Lee did) and then ONE SINGLE attempt at the event. We can not replicate stress to the level needed so that of course would have to be waved. I would then say, or dare say, that no one would ever complete the event in the alloted 5.6 seconds. However this does not point to a conspiracy, as the WC itself allows that there could have been up to 7.9 seconds even for a single shooter. Now I see Bernice is posting so I may need to nap, and look for my digital bookmark to form the energy and accuracy for a reply! Best to you Bill, Mike Edited August 16, 2008 by Mike Williams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernice Moore Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 For anyone who perhaps either disregards or turns a deliberate blind eye to all Media control ..or is not informed.........of "Mockingbird".... This is the information on the farce that CBS : ABC produced.... ""The Feiman Report CBS : ABC News and the Lone Assassin theory "" Neither the Donahue accomplishment nor the recreation was rather exactly...... The first in quotes gives the information pertaining to Donahue and the recreation........ Then Below that is the Feiman Report in Full........... "" CBS WAS NOT PERMITTED TO TEST THE MANNLICHER-CARCANO RIFLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALLEGES OSWALD USED TO ASSASSINATE THE PRESIDENT. TO PROVE THAT HE COULD HAVE FIRED THREE SHOTS WITHIN THE TIME FRAME ALLOWED BY THE WARREN COMMISSION, CBS OBTAINED ITS OWN MANNLICHER-CARCANO AND SIMILAR AMMUNITION. THEY BUILT A FIRING RANGE WITH MOVING ****************************************** TARGETS TO SIMULATE THE GEOMETRY OF DEALEY ************************************************* PLAZA, EXCEPT THAT THE TRACK WAS STRAIGHT, ************************************************ NOT CURVED LIKE ELM STREET. THE TARGETS, ******************************************** SIMILAR TO STANDARD FBI TARGETS, FEATURED ********************************************* OVERSIZE ORANGE SILHOUETTES ON A FOUR-BYFOUR- ****************************************** FOOT BLUE BACKGROUND. THEN THEY ************************* HIRED ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SHARPSHOOTERS ********************************************** OF THE DAY, RETIRED ARMY COLONEL EDWARD B. *********************************************** CROSSMAN. CROSSMAN WAS THE AUTHOR OF MANY ************ BOOKS AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES FOR GUN ENTHUSIASTS, WRITING UNDER THE PEN NAME “COLONEL JIM CROSSMAN.” §GRAPHIC: LISTER TO MIDGLEY FEBRUARY 3, 1967 CBS ALLOWED CROSSMAN A FULL WEEK TO FAMILIARIZE HIMSELF WITH ITS COPY OF THE MANNLICHER-CARCANO. THEN, AT THE END OF JANUARY 1967, THEY GAVE HIM SIX CHANCES TO DUPLICATE OSWALD’S ALLEGED FEAT. THIS MEMO REPORTED THE RESULTS. CBS-ABC Script Page 28 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: (EXTRACT OF LISTER TO MIDGLEY FEBRUARY 3, 1967) (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF LISTER TO MIDGLEY FEBRUARY 3, 1967 V.O. NARRATION: CROSSMAN FAILED TO BREAK SIX-AND-ONEQUARTER SECONDS. HE SCORED TWO OUT OF THREE HITS IN ONLY ONE-HALF OF HIS ATTEMPTS. THE MEMO DESCRIBES CROSSMAN’S DIFFICULTY WITH THE STICKY BOLT ACTION OF THE RIFLE. CROSSMAN ALSO HAD TO COMPENSATE FOR A FAULTY SCOPE. (THE FBI HAD FOUND IT NECESSARY TO ALTER THE MOUNTING OF THE SCOPE ON THE ALLEGED ASSASSINATION WEAPON.) §TEXT: RATHER INTERVIEWS CROSSMAN (CUT TO:) -TEXT: RATHER INTERVIEW CROSSMAN DAN RATHER INTERVIEWED CROSSMAN ON FILM IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE TEST. CROSSMAN DESCRIBED THE RIFLE AS “NOT VERY ACCURATE.” HITTING THE TARGET WITH TWO OUT OF THREE SHOTS, HE SAID, WOULD REQUIRE A LARGE ELEMENT OF LUCK. CBS COMPLETELY DISCARDED THE CROSSMAN TEST AND HIS INTERVIEW, AND MADE NO MENTION OF THEM ON THE AIR. §GRAPHIC: MARKSMEN TEST RESULTS IN ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO PROVE THE LONE ASSASSIN THEORY, CBS ASSEMBLED ELEVEN EXPERT MARKSMEN. AFTER GIVING THEM AMPLE TIME TO PRACTICE WITH THE RIFLE AT AN INDOOR RIFLE RANGE, CBS FILMED THEM AT ITS OUTDOOR MOCK-UP OF DEALEY PLAZA. CBS-ABC Script Page 29 (-MORE-) §GRAPHICS: INDIVIDUAL MARKSMAN TEST RESULTS (FADE IN AND DISSOLVE TO NEXT) V.O. NARRATION: TIME WAS RECORDED IN ONLY 20 OUT OF 37 ATTEMPTS TO FIRE THREE SHOTS AT THE MOVING TARGET. IN THE OTHER 17 ATTEMPTS, EITHER A BULLET JAMMED DURING THE BOLT-CYCLING PROCESS, RESULTING IN NO TIME, OR THE STICKY BOLT SLOWED THE RIFLEMAN SO MUCH THAT THE TARGET COMPLETED ITS RUN BEFORE HE COULD GET OFF HIS THIRD SHOT. §GRAPHIC: DONAHUE TEST RESULT ONLY THREE OF THE ELEVEN MARKSMEN WERE ABLE TO SCORE AT LEAST TWO HITS IN LESS THAN 5.6 SECONDS. HOWARD DONAHUE SCORED *************************** THE BEST ON HIS THIRD TRY, BUT ONLY AFTER ******************************************** HIS FIRST TWO ATTEMPTS FAILED COMPLETELY. ********************************************* §GRAPHIC: RIFLE TEST CONCLUSION ALTHOUGH CBS CLAIMED AN AVERAGE RECORDED TIME OF 5.6 SECONDS, THEY FAILED TO TELL VIEWERS THAT THOSE 20 RESULTS AVERAGED ONLY 1.2 OUT OF THREE HITS. STILL, CBS PROVED THAT IT WAS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE FOR THREE OUT OF A DOZEN EXPERT MARKSMEN TO OPERATE A RIFLE SIMILAR TO THE ASSASSINATION WEAPON WITHIN THE COMMISSION’S TIME FRAME. CBS-ABC Script Page 30 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: MANNLICHERCARCANO RIFLE -VIDEO: ZOOM RIFLE §GRAPHIC: ROGER FEINMAN V.O. NARRATION: WHAT IS STRIKING ABOUT THE CBS RIFLE TESTS IS NOT THE ACTUAL RESULTS, BUT HOW MANY TIMES ITS MARKSMEN FAILED TO GET RESULTS; BECAUSE, ANYTIME THE RIFLE WAS LOADED WITH LIVE AMMUNITION, THE BOLT ACTION JAMMED MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. SOME OF THE RIFLEMEN HAD TO TAKE THE RIFLE OFF THEIR SHOULDERS BETWEEN SHOTS TO GET BETTER LEVERAGE ON THE BOLT. THEN THE PROBLEM BECAME REACQUIRING THE TARGET THROUGH THE SCOPE, TRACKING IT, AND SQUEEZING OFF A SHOT. USING IT IN THIS ASSASSINATION WOULD HAVE REQUIRED AN EXPERT EXPERIENCED ENOUGH (AND PRACTICED ENOUGH) TO COMPENSATE FOR ITS STICKY BOLT ACTION AND FAULTY SCOPE. AS CROSSMAN SAID, AN EXPERT USING THIS WEAPON ************************************************* HAD A REASONABLE CHANCE AT HITTING *************************************** SOMETHING – NOT NECESSARILY PLACING HIS ********************************************* SHOTS PRECISELY WHERE HE WANTED; SOMEONE ************************************************ WITH OSWALD'S ABILITY USING THIS WEAPON ******************************************** WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE A VERY LUCKY DAY. *********************************************** EVEN IF HE WAS A HIGHLY SKILLED MARKSMAN, ********************************************** THE WARREN REPORT OFFERED NO EVIDENCE THAT ************************************************* OSWALD HAD FIRED ANY RIFLE – LET ALONE ******************************************* PRACTICED FIRING THE ASSASSINATION RIFLE - ******************************************** - DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE THE ******************************************** CRIME. REGARDLESS, CBS CONCLUDED THAT ****************************************** OSWALD COULD HAVE FIRED ACCURATELY AND ********************************************** FAST ENOUGH. *************** CBS-ABC Script Page 31"" ******************************************************************************** ******** Total information posted below........ CBS-ABC Script Page 1 (-MORE-) Date: 4/7/05 Writer: Roger Bruce Feinman Title: CBS News, ABC News, and the Lone Assassin Theory Producer: Roger Bruce Feinmam Subject: Segment: Part I: CBS The Media and the Kennedy assassination Medium: Web & CD-ROM Time: Draft: Revision 9 Copyright: ©2005 Roger Bruce Feinman (All Rights Reserved) VIDEO AUDIO LINEUP #1 (OPENING) §TE XT: COPYRIGHT WARNING AND "NEXT" BUTTON (SILENT) §TE XT: DISCLAIMER (SILENT) §TEXT: AUDIENCE SUITABILITY (SILENT) §GRAPHIC: (FADE IN) ROGER FEINMAN (DISSOLVE TO:) -GRAPHIC: CONFERENCE PROGRAM MONTAGE V.O. NARRATION: HELLO, MY NAME IS ROGER FEINMAN. THIS IS THE WEB VERSION OF MY PRESENTATION TO A CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 , 2004. THE CONFERENCE WAS CALLED "T HE WARREN REPORT AND ITS LEGACY." IT MARKED THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WARREN COMMISSION REPORT ON PRESIDENT K ENNEDY's ASSASSINATION. MY TOPIC WAS “CBS NEWS, ABC NEWS, AND THE LONE ASSASSIN THEORY.” THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO PARTS. I SINCERELY HOPE YOU WILL FIND THIS PRESENTATION INFORMATIVE AND WORTHWHILE. § TEXT(SALANT QUOTE) (SILENT) CBS-ABC Script Page 2 (-MORE-) §VIDEO: CRONKITE SET (ZOOM IN) (FADE OUT/FADE IN) -GRAPHIC: CBS NEWS INQUIRY TITLE V.O. NARRATION: IT WAS THE COSTLIEST TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY OF ITS TIME. IT WAS SO BIG THAT IT FILLED FOUR HOURS IN PRIME TIME ON CONSECUTIVE EVENINGS. IT WAS SO COMPLICATED THAT IT TOOK SEVEN MONTHS TO PRODUCE. IN JUNE 1967, CBS NEWS JOINED THE DEBATE OVER THE WARREN COMMISSION'S REPORT ON PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S ASSASSINATION. BUT WAS IT IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, OR DID IT REFLECT FAVORS AMONG POWERFUL FRIENDS? FOR THE FIRST TIME, EVIDENCE NEVER BEFORE MADE PUBLIC PROVIDES THE ANSWER. §GRAPHIC: MAIN TITLE (FLY-DOWN/FADE OUT) (MUSIC: CBS REPORTS THEME EXCERPTED FROM “APPALACHIAN SPRING”) LINEUP #2 §GRAPHIC: GOODMANSCHWERNER- CHANEY MEDIUM(APPEAR ONE-BYONE. . . THEN QUICK CUT TO) -VIDEO: GOODMAN SCHWERNER & CHANEY CU(PAN LEFT-TO-RIGHT) V.O. NARRATION: (MUSIC: GHOSTLY RUBATO UP AND UNDER) JANUARY 2005. MORE THAN FORTY YEARS AFTER THE MURDERS OF THREE CIVIL RIGHTS WORKERS IN NESHOBA COUNTY, MISSISSIPI, A SUSPECT IS ARRESTED AND CHARGED. THE FORMER EDITOR AND PUBLISHER OF A LOCAL NEWSPAPER SAYS, "THE CASE IS JUST AS CURRENT NOW AS IT WAS THE NIGHT THE MURDERS WERE COMMITTED, LEGALLY AND MORALLY." §GRAPHIC: TITLE: "NEWSWORTHINESS" (MUSIC CONTINUES) CBS-ABC Script Page 3 (-MORE-) §VIDEO: HEADLINES SUPERED OVER JFK (FADE IN AND DISSOLVE TO NEXT) V.O. NARRATION: THESE ARE HEADLINES FROM NEWS STORIES WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS. WE FREQUENTLY HEAR OF OLD MURDER CASES REOPENED -- SOME EVEN PROSECUTED TO A GUILTY VERDICT. BUT WHENEVER PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S ASSASSINATION IS BROUGHT UP, SOME PEOPLE – INCLUDING THOSE IN THE NEWS MEDIA – SAY, "IT'S NO LONGER NEWS," OR "IT HAPPENED SUCH A LONG TIME AGO," OR "IT'S TOO MESSY, TOO INCONCLUSIVE." RIDICULE AND DERISION CONTINUE TO PLAGUE STUDENTS OF THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION. THE MAINSTREAM PRESS EITHER IGNORES THEM OR MARGINALIZES THEM AS "CONSPIRACY THEORISTS" AND "BUFFS". PERHAPS THAT’S BECAUSE THEY FAILED IN THEIR WATCHDOG ROLE. INSTEAD OF RAISING QUESTIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ANSWER, THE AMERICAN NEWS MEDIA TRIED TO REASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT THE WARREN COMMISSION GOT IT RIGHT – THAT LEE HARVEY OSWALD ACTED ALONE WHEN HE ASSASSINATED PRESIDENT KENNEDY. (FADE OUT GHOSTLY RUBATO MUSIC) WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT TWO PRIME EXAMPLES: CBS AND ABC. §BUMPER: LINEUP #3 INTRO: "THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE" (MUSIC: GOSPEL INTERLUDE) CBS-ABC Script Page 4 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: ROGER FEINMAN -GRAPHIC: ANOTHER ROGER FEINMAN V.O. NARRATION: FIRST, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO KNOW MY BIAS. YOU ARE ENTITLED TO KNOW WHERE I STAND SO THAT YOU CAN JUDGE FOR YOURSELVES HOW MUCH WEIGHT YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE TO WHAT I'M ABOUT TO TELL YOU. TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO, ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1976, I WAS FIRED BY CBS NEWS FOR SENDING MEMOS TO ITS SENIOR EXECUTIVES. I HAD WORKED AT CBS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IN THOSE MEMOS, SPREAD OVER A NINE-MONTH PERIOD, I RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER TWO MAJOR DOCUMENTARIES ON THE WARREN REPORT VIOLATED CBS'S OWN STANDARDS AND PRACTICES. THE FIRST WAS BROADCAST IN JUNE 1967; THE SECOND IN NOVEMBER 1975. §GRAPHIC: THUMBNAILS OF DECEMBER 1, 1975 MEMO TO RICHARD S. SALANT I STARTED BY WRITING TO THE PRESIDENT OF CBS NEWS, RICHARD S. SALANT, ON DECEMBER 1, 1975. §GRAPHIC: EXCERPTS FROM DECEMBER 1, 1975 MEMO TO RICHARD S. SALANT IN THAT MEMO, I URGED SALANT TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THOSE DOCUMENTARIES FOR FAIRNESS AND ACCURACY. SALANT DECLINED MY SUGGESTION AND AFFIRMED HIS CONFIDENCE IN THE BROADCASTS. §GRAPHIC: THUMBNAIL OF AUGUST 18, 1976 LETTER TO BILL SMALL I ENDED BY WRITING A LETTER TO THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CBS NEWS, BILL SMALL. CBS-ABC Script Page 5 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: EXCERPTS FROM AUGUST 18, 1976 LETTER TO BILL SMALL CUT TO: -GRAPHIC: EXCERPT FROM AUGUST 18, 1976 LETTER TO BILL SMALL V.O. NARRATION: HERE, I MOVED BEYOND RAISING QUESTIONS TO PROTESTING WHAT I BELIEVED THEN AND STILL BELIEVE WERE VIOLATIONS OF JOURNALISTIC ETHICS IN THE CREATION OF THOSE DOCUMENTARIES. §GRAPHIC: WESTON EXCERPT FROM AUGUST 18, 1976 LETTER TO BILL SMALL ONE OF MY COMPLAINTS CONCERNED DAN RATHER'S INTERVIEW WITH DOCTOR JAMES WESTON, A FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST WHO WAS ASKED BY CBS NEWS TO EXAMINE THE KENNEDY AUTOPSY PHOTOGRAPHS AND X-RAYS IN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. CBS HYPED THIS AS AN INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION. THE VIEWING AUDIENCE NEVER KNEW THAT, WHEN THE INTERVIEW WAS TAPED, CBS PROVIDED DOCTOR WESTON WITH VISUAL AIDS PREPARED BY A UROLOGIST, DR. JOHN K. LATTIMER, WELLKNOWN AS A LONGTIME DEFENDER OF THE WARREN COMMISSION'S LONE ASSASSIN CONCLUSION. §GRAPHIC:: EMERSON STONE FILE MEMO ALONG THE WAY, THE EXECUTIVES OF CBS NEWS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WANTED ME TO LEAVE. THEIR ONLY HESITATION IN FIRING ME WAS THAT I WAS COVERED BY A UNION CONTRACT. THIS IS A FILE MEMO WRITTEN BY MY BOSS, EMERSON STONE, WHO WAS THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RADIO NEWS. (PAUSE) CBS-ABC Script Page 6 (-MORE-) V.O. NARRATION: I OBTAINED THIS MEMO FROM THE CBS LAW DEPARTMENT DURING DISCOVERY PROCEEDINGS IN LATER LITIGATION. YOU'LL SEE A COUPLE MORE OF THOSE ITEMS AS WE GO ALONG. §GRAPHIC: MEMO TO ARTHUR TAYLOR (CUT TO:) FINALLY, AS THE END OF MY TIME AT CBS DREW NEAR, I WENT OUTSIDE THE NEWS DIVISION. ATTACHED TO THIS MEMO, I SENT A COPY OF MY SMALL LETTER TO ARTHUR TAYLOR, WHO WAS AT THAT TIME THE PRESIDENT OF CBS, INC., THE PARENT CORPORATION. -GRAPHIC: EXCERPT OF MEMO TO ARTHUR TAYLOR NOTICE THAT I TOLD TAYLOR I WAS PREPARED TO BACK UP MY ALLEGATIONS WITH PROOF. DURING THOSE NINE MONTHS, I HAD PREPARED TO DO EXACTLY THAT. SO NOW, I'M GOING TO TAKE YOU BEYOND YOUR TV SCREEN, BEHIND THE CAMERAS, AND THROUGH THE DOORS OF EXECUTIVE OFFICES THAT YOU, THE VIEWING AUDIENCE, NEVER GET TO SEE. §BUMPER: LINEUP #4 INTRO: "IN THE HIGHEST PUBLIC INTEREST" (MUSIC:GOSPEL INTERLUDE) §GRAPHIC: MANNING TO SALANT, AUGUST 12, 1966 (CUT TO:) BY THE SUMMER OF 1966, SEVERAL BOOKS AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES CHALLENGED THE WARREN REPORT'S CONCLUSIONS AND THE ADEQUACY OF ITS INVESTIGATION INTO PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S MURDER. CONTROVERSY MUSHROOMED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. CBS-ABC Script Page 7 (-MORE-) (MANNING PHOTO FLASHES) -GRAPHIC: EXCERPT OF MANNING TO SALANT, AUGUST 12, 1966 V.O. NARRATION: IN AUGUST, GORDON MANNING, THEN A CBS NEWS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, RECEIVED A SUGGESTION FROM BILL SMALL, THEN CHIEF OF CBS'S WASHINGTON BUREAU, AND DANIEL SCHORR, ONE OF CBS'S TOP WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS. THEY PROPOSED A CBS NEWS SPECIAL REPORT TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT KENNEDY'S DEATH. HERE, MANNING RELAYS THE IDEA TO THE PRESIDENT OF CBS NEWS, RICHARD SALANT. SALANT REJECTED IT. BUT AS THE CONTROVERSY INTENSIFIED, MANNING PERSISTED. §GRAPHIC: THUMBNAILS OF MANNING TO SALANT, OCTOBER 5, 1966 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXCERPTS OF MANNING TO SALANT, OCTOBER 5, 1966 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXCERPTS OF MANNING TO SALANT, OCTOBER 5, 1966 OCTOBER 5, 1966. MANNING PROPOSED A TELEVISED DEBATE BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WARREN COMMISSION AND THEIR CRITICS. IT WOULD BE CALLED "THE WARREN REPORT: A JUDICIAL REVIEW." ALTHOUGH MANNING'S PROPOSAL DID NOT INVOLVE ANY JUDGES, THE DEBATE WOULD BE MODERATED BY THE DEAN OF A PROMINENT LAW SCHOOL, OR MAYBE THE PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION. MANNING SEEMS TO HAVE HAD AN OPEN MIND ABOUT THE WARREN REPORT. BUT HIS MEMO REFLECTED SKEPTICISM AT CBS ABOUT GIVING THE PROMINENT CRITICS OF THE DAY A PLATFORM. HE REFERS TO EARLIER CONTACTS WITH JOHN J. MCCLOY, A FORMER MEMBER OF THE WARREN COMMISSION, WHO REFUSED TO DEBATE WITH CRITICS SUCH AS MARK LANE, EDWARD JAY EPSTEIN, AND LEO SAUVAGE. CBS-ABC Script Page 8 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: LIFE MAGAZINE COVER (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: MANNING TO SALANT, NOVEMBER 29, 1966 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXCERPTS OF MANNING TO SALANT, NOVEMBER 29, 1966 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXCERPT OF MANNING TO SALANT, NOVEMBER 29, 1966 V.O. NARRATION: LIFE MAGAZINE WAS VERY WIDELY READ AND INFLUENTIAL DURING THAT ERA. IN LATE NOVEMBER, LIFE PUBLISHED EXTENSIVE STILLS FROM THE ZAPRUDER FILM, AND AN INTERVIEW WITH TEXAS GOVERNOR JOHN CONNALLY, WHO WAS RIDING IN PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S LIMOUSINE WHEN HE WAS ASSASSINATED. CONNALLY DISPUTED A KEY FINDING OF THE WARREN COMMISSION, THAT HE AND KENNEDY WERE BOTH WOUNDED BY A SINGLE BULLET. LIFE URGED THAT THE ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATION BE REOPENED. ON NOVEMBER 29, MANNING AGAIN PRESSES FOR A SPECIAL REPORT, TO BE CALLED "THE TRIAL OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD." HERE, A PANEL OF LAW SCHOOL DEANS WOULD EVALUATE THE EVIDENCE IN A MOCK COURTROOM SETTING --- --- INCLUDING EVIDENCE THAT THE WARREN COMMISSION IGNORED. THE POINT TO REMEMBER ABOUT MANNING'S CAMPAIGN FOR A CBS NEWS SPECIAL: HE FAVORED GIVING SPOKESMEN FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE OVER THE WARREN REPORT A CHANCE TO BE HEARD. CBS-ABC Script Page 9 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: LESLIE MIDGLEY §GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY TO SALANT, NOVEMBER 30, 1966 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY TO SALANT, NOVEMBER 30, 1966, CONTINUES V.O. NARRATION: NOW, MANNING IS JOINED BY AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER NAMED LESLIE MIDGLEY. IN 1964, THE DAY THE WARREN REPORT WAS MADE PUBLIC, MIDGLEY WAS IN CHARGE OF TRANSLATING IT INTO A TWO-HOUR TELEVISION NEWS BROADCAST. MIDGLEY NOW SUGGESTS, INSTEAD OF PUTTING LEE HARVEY OSWALD ON TRIAL, THAT CBS PUT "THE WARREN REPORT ON TRIAL" HERE, HE SUBMITS AN OUTLINE FOR A MAJOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORT TO CONSUME THREEHOURS, POSSIBLY ONE HOUR ON THREE CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS. ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS WOULD BE DEVOTED ENTIRELY TO WITNESSES WHOM THE WARREN COMMISSION EITHER DISCOUNTED OR TOTALLY IGNORED. THE THIRD NIGHT WOULD FEATURE A PANEL OF LAW SCHOOL DEANS OR STATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, WHO WOULD GIVE THEIR VERDICT. §BUMPER: LINEUP #5 INTRO: "SLEEPLESS, UNEASY THOUGHTS" (MUSIC:GOSPEL INTERLUDE) CBS-ABC Script Page 10 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: SALANT TO SCHNEIDER, DECEMBER 1, 1966 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXCERPT FROM SALANT TO SCHNEIDER, DECEMBER 1, 1966 V.O. NARRATION: THE POWER TO DEVOTE TIME ON THE AIR FOR A CBS NEWS SPECIAL REPORT DID NOT REST WITH SALANT. CBS PRESIDENT FRANK STANTON MADE THOSE DECISIONS, WITH THE CONSENT OF CHAIRMAN WILLIAM S. PALEY. THE NEXT DAY, SALANT PROPOSES THE PROJECT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE CBS BROADCAST GROUP, JOHN SCHNEIDER. HE SAYS HE MAY ALSO ASK PERMISSION FROM THE "C-N-E-C" FOR CBS NEWS TO STATE ITS OWN CONCLUSIONS. "C-N-E-C" STOOD FOR "CBS NEWS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE." LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE WORKINGS OF THIS COMMITTEE, BUT ITS EXISTENCE, AND SALANT'S ROLE IN IT, INDICATE HOW CBS NEWS WAS MANAGED. TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED NEXT TO THE MANNING-MIDGLEY IDEA OF AN EVENHANDED, TWO-SIDED DEBATE OVER THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY, WE NEED TO PUT SALANT’S MEMO INTO CONTEXT. §GRAPHIC: PHOTO OF SALANT WHO WAS RICHARD S. SALANT? A SON OF PRIVILEGE AND A PRODUCT OF EXETER ACADEMY, HARVARD COLLEGE, AND HARVARD LAW SCHOOL, SALANT WAS A VERY BRIGHT LAWYER WITH A SARDONIC AND OFTEN SCATHING WIT. IN 1952, STANTON HAD RECRUITED HIM TO LEAVE PRIVATE PRACTICE AND JOIN CBS AS A VICE-PRESIDENT AND GENERAL EXECUTIVE, FOCUSING ON LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS. CBS-ABC Script Page 11 (-MORE-) V.O. NARRATION: SALANT BECAME STANTON'S PROTEGE, RIGHTHAND MAN, AND CLOSE FRIEND. (PHOTO OF STANTON APPEARS) (SUPER NAME CAPTIONS) (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: MURROW (SUPER: “EDWARD R. MURROW”) STANTON, THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF CBS, WAS SECOND IN AUTHORITY ONLY TO ITS FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, BILL PALEY. HE WAS ALSO A CLOSE FRIEND AND CONFIDANT OF PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON, WHO OWNED CBS-AFFILIATED RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS IN TEXAS. JOHNSON REPORTEDLY ONCE OFFERED STANTON A POST IN HIS CABINET. IN DECEMBER 1960, EDWARD R. MURROW'S ERA AS THE STAR AND PUBLIC SYMBOL OF CBS NEWS RAPIDLY NEARED ITS END. SALANT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN FORMING A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CALLED THE CBS NEWS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (C-N-E-C), WHICH HE INITIALLY CHAIRED. IT INCLUDED PALEY, STANTON, SCHNEIDER, AND SIG MICKELSON, THE PRESIDENT OF CBS NEWS (WHOM SALANT WOULD SOON REPLACE). CBS-ABC Script Page 12 (-MORE-) -GRAPHIC: MURROW FIRST (MCCARTHY BROADCAST) (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: PHOTO MONTAGE: SALANT, STANTON, PALEY (SUPER CAPTION PALEY) V.O. NARRATION: THIS COMMITTEE TOOK CHARGE NOT ONLY OF POLICY-MAKING FOR, BUT ALSO THE OPERATIONS OF CBS NEWS. IT WAS A RESPONSE TO THE VARIOUS CONTROVERSIES IN WHICH MURROW HAD CONTINUED TO EMBROIL THE COMPANY LONG AFTER HIS CONFRONTATION WITH SENATOR JOSEPH MCCARTHY. AS PALEY ONCE FAMOUSLY SAID TO MURROW AND HIS PARTNER, FRED FRIENDLY, "I DON'T WANT THIS CONSTANT STOMACH ACHE EVERY TIME YOU DO A CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT." THE ESTABLISHMENT OF C-N-E-C EFFECTIVELY CURTAILED THE NEWS DIVISION’S INDEPENDENCE. A SHORT TIME LATER, SALANT BECAME PRESIDENT OF CBS NEWS. ALTHOUGH HE QUICKLY ASSUMED THE MANTLE OF A JOURNALIST, HE HAD NO JOURNALISM BACKGROUND, EDUCATION, OR EXPERIENCE. SALANT FREQUENTLY TOUTED THE AUTONOMY, INDEPENDENCE AND SEPARATION OF CBS NEWS FROM THE PARENT CORPORATION. IN FACT, AS SALANT WOULD LATER WRITE IN HIS MEMOIRS, AS PRESIDENT OF CBS NEWS HE HAD ALMOST DAILY PERSONAL GIVE-AND-TAKE WITH STANTON. CBS-ABC Script Page 13 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: ROGER FEINMAN -GRAPHIC: ANOTHER ROGER FEINMAN V.O. NARRATION: HE FREQUENTLY EXERCISED EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OVER CBS NEWS BROADCASTS. WHAT IS CURIOUSLY ABSENT FROM HIS MEMOIRS AND PUBLIC PAPERS IS ANY EVIDENCE OF EITHER HIS EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OR HIS LIASON BETWEEN THE NEWS DIVISION AND THE C-N-E-C. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY IMPORTANT GAP IN HIS PAPERS. NOT ONLY ARE HIS PUBLIC PAPERS COMPLETELY DEVOID OF THE MATERIAL YOU SEE HERE, BUT HIS MEMOIRS ARE COMPLETELY SILENT ABOUT THESE WARREN REPORT DOCUMENTARIES. IN THE DOZENS OF BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CBS, VERY LITTLE HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT C-N-E-C. REGARDLESS, ITS VERY PURPOSE AND EXISTENCE BELIED SALANT'S FREQUENT PUBLIC ASSERTIONS OF CBS NEWS'S INDEPENDENCE FROM CORPORATE INFLUENCE. CBS-ABC Script Page 14 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY & MANNING TO SALANT, DECEMBER 1, 1966 V.O. NARRATION: EXCITED ABOUT SALANT'S PROPOSAL TO SENIOR CORPORATE MANAGEMENT, MANNING AND MIDGLEY IMMEDIATELY OUTLINE THEIR VISION FOR THE THREE-NIGHT SPECIAL REPORT, "THE WARREN REPORT ON TRIAL." §GRAPHIC: EXCERPT FROM MIDGLEY & MANNING TO SALANT, DECEMBER 1, 1966 IN A COURTROOM SETTING, THE PROSECUTION WILL PRESENT ITS CASE THE FIRST NIGHT, FOLLOWED BY THE DEFENSE. THEN, BOTH SIDES WILL SUM UP TO A PANEL OF LAW SCHOOL DEANS, WHO WILL RETIRE TO CONSIDER THEIR VERDICT. §GRAPHIC: EXCERPT FROM MIDGLEY & MANNING TO SALANT, DECEMBER 1, 1966 (SILENT) §GRAPHIC: SALANT TO MANNING, DECEMBER 2, 1966 THE NEXT DAY, HOWEVER – THE DAY AFTER SENDING THE PROPOSAL TO CBS CORPORATE MANAGEMENT – SALANT TELLS MANNING HE IS HAVING UNEASY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE TRIAL FORMAT. MANNING ADVISES MIDGLEY THAT SALANT'S ENTHUSIASM FOR THE TWO-SIDED PRESENTATION IS WANING. §BUMPER: LINEUP #6 INTRO: "IN DEFENSE OF THE WARREN REPORT" (MUSIC:GOSPEL INTERLUDE) CBS-ABC Script Page 15 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: MANNING TO SALANT, DECEMBER 30, 1966 V.O. NARRATION: LATER THAT MONTH, SALANT SENDS MANNING AND MIDGLEY TO CALIFORNIA TO MEET WITH TWO PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. MANNING'S REPORT ON THE TRIP IS A HASTILY COMPOSED MEMO WITH NUMEROUS HANDWRITTEN INSERTIONS. IT MARKS AN IMPORTANT TURNING POINT IN THE WORK CBS NEWS DID ON THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION. ONE OF THE TWO LAWYERS IS EDWIN HUDDLESON, A PARTNER IN THE SAN FRANCISCO LAW FIRM OF COOLEY, GODWARD, CASTRO AND HUDDLESON. HE WAS RICHARD SALANT'S LAW SCHOOL CLASSMATE AT HARVARD. HUDDLESON IS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE RAND CORPORATION, WHILE CBS PRESIDENT FRANK STANTON SERVES AS ITS CHAIRMAN. IT IS HUDDLESON WHO BRINGS THE NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING PHYSICIST LUIS ALVAREZ TO STANTON AT CBS WITH AN IDEA ABOUT HOW TO PROVE THE WARREN COMMISSION CORRECT BY ANALYZING JIGGLES IN THE ZAPRUDER FILM. THE OTHER LAWYER IS BAYLESS MANNING, DEAN OF THE LAW SCHOOL AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY. §GRAPHIC: EXCERPT OF MANNING TO SALANT, DECEMBER 30, 1966 BOTH HUDDLESON AND MANNING TELL THE CBS EXECUTIVES THEY ARE AGAINST CBS UNDERTAKING A MAJOR REVIEW OF THE WARREN REPORT. THEY CITE "THE NATIONAL INTEREST" AND "POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS" AS PART OF THEIR REASONING. CBS-ABC Script Page 16 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: EXCERPT OF MANNING TO SALANT, DECEMBER 30, 1966 V.O. NARRATION: BAYLESS MANNING SUGGESTS THAT CBS IGNORE THE CRITICS, OR AT THE MOST CONVENE A PANEL TO REVIEW AND CRITICIZE THEIR BOOKS. ACCORDING TO GORDON MANNING OF CBS, BOTH LAWYERS TAKE THE SIDE OF THE WARREN REPORT AND THE ESTABLISHMENT. LET THE MATTER REST, THEY ADVISE. CBS-ABC Script Page 17 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: EXCERPT OF MANNING TO SALANT, DECEMBER 30, 1966 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXCERPT OF MANNING TO SALANT, DECEMBER 30, 1966 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXCERPT OF MANNING TO SALANT, DECEMBER 30, 1966 V.O. NARRATION: CLEARLY SENSING THAT THE WIND HAS SHIFTED AGAINST HIM, GORDON MANNING, FOR FIVE MONTHS THE LEADING PROPONENT OF A TELEVISED DEBATE, NOW DOES AN ABOUT-FACE. HE PROPOSES CHANGING THE PROJECT TO "IN DEFENSE OF THE WARREN REPORT," AND PRESENTING MORE CONVINCING EVIDENCE OF ITS LONE ASSASSIN CONCLUSION. CBS WOULD DISMISS WHAT HE NOW CALLS "THE INANE, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND HARE-BRAINED CHALLENGES OF MARK LANE AND OTHERS OF THAT STRIPE." HE INDICATES THAT MIDGLEY DOES NOT AGREE WITH THIS OBVIOUSLY DRAMATIC REVISION OF THEIR PREVIOUS PLAN. IN A MARGINAL NOTATION, MANNING TELLS MIDGLEY HE IS FREE TO EXPRESS HIS DISAGREEMENT, BUT MANNING HAS LEFT MIDGLEY OUT ON A LIMB BY HIMSELF. BY THIS TIME, HOWEVER, ANOTHER INFLUENCE HAS POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTED TO MANNING'S TURNAROUND. SALANT HAS INVITED A NEW PLAYER TO JOIN CBS NEWS'S PREPARATION OF THE WARREN REPORT BROADCASTS AS A SECRET COLLABORATOR. HIS CLANDESTINE, BEHINDTHE- SCENES ROLE BRINGS THE INDEPENDENCE AND OBJECTIVITY OF THE CBS EFFORT INTO SERIOUS QUESTION. §BUMPER: LINEUP #7 INTRO: "THE DIPLOMATIC POUCH" (MUSIC:GOSPEL INTERLUDE) CBS-ABC Script Page 18 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY DISCUSSION MEMO, DECEMBER 14, 1966 V.O. NARRATION: THIS IS A DISCUSSION MEMO WRITTEN BY LESLIE MIDGLEY ON DECEMBER 14, 1966. IN IT, HE EXPLAINS HOW HE INTENDS TO APPROACH THE JOB OF PRODUCING THE CBS SPECIALS ON THE WARREN REPORT. ONCE AGAIN, HE ARGUES FOR THE INCLUSION OF "AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN FIND WHOSE TESTIMONY IS PERTINENT, AND WHO WERE DISCOUNTED OR NOT EVEN HEARD BY THE COMMISSION." §GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY DISCUSSION MEMO, DECEMBER 14, 1966, PAGE 5 MIDGLEY WANTS TO CONDUCT EXPERIMENTS THAT ARE "MORE SCIENTIFIC" THAN "THE RIDICULOUS ONES RUN BY THE FBI." AND THE CRITICS HAVE CONVINCED HIM THAT THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE WARREN COMMISSION WAS "ALMOST INCREDIBLY INADEQUATE." AT THIS POINT, MIDGLEY IS STILL PUSHING FOR A MOCK TRIAL OF THE WARREN REPORT. §GRAPHIC: MCCLOY RESPONSE (SUPER ENLARGEMENT OF MCCLOY RESPONSE HEADER) (PHOTO OF MCCLOY) SOON, SALANT CIRCULATES TO HIS COLLEAGUES AN ANONYMOUS, PARAGRAPH-BY-PARAGRAPH REBUTTAL TO MIDGLEY'S BROADSIDE. ALTHOUGH UNDATED AND UNSIGNED, IT COMES FROM FORMER WARREN COMMISSION MEMBER JOHN J. MCCLOY. THE DOCUMENT CONTAINS A HANDWRITTEN ANNOTATION BY MCCLOY'S DAUGHTER, ELLEN. SHE WORKS FOR RICHARD SALANT AS HIS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT CBS NEWS. CBS-ABC Script Page 19 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: MCCLOY RESPONSE PAGE 3 V.O. NARRATION: MCCLOY IS OFFENDED BY MIDGLEY’S DESCRIPTION OF THE WARREN COMMISSION’S ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION AS “INCREDIBLY INADEQUATE.” HE CHASTISES MIDGLEY FOR ACCEPTING A CRITIQUE BY EDWARD JAY EPSTEIN. AND HE ADDS, “THE CHIEF EVIDENCE THAT OSWALD ACTED ALONE AND SHOT ALONE IS NOT TO BE FOUND IN THE BALLISTICS AND PATHOLOGY OF THE ASSASSINATION, BUT IN THE FACT OF HIS LONER LIFE.” §GRAPHICS:MEMOS COPIED TO MCCLOY (FADE IN AND DISSOLVE TO NEXT) (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: SALANT TO MIDGLEY APRIL 26, 1967 W/PHOTO OF LBJ & MCCLOY BEGINNING IN MID-DECEMBER 1966, MCCLOY'S DAUGHTER WILL BE ON THE DISTRIBUTION LISTS OF MOST OF THE EXECUTIVE MEMOS, SCRIPT OUTLINES, AND DRAFT SCRIPTS RELATED TO THE WARREN REPORT SERIES. SHE WILL TAKE THEM TO HER FATHER AND RELAY HIS COMMENTS BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE SUITES. THIS COLLABORATION IS INTERRUPTED ONLY WHEN MCCLOY TRAVELS ABROAD FROM FEBRUARY UNTIL LATE APRIL 1967. PRESIDENT JOHNSON ASKS HIM TO NEGOTIATE A FOREIGN EXCHANGE OFFSET PROBLEM INVOLVED IN MAINTAINING BRITISH AND AMERICAN TROOPS IN WEST GERMANY. §GRAPHICS:MORE MEMOS COPIED TO MCCLOY (FADE IN AND DISSOLVE TO NEXT) HERE SALANT ASKS MIDGLEY: “IS THE QUESTION WHETHER OSWALD WAS A CIA OR FBI INFORMANT REALLY SO SUBSTANTIAL THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT?” MIDGLEY ANSWERS: “YES, WE MUST TREAT IT.” CBS-ABC Script Page 20 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: SALANT TO MIDGLEY MAY 15, 1967 V.O. NARRATION: NO CRITIC OF THE WARREN REPORT IS GIVEN SIMILAR ACCESS TO CBS NEWS INTERNAL WORKING PAPERS. LOWER-LEVEL ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS REMAIN UNAWARE OF THE SECRET COLLABORATION, WHICH ALMOST CERTAINLY VIOLATED CBS NEWS POLICIES. §BUMPER: LINEUP #8 INTRO: "NOT A BRIBE . . . JUST A GIFT" (MUSIC:GOSPEL INTERLUDE) §GRAPHIC: FEINMAN TO MCCLOY MARCH 11, 1977 -GRAPHIC: MCCLOY TO FEINMAN MARCH 31, 1977 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF MCCLOY TO FEINMAN MARCH 31, 1977 V.O. NARRATION: IN MARCH 1977, I WROTE TO MCCLOY ASKING FOR AN INTERVIEW ABOUT HIS BEHIND-THESCENES RELATIONSHIP WITH CBS IN 1967. MCCLOY DECLINED TO BE INTERVIEWED, CLAIMING HE COULD NOT RECALL GIVING CBS ANY ADVICE ON THE PREPARATION OF THEIR SCRIPT. §GRAPHIC: FEINMAN TO MCCLOY APRIL 4, 1977 ANXIOUS TO MAKE A RECORD THAT I HAD GIVEN MCCLOY A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN, I WROTE HIM AGAIN, THIS TIME LAYING OUT THE DETAILS I HAD LEARNED. §GRAPHIC: MCCLOY TO SALANT APRIL 5, 1977 THE NEXT DAY, MCCLOY WROTE TO SALANT AT CBS NEWS. THIS IS ANOTHER DOCUMENT I OBTAINED FROM THE CBS LAW DEPARTMENT. THE HANDWRITING IN THE UPPER RIGHT-HAND CORNER IS SALANT’S. HE IS INSTRUCTING LES MIDGLEY TO PULL HIS FILES AND DETERMINE IF THEY HOLD ANY EVIDENCE OF THE SECRET COLLABORATION. CBS-ABC Script Page 21 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF MCCLOY TO SALANT APRIL 5, 1977 V.O. NARRATION: MCCLOY DENIES THAT HE WAS EVER GIVEN OR SAW CBS MEMORANDA OR DRAFTS RELATING TO THE ASSASSINATION, BUT HE SUGGESTS THAT SALANT LOOK OVER WHATEVER RECORDS HE HAS. §GRAPHIC: SALANT TO MCCLOY APRIL 11, 1977 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: (EXTRACT OF SALANT TO MCCLOY APRIL 11, 1977) ANOTHER DOCUMENT PROVIDED BY THE CBS LAW DEPARTMENT. APRIL 11, 1977, SALANT REPLIES . . . STATING EMPHATICALLY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT AT NO TIME DID ELLEN MCCLOY EVER SERVE AS A LIASON OR CONDUIT BETWEEN HER FATHER AND CBS NEWS. §GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF SALANT TO MCCLOY APRIL 11, 1977 (SILENT) §GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF SALANT TO MCCLOY APRIL 11, 1977 (SILENT) §GRAPHICS: HANDWRITTEN NOTES (FADE IN AND DISSOLVE TO NEXT) V.O. NARRATION: MCCLOY DIED IN 1990. BUT IN 1992, A REPORTER FOR THE VILLAGE VOICE CONFRONTED BOTH SALANT AND ELLEN MCCLOY WITH COPIES OF THE DOCUMENTS YOU HAVE SEEN AND THESE NOTES IN HER HANDWRITING. MISS MCCLOY ADMITTED ACTING AS A CONDUIT. SALANT, WHILE NOT DISPUTING AN ARRANGEMENT HE HAD ONCE VEHEMENTLY DENIED, NOW CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT IT. CBS-ABC Script Page 22 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: HANDWRITTEN NOTE V.O. NARRATION: BUT THIS NOTE, FROM ELLEN MCCLOY TO LES MIDGLEY, IMPLIES AT THE VERY LEAST THAT JOHN J. MCCLOY FELT UNUSUALLY COMFORTABLE IN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EXECUTIVES OF CBS NEWS EVEN AS THEY PREPARED A PURPORTEDLY INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ABOUT THE WARREN COMMISSION. THE REFERENCE TO “LUCI’S BABY” PERTAINS TO LUCI JOHNSON NUGENT, PRESIDENT JOHNSON’S DAUGHTER. §GRAPHIC: FURNESS (FURNESS AS WESTINGHOUSE GIRL) -GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY & FURNESS WHILE PRODUCING THE 1967 SERIES ON THE WARREN REPORT, LESLIE MIDGLEY BECAME ENGAGED TO MARRY BETTY FURNESS, THE FORMER ACTRESS AND TELEVISION COMMERCIAL SPOKESWOMAN. LYNDON JOHNSON THEN APPOINTED FURNESS HIS SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS. HER MAIN QUALIFICATION FOR THE JOB SEEMED TO BE ELEVEN YEARS OF SELLING WESTINGHOUSE APPLIANCES ON TV. SHE WAS SWORN IN ON APRIL 27, 1967, LESS THAN TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE WARREN REPORT SERIES WAS BROADCAST. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE WARREN REPORT SERIES AIRED, MIDGLEY AND FURNESS WERE MARRIED. AT THE SAME TIME, MIDGLEY WAS PROMOTED TO EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF THE CBS EVENING NEWS WITH WALTER CRONKITE, MAKING HIM THE NUMBER ONE EDITOR AT CBS NEWS. CBS-ABC Script Page 23 (-MORE-) §BUMPER: LINEUP #9 (INTRO: "DESIGNED TO RATHER LOOSE STANDARDS") -GRAPHIC: ROGER FEINMAN V.O. NARRATION: WE HAVE SEEN HOW THE 1967 CBS SERIES ON THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION TOOK FLIGHT, AND HOW IT VEERED OFF COURSE FROM AN EVENHANDED DEBATE TO A DEFENSE OF THE WARREN REPORT, AIDED SECRETLY BY A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION. BUT HOW DID THESE DEVELOPMENTS AFFECT THE INTEGRITY OF WHAT THE VIEWING AUDIENCE FINALLY SAW OR NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TO SEE? WHILE IT’S IMPOSSIBLE IN THIS FORMAT TO EXAMINE EVERY ASPECT OF THE BROADCASTS, HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF SUPPRESSION AND DISTORTION. §GRAPHIC: VIEW FROM TSBD SIXTH-FLOOR WINDOW LIKE THE WARREN COMMISSION, CBS’S THEORY CALLED FOR NO MORE THAN THREE SHOTS FIRED DURING THE ASSASSINATION. BUT CBS HAD TO FACE THE SAME PROBLEM OF TIMING THAT VEXED THE COMMISSION. THE FBI AND SECRET SERVICE HAD DETERMINED IN THEIR ON-SITE RECONSTRUCTIONS THAT AN OAK TREE PARTIALLY BLOCKED THE PRESIDENT FROM THE VIEW OF AN ASSASSIN LURKING IN THE SIXTH FLOOR WINDOW FROM ZAPRUDER FRAME 166 UNTIL FRAME 209, EXCEPT PERHAPS FOR A SINGLE FRAME AT Z-186 WHEN THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN OPENING IN THE FOLIAGE. EVEN THE WARREN COMMISSION REJECTED THE IDEA OF A SHOT THROUGH THE TREE. CBS-ABC Script Page 24 (-MORE-) -GRAPHIC: ROGER FEINMAN V.O. NARRATION: THERE WASN'T ENOUGH TIME TO REACT, AND THE ASSASSIN WAS ABOUT TO ENJOY AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW ONCE THE PRESIDENT EMERGED FROM UNDER THE TREE AT FRAME 210. THE COMMISSION ALSO COULDN'T SWALLOW THE IDEA THAT A SHOT AT SUCH CLOSE RANGE WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY MISSED THE LIMOUSINE, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT IT HAD PENETRATED THE TREE. WITH THE ZAPRUDER FILM SERVING AS A CLOCK STARTING WITH A FIRST SHOT AT FRAME 210, THAT LEFT A WINDOW OF 103 FRAMES BEFORE THE OBVIOUSLY FATAL WOUNDING OF KENNEDY. HOW COULD ONE MAN HAVE CAUSED ALL THE WOUNDS TO BOTH KENNEDY AND GOVERNOR JOHN CONNALLY IN JUST 5.6 SECONDS? IN ITS BROADCASTS, CBS GAVE TWO ANSWERS INTENDED TO EXPAND THE TIME FRAME OF THE ASSASSINATION: OSWALD HAD INDEED FIRED THE FIRST SHOT THROUGH THE TREE AND MISSED. ALSO, ZAPRUDER’S CAMERA WAS RUNNING SLOWER THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT. TOGETHER, THESE THEORIES ALLOWED MORE TIME FOR THREE SHOTS. CBS-ABC Script Page 25 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY TO SALANT FEBRUARY 23, 1967 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF MIDGLEY TO SALANT FEBRUARY 23, 1967 V.O. NARRATION: CBS NEWS HIRED PHOTOANALYST CHARLES WYCKOFF TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE JIGGLE ANALYSIS OF THE ZAPRUDER FILM FIRST PROPOSED BY DR. LUIS ALVAREZ. AS BROADCAST BY CBS, DAN RATHER’S INTERVIEW WITH WYCKOFF SUGGESTED THAT HE HAD FOUND THREE “EVENTS” – JERKY MOTIONS IN THE FILM – INDICATING THAT ZAPRUDER HAD BEEN STARTLED AT THREE POINTS, PRESUMABLY BY THREE RIFLE SHOTS. BUT AS THIS MEMO FROM MIDGLEY TO SALANT AND DAN RATHER’S UNCUT INTERVIEW WITH WYCKOFF BOTH SHOW, CBS WAS AWARE THAT HE HAD ACTUALLY DISCOVERED FOUR DISTURBANCES. ONE OF THE FOUR, HE APPARENTLY DECIDED, WAS DUE TO THE SOUND OF A SIREN. HOW WYCKOFF DISTINGUISHED BETWEEN THE SOUNDS OF RIFLE FIRE AND A SIREN ON AN EIGHT-MILLIMETER SILENT FILM IS AN ELUSIVE QUESTION, BUT IT GAVE CBS NO PAUSE WHATSOEVER. WHEN THE SHOW AIRED, THE NUMBER OF BLURS WAS WHITTLED DOWN TO JUST THREE. IN FACT, THE ZAPRUDER FILM CONTAINS SEVERAL MORE JIGGLES. CBS-ABC Script Page 26 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: SALANT TO MIDGLEY MAY 15, 1967 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF SALANT TO MIDGLEY MAY 15, 1967 V.O. NARRATION: CBS WAS NOT PERMITTED TO TEST THE ACTUAL ZAPRUDER MOVIE CAMERA. BOTH THE FBI AND BELL & HOWELL, THE CAMERA’S MANUFACTURER, TESTED ITS SPEED AT 18.3 FRAMES PER SECOND. CBS CONCLUDED ON THE BASIS OF TESTING SIMILAR CAMERAS THAT ZAPRUDER’S MUST HAVE BEEN RUNNING SLOWER. BUT THIS CONCLUSION WAS BELIED BY RICHARD SALANT’S OWN ANALYSIS THAT THE CBS TESTS WERE LOGICALLY INCONCLUSIVE AND UNPERSUASIVE. §GRAPHIC: DIAGRAM OF TAGUE POSITION (TIMED OVERLAY OF CURBSTONE PHOTO) ANOTHER TACTIC USED BY CBS TO BOLSTER THE LONE ASSASSIN THEORY WAS TO TOTALLY IGNORE THE WOUNDING OF JAMES TAGUE, A SPECTATOR STANDING NEAR THE TRIPLE OVERPASS, 535 FEET FROM THE SO-CALLED “OSWALD WINDOW.” TAGUE’S FACE WAS CUT BY THE RICOCHET OF A MISSILE THAT STRUCK A CURBSTONE NEARBY. THERE IS NO MENTION OF THIS INCIDENT ANYWHERE IN THE TRANSCRIPTS OF THE FOUR ONE-HOUR BROADCASTS. CBS-ABC Script Page 27 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: H.P. WHITE BEL AIR MOCK UP V.O. NARRATION: CBS WAS NOT PERMITTED TO TEST THE MANNLICHER-CARCANO RIFLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALLEGES OSWALD USED TO ASSASSINATE THE PRESIDENT. TO PROVE THAT HE COULD HAVE FIRED THREE SHOTS WITHIN THE TIME FRAME ALLOWED BY THE WARREN COMMISSION, CBS OBTAINED ITS OWN MANNLICHER-CARCANO AND SIMILAR AMMUNITION. THEY BUILT A FIRING RANGE WITH MOVING TARGETS TO SIMULATE THE GEOMETRY OF DEALEY PLAZA, EXCEPT THAT THE TRACK WAS STRAIGHT, NOT CURVED LIKE ELM STREET. THE TARGETS, SIMILAR TO STANDARD FBI TARGETS, FEATURED OVERSIZE ORANGE SILHOUETTES ON A FOUR-BYFOUR- FOOT BLUE BACKGROUND. THEN THEY HIRED ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SHARPSHOOTERS OF THE DAY, RETIRED ARMY COLONEL EDWARD B. CROSSMAN. CROSSMAN WAS THE AUTHOR OF MANY BOOKS AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES FOR GUN ENTHUSIASTS, WRITING UNDER THE PEN NAME “COLONEL JIM CROSSMAN.” §GRAPHIC: LISTER TO MIDGLEY FEBRUARY 3, 1967 CBS ALLOWED CROSSMAN A FULL WEEK TO FAMILIARIZE HIMSELF WITH ITS COPY OF THE MANNLICHER-CARCANO. THEN, AT THE END OF JANUARY 1967, THEY GAVE HIM SIX CHANCES TO DUPLICATE OSWALD’S ALLEGED FEAT. THIS MEMO REPORTED THE RESULTS. CBS-ABC Script Page 28 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: (EXTRACT OF LISTER TO MIDGLEY FEBRUARY 3, 1967) (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF LISTER TO MIDGLEY FEBRUARY 3, 1967 V.O. NARRATION: CROSSMAN FAILED TO BREAK SIX-AND-ONEQUARTER SECONDS. HE SCORED TWO OUT OF THREE HITS IN ONLY ONE-HALF OF HIS ATTEMPTS. THE MEMO DESCRIBES CROSSMAN’S DIFFICULTY WITH THE STICKY BOLT ACTION OF THE RIFLE. CROSSMAN ALSO HAD TO COMPENSATE FOR A FAULTY SCOPE. (THE FBI HAD FOUND IT NECESSARY TO ALTER THE MOUNTING OF THE SCOPE ON THE ALLEGED ASSASSINATION WEAPON.) §TEXT: RATHER INTERVIEWS CROSSMAN (CUT TO:) -TEXT: RATHER INTERVIEW CROSSMAN DAN RATHER INTERVIEWED CROSSMAN ON FILM IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE TEST. CROSSMAN DESCRIBED THE RIFLE AS “NOT VERY ACCURATE.” HITTING THE TARGET WITH TWO OUT OF THREE SHOTS, HE SAID, WOULD REQUIRE A LARGE ELEMENT OF LUCK. CBS COMPLETELY DISCARDED THE CROSSMAN TEST AND HIS INTERVIEW, AND MADE NO MENTION OF THEM ON THE AIR. §GRAPHIC: MARKSMEN TEST RESULTS IN ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO PROVE THE LONE ASSASSIN THEORY, CBS ASSEMBLED ELEVEN EXPERT MARKSMEN. AFTER GIVING THEM AMPLE TIME TO PRACTICE WITH THE RIFLE AT AN INDOOR RIFLE RANGE, CBS FILMED THEM AT ITS OUTDOOR MOCK-UP OF DEALEY PLAZA. CBS-ABC Script Page 29 (-MORE-) §GRAPHICS: INDIVIDUAL MARKSMAN TEST RESULTS (FADE IN AND DISSOLVE TO NEXT) V.O. NARRATION: TIME WAS RECORDED IN ONLY 20 OUT OF 37 ATTEMPTS TO FIRE THREE SHOTS AT THE MOVING TARGET. IN THE OTHER 17 ATTEMPTS, EITHER A BULLET JAMMED DURING THE BOLT-CYCLING PROCESS, RESULTING IN NO TIME, OR THE STICKY BOLT SLOWED THE RIFLEMAN SO MUCH THAT THE TARGET COMPLETED ITS RUN BEFORE HE COULD GET OFF HIS THIRD SHOT. §GRAPHIC: DONAHUE TEST RESULT ONLY THREE OF THE ELEVEN MARKSMEN WERE ABLE TO SCORE AT LEAST TWO HITS IN LESS THAN 5.6 SECONDS. HOWARD DONAHUE SCORED THE BEST ON HIS THIRD TRY, BUT ONLY AFTER HIS FIRST TWO ATTEMPTS FAILED COMPLETELY. §GRAPHIC: RIFLE TEST CONCLUSION ALTHOUGH CBS CLAIMED AN AVERAGE RECORDED TIME OF 5.6 SECONDS, THEY FAILED TO TELL VIEWERS THAT THOSE 20 RESULTS AVERAGED ONLY 1.2 OUT OF THREE HITS. STILL, CBS PROVED THAT IT WAS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE FOR THREE OUT OF A DOZEN EXPERT MARKSMEN TO OPERATE A RIFLE SIMILAR TO THE ASSASSINATION WEAPON WITHIN THE COMMISSION’S TIME FRAME. CBS-ABC Script Page 30 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: MANNLICHERCARCANO RIFLE -VIDEO: ZOOM RIFLE §GRAPHIC: ROGER FEINMAN V.O. NARRATION: WHAT IS STRIKING ABOUT THE CBS RIFLE TESTS IS NOT THE ACTUAL RESULTS, BUT HOW MANY TIMES ITS MARKSMEN FAILED TO GET RESULTS; BECAUSE, ANYTIME THE RIFLE WAS LOADED WITH LIVE AMMUNITION, THE BOLT ACTION JAMMED MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. SOME OF THE RIFLEMEN HAD TO TAKE THE RIFLE OFF THEIR SHOULDERS BETWEEN SHOTS TO GET BETTER LEVERAGE ON THE BOLT. THEN THE PROBLEM BECAME REACQUIRING THE TARGET THROUGH THE SCOPE, TRACKING IT, AND SQUEEZING OFF A SHOT. USING IT IN THIS ASSASSINATION WOULD HAVE REQUIRED AN EXPERT EXPERIENCED ENOUGH (AND PRACTICED ENOUGH) TO COMPENSATE FOR ITS STICKY BOLT ACTION AND FAULTY SCOPE. AS CROSSMAN SAID, AN EXPERT USING THIS WEAPON HAD A REASONABLE CHANCE AT HITTING SOMETHING – NOT NECESSARILY PLACING HIS SHOTS PRECISELY WHERE HE WANTED; SOMEONE WITH OSWALD'S ABILITY USING THIS WEAPON WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE A VERY LUCKY DAY. EVEN IF HE WAS A HIGHLY SKILLED MARKSMAN, THE WARREN REPORT OFFERED NO EVIDENCE THAT OSWALD HAD FIRED ANY RIFLE – LET ALONE PRACTICED FIRING THE ASSASSINATION RIFLE - - DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE THE CRIME. REGARDLESS, CBS CONCLUDED THAT OSWALD COULD HAVE FIRED ACCURATELY AND FAST ENOUGH. CBS-ABC Script Page 31 (-MORE-) §BUMPER: LINEUP #10 INTRO: "A MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENT” §GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY TO SALANT MAY 25, 1967 V.O. NARRATION: ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE ASSASSINATION, TWO OF THE DOCTORS WHO TRIED TO SAVE PRESIDENT KENNEDY HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE AT PARKLAND HOSPITAL. THE NEWS MEDIA QUOTED THEM AS SAYING A BULLET HAD ENTERED THE PRESIDENT’S THROAT, AN OPINION INCONSISTENT WITH AN ASSASSIN SHOOTING FROM BEHIND. TESTIFYING TO THE WARREN COMMISSION, THEY REPUDIATED THESE NEWS REPORTS. FOR YEARS, ASSASSINATION RESEARCHERS WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A TAPE OR TRANSCRIPT OF THE NEWS CONFERENCE. ONE AUTHOR ALLEGED THAT THE FBI HAD SEIZED ALL AVAILABLE TAPES AND FILMS FROM RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS. BUT IN MAY 1967, CBS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT ROBERT PIERPOINT DISCOVERED AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT IN THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS OFFICE. CBS-ABC Script Page 32 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT UNALTERED V.O. NARRATION: THE IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT THIS TRANSCRIPT IS NOT WHAT THE DOCTORS SAID OR WHETHER THEY WERE CORRECT. IT IS THAT THE WARREN COMMISSION HAD ALSO SOUGHT THIS DOCUMENT. THE COMMISSION ASKED THE SECRET SERVICE FOR A TAPE OR TRANSCRIPT, BUT THE SECRET SERVICE REPLIED THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE EITHER AFTER AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH. YET, IT WAS IN THE WHITE HOUSE ALL THE TIME. ON THIS COPY FOUND BY PIERPOINT IN MAY 1967, THE PRESS CONFERENCE IS NUMBERED 1327-C OF THE KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION. IF IT WAS PART OF THE KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION’S RECORDS, ONE MIGHT HAVE REASONABLY EXPECTED IT TO GO TO KENNEDY’S LIBRARY IN MASSACHUSETTS. §GRAPHIC: PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT ALTERED BUT IN THIS COPY, WHICH WAS LATER FILED AT THE JOHNSON LIBRARY IN TEXAS, THE ORIGINAL NUMBER HAS BEEN CROSSED OUT, AND THE PRESS CONFERENCE IS REDESIGNATED NUMBER ONE OF THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION. THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THE RENUMBERING HAD TO OCCUR SOMETIME AFTER PIERPOINT DISCOVERED THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT IN MAY 1967. SO, THE QUESTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN ASKED, WHY WAS THIS DOCUMENT WITHHELD FROM THE WARREN COMMISSION? CBS-ABC Script Page 33 (-MORE-) §TEXT: CBS TRANSCRIPT V.O. NARRATION: INSTEAD OF ASKING THAT QUESTION, CBS REFUSED TO RELEASE THE DOCUMENT OR SAY WHERE THEY FOUND IT. HERE IS THE RELEVANT PORTION OF THE CBS BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT. NOTE THAT DR. PERRY WAS NOT “RUSHED” INTO THE NEWS CONFERENCE. IT BEGAN MORE THAN TWO HOURS AFTER PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. THIS IS HOW CBS PROTECTED THE JOHNSON WHITE HOUSE FROM EMBARRASSMENT OVER WHY THE TRANSCRIPT WAS NEVER GIVEN TO THE WARREN COMMISSION. §BUMPER: LINEUP #11 INTRO: "THE PROBE” (MUSIC:GOSPEL INTERLUDE) CBS-ABC Script Page 34 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: RICHTER TO MIDGLEY JANUARY 10, 1967 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF RICHTER TO MIDGLEY JANUARY 10, 1967 V.O. NARRATION: CHOOSING TO RELY ON SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY’S WOUNDS, THE WARREN COMMISSION NEVER ASKED FOR THE X-RAYS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF HIS AUTOPSY. THEIR WHEREABOUTS WERE UNKNOWN UNTIL THE KENNEDY FAMILY DONATED THEM TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IN LATE 1966. SEQUESTERED FOR A PERIOD OF YEARS, THE X-RAYS AND PHOTOS BECAME THE FOCUS OF INTENSE CURIOSITY. IN JANUARY 1967, MIDGLEY RECEIVED EXPLOSIVE INFORMATION THAT HAD NEVER BEEN PUBLICLY REVEALED. A CBS EMPLOYEE IN WASHINGTON, WHO BELONGED TO THE SAME CHURCH AS THE CHIEF AUTOPSY PATHOLOGIST, DR. HUMES, HAD ENGAGED HIM IN CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ASSASSINATION. HUMES REPORTEDLY TOLD HIS FRIEND THAT ONE X-RAY TAKEN SHOWED A SOFT METAL PROBE TRACING A PATH THROUGH THE PRESIDENT BETWEEN THE NONFATAL WOUNDS IN HIS BACK AND THROAT. HUMES ALSO SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN ORDERED NOT TO DO A COMPLETE AUTOPSY. THIS INFORMATION CAME TO CBS MORE THAN TWO YEARS BEFORE ONE OF THE OTHER AUTOPSY PATHOLOGISTS TESTIFIED TO THESE RESTRICTIONS AT THE TRIAL OF CLAY SHAW IN NEW ORLEANS. CBS-ABC Script Page 35 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY TO MCCLOY JANUARY 11, 1967 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF MIDGLEY TO MCCLOY JANUARY 11, 1967 V.O. NARRATION: MIDGLEY RECOGNIZED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WHAT HE HAD. FORSAKING THE USUAL ROUTE THROUGH SALANT’S OFFICE, HE WROTE DIRECTLY TO JOHN J. MCCLOY, ASKING HIS HELP IN GETTING AN INTERVIEW WITH HUMES, WHO HAD ALREADY REFUSED TO GO ON CAMERA. AS MIDGLEY NOTED, THE PROBE X-RAY COULD RESOLVE ISSUES THAT WERE CENTRAL TO THE LONE ASSASSIN THEORY. INDEED, ONE MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED THE GOVERNMENT TO SEEK WORLD-WIDE PUBLICATION OF THE X-RAY – IF, THAT IS, IT SUPPORTED THE OFFICIAL CONCLUSIONS. AT THE INTERVENTION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL RAMSEY CLARK, DOCTOR HUMES AGREED TO BE INTERVIEWED BY DAN RATHER IN JUNE 1967. BUT RATHER DID NOT ASK HIM A SINGLE QUESTION EITHER ABOUT THE PROBE OR RESTRICTIONS ON THE AUTOPSY, AND CBS NEVER DISCLOSED THIS INFORMATION. THIS IS JUST ONE INSTANCE IN WHICH CONCEALMENT BY CBS MAY HAVE ASSISTED AN OFFICIAL COVER-UP. CBS-ABC Script Page 36 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: ROGER FEINMAN -GRAPHIC: JENKINS INTVU -GRAPHIC: KARNEI INTVU §GRAPHIC: KNUDSEN_ (EXTRACT OF KNUDSEN HSCA TESTIMONY APPEARS) V.O. NARRATION: THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE HUMESPROBE STORY WHEN THEY INVESTIGATED THE CASE TEN YEARS LATER. BUT THEY DID FIND THREE WITNESSES TO THE AUTOPSY WHO INDEPENDENTLY TOLD THEM SIMILAR STORIES. WERE IT NOT FOR PUBLIC PRESSURE INSPIRED BY OLIVER STONE’S “JFK” MOVIE, YOU AND I WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN. THE COMMITTEE TRIED TO LOCK UP THIS TESTIMONY FOR FIFTY YEARS. MEDICAL TECHNICIAN JAMES CURTIS JENKINS RECALLED X-RAYS BEING TAKEN OF THE PROBE PROCEDURE. DOCTOR ROBERT KARNEI RECALLED PHOTOGRAPHS BEING TAKEN WITH PROBES THROUGH THE BODY. ALMOST TWENTY YEARS LATER, KARNEI REPEATED HIS STORY TO THE STAFF OF THE ASSASSINATIONS RECORDS REVIEW BOARD. ROBERT KNUDSEN WAS A MEMBER OF THE WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHIC: STAFF. FOLLOWING PRESIDENT KENNEDY’S AUTOPSY, KNUDSEN WAS INVOLVED IN PROCESSING THE PHOTOGRAPHS. IN SWORN TESTIMONY, HE TOLD THE HOUSE COMMITTEE STAFF THAT HE HAD SEEN PHOTOS OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY’S REMAINS WITH PROBES INSERTED. CBS-ABC Script Page 37 (-MORE-) (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF KNUDSEN-HSCA TESTIMONY V.O. NARRATION: THERE ARE NO SUCH PHOTOGRAPHS OR X-RAYS IN THE COLLECTION HOUSED TODAY IN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. THE MYSTERY OF AUTOPSY X-RAYS AND PHOTOGRAPHS KNOWN TO HAVE EXISTED AT ONE TIME BUT NOW MISSING PERSISTS TO THIS DAY. CBS NEWS RECEIVED THE FIRST CLUE TO THE MYSTERY LONG BEFORE THE TRAIL RAN COLD. THEY BURIED IT. §BUMPER: LINEUP #12 INTRO: “ROADS NOT TAKEN” (MUSIC: “GOSPEL FANTASIA (AMEN)” – 1ST CHORUS) §GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY & CRONKITE V.O. NARRATION: THIS IS REALLY THE STORY OF HOW TWO GREAT JOURNALISTS – LESLIE MIDGLEY AND WALTER CRONKITE, WHOSE ROLE IN THIS AFFAIR WAS ESSENTIALLY LIMITED TO READING A SCRIPT THAT WAS HANDED TO HIM – WERE USED AND ABUSED BY THE CBS CORPORATE MACHINERY. ULTIMATELY, THE WARREN REPORT SERIES DID NOT REFLECT THE CONCEPTS AND JUDGMENTS OF EITHER ITS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER (MIDGLEY) OR ITS ANCHORMAN.(CRONKITE). IN HIS MEMOIRS PUBLISHED MORE THAN 20 YEARS LATER, MIDGLEY WROTE THAT HE STILL FOUND IT HARD TO ACCEPT AS FACT THAT LEE HARVEY OSWALD DID THIS TERRIBLE THING ALL ALONE. AND HE REAFFIRMED HIS BELIEF THAT THE FBI'S INVESTIGATION OF THE CASE WAS "UNBELIEVABLY SLOPPY." CBS-ABC Script Page 38 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: DAN RATHER 1963 W/TEXT: Z-FILM BG) -GRAPHIC: DAN RATHER 1963 W/TEXT: RATHER Z-FILM FIRST QUOTE APPEARS -GRAPHIC: DAN RATHER 1963 W/TEXT: RATHER Z-FILM SECOND QUOTE APPEARS V.O. NARRATION: BUT WHAT ABOUT DAN RATHER? HE CONDUCTED A NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS AND WITNESSED SOME OF THE TESTS. EVEN IF HE HAD NOT BEEN FAMILIAR WITH WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE EXECUTIVE SUITE, DAN RATHER WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE PROJECT TO MAKE OUT ITS ODD TILT IN ONE DIRECTION – THE OFFICIAL THEORY OF THE CRIME – JUST AS CRITICS HAD SAID OF THE WARREN REPORT. WHAT ABOUT DAN RATHER? CBS-ABC Script Page 39 (-MORE-) GRAPHIC: “60 MINUTES” LOGO §GRAPHIC: MIDGLEY TO BIRNBAUM, BARTELS, PHILLIPS & RATHER JULY 24, 1975 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF MIDGLEY TO BIRNBAUM, BARTELS, PHILLIPS & RATHER JULY 24, 1975 (CUT TO:) -GRAPHIC: EXTRACT OF MIDGLEY TO BIRNBAUM, BARTELS, PHILLIPS & RATHER JULY 24, 1975 V.O. NARRATION: EARLY IN 1975, THE 60 MINUTES UNIT BEGINS A SERIOUS INVESTIGATION TO FIND A LINK BETWEEN LEE HARVEY OSWALD AND JACK RUBY. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF RESEARCH, HOWEVER, RICHARD SALANT KILLS THEIR PROJECT AND, IN APRIL 1975, ORDERS THE 60 MINUTES TEAM TO TURN OVER ALL THEIR RESEARCH TO LESLIE MIDGLEY. BY NOW, IT IS CLEAR THAT MIDGLEY OWNS THE ASSASSINATION STORY AT CBS FOR ALL PURPOSES WHILE SALANT REMAINS PRESIDENT. HIS CORE PERSONNEL ON THE STORY HAS REMAINED CONSTANT SINCE 1964. BUT MIDGLEY UNDOUBTEDLY RECALLS THE STING OF REJECTION YEARS EARLIER FOR HIS IDEA OF PUTTING THE WARREN REPORT ON TRIAL. NOW, BOTH HE AND CBS NEWS HAVE TOO MUCH INVESTED IN THE LONE ASSASSIN THEORY. MIDGLEY TELLS HIS STAFF AND DAN RATHER THEY WILL AVOID GOING DOWN THE SAME ROAD THEY DID IN 1967. THEY WILL NOT REEXAMINE THEIR SUPPORT OF THE LONE ASSASSIN THEORY. CBS-ABC Script Page 40 (-MORE-) §BUMPER LINEUP #13 INTRO: “TENURE” (MUSIC:”GOSPEL FANTASIA (AMEN)-2ND CHORUS) §GRAPHIC: RATHER IN STUDIO 1963 -GRAPHIC: RATHER AT TSBD SIXTH-FLOOR WINDOW -GRAPHIC: RATHER OUTSIDE TSBD -GRAPHIC: EDDIE BARKER V.O. NARRATION: DAN RATHER WAS NOT IN DEALEY PLAZA WHEN PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS MURDERED. HE NEITHER SAW NOR HEARD THE SHOOTING. HE COVERED THE AFTERMATH FROM INSIDE A STUDIO AT CBS'S DALLAS AFFILIATE KRLD. FOR DECADES AFTERWARD, THIS CONNECTION ENABLED BOTH CBS AND RATHER TO PROMOTE THEMSELVES AS AUTHORITATIVE AND CREDIBLE NARRATORS OF THE ASSASSINATION SAGA. BUT IN THEIR REPEATED RETELLINGS AND RECONSTRUCTIONS OF THAT AFTERNOON, SELF-SERVING MYTHS HAVE SOMETIMES OVERTAKEN THE FACTS, EMBEDDING RATHER DEEPER INSIDE THE STORY AND ENLARGING HIS ROLE. AS LATE AS MARCH 2005, FOR EXAMPLE, CBS CONTINUED TO CLAIM THAT "RATHER WAS THE FIRST TO REPORT KENNEDY HAD DIED, BEFORE THE OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION OF THE PRESIDENT'S DEATH." IT'S AN OUTRIGHT FALSEHOOD. THE FIRST REPORTER TO BROADCAST THAT KENNEDY HAD DIED WAS EDDIE BARKER, THEN THE LOCAL NEWS DIRECTOR OF KRLD. CBS-ABC Script Page 41 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: YOUNGER RATHER -GRAPHIC: RATHER 1981 -GRAPHIC: RATHER W/SWEATER 1987 -GRAPHIC: WALTER CRONKITE W/TEXT V.O. NARRATION: DAN RATHER'S STATURE AT THE NETWORK GREW, AT LEAST IN PART DUE TO HIS PUBLIC IMAGE AS A MAINSTAY OF CBS'S REPORTING ON THE ASSASSINATION. IN 1981, RATHER SUCCEEDED WALTER CRONKITE AS ANCHORMAN OF THE CBS EVENING NEWS. BUT HE STRUGGLED TO FILL CRONKITE'S SHOES AS THE SHOW'S RATINGS STEADILY DECLINED OVER THE NEXT 24 YEARS, AND IT FELL TO THIRD PLACE BEHIND THE OTHER NETWORKS. WALTER CRONKITE RECENTLY TOLD CNN: "IT SURPRISED QUITE A FEW PEOPLE AT CBS AND ELSEWHERE THAT, WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO PULL UP THE RATINGS BEYOND THIRD IN A THREE-MAN FIELD, THAT THEY TOLERATED HIS BEING THERE FOR SO LONG." §GRAPHIC: GUARD DOCS -GRAPHIC: BUSH & DAD -GRAPHIC: BUSH GUARD POSE ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2004, RATHER CITED PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN MILITARY RECORDS AS PROOF THAT PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH ENTERED THE TEXAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD DURING THE VIETNAM WAR THROUGH POLITICAL INFLUENCE, AND THAT HE RECEIVED PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT DESPITE DISOBEYING ORDERS. AFTER VIGOROUSLY DEFENDING RATHER'S REPORT FOR TWELVE DAYS AGAINST QUESTIONS OF FORGERY, CBS NEWS CONFESSED THAT IT COULD NOT SUBSTANTIATE THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE DOCUMENTS USED IN THE STORY. CBS-ABC Script Page 42 (-MORE-) §GRAPHIC: RATHER 2004 W/TEXT V.O. NARRATION: RATHER SAID, "I'M OF THE SCHOOL, MY NAME IS ON IT, I'M RESPONSIBLE." §GRAPHIC: RATHER 2004 W/TEXT AND HE ADMITTED, "I DIDN'T DIG HARD ENOUGH, LONG ENOUGH, DIDN'T ASK ENOUGH OF THE RIGHT QUESTIONS." THE STORY'S PRODUCER WAS FIRED. THREE EXECUTIVES WERE ASKED TO RESIGN. ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WAS PUBLICLY DEFAMED AND DISGRACED, BUT ALLOWED TO STAY. ALTHOUGH DAN RATHER ABDICATED HIS ANCHOR CHAIR UNDER A CLOUD OF SCANDAL, BY THE TIME THE PRESENTATION YOU ARE WATCHING WAS PLACED ON THE INTERNET, HE REMAINED A CORRESPONDENT FOR CBS NEWS, WHICH PAID HIM A ONE-HOUR TRIBUTE RARELY ACCORDED TO LIVING TELEVISION PERSONALITIES. §GRAPHIC: CBS EYE W/TEXT: POLLS V.O. NARRATION: THE CBS DOCUMENTARIES FAILED TO PERSUADE THE PUBLIC THAT ONE MAN ACTING ALONE ASSASSINATED JOHN F. KENNEDY. QUITE THE OPPOSITE, IN LATER YEARS PUBLIC OPINION POLLS SHOWED A GROWING BELIEF IN A CONSPIRACY – LONG BEFORE OLIVER STONE'S "JFK". DESPITE CBS'S FAILURE TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC OPINION, ITS INFLUENCE ON OTHER NEWS ORGANIZATIONS CANNOT BE SO EASILY DISMISSED CBS-ABC Script Page 43 §GRAPHIC: LINEUP #14 “BEYOND DISHONESTY: ABC LOOKS AT THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION” (ABC TITLE ANIMATION) -GRAPHIC: PRESENTATION TITLE V.O. NARRATION: THE IRON DETERMINATION OF THE MAJOR NETWORKS TO RAM THE LONE GUNMAN THEORY DOWN THE THROATS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WAS MOST RECENTLY DEMONSTRATED BY ABC NEWS AND PETER JENNINGS. NEXT IN PART TWO: "BEYOND DISHONESTY," ABC LOOKS AT THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION. §GRAPHIC: TEASE AND COMING SOON, THE EFFECTS OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S MURDER ON AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS FROM ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE: "JUSTICE AT FIVE POINTS: HOW THE FEDERAL COURTS ASSASSINATED THE TRUTH IN THE CASE OF ROBERT GRODEN AGAINST RANDOM HOUSE, THE NEW YORK TIMES, AND GERALD POSNER." §VIDEO: IN MEMORIAM, THANKS, CREDITS, Copyright 2005 by Roger Bruce Feinman. B..................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Williams Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 Bernice, I do not dispute the fact that the tests were not exact. However the CBS 67 tests were about as close as you can get. Yes their track was straight, but then again the limos path from the time it clears the tree to 313 is rather straight as well. It is angled, but rather straight. Also in the 67 tests the shooter was limited in time, trying to squeeze the shots into 5.6 seconds, another WC error. I also find it odd that the WCR does tell us that the event could have taken up to 7.9 seconds, yet none of the test allow this time. During those tests it may also do well to note that not only were rifle failures not counted, many times they did not count the round simply because it failed the time frame. Why is it do you suppose that so much of this comes back to the time frame? How could anyone ever say that a shot of 100 yards could be difficult, thats preposterous. The difficulties of the event and recreating the event lay in the timing. That should be fairly clear to anyone. As for the Carcano being junk, and all that rubbish, one need to realize that it was in fact as accurate as our American m-14 rifle. Check out Simmons testimony for further accuracy tests of this rifle. I may also note that none of this related to the topic of the hole in the glass. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Knight Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 (edited) Mike, this stuff about the '67 CBS tests leads me to wonder which Carcano they used: the accurate 40-inch "short rifle" [model 91/38] or the less-accurate 36-inch "shortened" rifle [model 91/24]. Might've made a BIG difference in the accuracy part of the tests. BTW: Wasn't Howard Donahue the man behind the Bonar Menninger book, Mortal Error ? That would be the book that accused SS agent Hickey of accidentally firing the fatal headshot from the SS follow-up car from his AR-15...for which, IIRC, Hickey sued Menninger...is that not correct? http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKhickey.htm Edited August 16, 2008 by Mark Knight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Williams Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 Mike, this stuff about the '67 CBS tests leads me to wonder which Carcano they used: the accurate 40-inch "short rifle" [model 91/38] or the less-accurate 36-inch "shortened" rifle [model 91/24]. Might've made a BIG difference in the accuracy part of the tests.BTW: Wasn't Howard Donahue the man behind the Bonar Menninger book, Mortal Error ? That would be the book that accused SS agent Hickey of accidentally firing the fatal headshot from the SS follow-up car from his AR-15...for which, IIRC, Hickey sued Menninger...is that not correct? http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKhickey.htm Mark, Im not convinced that the differences in rifles would have made a major change in such a short distance shooting event. I believe that is the same Donahue. It also seems, if I recall correctly, there was some conflict between them after the book. what I suspected was that Donahue was less than impressed with the way Menninger portrayed the information. Be that as it may, it does not change the fact that Donahue actually completed the event. Best, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas H. Purvis Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Mike, this stuff about the '67 CBS tests leads me to wonder which Carcano they used: the accurate 40-inch "short rifle" [model 91/38] or the less-accurate 36-inch "shortened" rifle [model 91/24]. Might've made a BIG difference in the accuracy part of the tests.BTW: Wasn't Howard Donahue the man behind the Bonar Menninger book, Mortal Error ? That would be the book that accused SS agent Hickey of accidentally firing the fatal headshot from the SS follow-up car from his AR-15...for which, IIRC, Hickey sued Menninger...is that not correct? http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKhickey.htm Mark, Im not convinced that the differences in rifles would have made a major change in such a short distance shooting event. I believe that is the same Donahue. It also seems, if I recall correctly, there was some conflict between them after the book. what I suspected was that Donahue was less than impressed with the way Menninger portrayed the information. Be that as it may, it does not change the fact that Donahue actually completed the event. Best, Mike The Model 91/24 to which Mark refers is the old Long Rifles of the period from when these weapons were placed into service in 1892 until the year 1924 when a modification began in which literally thousands of the old Long Rifle which had the progressive gain twist were converted to Model 91/24 Carbines by having the front 32.8 cm/12.79 inches of the rifle barrel cut off. Dependent upon exactly how much wear the weapon had prior to "cut-down", at a hundred yards, some of them may have difficulty in repetetively hitting between the two end-zone goal posts. Which weapon is of course responsible for much of the "lore" in regards to the inability to hit anything with the weapon, as well as the unsafe nature of the weapon. Both of which have considerable merit for that specific weapon, which also happens to be the weapon in the Klein's add that LHO ordered. http://www.carbinesforcollectors.com/9124ts.html Barrel Length Model 91 Long Rifle:---------------------------------------78cm Barrel length Model 91/24 Carbine:--------------------------------------92.1cm 12.79 inches of the barrel, which also contained the final full-gain twist of the rifling, now gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Williams Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 Mike, this stuff about the '67 CBS tests leads me to wonder which Carcano they used: the accurate 40-inch "short rifle" [model 91/38] or the less-accurate 36-inch "shortened" rifle [model 91/24]. Might've made a BIG difference in the accuracy part of the tests.BTW: Wasn't Howard Donahue the man behind the Bonar Menninger book, Mortal Error ? That would be the book that accused SS agent Hickey of accidentally firing the fatal headshot from the SS follow-up car from his AR-15...for which, IIRC, Hickey sued Menninger...is that not correct? http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKhickey.htm Mark, Im not convinced that the differences in rifles would have made a major change in such a short distance shooting event. I believe that is the same Donahue. It also seems, if I recall correctly, there was some conflict between them after the book. what I suspected was that Donahue was less than impressed with the way Menninger portrayed the information. Be that as it may, it does not change the fact that Donahue actually completed the event. Best, Mike The Model 91/24 to which Mark refers is the old Long Rifles of the period from when these weapons were placed into service in 1892 until the year 1924 when a modification began in which literally thousands of the old Long Rifle which had the progressive gain twist were converted to Model 91/24 Carbines by having the front 32.8 cm/12.79 inches of the rifle barrel cut off. Dependent upon exactly how much wear the weapon had prior to "cut-down", at a hundred yards, some of them may have difficulty in repetetively hitting between the two end-zone goal posts. Which weapon is of course responsible for much of the "lore" in regards to the inability to hit anything with the weapon, as well as the unsafe nature of the weapon. Both of which have considerable merit for that specific weapon, which also happens to be the weapon in the Klein's add that LHO ordered. http://www.carbinesforcollectors.com/9124ts.html Barrel Length Model 91 Long Rifle:---------------------------------------78cm Barrel length Model 91/24 Carbine:--------------------------------------92.1cm 12.79 inches of the barrel, which also contained the final full-gain twist of the rifling, now gone. So the longer rifles of course would be more accurate, and the shorter "modified" rifles a crap shoot dependent upon wear before the modification began. Makes sense. So if in fact a carbine were in place during the shooting event, its accuracy would have been great to lousy..... Nothing comes easy do it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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