Recently, Rob Reiner an American actor & director who gained fame for his role as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the TV show “All in the Family” has created a fascinating podcast on the subject entitled “Who Killed JFK.” This 10-part series is hosted by Soledad O’Brien. While I do not agree with most of Mr. Reiner’s politics, he does a great job with this presentation, and I highly recommend it. In Episode Ten, he names four shooters and does a compelling job laying out his case.
The JFK assassination in 1963 has sparked numerous conspiracy theories. Some suggest at least a second shooter, involvement of government agencies, or organized crime. However, official investigations, like the Warren Commission, concluded Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Despite this, debates and skepticism persist among researchers and the public.
Personal Perspective:
This is a subject that I periodically revisit. It is fascinating and more than 60 years later still serves as a watershed moment for several generations – most profoundly the Baby Boomers. The Assassination of President Kennedy may well be when many United States citizens stopped trusting their government which is why it is still important. Many Americans never believed the reports that were initially put forth and even the U.S. Government contradicted itself with the 1976 U.S. House Select Committee on Assassinations that concluded it was likely a conspiracy. Thousands of government files on this subject remain sealed to this day.
I was five years old when President Kennedy was assassinated, too young to have perfect recall of the events. As a result, I am confident that my mind bounces between what are real memories and false recollections reinforced by endless film. Something I do vividly remember is the black-and-white TV screen where we watched the funeral which now almost seems prehistoric. Through that small screen came the haunting image of a riderless horse and sounds of muffled drumbeats, both iconic parts of the solemn funeral procession. Perhaps he was too complicated a man to be an idol – too fraught with his many well document imperfections – nevertheless; I did place him on that pedestal and to some extent, still do. He had vision and imagination, which are two attributes of incalculable value to an entrepreneur. His speeches were written and presented like poetry. He challenged us to be and do better. Contrast that style with the current dreadful state of the American political system and there simply is no comparison.
When I was an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, prominent speakers were frequently brought in for students to hear their perspectives on a variety of subjects. It was a different time when public debate was encouraged. One of the most popular speakers was Dr. Cyril Wecht, who served as a Coroner and Medical Examiner for the city of Pittsburgh. He is best known for his criticism of the Warren Commission’ findings concerning the assassination of President Kennedy. In 1972, Dr. Wecht was the first civilian given permission to examine the Kennedy evidence. As I recall, it was standing room only, to hear his spellbinding presentation in person. In no uncertain terms, Dr. Wecht proposed that the Warren report lied.
The events in Dallas changed the psyche of the world.
November 22, 1963, lit a fuse that would have worldwide ramifications. What followed his death would be an escalation of troops into Vietnam, more assassinations and then the riots of the 1960s. A societal innocence was lost as we learned to distrust our government and America slowly fell from its own pedestal around the world. Perhaps in the long run, that mistrust was healthy, but it came at a terrible cost. President Kennedy’s generation has recently been described and coined by journalist Tom Brokaw to be “The Greatest Generation.” Is it true? Perhaps it is accurate. Or, on the other hand, is it more feasible that for a short period of time, the world viewed post World-War II United States as a beacon for positive change and freedom? Is it possible that – just as with Kennedy – behind the façade, we were a nation burdened with as many issues and faults?
In the city of Dallas, there is a public registry on the 6th floor of a building. Shortly after exiting the elevator and stepping onto the wooden planks of the restored warehouse – now a national museum – you will come across it as you seemingly step back in time. It is a hallowed location. If you stop to read the remarks left by visitors – strangers from every walk of life – you can feel their pain, which inescapably becomes sadness. People from all over the world have left remarks here. It is a vestibule to a cathedral of horror … the 6th floor of the Texas Book Depository.
Never Forget
Many in United States have seemingly forgotten 9/11, much less the assassinations of JFK. Still, I think Mr. Reiner’s timing on releasing this podcast could not have been better and is very important. Any attempt to remember previous tragedies that united us without the need for another tragedy to do the same is to be applauded. Personally, I have no idea if his conclusions are correct but that is the point. We all should know.
