The 51st anniversary of JFK’s murder has come and gone. There were four major conferences and a luncheon: 2 in October and 3 in November in Dallas. But why are we still having conferences? In perusing social networking sites, not one of them was immune from criticism. One was called a “spook fest”. One was called “elitist”. One was called “a joke”. The other was called “a waste of time”. The other was criticized for its “questionable speakers”. I’ll leave it to you, the reader, to figure out which was which. I will tell you I was invited to all of them. The first two I couldn’t go to because of personal issues. I attended the luncheon and one of the conferences in Dallas because it is important to me to pressure people to understand the necessity of finding the Nix film camera original. Did I succeed? I don’t think so. I met lovely people. I met intelligent people. I met people making documentaries. Maybe the man making the documentary will be most helpful. I don’t know. What I DO know is that in looking at the JFK community I see lots of back-biting. I see lots of paranoia. I don’t see a lot of new research. I see people trotted out over and over again based on their previous books, supposed witness status and eagerness to interject themselves in a horrid event such as this.
What I don’t see is much thinking!!! Where are our critical thinking skills? Why is it a sin to question witnesses, books and experiences? Isn’t that how we find the truth? These people, me included aren’t sacred cows. We are regular people supposedly trying to find the truth. There is a man whose name I won’t mention, that I have been emailing since my book came out. He has taken my book, page by page, and asked me for clarification and evidence as to my assertions. I don’t have a problem with this. Why do other authors or witnesses?
By the same token, why do some witnesses and authors become outraged by questions? Buell Frazier doesn’t. Mary Moorman doesn’t. I don’t. The importance to all of our work is finding the truth. It’s not who is or isn’t a hero. It’s not who did it. It’s not who slept with whom or had drinks with whom or who was standing in the doorway. We know these things. We know who did it. We may not know names, but we know the organizations. We also know we’ve been lied to….over and over and over. We also know that key pieces of evidence, like the Nix film, are missing. Why doesn’t this matter nearly as much as whether or not Lee Harvey Oswald was a hero? One is a fact, the other is conjecture of the highest subjective level. I have worked for many years to find the Nix film. I haven’t had much help until the last year. And you know by whom? Not the icons. Not the “divas” of the JFK community…no, I’m being helped as are many other truth-seekers by the new generation of researchers. These are the people who should be speaking at luncheons and conferences. These are the people who are doing the grunt work. They are finding new questions to age old assertions. They aren’t looking for fame, fortune or power…they are looking for the truth. I for one am glad they are on my side.
Gayle, subjective it may be, but Lee Oswald’s innocence and heroism is my passionately held belief. I came to this field doubting his guilt, but after extensive study I no longer doubt it, I dispute it, I object to the suggestion of it. That a placard exists in Dallas which states, as fact, that he, quote, “killed” unquote, JD Tippit is offensive and a sad reflection on your native city, state and country. So altering public perception of this man is every bit as important as finding your grandfather’s film. Because if it isn’t, why are you looking for the original. We know who did it, Lee. Your grandfather’s film won’t reveal anything. Go back to sleep, give up ☺
On the subject of sniping, backbiting, sacred cows and conferences, I’ve just posted on Chris Gallop’s page. His is the way to go. Networking must replace conferences. OK, his was a meeting, but I learned more there than anywhere else on my trip (except on our hilarious tour, best fun I’ve had in ages!). And again, I’m in complete agreement with you regarding many people’s inability to accept alternatives to their cherished viewpoint. Lee’s innocence is a case in point. I have his police number tattooed on my arm. If ever someone proves my belief to be misplaced, it’ll be inked over…It won’t be the first tattoo I’ll have had to alter!!