Ruby shoots Oswald

JFK reveals the conspiracy theorist and the recovering conspiracy theorist.   The further removed from this assassination, the easier it is to introduce plausible conspiratorial explanation.   Countless articles, documentaries, movies have attempted to explain the assassination.  However, each account is riddled with the idea that at some point, more documents will be released and the truth will be revealed.  50 years removed from one of our countries darkest days, the conspiracies live and perhaps they serve as the grieving antidote for nation’s mourn.

The least sexy idea is that Oswald acted alone.  American’s cringe at the notion that such an insignificant man could do such damage.  Oswald was mentally ill, alienated from his country and perhaps from himself, aggressively changing citizenship to an allied country and ascribing heavily to the Communist regime.  Oswald sought glory and purpose in the assassination in the same way that Ruby sought similar ends in murdering Oswald.  Removing conspiracy from the equation and we are left with Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby.  One an intelligent, impressionable, mentally ill ex soldier and another a simpleton, pseudo gangster filled with self pride and pride for his country.  Something tells me Oliver Stone’s not salivating at the idea of that film…

Let’s get to the fun…here’s an unranked collection of conspiratorial components.  Initially, this was going to be sorted in a Conspiracy Power Rankings list… but, it seemed a bit morbid.               

Bullet trajectory and grassy knoll:

The footage of Kennedy’s assassination seems endless.  Every year, there seems to be a “new angle” or “fresh perspective” that further muddies the water.  Theorists subscribing to the grassy knoll explanation argue that the bullet trajectory doesn’t support Oswald acting alone.  They also argue that witness testimony indicates puffs of smoke coming from the now infamous Grassy Knoll on the north side of Elm Street; there are also multiple accounts of people claiming to smell gun powder on ground level.  The grassy knoll becomes the “where” in the stack of dominoes lining up in support of conspiracy.   If there is a second shooter, then the notion that Oswald couldn’t have acted alone gains traction.  The second shooter could have been, in conspiracy lure, affiliated with KGB, the CIA, Lyndon Johnson, Mafia or even the Illuminati. 

Oswald’s 12 hour interrogation

Oswald’s 12 hour interrogation is not recorded.  The documentation of Oswald’s interaction with law enforcement is record by one member of the media.  Dallas PD didn’t even own a tape recorder and in fact it was common practice to record interrogations via pen, paper.  The notes that were taken were by no measure comprehensive, the lone reporter was not even present for the entire interrogation.  Stranger yet, the police paraded Oswald out for a press conference.  There is no modern day equivalency to reference for analogy. 

Mafia Element

The Kennedy administration promised to be tough on organized crime.  This apparently upset organized criminals.  Kennedy is also believed to have been dating a mobster’s wife…this is the most believable element of any of the layers within the supposed conspiracy due to the fact that Kennedy slept with approximately 78% of the 1960’s.  The Mafia, as the conspiracy goes, wanted both the Kennedy’s out of power.  The administration was pushing hard on gangsters and ruffling feathers.  Killing Kennedy would accomplish two very important things: (1) obviously, Kennedy wouldn’t be around anymore (2) the ability to take down the President would serve as a warning that messing with the mob was not wise.  The Mafia’s connection to Oswald is less clear in the proposed theory.  Some believed that his close friend, room mate in the military was connected; this initiated contact between the mob’s collective distain for Kennedy with Oswald’s.  Oswald’s mental illness or illnesses, his communist ideology and military background would all serve as deodorant for the mob’s stink. 

Oswald’s a Commie 

Oswald’s ties to communism are undeniable.  After dismissal from the U.S. military Oswald learns Russian language, attempts to defect to the Soviet Union and makes a formal plea for citizenship.  Conspiracy theory espouses that the Communist regime funded, supported and outright concocted the plot to kill Kennedy.   Seemingly more plausible, is Oswald was mentally ill and vulnerable to radical ideology.  He reads like someone desperate for acceptance, a place where he fit in. What is unclear is whether anyone wanted Lee.  There is reason to believe that Oswald was more like the guy for who call waiting was invented.   Phones ringing…oh, jeez…it’s Oswald again.  Can’t this guy take a hint?  If Oswald had lived long enough, he’d time to have become a hippy, a Buddhist

Lyndon Johnson and the CIA

Lyndon Johnson’s vice presidency could be compared to a man marrying way up the food chain only to find out that his wife had no interest in him and furthermore neutered him, just to make sure there was no way to enjoy life.  Lyndon was an unhappy husband without any recourse…unless….Nothing other than motive, means and opportunity makes Johnson a viable suspect.  Subsequently, this theory is perhaps at the top of the Absurd List.  The CIA’s suspected involvement sits just behind Johnson in terms of absurdity.  CIA operatives were frustrated with the President’s mismanagement of the Pay of Pigs.  Kennedy, they felt, didn’t respect the wisdom of those more experienced and men as such are regarded as dangerous.  Men dressed in black suites, black ties, all Will Smithed out, were seen in drones on the day of the assassination.  Maybe they were CIA? Maybe they’d a role? or maybe men dressed up to see the President?

Ruby Kills Oswald

Ruby’s murder of Oswald might be the strangest bit of live television ever.  Police are trotting the countries most hated man to the car for an eventual transfer and Ruby decides to become resident justice.  Conspiracy says that Ruby was silencing Oswald to protect the truth.  Ruby’s ties to organized crime and his financial woes make him a match for the job.  It’s also difficult to ignore Ruby’s apparent simpleton-ness and desire to be a man of power, a hero perhaps.  Ruby, by many accounts, expected public admiration; he’d served his country proud.  Instead the murder of Oswald transformed Ruby from anonymous boob to infamous boob. 

[By Patrick Mackenna Jr.]

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