Skeptomania - Paranormal / UFOs, etc.

Yaish · Intel Chief

OK, so this is the ultimate conspiracy for the conspiracy theorists.

Discovery just ran a show that I think was called "JFK: Beyond the Magic Bullet". They looked at all the evidence and tried to recreate events as best as possible to see if they were plausible.

In the show they were able to prove that Oswald would have had time to make the three shots from the Texas School Book Depository's sixth story window. It showed he would have had time to walk calmly from the window, stash the gun, then get to the second story cafeteria where he was found by a cop all without running or getting out of breath.

They were also able to determine that someone on the grassy knoll would not have had a clear shot, nor could a shot from there have possibly made the wounds that were present in the President and the Govenor.

The most interesting part of the show though was the actual ballistics tests they did concerning the 'magic bullet'.

The magic bullet theory holds that Oswalds second shot struck Kennedy in the upper back, came out the front of his neck, tumbled, entered Connally's back, exited his chest, went through his wrist, then lodged in his thigh and was almost in perfect condition.

Well, the Discovery team tested this theory using the same type of rifle and bullet and ballistically accurate models containing bone, ballistics gel, and all the models in the exact positions they were in that day.

They were able to show that Oswalds second shot could indeed do all that and without making any magical turns and twists as the conspiracy theorists would have you believe.
Connally was actually seated below, in front and inboard of Kennedy, not directly in front as is commonly thought. Also, at the time of the shot he was turning slightly back, so he wasnt seated facing straight forward either. These changes actually put the path of the wounds in a straight line from the shooters positions, and their ballistics test confirmed it.

Their shooter took his shot and it entered the model exactly where JFK was hit, exited and began tumbling, then entered the second dummy as it tumbled, leaving an exact copy of the wound Connally received in the exact same place. (a "keyhole" wound). The bullet then exited from the chest, through the wrist, and hit the thigh.
It was a perfect match for the actual shot that day.

Furthermore they also showed that the 6.5mm FMJ round Oswald fired could actually penetrate over a meter of solid pine and suffer almost no deformation, just like the bullet found in Connally's leg did.

It was a damn good show, and more or less proved that Oswald could have done everything simply acting alone. There was no need for another gunman, and in fact if there was then the evidence for it is not present.

I R Speshul · is sexy

The whole crowd was gunmen.
They just got cold feet. But the government doesn't want you to know that!

Gren · God Of Oreos

Bob Crane.

I'm just saying.

Jim

That show did a great job of discrediting the acoustic "evidence". In 1978, when the House Select Committee on Assasinations* was about to find no evidence of a conspiracy -- three scientists showed up -- claiming that an acoustic recording from a cyclecop on 11/22/63 showed a 4th shot (4th shot=Conspiracy).

Although the NSF and others at the time disputed the findings -- these guys (on the show) used video evidence to show that absolutely, no way could it have happened the way the acoustic guys said it did.

* My spell check change dit to House Select Committee on Assignations - which given JFK's rep I found funy -- or is it evidence of a conspiracy???

Yaish · Intel Chief

Yeah, it was a really well done, very indepth show. It completely convinced me for one. It was unbelievable how close some of their recreations came out.

Gren · God Of Oreos

You know, I surfed that show but assumed it was another gawdawful schlockumentary hack job.

What was the precise title so I can look for it? What channel did you see it on (TLC, History, A&E, etc.)

Yaish · Intel Chief

Discovery, and I am pretty sure it was JFK: Beyond the Magic Bullet.

Gren · God Of Oreos

They tend to repeat shows ad nauseum, so I'll try to catch it.

duhaast

Well, they left out one important factor...motion. But I do understand that they are going after the tightly defined "shot".

I am still firmly in the conspiricy camp, and I will tell you why.

If memory serves, I posted this as my first post at Para, and G was one of the first to reply. It was not a happy exchange...

We must go into the wayback machine and remember that TV in1963 was still rather primitive. There was no instant replay. The shooting of Oswald was broadcast live.

As I have said before to some of you, my dad was a native Pole who was what was known as a 'Special Agent' in the Polish Armed Forces opperating out of London in WW2. Not CIA desk jockey stuff....James Bond stuff...for real.

I was 12, and playing outside the afternoon of Nov. 24, 1963. My dad had been watching the news on TV. He ran outside very agitated, yelling for me..."Get in here!!!...get in the house!!!...they're going to kill Oswald!!."

I went inside and watched the events unfold.

The point being dad called the shot before it happened.

I asked him about it several times ofer the years, and the bottom line of what he told me was that he saw the situation as an asassination set-up...a planned scenario like something he had been taught in 'spy school', one he recognized.

Now, I know it's not direct evidence, but it is my experience.

Has anyone seen the series "The Men Who Killed Kennedy"?

There are several scenarios presented and seemingly unrelated stories. Dad could explain that too.

He told me it is not unusual for an operation to be on several levels, compartmentalized, so people don't know of other operatives. Not everyone is out to shoot. They are red herrings. The suspicious hobos, "umbrella man", people behind the fence on the Grassy Knoll. The point is to flood an area with enough odd goings on, that nothing can be discerned.

So....that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.....

Yaish · Intel Chief

They actually had someone make the shots on a moving vehicle as Du, and they were more than able to get the three shots off.

Now, I dont think its unreasonable to assume Oswald was killed by design either - but that doesnt say anything about what happened to Kennedy.

Also, assassination set ups are made to resemble normal events that let a small security breach happen. On the flip side, normal events that let a small security breach happen can lead to assassinations.

I R Speshul · is sexy

There are assasinations, or, on occassion, attempts, that do not seem to be planned that well.
Archduke of Ferdinand? He was killed, really, because his driver turned right on a street. Had he taken a left, the Archduke and his wife would have been fine.

Anonymouse · Living impaired

Did the "JFK Reloaded" guys ever pay out to a winner?

For a really amusing assassination, see Rasputin.

Yaish · Intel Chief

You can still "see" part of Rasputin now. They put his penis in a jar.

If true, its easy to see why the Queen had such a liking for him.

I R Speshul · is sexy

Ah... Hah.

I am familiar with the assasination of Rasputin. I found it interesting enough to write a two-pager about.

ktesibios