by Geoffrey Churchman

One of the commitments that Robert F. Kennedy Jr recently sought — and got — from Donald Trump was an independent commission to investigate assassinations or attempted assassinations, which now include Trump himself.

The assassination in Dallas, Texas of President John F, Kennedy on 22 November 1963 was a massive world event and has been the subject of much speculation over who the perpetrators were. Many have doubted the official version that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone (and some that he fired any shot that hit the victims) and believe he was set up by the CIA. The fatal shooting two days later of Oswald by Dallas nightclub operator Jack Ruby (whose bar still operates) only strengthened those conspiracy beliefs.

It has been the subject of several books and TV programs and the Oliver Stone movie JFK (1991).

When in Dallas this May I went to check out the scene of the assassination in Dealey Plaza, all of which has protected historic monument status and looks the same as it did in 1963. It is also the major tourist attraction in Dallas, which Dallas people probably have mixed feelings about.

While there is an official museum on the 6th Floor of what was then the Texas School Book Depository, there were a couple of black guys selling a book in Dealey Plaza which one had contributed to and who I had a long discussion with. They are firmly convinced that it was the CIA and in an interview with Tucker Carlson last year, a current (anonymous) agent said “I believe we were involved.”

The are many problems with the official version and available evidence conflicting with it, although the biggest question is: if the CIA wanted Kennedy dead, then why? Was he too much of a peace president and wasn’t going to spend enough on armaments? Perhaps it was Kennedy’s plan to cut the agency’s budget by 20%?

Trump has said if elected he will release all government documents on the shooting.

The former School Book Depository building with the window alleged to be ‘Sniper’s Perch’ on the 6th Floor obvious. It now has a webcam inside it.

The plaque on the wall of the building has the word “allegedly” highlighted next to Lee Harvey Oswald as the assassin.
The location on Grassy Knoll where it is claimed the CIA assassins were.
The view they would have had from there of Elm Street. Why did the motorcade instead of continuing straight down Main Street turn up Houston Street on the right and then into Elm Street? There are X’s painted on the road where the shots met their victims (Texas governor John Connally in the car with the Kennedys was also hit, non-fatally.)
Continuation of Elm Street under the railway lines. Main Street converges on the left. The bridge was built in 1936 and has Art Deco styling.

And what of Dallas itself these days?

While the State Capital of Austin has a funky vibe, Dallas is more corporate in nature and the Downtown exudes affluence. On the side of a bus I noticed an advertisement for drivers offering a $5,000 sign-on bonus.

Dallas night lights. The globe of the Reunion Tower has sparkling changing displays at night. The stripes of the Omni Hotel change constantly in colour too.
The large Pegasus sign, a Mobil symbol, seen lit up in the photo above. The history is here:Mobil’s High-Flying Trademark – American Oil & Gas Historical Society (aoghs.org)
A daytime view of the Reunion Tower in which you can ascend 470 feet or 143 metres for scenic views. ‘The Ball’ has been a feature of the Dallas skyline since 1978 and has 259 exterior LED lights.
The Old Red Courthouse, still used, but now a home to other activities also.

Lots of cattle statues and cowboys accompanying them.