Ex-Presidents, Johnson Widow Call for JFK Film Probe

AP via TBO ^ | February 2,2004 | Lynn Elber

[John W]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Two former presidents and the widow of Lyndon B. Johnson are calling on the History Channel to investigate a documentary it aired alleging President Johnson was involved in the Kennedy assassination. Lady Bird Johnson said the film "falsely and irresponsibly" accuses her husband of conspiring to kill President Kennedy.

No accusation made against Johnson "has hurt as painfully," the 91-year-old former first lady said in a Jan. 29 letter. Her husband died in 1973.

Copies of her letter were sent to the chief executives of three companies that own A&E Networks, which includes the History Channel. The letters went to Bob Wright of NBC, Victor Ganzi of Hearst Corp. and Michael Eisner of The Walt Disney Co.

Former Presidents Ford and Carter also sent letters citing the documentary, "The Guilty Men," which aired last November as part of a series of History Channel specials on the Nov. 22, 1963 assassination.

Ford, noting he was the last surviving member of the Warren Commission that determined Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing Kennedy, called the History Channel documentary "reprehensible."

Alleging that Johnson, as Kennedy's vice president, was part of a conspiracy to murder him is "the greatest, most damaging accusation ever made against a former vice president and president in American History," Ford, 90, wrote in his Jan. 23 letter.

The letters were released Monday to The Associated Press by Tom Johnson, chairman of the LBJ Foundation and a representative of the Johnson family.

Calls to NBC and Disney were not immediately returned.

"We don't comment on correspondence with our chief executive officer," said Hearst spokesman Paul Luthringer.

Tom Johnson said he and three other former Johnson aides planned to meet Wednesday with executives of the History Channel and A&E Television Networks to press for an investigation and for its findings to be made public.

Nickolas Davatzes, president of A&E Television Networks, was expected to take part, History Channel spokeswoman Lynn Gardner said Tuesday.

Other Johnson aides scheduled to participate are Jack Valenti, now head of the Motion Picture Association of America; journalist Bill Moyers; and attorney Larry Temple.

"I'm puzzled, bewildered, that a distinguished enterprise like the History Channel would put on the air such garbage, such ugliness," Valenti said in November. "It makes one sick."

When the Kennedy series aired, the History Channel said in a statement that the point of view in "The Guilty Men" was "meticulously researched."

"By presenting different viewpoints we enable our viewers to decide to agree or disagree with them and to arrive at their own conclusions," the channel said.

[John W]

Ford or Bird?

[Lunatic Fringe]

Ford, noting he was the last surviving member of the Warren Commission that determined Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing Kennedy

And for that, he is just as guilty as the other conspirators... an accesory after the fact.

There is NO WAY Oswald did that shooting in the manner the Warren Commission claims.

To believe the Warren Commission, you must believe the Magic Bullet Theory.

[Lucy Lake]

Ping.

[jordan8]

Lyndon B. Johnson was not involved in the JFK assassination. He was, however, the most destructive politician this country has ever produced. His grave should be dug up, the coffin should be opened, and used as an outdoor toilet.

[Finalapproach29er]

58,000 dead

Don't be to sure about JFK. That SOB had the most to gain.

[The Duke]

I was an 11-year-old kid when Kennedy was assassinnated. As a naieve kid I was always perplexed why everyone was asking whodunnit, it just seemed apparent to me to look at the new guy sittin' on the throne.

[tpaine]

Ford, noting he was the last surviving member of the Warren Commission that determined Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing Kennedy, called the History Channel documentary "reprehensible."


________________________________________


Ford, the last surviving member of the Warren Commission that claimed Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing Kennedy, ----- by calling the History Channel documentary "reprehensible", - assured himself a place in presidential history as the blackest kettle to go to pot..

[aynrandfreak]

LOL. A little over the top, but hilarious!

[hoosierpearl]

There is a new book out "Blood, Money & Power: How LBJ killed JFK" by Barr McClellan. The author was a part of the law firm that represented Lyndon Johnson. He has a lot
of evidence in the book. Johnson was part of a grand jury investigation in 1984 and the grand jury concluded that he was a part of a conspiracy to murder a man named Harry Marshall. The killer [of Marshall] was one of the men McClellan alleges was a shooter at the assassination, his fingerprint was there at the Book depository on the same floor where Oswald was. The Marshall killing was just before the assassination. I have an open mind on the subject, the author has a lot of evidence but some evidence is still in documents that won't be released until 2028.
I can't say for a certainty that LBJ did order the assassination, but he did have motive and McClellan does have a good bit of evidence.
The History Channel might have it right. It would be nice if it were not true, you wouldn't want to think that something like that was possible, but the evidence should be examined before the idea is dismissed.
There is a website for the author that has some of the evidence and a chapter of the book posted online.
http://www.barrmcclellan.com

[Servant of the 9]

Other Johnson aides scheduled to participate are Jack Valenti, now head of the Motion Picture Association of America; journalist Bill Moyers; and attorney Larry Temple.

Well The History Channel and it's owners have stepped in it this time.

LadyBird and Carter represent the Democrat Establishment
Bill Moyers represents the Liberal TV establishment.
Jack Valenti is the Hollywood Establishment.

There are no do-gooders left to come to their defense.

So9

[Loyal Buckeye]

LBJ didn't do it. It was the military-industrial complex, aided by future SUV owners.

[ErnBatavia]

You have an apt screen name.

[Cicero]

LBJ was probably the most ruthless SOB ever to inhabit the White House. No way will we ever know for sure, but it was certainly within his character to have done it.

[Rummyfan]

I thought Arlen Spector was also involved with the Warren Commission report?

[Euro-American Scum]

There is NO WAY Oswald did that shooting in the manner the Warren Commission claims.

Well, if you believe Peter Jennings, Oswald was more than capable of such pinpoint shooting.

Let's see. . . to hear Pete tell it, Oswald got off three shots in five and a half seconds with a marginal weapon, scored two hits, including a fatal head shot on a moving target going away from him. And Pete would never lie about such a thing. Dear me, no.

Wow. . . those Marines sure know how to shoot.

[freedumb2003]

Is this a probe into John F'ing Kerry's before and after films of the Botox incident?

[Rummyfan]

As always with murder, qui bono?

[Lunatic Fringe]

Anyone with elementary knowledge of physics can clearly see that the Magic Bullet theory was a lie. Particularly since the biggest lie of the Theory is that the bullet hung in mid-air for almost 2 seconds between Kennedy and Connally.

I'm not sure I believe all the theories that the government, the FBI, Secret Service, the military, and the mob all conspired together... But why is it such a wild theory that more than one person conspired to kill JFK?