DECONSTRUCTING THE JFK MYTH

www.etherzone.com ^ | February 5. 2002 | SARTRE

[Angelique]

DECONSTRUCTING THE JFK MYTH
A NICE DREAM BETTER LEFT TO THE THEATER

By: SARTRE

"Ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country." - JFK

This stirring call to action best remembers the King of Camelot. He inspired an entire generation of youth to the call of public service. What noble intentions they had when entering into the hallowed halls of government duty. It is sad that the premise was so flawed! The invocation needed to read: "Ask not what you can do for your country -- Ask what we can do together to insure individual Liberty" . . .

How different our nation would be if Americans could understand the difference between these two calls to action. By the diminished standards of today, it can be argued that Kennedy was more of a reactionary than many current day Republicans. But let no one be misled, the propagandists of the ilk of Sargeant Shriver and Arthur Schlesinger Jr., designed a legend that defied factual references. Jack was a socialist through to the core. Don't be offended that a hero to some was really a predator with the charm of the tooth fairy. His open smile and quick wit, disguised the left hand that turned into the social excess of the 'Great Society'. What a legacy for decades to come. Its failure is evident to any sane person. The consequences of central planning and federal intrusion have allowed the multiple expansion of coercive government into every facet of society. Just what is great about this kingdom?

The likes of a Stewart Udall and Abraham Ribicoff were certainly in the vanguard of a 'collectivist' revolution. Who could forget good old Abe, taking up the George McGovern cause at the 1968 Chicago Democratic convention! But you don't have to rely on the ideology of appointees to strip away the sentiment of the fair haired hero. He proclaimed proudly to the NY Liberal Party on September 14, 1960:

"But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."

Note the pompous self delusion when it came to rationalize the 'good intentions' of their cause. Couple this with a willingness to micro manage public policy that established the federal programs that would reshape America society, and we have the proof that for Kennedy, country really means - government. And what is a socialist, if not a 'public servant' of the State?

And who can question that JFK's cold war interventionist credentials? "And the only basic issue in the 1960 campaign is whether our government will fall in a conservative rut and die there, or whether we will move ahead in the liberal spirit of daring, of breaking new ground, of doing in our generation what Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman and Adlai Stevenson did in their time of influence and responsibility."

Read that again, 'our government', 'move ahead', 'liberal spirit of daring', the same old internationalist tradition of Wilson and FDR is pure socialism . . . So why not call it for what it is, the surrender of the Republic to the supremacy of the State. JFK surrounded himself with mad men like Robert McNamara and Dean Rusk, who's only allegiance was to project the empire into world affairs. The notion that Communism in Southeast Asia was the greatest threat to domestic tranquillity, when the comrades were devising similar programs down in foggy bottom, decries credulity.

So were we supposed to take JFK at his word when he proclaimed in his inaugural address that: "the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God." Or are we better served by reflecting upon the actual record that created the environment that allowed the next deceiver to establish that Great Society?

The Peace Corp established little accord, but broke ground to instill a false duty to serve the State. His failed attempts to introduce the Medicare approach of cradle to grave health, greased the skids for the dismay we now call socialized medicine. Kennedy's civil rights bill was meant to right former wrongs, but as any credible historian will reluctantly acknowledge, we are more divided today in culture and convictions, than back some forty years ago. The ideological polarization's are clear to any student of current events. So why do we indulge in national denial about the real results and adverse consequences of the 'New Frontier'?

The 'pretender emancipator', had no problem auctioning off the freedoms of the people to the overseers and carpetbaggers of the federal bureaucracy. The Kennedy plantation was extended far outside the Hyannis compound. The rise of the War on Poverty, has brought forth an even greater dependency. But this time, all American citizens are under the yoke of a federal master.

The JFK government admiration society, ushered in the era of State/Capitalism that merges both big business and big government into the same axis of public control. Individual rights became the ultimate causality of this socialism. So how does the Liberal reconcile the inherent conflict in their programs with "the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state"?

As we all know, consistency is seldom practiced while veneration for the federal crumbs are now a way of life. Idealism as the virtue of self sacrifice in support of government policy is a sickness. Kennedy is revered for preaching contempt for your own dignity. The illicit need to infuse a pathetic personal identity into the public persona, causes false heroes to be honored. When they become martyrs, factual chronicles become a fantasy. Just like Camelot, a nice dream better left for the theater.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

For you to put Clinton second in corruption to anyone is laughable. You must have some other agenda.

[RightWhale]

Kennedy was semi-literate and could barely spell simple words

Reminds me of someone. Hmm. Present resident of the White House? Maybe.

[RLK]

Content please?

[RLK]

Years ago when cosa nostra chirman of the commission Frank Costello was brought befor the Kefawver crime commission he asked if he sold illegal booze during prohibition. His answer was, "Everybody sold illegal booze during the 20s." Joe Kennedy was one of them. He also got exclusive license to import certain kinds of scotch later when it was legal usng his contacts. During the 20s there were three ethnic groups that were crime leaders. The first were Jews headed by Meyer Lansky and later Mickey Cohen. The Irish had their group known in some areas as the Westies who controlled their areas. The third was the Italians. Salvatore Luchiannia, better known as Lucky Luchiano, Meyer Lansky, Frank Costello, anf Buggsy Siegal grew up together. Lucky negotiated a peace between the Irish and Italian, with Costello's help. The Irish were allowed to go their own way in their own territories. The Jews and Italians formed a commision to prevent rogues such as Capone, and to prevent widespread violence that had been bringing trouble for the mob. Such things as illegal gambling became a well a well organized business with people such as Costello as chairman of the board of directors. Kennedy want his own way among the Irish and engaged in political corruption. At some point he entered the fringes of politics under Roosevelt in attempt to gain respectability. The ultimate goal was to get one or more of his kids in as president, which he did starting with the groundwork in the late 30s and early 40s. He had somewher between $200,000,000 and $400,000,000 to push buttons with and was successful in so doing.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Let's see.

JFK in office three years. Began pulling troops out of Viet Nam; tried to dismantle the Federal Reserve; took the blame for the Bay of Pigs when it was clearly not his mess. For his effort, his brains were splattered all over his wife's pretty pink suit.

Clinton in office eight years. The list of his crimes and transgressions against God, man and state has filled this forum for over four years.

And yet you put KENNEDY ahead of CLINTON when it comes to criminality!

I think it's you lacking "content."

[breakem]

I think you two will never resolve who the bigger crook was. The way I see it JFK became president with organized crime help, but Clinton was the bigger crook in office and on a personal basis.

To add to your info on Joe Kennedy. Joe solicited the mafia to help with the union vote. It was instrumental in the W VA primary, usually not a significant one. JFK beat Humphrey, who was the favorite up to that point.

When Bobby Kennedy went after the mafia, Joe was paid a visit to ask him to remind the boys that they were slapping the hand that fed them. Joe told them he would talk to them when the family got together for x-mas. Joe stroked out before then.

It is reputed that Joe and the mafia split the entire traffic in Scotch during prohibition and most of the 30s.

Joe was FDR's ambassador to, I think, England. He was soft and blind to Hitler. This lead to his recall and the end of his personal political career.

[RLK]

When did Kennedy pull troops out of Nam? There were about 335 there in MAG groups when he entered office and about 33,000, no allof which we admitted were there when he departed. I was in the army at that time and men were being shipped there in droves.

[RLK]

To add to your info on Joe Kennedy. Joe solicited the mafia to help with the union vote.

They buying of mob help in several states was done with $250,000 bags of cash in small bills direct from JFK with girlfriend Judith Campbill being used as a courier. Discussions of it were picked up on FBI iretap tapes and mention of the tales was made in, I believe, a fall 1998 Time Magazine piece quoting a retired federal agen with knowledge of the matter.

[Yeti]

"Ask not what you can do for your country -- Ask what we can do together to insure individual Liberty"

Maybe we could try Lloyd's of London...

This is where I stop reading.

[breakem]

I thought JC was just running info. Didn't know about cash.

One story. RFK tried to get Carlos Marcello (New Orleans mafia boss) deported. The federal court said no deal. Kennedy had some INS pick him up and take him to, I think, Guatamala and left him alone penneyless in the hills. He found his way down to the coast and a phone and his guys came and got him. Since CM reported to Giancano in Chicago, RFK was directly screwing with the underboss of the guy who got his brother elected.

This is often cited as CM's motive to have JFK killed.

[white rose]

Kennedy was the first Bill Clinton and made the Clintons possible. The two most corrupt presidents in order of corruption were 1) JFK and 2) Clinton.

Don't forget LBJ, the man who, for my money, was the most personally repulsive man to ever become President until Our Bill came along. As far as general corruption goes, I'd put him second (only by half a length!) behind Clinton, and a comfortable margin ahead of JFK and the field. I'm currently reading Robert Caro's bio of him, which is quite interesting. He's already managed to thoroughly decimate Johnson--expose him as absolute walking slime--as a human being and politician both, and I'm only up to 1933.

[Bush2000]

Began pulling troops out of Viet Nam;...

Huh? Are you kidding? Kennedy was accused of being a dove and he issued a statement of commitment to protecting Vietnam. He was ramping up troop deployments by the time that Johnson took over.

took the blame for the Bay of Pigs when it was clearly not his mess.

Kennedy indicated to the guerillas that he would support them during the invasion. There were U.S. warships at sea waiting for the go signal. In the final hours, Kennedy reneged on his promise and left the guerillas to get slaughtered on the beach like dogs. They wouldn't have risked their lives if Kennedy hadn't promised them support. It was a twisted, politically expedient decision on his part (he just wanted them out of his hair) and, I believe, one of the reasons that he paid the ultimate price for his sins.

[Bush2000]

One story. RFK tried to get Carlos Marcello (New Orleans mafia boss) deported.

Where did you read that?

[breakem]

There was a JFK conspiracy book I read about 10-12 years ago. I believe the word Kingfish was in the title. It was CM's nick name.

Maybe some one else can remember more. I'll try for a few minutes to dig up the title.

[breakem]

Here tis: Mafia Kingfish : Carlos Marcello and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy available at amazon.com

[RLK]

I hadn't heard of that RFK caper. If Marcello was in Bobby's hit list it may have been an act of revenge for Maecello's not properly supporting JFK. Bobby was in election fixing up to his neck. Bobby approached mobster Vincent Alo through agents offering Alo money if he would help fix the election. Alo wasn't fond of the Kennedys and refused. It was an offer Alo wasn't supposed to refuse. Bobby never forgot the insult. Upon becoming attorney general Bobby came after Alo with everything he could muster and finally sent him to the slammer for five years on trumped up charges. The funny thing was, Alo and Lansky were almost to the point of leaving the mob and going straight. They had plans to set up a legitimate hotel aad casino operation in Havana, with further partnership by the unions, that would have been a Carribean Las Vegas. Onece that was done, they were out and legit. Castro screwed it up with his revolution.

[breakem]

Do you remember the source for the RFK Alo story?

[RLK]

It was a twisted, politically expedient decision on his part (he just wanted them out of his hair)

---------------

You hit that pretty damned close. I attended a lecture by Kennedy Latin American Affairs advisor Arthur Schlesinger in 1964 given before a left wing university faculty audience. Schlesinger said the free cubans "were and embarrassment left over from the Eisenhower administration " and were abandoned on the beach to be rid of them. The university audience laughed in approval.

[RLK]

As luck would have it you can find one reference to it here in the archives. It was in a series of Maimi Heral interview with Alo before he died. It was posted here in the spring of last year. Part of the title contained the wors blue eyes, which was Alo's nick name from when he was a kid.

[RLK]

Search under blue eyes. That may get it for you.