Trump to release secret JFK assassination files

Summary

In this discussion, historian and author Doug Wead explores the recent decision to release 54-year-old documents to the public, reflecting on the secrecy surrounding key historical events. He highlights the frustration with cover-ups, particularly around Benghazi and the Clinton scandals, and criticizes the political elite’s control over public office. Wead also touches on the controversy surrounding the JFK assassination, referencing the differing conclusions of the Warren Commission and the Senate Select Committee on Assassinations. He suggests that while these documents may not immediately solve the mystery, they represent a significant step toward transparency and accountability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Doug Wead, author and historian, discusses the release of 54-year-old sealed documents and the significance of transparency in government decisions.
• 😀 The decision to release the documents is praised as a positive step, allowing the public to see beyond government cover-ups of various scandals, such as Benghazi and Clinton-related controversies.
• 😀 Wead highlights frustration with political elites who feel entitled to power and resist the will of the people, drawing attention to the disconnect between elected officials and the voters who put them in office.
• 😀 Former President George W. Bush's executive order extended the time for withholding presidential papers, which Doug contrasts with President Trump's focus on job creation in his first executive orders.
• 😀 The release of the documents is seen as a way to restore respect for the people, as opposed to treating them as uninformed or unworthy of the truth.
• 😀 Doug emphasizes the growing public frustration with long-standing political secrecy, with particular reference to the perceived manipulation of history by powerful elites.
• 😀 A key question posed is whether the CIA, FBI, or 'deep state' will influence the narrative surrounding the release of these documents.
• 😀 Doug recalls his personal conversations with former President Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford, who both expressed doubts about the findings of the Warren Commission on JFK's assassination.
• 😀 There is a suggestion that the Warren Commission's conclusions were influenced by a desire to protect the Kennedy family's legacy, and that many details were withheld for political reasons.
• 😀 While the release of these documents might not immediately answer all questions about JFK's assassination, Doug hopes it will provide more transparency and prompt further examination of historical events.
• 😀 Doug concludes by suggesting that history is often shaped by the powerful, and that it may take more time for the truth about significant events to emerge, especially regarding who was responsible for JFK's assassination.

Q & A

Why is Doug Wead praising the release of the 54-year-old documents?

Doug Wead is praising the release of the documents because it represents a step toward transparency and accountability in government, allowing the public to gain access to information that had been kept secret for decades.

What concerns does Wead highlight regarding political elites and government secrecy?

Wead expresses concern that political elites and insiders have often manipulated history, hiding key information from the public. He believes that many past cover-ups, such as those related to Benghazi and the Clinton scandals, have left the public distrustful of the government's handling of sensitive matters.

How does Wead compare the document release under President Trump to actions taken by President George W. Bush?

Wead contrasts Trump's actions, which focused on creating jobs through executive orders, with George W. Bush’s decision to extend the time period during which presidential papers could be withheld from the public. Wead sees Trump’s approach as more respectful of the people, in contrast to Bush’s actions that continued a tradition of secrecy.

What does Doug Wead think about the role of conspiracy theories in public discourse?

Wead acknowledges that conspiracy theories have flourished in the absence of transparency, particularly regarding historical events like JFK’s assassination. He believes that the release of these documents could potentially shed light on such theories, although he does not expect all questions to be answered immediately.

How does Wead address the controversy surrounding the JFK assassination?

Wead mentions that the Warren Commission's conclusion of a lone assassin has been challenged by later investigations, including the Senate Select Committee on Assassinations, which suggested there may have been more than one assassin. He also refers to doubts expressed by figures like Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford, who believed the investigation may have been influenced by political concerns.

What historical figures does Wead reference to illustrate doubts about the JFK assassination investigation?

Wead references Lyndon Johnson, who privately expressed uncertainty about the official narrative of the assassination, and Gerald Ford, a member of the Warren Commission, who admitted that some elements of the investigation were compromised to protect the Kennedy family’s legacy.

What does Wead mean when he says that history is a 'version of events' agreed upon by powerful people?

Wead is referencing Napoleon's famous quote that history is often shaped by those in power, who decide how events will be remembered. He suggests that the true nature of historical events may be distorted or manipulated by elites in order to control the narrative.

What does Wead hope to achieve with the release of these documents?

Wead hopes that the release of the documents will help break through the secrecy that has shrouded certain historical events, allowing for a more honest and open public discourse. While he doesn’t expect all answers immediately, he sees the documents as a step in the right direction toward greater transparency.

Why does Wead refer to the public as 'children' in his discussion of government transparency?

Wead is critical of the paternalistic attitude some governments have taken toward the public, treating them as if they are incapable of handling the truth. He believes that the public deserves more respect and that governments should be more forthcoming with information.

What is Wead's opinion on the 'deep state' and its possible reaction to the document release?

Wead is skeptical of the 'deep state' and its potential reaction to the release of sensitive information. He questions how organizations like the CIA and FBI might respond to the documents, suggesting that there could be efforts to suppress or distort the truth in order to maintain the status quo.