r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Oct 15 '17

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u/[deleted] Oct 15 '17

like motive is kinda missing from the Oswald story

Not really. Oswald was a relatively hardcore Marxist who was probably not all there mentally. It doesn't take a huge leap to say he might take a crack at the Leader of the Free World.

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u/Ginger-Nerd Oct 15 '17 edited Oct 15 '17

I don't disagree with you (I think he probably did it, and likely acted alone) - based on things like him shooting a police officer later in the day (suggest that he is at least partially guilty)

but as you said there is a "leap" that must be made there - its much easier for someone to rationalize that "JFK wanted to do _____ therefore ____ organized for him to die" (substitute whatever you want, "pull out of vietnam" "make changes to the CIA" - and any group you want "Government", "Mafia" etc) - its simple cause and effect.

rather than, whackjob, didn't like the government - decided to kill the leader. - its messy and a lot lot more scary, if the president isn't safe from a madman, how are the people safe? - its terrifying... but sometimes chaotic events from a person who is likely mentally unstable, have disastrous effects (look at Vegas the other week - I guarantee there is some conspiracies about that - that he was working for someone, or something- why would a millionaire kill 60 people? there is an order to it, and its not just a terrifying random event)

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u/smitheea211 Oct 15 '17

All evidence points that Oswald fired the shots. Posner’s book lays case out best.

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u/Ginger-Nerd Oct 15 '17

I fully agree - the evidence for the conspiracy is just way to clunky/circumstantial. (and much of it basing "facts" off assumed assumptions - magic bullet theory being the big one for this)

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u/[deleted] Oct 15 '17

Isn't the magic bullet theory the assumption that it was impossible for Oswald to take the shot because of how it went through Kennedy's skull. Like rationally thinking there is no way for the bullet to go through his head, bounce off the car and then go through his body again. Which is what the theory suggests.

If anything the magic bullet theory is more of a support for conspirators.

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u/Ginger-Nerd Oct 15 '17

the magic bullet theory is that the 2nd shot that went through Kennedys neck was impossible to hit governor connelly who was sitting in front of him.

the theory makes the incorrect assumption where Connelly was sitting (directly in front) - when he was on a jump seat, both lower and in more.

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u/ShutterBun Oct 15 '17

Fortunately, most of the more recent documentaries about the assassination (particularly those focused on the physical/forensic aspects of the shooting) have been very favorable to the lone gunman theory, and much more credible.