02.08.2013 Views

[Sample B: Approval/Signature Sheet] - George Mason University

[Sample B: Approval/Signature Sheet] - George Mason University

[Sample B: Approval/Signature Sheet] - George Mason University

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

CHAPTER 1: THE WARREN COMMISSION AND OSWALD:<br />

BIOGRAPHY AS MOTIVE<br />

The Warren Commission fired the opening salvo in the cultural battle over<br />

Oswald’s life. Kennedy's successor, President Johnson, faced rumors and speculation<br />

about a possible conspiracy, some even involving himself. Dallas nightclub owner Jack<br />

Ruby's murder of Oswald, two days after Kennedy's death, destroyed the possibility that<br />

the alleged assassin would stand trial for the murder. To contain the political<br />

consequences of these events, Johnson directed the establishment of an official,<br />

bipartisan investigative panel, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren. Rushing to complete its<br />

work before the November 1964 election, the Commission tried to paint a convincing<br />

portrait of Oswald as a loner at odds with society to support its famous conclusion that it<br />

found "no evidence that either Lee Harvey Oswald or Jack Ruby was part of any<br />

conspiracy, domestic or foreign.” 24<br />

To the Commissioners and many Americans, Oswald’s guilt was epitomized in<br />

the image of Commission Exhibit Number 134, which appeared on the cover of the<br />

popular magazine, Life. This photograph depicted the alleged assassin dressed in black, a<br />

24<br />

Report of the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President John F.<br />

Kennedy, (1964; repr., New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1991) 21.<br />

17

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!