Posted in

Why the Prevalence of JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theories?

Liberals feared that once Americans focused on Oswald’s communism, there would be no stopping them as they edged toward war with Russia.

WASHINGTON — I am engaged in reading a very fine book by my colleague Paul Kengor. It was written six years ago, so do not feel bad if you missed it. You still have time.

It is called A Pope and a President. It covers the lives of John Paul II and Ronald Reagan, and, as its coverage is chronological, I just read its treatment of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This will be the umpteenth time that I have read about the assassination of JFK, and frankly I did not learn anything more than in earlier accounts. JFK was shot by a lone assailant, the despicable Lee Harvey Oswald. Other presidents have been shot by a lone assailant. In fact, Reagan and John Paul were both shot by lone assailants and fortunately survived. Yet for some reason JFK’s assassination was unique. It set loose a plethora of conspiracy theories for which there are a plethora of believers, probably millions, perhaps worldwide.

Share