Dealey Plaza

[redlevel]

Visited there today. Did the Sixth Floor tour. A very eerie feeling looking out that window, down that street. The thing that amazed me about the whole place is the small dimensions. Looking at newsreels, still pictures, etc. doesn't convey the compactness of the area where everything took place. There is no doubt in my mind that Oswald could have made those shots. So could have thousands of deer hunters who cut their teeth on old milsurp rifles like Enfields, Mausers of various types, etc. Too much is made, I think, of the fact that the rifle he used wasn't exactly renowned for precision shooting. The first shot was about 60 yards, and the last one at about 100 yards.

Of course, the shots would have been even easier from "The Grassy Knoll." I don't believe in any of the conspiracy theories, though.

I'm glad I got the opportunity to visit that area. Interesting for an old History teacher.

 

[redlevel]

Mrs. rl at the Grassy Knoll. Who's that behind the fence?

 

[rwsmith]

60 and 100 yards?

60 and 100 yards! Even I could make that shot.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I remember those Klein's ads which usually were the entire back cover of a gun magazine. They had some really cheap rifles and ammo. They never had anything that I wanted.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Many of us could make them...the challenge is to make them from a couple different locations, and still stay within the time constraints. FWIW.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

It is quite eye opening to visit actual historical sites.

 

[jinx]

I was about 10 years old when this happened. Since then I have read everything I could find on it. Was able to visit Dealy Plaza about 12 years ago and the first thing that popped into my head was how small the area really is. Like you, I watched all the news reels and looked at photos of the area and thought the area was huge. Was stunned at how small it is.

 

[LVSteve]

Too much is made, I think, of the fact that the rifle he used wasn't exactly renowned for precision shooting.

... when used with undersized American made ammo. There is nothing wrong with the accuracy of the Carcano with the proper ammunition, which Oswald used IIRC.

Much overlooked are the relatively small size and weight of the Carcano Short Rifle and the light recoil of the 6.5 round, both big factors in shooting one rapidly IMHO. Most of those folk who tell you that you cannot shoot a military bolt action that quickly because of recoil and recovery time have never even held a Carcano, let alone shot one. All they know are a the Garand, M14, 1903 and various Remchester rifles.

 

[PA Reb]

Visited there today. Did the Sixth Floor tour. A very eerie feeling looking out that window, down that street. The thing that amazed me about the whole place is the small dimensions. Looking at newsreels, still pictures, etc. doesn't convey the compactness of the area where everything took place. There is no doubt in my mind that Oswald could have made those shots. So could have thousands of deer hunters who cut their teeth on old milsurp rifles like Enfields, Mausers of various types, etc. Too much is made, I think, of the fact that the rifle he used wasn't exactly renowned for precision shooting. The first shot was about 60 yards, and the last one at about 100 yards.

Of course, the shots would have been even easier from "The Grassy Knoll." I don't believe in any of the conspiracy theories, though.

I'm glad I got the opportunity to visit that area. Interesting for an old History teacher.

Glad to hear you got to see this giant piece of history but I believe you're in the minority if you believe Oswald was a lone shooter that day.

 

[lonejacklarry]

Glad to hear you got to see this giant piece of history but I believe you're in the minority if you believe Oswald was a lone shooter that day.

I expect that what you said is true. There a lot of people that do not believe that folks landed on the moon or that a very large multi-engine passenger jet plane crashed into the Pentagon.

 

[wbraswell]

It's nice short walk to the West End from there, nice shopping and eats. If you can, go up to Oklahoma City and visit the National Memorial there. Very emotional vibes there. Of course, there's hundreds of interesting places in the Metroplex.

 

[Comrad]

What always bothered me is there are way better windows that he should have used for a better shot. Why would he pick what I would consider the worst vantage point to shoot? Not to mention that window was glassed in so nobody could look out and see what a lousy shot it really was.
It's been some years since I was there but many of the sites still look the same as that day. I was able to walk down the ramp in the Police garage and stand on the loading dock, visited the house where the photo of Oswald holding the rifle and paper was taken, still looks the same and the spot where the Dallas officer was shot and finally the Texas Theater, just soaking up the history of the day. And finally I agree with RFK, organized crime had the most to gain by this and it's so obvious it's unbelievable and that's the beauty of the conspiracy, that it is so obvious nobody believes it. I'm pretty sure Bobby knew things we will never know about what really happened and likely why he ended up the same way. Another lone nut, hmmmm.

 

[loknload]

If you get a chance read the book Mortal Error by Bonar Menninger. This was highly publicized on the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination. I never believed the conspiracy theories but always believed there was more to the story that never came out.
I believe this book answers it.





'How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?'
Sherlock Holmes

 

[153]

Once in awhile the simple explanation is the truth.

"Conspiracy", in the case of both Kennedys I think it's more likely "Karma".

 

[Big Cholla]

While I was attending a FBI taught Police Sniper Class the subject of this shooting came up. One student had brought a Carcano rifle exactly like Oswald's. The shot distances were set up and a table rest approximated. Even though most of us had never fired a Carcano Carbine before, none of us had any problem in duplicating the accuracy and timing of Oswald. ................. Big Cholla

 

[Comrad]

No doubt it's been proved the shots are doable but that doesn't prove Oswald was the shooter. It proves he could have been the shooter. What was his motive? What did he stand to gain by doing this? If it was notoriety why did he run? I think the only thing that is absolutely certain is we don't really know what happened or why or even how.

 

[redlevel]

No doubt it's been proved the shots are doable but that doesn't prove Oswald was the shooter. It proves he could have been the shooter.

I thought it was pretty well factually proven that Oswald was in that window, with that rifle, and fired at least three shots. Yes? No? No one else is anywhere near being proven to be in the area with a rifle, have they?

Occam's Razor, anyone?

After looking at the site, I believe he intended to shoot from that corner window as the limo was headed straight at him, before it made the turn directly under him, and for some reason he didn't take that shot. Maybe he expected JFK to be in the front seat. If there was a shooter on the Knoll, where Oswald actually took the shots would have been perfect for a crossfire. No one can present anything firm and tangible to support such a scenario. Plenty of theories, and some are right plausible, but nothing concrete. I believe it is possible, but until someone presents some hard evidence, something a real DA felt he/she could take and get a conviction, I remain unconvinced.

 

[armenius]

I have read quite a bit and watched the hours of History Channels series on various conspiracy theories .To anyone interested I recommend that you read with an open mind "The Man Who Killed Kennedy..The Case Against LBJ " By Roger Stone.If you do so it will be hard to hold on to the idea of Oswald being the lone assassin anymore than believing Timothy Mc Vey and Nichols were the lone OKC Bombers.

 

[zonker5]

A popular idea at the time was that there was a short, flatulent, hairy man who lived in the sewer who was the real shooter. He shot from ground level from one of the storm sewer openings in the curb.

You may have heard of this, it's the "Gassy troll" theory.

 

[rwsmith]

In my case....

Many of us could make them...the challenge is to make them from a couple different locations, and still stay within the time constraints. FWIW.

In my case it would have helpful if the limousine had held still for a few minutes.