we cant really assign a grade on the Manchester tapes since President does not have authority under JFK Act to overide the deed of gift conditions. we need statutory amendment like Schweikert bill.
For this item, Jeff Morley mentioned earlier there are William Manchester papers at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. It appears the WU papers are restricted from a court decree from a 1967 lawsuit. It seems the same NARA gifted JBK and RFK interview files are also in this database. Can these restricted assassination files at WU be accessed in a different manner?
we'd have to look at the deed of gift but my undestand is that even some unknown quantity of materials at WU are subject to the deed of gift. the collection has the following conditions:
"Collection is open for research except for certain materials related to The Death of a President. A 1967 judgment and decree defines such material as: (1) the Manuscript; (2) any writing of which Manchester is the author which ever was, or was intended by him to be, part of any version of Manchester's proposed work of which the Manuscript is one version; (3) written notes made by Manchester personally in the course of preparation of the Manuscript during the period March 26, 1964 through April 15, 1966 of interviews or conversations between Manchester and any member of the plaintiff's [Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was the plaintiff] family (which term, as used in this Judgment and Decree, shall include the family of the late President John F. Kennedy) or members of her household (which term, as used in this Judgment and Decree, shall mean and include all persons at any time prior to April 15, 1966 in the personal employ of the plaintiff or the late President John F. Kennedy and those who served at any time during the administration of the late President John F. Kennedy as members of the White House household staff, such as maids, butlers, valets, gardeners, nurses and all others performing essentially personal or household services for the President and his family, or as personal secretaries, or as members of the Secret Service or White House police attached, in whole or part, to the President or members of his family personally); (4) tapes or other voice recordings, furnished to or possessed by Manchester, of plaintiff or members of her family or members of her household, and all copies, excerpts, fragments, transcripts, abstracts and summaries of any of the foregoing; (5) letters or written communications from the late President to plaintiff, from plaintiff to the late President, and between and among the plaintiff, the late President, any members of her family and any member of her household, and all copies, abstracts and summaries of any of the foregoing; (6) the items mentioned in the subdivisions (4) and (5) hereof shall be limited to such items therein described as were furnished to, or obtained by, Manchester during the period March 26, 1964 through April 15, 1966. [Complete judgment and decree found in box 56 folders 33-34] Additionally, The undersigned hereby agree that they shall treat as if they are 'material', subject to the provisions of the Judgment and Decree, all notes of interviews, letters or other communications of the following: Robert S. McNamara Kenneth P. O'Donnell David Powers Pierre Salinger occurring during the period March 26, 1964 to April 15, 1966, which concern the actions, conduct or statements of Mrs. John F. Kennedy or her children during the period November 22, 1963 through November 30, 1963. [Signed Jacqueline B. Kennedy; William Manchester; Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc. by Cass Canfield. Box 56 folder 30.] This material is restricted until 2067 January 17. "
Interestingly, the ARRB Final report does not appear to refer to the WU papers. Maybe they were not donated until he died?
Reviewing the WU inventory, it looks like Box 56 contains materials subject to the agreement between Jackie and Manchester. Folders 22-37 maybe the the specific folders subject to the restriction.
Agreement is a three-party one, including Harper & Row. I would suspect that 2 of the 3 parties would not have a problem with working with the court to change the release date to be earlier. What I found was that the agreement includes restrictions on interviews with others besides Jackie and Bobby, such as several Secret Service agents. As an example, the Manchester interview transcripts with Bill Greer are restricted until 2067, too. Many of the other restricted files it seems JFK would want released. .... Or the drama timeline will just continue until to 2067. Jack S. will still have to deal with the publicity during his lifetime. The pressure to release the files won't go away.
Yes sir, on the "Wow" factor. So, in January, I requested the unrestricted Agreement from WU. I received reply from the Head of Special Collections in early February. She said her department will scan the file I requested and send me a PDF when it's ready. I have not heard back yet. It seems to me starting with the Agreement may be helpful to better understand the restrictions in place.
Maybe because it has dawned on them that all hell could break loose when the American people find out the CIA and the military killed the president. Let 'er rip!
I say “let er rip” too. 70 something percent of Americans think, know, that the CIA did it. They can handle the truth, But is trump and his advisers willing to disband the CIA? Cause that’s what we’re looking at. I say do it, the sooner the better.
I truly appreciate the detailed analysis and will be glued to your scoring. However, unless our JFK Facts experts know more, there is much we don’t know. What is “the plan” submitted to the DNI and AG? How has it progressed? (AG Bondi has stated some JFK files are “on my desk” and she is in the process of review). As a low end foot soldier, I’m anxious to do my part. I’ve contacted my representative regarding the JFK bills and left a voice message for Congresswoman Luna regarding her committee. Perhaps send Jeff’s list of known evidence issues by email to the President?
It is still early for Trump 2.0 and thus hard to know what is “stalling” VS what is “confirming cabinet posts”, DOGE drama, Ukraine drama, Middle East drama, and a mountain of executive orders.
But now that - as of yesterday - we have a full cabinet to lead the FBI, DOJ, CIA, and a DNI, I guess any “stalling” will become progressively more apparent.
As ever, in my view, the release of any JFK documents will fundamentally be a function of “utility or not” for the President. If it can help Trump, we’ll see files. If it is likely to hurt Trump’s plans - we won’t.
Presumably Trump already knows much about the information that will be released. If it were hurtful to him he probably would not have put forth the executive order on full disclosure. Fingers crossed.
I'd like to give team Trump more rope to get it all out, however, I am not excited for Congresswoman Luna's committee review scheduled in March. Is that a deep state tactic of avoidance until that bit of drama is played out? And how long will it go on? Do we have to wait until the release of the 'Luna Report' to give Trump cover and hold items back once again? I dunno, enough already IMO.
We should note the following sequence of recent events:
Jan 20 2025 - Merrick Garland (AG) and Avril Haines (DNI) resigned their positions and were replaced by ‘acting’ officers James McHenry (acting AG) and Stacey Dixon (acting DNI).
Jan 23 2025 - President Trump signed his Order requiring the AG and the DNI to deliver a plan by Feb 7 2025.
Jan 25 2025 - Stacey Dixon resigned her position (very interesting BTW) and was replaced by Lora Shiao (acting DNI).
Feb 5 2025 - Pam Bondi assumed the Office of the AG.
Feb 7 2025 - A plan for release of the JFK files was delivered.
Feb 12 2025 - Tulsi Gabbard assumed the Office of the DNI.
I think we have to assume that Trump for one reason or another set things up like this deliberately.
How much more time must you spend in the Feds' poison garden (worthy of Dr. Shatterhand, Ian Fleming fans) before you comprehend that its fruit and vegetables will kill all who struggle to define and effect justice for JFK and the untold millions collaterally damaged by his assassins?
Come to grips with the realization that what we are investigating is what I've termed a "solved unsolved crime." Conspiracy has been established to the degree of metaphysical certitude. Our efforts to identify the assassination and cover-up Sponsors, Facilitators, and Mechanics as defined in the Evica-Drago Conspiracy Model, however, remain, at best, non-productive.
Two major USG investigations of the assassination have reached mutually exclusive conclusions. Thus they belong in the category of my proposed "Doppelganger Gambit": presentations of multiple, irreconcilable iterations of evidence. See two -- or more -- Oswalds, weapons, autopsies, brains, film and still images, for starters.
The objectives are to confuse and Balkanize private and official investigators and as a consequence preserve the doubt upon which the cover-up depends for its effectiveness and longevity.
But by all means run once again to the parent state and beg for more heaping servings of its poison veggies and fetid fruit.
We may not know whodunnit (the trigger pullers) but we sure as hell know who benefited from it. LBJ is dead so we will leave him to his cleansing purgatory. That leaves known organizations and state actors whose tentacles are still active, and we should eliminate them as the fruit of the poisonous tree, as the lawyers say. Their benefit must be destroyed in perpetuity.
Why the need for Pam Bondi to review the documents? And why the need for congressional committees? Trump said "full and complete disclosure of documents." Release them and be done with it. Too many hurdles being put in place. That can only lead to frustration and lack of disclosure.
Did anyone in their right mind really believe what a twice impeached convicted felon would all of a sudden be honest? I do believe him when it comes to his dictatorship but anything impeding money in his pocket will never ever occur.
I hate being political but this is where we stand with this guy. I hate to offend anyone & I do apologize but sorry, I call ‘em as I see ‘em. I prefer to give the benefit of the doubt but honestly I see no doubt. I don’t think any President will sign releases.
When considering what happened to the victim in the last case, I have to give some merit to your statement here. But then we are talking about King Donal, who at this point likely feels bullet proof and invisible, maybe there still is a chance though.
Color me jaded about any release of JFK documents these past 62 years.
However, I do sense that Trump will release a lot more in time. How and when is anyone’s guess.
But my take on this is Trump will maximize the release of information for his own benefit.
A transparent, large document dump could potentially be explosive for researchers and the American public at large.
I don’t see Trump doing that.
At least not all at once.
There is so much to gain by releasing tantalizing information selectively, and at times that are beneficial for the Trump Administration.
I believe President Trump will release most of the files and documents in time. When it is to his advantage.
Trump has an adversarial relationship with the legacy intelligence and law enforcement communities.
And also with the legacy media establishment.
The ball is clearly in Trump’s court here.
And the truth withheld in the Kennedy Assassination files, with their potential for sensational releases, is one high stakes game I believe President Trump is willing to manipulate for his own advantage.
last night, Pam Bondi said she had JFK files on her desk to review.
we cant really assign a grade on the Manchester tapes since President does not have authority under JFK Act to overide the deed of gift conditions. we need statutory amendment like Schweikert bill.
For this item, Jeff Morley mentioned earlier there are William Manchester papers at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. It appears the WU papers are restricted from a court decree from a 1967 lawsuit. It seems the same NARA gifted JBK and RFK interview files are also in this database. Can these restricted assassination files at WU be accessed in a different manner?
we'd have to look at the deed of gift but my undestand is that even some unknown quantity of materials at WU are subject to the deed of gift. the collection has the following conditions:
"Collection is open for research except for certain materials related to The Death of a President. A 1967 judgment and decree defines such material as: (1) the Manuscript; (2) any writing of which Manchester is the author which ever was, or was intended by him to be, part of any version of Manchester's proposed work of which the Manuscript is one version; (3) written notes made by Manchester personally in the course of preparation of the Manuscript during the period March 26, 1964 through April 15, 1966 of interviews or conversations between Manchester and any member of the plaintiff's [Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was the plaintiff] family (which term, as used in this Judgment and Decree, shall include the family of the late President John F. Kennedy) or members of her household (which term, as used in this Judgment and Decree, shall mean and include all persons at any time prior to April 15, 1966 in the personal employ of the plaintiff or the late President John F. Kennedy and those who served at any time during the administration of the late President John F. Kennedy as members of the White House household staff, such as maids, butlers, valets, gardeners, nurses and all others performing essentially personal or household services for the President and his family, or as personal secretaries, or as members of the Secret Service or White House police attached, in whole or part, to the President or members of his family personally); (4) tapes or other voice recordings, furnished to or possessed by Manchester, of plaintiff or members of her family or members of her household, and all copies, excerpts, fragments, transcripts, abstracts and summaries of any of the foregoing; (5) letters or written communications from the late President to plaintiff, from plaintiff to the late President, and between and among the plaintiff, the late President, any members of her family and any member of her household, and all copies, abstracts and summaries of any of the foregoing; (6) the items mentioned in the subdivisions (4) and (5) hereof shall be limited to such items therein described as were furnished to, or obtained by, Manchester during the period March 26, 1964 through April 15, 1966. [Complete judgment and decree found in box 56 folders 33-34] Additionally, The undersigned hereby agree that they shall treat as if they are 'material', subject to the provisions of the Judgment and Decree, all notes of interviews, letters or other communications of the following: Robert S. McNamara Kenneth P. O'Donnell David Powers Pierre Salinger occurring during the period March 26, 1964 to April 15, 1966, which concern the actions, conduct or statements of Mrs. John F. Kennedy or her children during the period November 22, 1963 through November 30, 1963. [Signed Jacqueline B. Kennedy; William Manchester; Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc. by Cass Canfield. Box 56 folder 30.] This material is restricted until 2067 January 17. "
Interestingly, the ARRB Final report does not appear to refer to the WU papers. Maybe they were not donated until he died?
Reviewing the WU inventory, it looks like Box 56 contains materials subject to the agreement between Jackie and Manchester. Folders 22-37 maybe the the specific folders subject to the restriction.
Agreement is a three-party one, including Harper & Row. I would suspect that 2 of the 3 parties would not have a problem with working with the court to change the release date to be earlier. What I found was that the agreement includes restrictions on interviews with others besides Jackie and Bobby, such as several Secret Service agents. As an example, the Manchester interview transcripts with Bill Greer are restricted until 2067, too. Many of the other restricted files it seems JFK would want released. .... Or the drama timeline will just continue until to 2067. Jack S. will still have to deal with the publicity during his lifetime. The pressure to release the files won't go away.
Wow on restricting interview transcripts with secret service. I wonder if this was to protect personal stuff they saw or heard?
Yes sir, on the "Wow" factor. So, in January, I requested the unrestricted Agreement from WU. I received reply from the Head of Special Collections in early February. She said her department will scan the file I requested and send me a PDF when it's ready. I have not heard back yet. It seems to me starting with the Agreement may be helpful to better understand the restrictions in place.
Maybe because it has dawned on them that all hell could break loose when the American people find out the CIA and the military killed the president. Let 'er rip!
I say “let er rip” too. 70 something percent of Americans think, know, that the CIA did it. They can handle the truth, But is trump and his advisers willing to disband the CIA? Cause that’s what we’re looking at. I say do it, the sooner the better.
I truly appreciate the detailed analysis and will be glued to your scoring. However, unless our JFK Facts experts know more, there is much we don’t know. What is “the plan” submitted to the DNI and AG? How has it progressed? (AG Bondi has stated some JFK files are “on my desk” and she is in the process of review). As a low end foot soldier, I’m anxious to do my part. I’ve contacted my representative regarding the JFK bills and left a voice message for Congresswoman Luna regarding her committee. Perhaps send Jeff’s list of known evidence issues by email to the President?
Thank you for the weekly accountability!
It is still early for Trump 2.0 and thus hard to know what is “stalling” VS what is “confirming cabinet posts”, DOGE drama, Ukraine drama, Middle East drama, and a mountain of executive orders.
But now that - as of yesterday - we have a full cabinet to lead the FBI, DOJ, CIA, and a DNI, I guess any “stalling” will become progressively more apparent.
As ever, in my view, the release of any JFK documents will fundamentally be a function of “utility or not” for the President. If it can help Trump, we’ll see files. If it is likely to hurt Trump’s plans - we won’t.
Presumably Trump already knows much about the information that will be released. If it were hurtful to him he probably would not have put forth the executive order on full disclosure. Fingers crossed.
I'd like to give team Trump more rope to get it all out, however, I am not excited for Congresswoman Luna's committee review scheduled in March. Is that a deep state tactic of avoidance until that bit of drama is played out? And how long will it go on? Do we have to wait until the release of the 'Luna Report' to give Trump cover and hold items back once again? I dunno, enough already IMO.
Exactly! The committee can only be a possible roadblock. Why do we even need this committee.
We should note the following sequence of recent events:
Jan 20 2025 - Merrick Garland (AG) and Avril Haines (DNI) resigned their positions and were replaced by ‘acting’ officers James McHenry (acting AG) and Stacey Dixon (acting DNI).
Jan 23 2025 - President Trump signed his Order requiring the AG and the DNI to deliver a plan by Feb 7 2025.
Jan 25 2025 - Stacey Dixon resigned her position (very interesting BTW) and was replaced by Lora Shiao (acting DNI).
Feb 5 2025 - Pam Bondi assumed the Office of the AG.
Feb 7 2025 - A plan for release of the JFK files was delivered.
Feb 12 2025 - Tulsi Gabbard assumed the Office of the DNI.
I think we have to assume that Trump for one reason or another set things up like this deliberately.
Gambling in Casablanca???
How much more time must you spend in the Feds' poison garden (worthy of Dr. Shatterhand, Ian Fleming fans) before you comprehend that its fruit and vegetables will kill all who struggle to define and effect justice for JFK and the untold millions collaterally damaged by his assassins?
Come to grips with the realization that what we are investigating is what I've termed a "solved unsolved crime." Conspiracy has been established to the degree of metaphysical certitude. Our efforts to identify the assassination and cover-up Sponsors, Facilitators, and Mechanics as defined in the Evica-Drago Conspiracy Model, however, remain, at best, non-productive.
Two major USG investigations of the assassination have reached mutually exclusive conclusions. Thus they belong in the category of my proposed "Doppelganger Gambit": presentations of multiple, irreconcilable iterations of evidence. See two -- or more -- Oswalds, weapons, autopsies, brains, film and still images, for starters.
The objectives are to confuse and Balkanize private and official investigators and as a consequence preserve the doubt upon which the cover-up depends for its effectiveness and longevity.
But by all means run once again to the parent state and beg for more heaping servings of its poison veggies and fetid fruit.
We may not know whodunnit (the trigger pullers) but we sure as hell know who benefited from it. LBJ is dead so we will leave him to his cleansing purgatory. That leaves known organizations and state actors whose tentacles are still active, and we should eliminate them as the fruit of the poisonous tree, as the lawyers say. Their benefit must be destroyed in perpetuity.
Why the need for Pam Bondi to review the documents? And why the need for congressional committees? Trump said "full and complete disclosure of documents." Release them and be done with it. Too many hurdles being put in place. That can only lead to frustration and lack of disclosure.
Did anyone in their right mind really believe what a twice impeached convicted felon would all of a sudden be honest? I do believe him when it comes to his dictatorship but anything impeding money in his pocket will never ever occur.
I hate being political but this is where we stand with this guy. I hate to offend anyone & I do apologize but sorry, I call ‘em as I see ‘em. I prefer to give the benefit of the doubt but honestly I see no doubt. I don’t think any President will sign releases.
When considering what happened to the victim in the last case, I have to give some merit to your statement here. But then we are talking about King Donal, who at this point likely feels bullet proof and invisible, maybe there still is a chance though.
I hope subsequent report cards are released weekly. It would be great to track the weekly snapshots over time to see the pace of disclosure.
I guess it's just me, but I'd give him an incomplete, by lack of fore thought and planning. He wanted the job.
King or not CIA always takes it's time.
Thanks for the great job keeping track and scoring the administration's efforts. Don't trust and verify, to reformulate Reagan's adage.
Don't hold your breath, Trump didn't get where he is by being a man of his word.
Color me jaded about any release of JFK documents these past 62 years.
However, I do sense that Trump will release a lot more in time. How and when is anyone’s guess.
But my take on this is Trump will maximize the release of information for his own benefit.
A transparent, large document dump could potentially be explosive for researchers and the American public at large.
I don’t see Trump doing that.
At least not all at once.
There is so much to gain by releasing tantalizing information selectively, and at times that are beneficial for the Trump Administration.
I believe President Trump will release most of the files and documents in time. When it is to his advantage.
Trump has an adversarial relationship with the legacy intelligence and law enforcement communities.
And also with the legacy media establishment.
The ball is clearly in Trump’s court here.
And the truth withheld in the Kennedy Assassination files, with their potential for sensational releases, is one high stakes game I believe President Trump is willing to manipulate for his own advantage.
Interesting conversation Jefferson Morley had yesterday on YouTube
https://youtu.be/fdpvVN1VAGk?si=6pP6zHtGRuaRFSkB
I just watched this. The provider (Utub) pushed 6 or 7 ads into a 27 + minute show. I'd say that says something about viewer numbers.