The Warren Commission clearly did a very poor job, some might say incompetent, others call it something far worse. I for one am in agreement with you that pressure was extended to sweep the awkward facts under the rug. Do you think we could have a repeat of this kind of activity in this day and age of CNN, the internet, etc.
I doubt that any commission or politically appointed group can ever successfully investigate a crime with political or national security ramifications. The agencies will always tend to protect themselves. Including protecting their sources and methods, including covering their rear ends!
Without the legal ability to force individuals to tell the truth, and disclose information without regard to security conventions, and then to enforce legal penalties these fact finding missions are destined to fail.
A good example of that was the ARRB who warned the Secret Service not to destroy presidential travel records from 1963 and then discovered that the agency had immediately destroyed several boxes of material. However no action was taken because it was felt that it could hamper further work with the agency.
I do not think that our current system has a chance to meaningfully investigate such crimes and incidents. This casts doubt over any official inquiry. If the president can claim executive privilege over such minor things like, who attended a meeting, how could you ever seriously investigate a truly embarrassing incident under a given presidents watch?
You were/are investigating an event that happened four decades ago. However, there are obviously special interest groups that for one reason or another would like sleeping dogs to remain sleeping. Were you concerned at any time that you stirring up interest from the wrong places?
On occasion, generally late at night, I have had a few bouts of paranoia. There have also been indications that some of those special interest groups are aware of my work.
That said, I deal solely with public source material, I did not attempt any true street investigative work. My book is one that describes the nature of the conspiracy rather than trying to take specific living individuals to task. If I was involved in a criminal investigation it could be a very different story.
You mentioned earlier that you have recently retired; what is next for Larry Hancock?
Article comments