Nelson's LBJ Mastermind book

[James H. Fetzer]

Charles has made a great "to do" about Phil's use of the word, "mastermind".
The meaning of the word is OBVIOUSLY a matter of semantics. That is the
study of the meaning of words! But what I find so offensive and inexcusable
about his diatribes is the abuse of the word "disinformation". Whether or not
you happen to agree with Phil Nelson's thesis about LBJ, this is abusive usage,
where Charles has to know better unless he himself is "cognitively impaired".

Disinformation, like lying, has four elements: (1) making an assertion that is
false (2) that you know to be false but (3) that you deliberately assert anyway
(4) with the intention to mislead. Whatever else may be said about Phil's work
--and my defense of his position, which is quite studied!--it is not disinformation.
He and I (and Robert) OBVIOUSLY believe what we are saying. Since we believe
what we are saying is true, (2), (3) and (4) do not apply. Such claims are baseless.

As it happens, I have published articles on the nature of information and of dis-
information and discuss it on assassinationscience.com. I would have thought we
were long past the time of tossing that word around to describe anyone with whom
we are in disagreement. I can only infer that Charles' invocation of that term when
it so OBVIOUSLY does not apply is a desperate measure to try to salvage a position
that has fallen apart. And for that he OBVIOUSLY owes Phil Nelson a huge apology.

AND
You can run, but you can't hide, Nelson. I reiterate what I posted earlier today on a related thread:

Phillip F. Nelson, author of LBJ: The Mastermind of JFK's Assassination, unmistakably confirms his acceptance of [the Merriam Webster definition of "mastermind"] as it applies to LBJ when he writes:

"But it was all according to the grand play -- a masterpiece of design and execution -- which had been developed over a period of nearly four years by the most brilliant, and evil, political force the country had ever seen: Lyndon Baines ('Bull') Johnson[.]" [emphasis in original] [p. 576]

Then there's this:

"More than any other person, [LBJ] had the means, motive, and opportunity to have been the singular key conspirator-instigator and the mastermind of the operation." [emphasis added] [p. 668]

These clear, unambiguous, wholly-at-variance-with-the-facts statements by Nelson render inoperative the frantic efforts by his champion, Jim Fetzer, and others to replace "mastermind" with what they beg us to believe is the synonymous "pivotal player."

MW defines "pivotal" as "vitally important."

I submit that anyone who accepts "mastermind" and "pivotal" as being synonymous within the larger context of JFK assassination roles attributed to LBJ is cognitively impaired and/or complicit in the crime.

Nelson writing above, displays the audacity to try to spin the focus onto a dictionary defintion and away from his own fetid words: "Nothing there about 'controlling every single detail' of the 'project' that I can see."

How dare you?

I reiterate for clarity and emphasis: Nelson today writes, "Why is it so difficult for so many to be unable to comprehend that the term is inherently ambiguous and subject to the interpretation of every individual who considers it.[sic]"

Nelson in his book wrote, ""But it was all according to the grand play -- a masterpiece of design and execution -- which had been developed over a period of nearly four years by the most brilliant, and evil, political force the country had ever seen: Lyndon Baines ('Bull') Johnson[.]" [emphasis in original] [p. 576]

And

"More than any other person, [LBJ] had the means, motive, and opportunity to have been the singular key conspirator-instigator and the mastermind of the operation." [emphasis added] [p. 668]

You will not be allowed to run and hide from your words and your mission, Nelson.

YOU chose the word for your title, Nelson.

YOU unambiguously confirmed your understanding of the unambiguous definition of word in the within-context excerpts quoted above, Nelson.

Now YOU backpeddle, in the company of Jim Fetzer, by claiming that the entire mess is attributable to "semantics."

For the last time: YOU argue, Nelson, that Lyndon Baines Johnson conceived, constructed, instigated, controlled in every significant way, and protected the conspiracy that took the life of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. "Who else" could have done it? you ask in your disingenuous book.

In doing so, you falsely elevate to Sponsor status a man who, at the height of his power and influence, was nothing more than an important but ultimately controlled Facilitator for the true planners and initiators.

That act, of which you are unambiguously guilty, Nelson, by its very nature helps prolong the coverup, invite ridicule to be visited upon the work of those who have labored so gallantly in the quests for truth and justice for JFK, and protect the true Sponsors of the president's murder.

Peddle your disinformation where it's likely to be believed.

Charles R. Drago