18-02-2011, 02:16 AM
[quote=James H. Fetzer]This is a pretty strange post, even for Jim DiEugenio. I make the indisputable point that, in the study of historical events, we are attempting to determine the how and why--as well as the who and the what, of course--they actually occurred in their particularity as unique incidents in history. So I am agreeing with Charles that Lyndon was the pivotal player without whom it would not have occurred [B]as it actually did occur!I just don't understand what there is to get excited about.
There are infinitely many ways an historical event MIGHT HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT had various conditions been different in the past. You might not have gone to see "True Grit" yesterday had a call come from a close friend just as you were about to depart for the theater. Reasoning about coulda/woulda/shouldas if x were the case can be valuable in contemplating alternatives and the importance of events. But our aim remains to discover what actually did happen, not what might have.
[/B]
Its only strange if you miss the point, which you do--quite often.
The WC cover up was not reliant on LBJ. It was executed by McCLoy, Ford, and Dulles. Anyone can see that who studies the inner workings, which you have not to any fine degree.
Now one can argue, well LBJ did appoint them right?
Here is the problem with that: It was not his idea to do the WC at all. He had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do it.
Does that bite size version make it easier to understand?
There are infinitely many ways an historical event MIGHT HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT had various conditions been different in the past. You might not have gone to see "True Grit" yesterday had a call come from a close friend just as you were about to depart for the theater. Reasoning about coulda/woulda/shouldas if x were the case can be valuable in contemplating alternatives and the importance of events. But our aim remains to discover what actually did happen, not what might have.
[/B]
Its only strange if you miss the point, which you do--quite often.
The WC cover up was not reliant on LBJ. It was executed by McCLoy, Ford, and Dulles. Anyone can see that who studies the inner workings, which you have not to any fine degree.
Now one can argue, well LBJ did appoint them right?
Here is the problem with that: It was not his idea to do the WC at all. He had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do it.
Does that bite size version make it easier to understand?