Questions for William Turner and Mort Sahl in re a Garrison/RFK Meeting

[Jack White]

His name is Jones Harris.

Jack

[Charles Drago]

Dear Forum,

Another word: I can't believe that if Garrison had met with Bobby Kennedy, he wouldn't have spoken of it, given the pain he felt over what Sheridan did to him, and how Bobby defended Sheridan. Garrison had the opportunity to tell Buras and Delsa about any meetings he might have had with Bobby Kennedy, for example, particularly L. J. with whom he became friends during and after the HSCA investigation. He could have spoken of it in his long interview with Gaeton Fonzi. He did not.

I interviewed Turner many times, and Turner never mentioned any meeting between Garrison and RFK to me. I haven't a shred of evidence that Garrison ever met Bobby.

There was a fellow who attached himself to the Garrison investigation, the son of the actress Ruth Gordon and the producer Jed Harris who floated a false story that Garrison had met Bobby Kennedy and that Bobby urged him to go forward, but it turned out to be bogus. Garrison never trusted this individual. His name escapes me for the moment.

The idea that Garrison was a fitting, appropriate or acceptable victim for a two strategies policy by Bobby Kennedy pains me. And Garrison and his life's work were sacrificed for...what? To this day, the name "Garrison" is anathema to the mainstream press. He deserves better.

- Joan Mellen

Joan, et al,

I should reiterate that mine is simply a hypothesis in dire need of substantiation.

RFK may not have informed Garrison of the two-track approach he was taking and instead simply added to the plausibility of his "go along with the cover-up" position by savaging the New Orleans investigation and its prime mover while maintaining strict operational security.

It may be that friends of RFK decided, post-June 5, 1968, to spread gently the Bobby/Garrison cooperation story for the purpose of historical damage control. But this would have been counter-productive to any Kennedy family campaign to protect themselves and the late president's memory by keeping a lid on Dallas investigations.

If what I'm proposing did in fact take place -- again, an agreement between RFK and Garrison that the former would come on strong in opposition to the latter's inquiry while in fact supporting it via back channels -- then Garrison the witting victim by definition would have gone to his grave honoring the deal.

Today, the best we can say about RFK's treatment of Garrison is what Joan and other well-informed historians have told us.

Unless documentary proof to the contrary and in support of something along the lines of my hypothesis is forthcoming (Mr. Sahl, if you're within the sound of my electronic voice, will you please come forward and tell us what you know?), all I can do is make an informed and hopeful argument in defense of Robert Francis Kennedy.

As if he needs me to do that.

In closing, Joan, I don't believe that Jim Garrison's life or work have been sacrificed -- not as long as you and others champion his memory and continue at his labors.

For me, there are few greater profiles in courage than that of Jim Garrison.

Sincerely,

Charles

[Dawn Meredith]

Thank you, Dawn.

And please express my gratitude to Ms. Pease and Mr. DiEugenio.

From Jim:

You are welcome.