Ever wondered what the Kennedy assassination was like from JFK's point of view? Now you can find out --- or at least get an approximation --- for a twenty-five dollar fee.
Longtime researcher Robert Groden is lending his expertise in the JFK case to an enterprise in which customers get to ride the route of Kennedy's fateful motorcade. Cruising in a replica of the presidential limousine, the ride begins at Love Field and follows the same ill-fated route to and through Dealey Plaza (except for a few points where one-way streets make taking the exact route impossible).
To enhance the experience, tape recordings of radio broadcasts from that day are played through the limo's stereo system. During the key Elm Street sequence, gunshots --- apparently the ones picked up by Dallas Police transmissions --- are heard.
Many of those interested in the JFK case, it seems, are falling over each other to justify this limo ride. Frankly, Fair Play is astonished at the generally positive reaction this new business venture has received, at least from those posting to the jfkshare email group. One man who does not post to that group told us he too is opposed to the limo ride. Other than that, the response seems to be mostly favorable.
But what value could there possibly be in taking such a ride? None that we can see. Some have argued that the ride is akin to recreating Civil War battles, but we think that is without merit. How could this ride possibly "enhance one's historical perspective," as has been suggested? Would it make a Warren Commission defender see the light? Or, conversely, turn a believer in conspiracy into a lone nut advocate?
Anyone can see the Zapruder film. It should be more than enough to enhance anyone's historical perspective.
We believe there is, on the other hand, value in visiting Dealey Plaza. Seeing the scene of the crime, which is essentially unchanged from November 1963, allows a visitor to test theories by investigating first-hand the likely positions of the real assassins, or re-create controversial aspects of the case, such as the position of Gordon Arnold. But there is even difference of opinion here. If memory serves correctly, Harold Weisberg has written that he never felt a need to visit Dealey Plaza; he said there was ample evidence in the Government's published and unpublished documentation.
Fair Play believes this limo ride is unnecessary, ghoulish, and in extremely bad taste. Moreover, it is likely to revive the "scavenger" label that was aimed at earlier-generation researchers. In this instance, we think it would be justified. This enterprise smacks of crass commercialism and nothing more.
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