# Did Castro Have JFK Killed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 23, 2018, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391 "2018-02-23T04:18:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![proudfootz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@proudfootz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proudfootz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/61 "2018-03-01T15:48:47Z")
> [@thatbpguy](#): > > American Heritage is considered one of the top nonbiased and scholarly publications. I was reading this article and it opened my eyes a bit. > > [Did Castro OK The Kennedy Assassination? (Win 08,Vol:58 Issue:6)](https://www.americanheritage.com/content/did-castro-ok-kennedy-assassination) No, Castro had nothing to do with it. It was a coup to prevent a premature end to the Cold War. ---
**Author:** ![proudfootz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@proudfootz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proudfootz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/62 "2018-03-01T15:50:20Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Exactly. It’s hard to get excited about yet another one of the gazillion claims that have been made by people who “know” who murdered JFK. Exactly. People claiming the ‘know’ Oswald was responsible are a dime a dozen. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/63 "2018-03-01T16:01:46Z")
> [@proudfootz](#): > > No, Castro had nothing to do with it. It was a coup to prevent a premature end to the Cold War. The Cold War had nothing to do with it. It was part of the ongoing Zygon civil war, simple as that. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/64 "2018-03-01T16:02:39Z")
> [@proudfootz](#): > > No, Castro had nothing to do with it. It was a coup to prevent a premature end to the Cold War. And your evidence for this claim is…? ---
**Author:** ![proudfootz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@proudfootz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proudfootz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/65 "2018-03-01T16:09:27Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And your evidence for this claim is…? The application of clear thinking and common sense to historical facts. JFK’s outreach to the designated ‘enemies’ in the Cold War which was tragically cut short by his murder and replacement with a more conventional war hawk. Neither Cuba nor Russia would stand to benefit from Kennedy’s murder. ---
**Author:** ![proudfootz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@proudfootz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proudfootz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/66 "2018-03-01T16:11:42Z")
> [@andros](#): > > The Cold War had nothing to do with it. It was part of the ongoing Zygon civil war, simple as that. That makes as much sense as claiming Russia had anything to do with it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/67 "2018-03-01T16:14:33Z")
> [@proudfootz](#): > > The application of clear thinking and common sense to historical facts. > > JFK’s outreach to the designated ‘enemies’ in the Cold War which was tragically cut short by his murder and replacement with a more conventional war hawk. > > Neither Cuba nor Russia would stand to benefit from Kennedy’s murder. Yeah. Again, where’s the evidence? Your unsubstantiated opinion doesn’t count. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/68 "2018-03-01T16:16:27Z")
> [@proudfootz](#): > > That makes as much sense as claiming Russia had anything to do with it. It’s as factually sound as your “coup” nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![proudfootz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@proudfootz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proudfootz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/69 "2018-03-01T16:21:25Z")
> [@andros](#): > > It’s as factually sound as your “coup” nonsense. But what I’m saying about a coup is _not_ nonsense - these are real things that happened historically and still occur today. Your belief in a civil war on Zygon, on the other hand… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/70 "2018-03-01T16:24:30Z")
Heck, if your “evidence” consists of who you believe benefitted from the assassination, you may as well pin it on everyone who made a buck writing a conspiracy book about it. I’m curious if anyone has evidence of a contrary theory actually supported by evidence from the minutes immediately before and immediately after the shooting, i.e. if there was a grassy knoll shooter, were there any bullet fragments found along that path from the fence to the limo toward pool on Houston street. Shadowy conspiracies are bullshit, I want to talk mechanics. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/71 "2018-03-01T16:24:40Z")
> [@proudfootz](#): > > But what I’m saying about a coup is _not_ nonsense - these are real things that happened historically and still occur today. > > Your belief in a civil war on Zygon, on the other hand… :dubious: I had breakfast with the President this morning! My evidence: Other people have had evidence with the President in the past. ---
**Author:** ![proudfootz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@proudfootz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proudfootz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/72 "2018-03-01T16:26:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Yeah. > Again, where’s the evidence? Your unsubstantiated opinion doesn’t count. The evidence that JFK’s policies were in opposition to war hawkish Red Scare and Cold War ideologies can be found in any number of history books. The reversal of Kennedy’s cooperative efforts after his murder are also a part of the historical record. So, no - it’s not my ‘unsubstantiated opinion’ - it is a considered judgement based on historical facts. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/73 "2018-03-01T16:30:27Z")
> [@proudfootz](#): > > The evidence that JFK’s policies were in opposition to war hawkish Red Scare and Cold War ideologies can be found in any number of history books. > > The reversal of Kennedy’s cooperative efforts after his murder are also a part of the historical record. > > So, no - it’s not my ‘unsubstantiated opinion’ - it is a considered judgement based on historical facts. Now let’s tie these broad historical facts to the actual assassination, shall we? What specific group do you suppose was actually behind the shooting of Kennedy, and who do you suppose pulled the trigger? ---
**Author:** ![proudfootz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@proudfootz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proudfootz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/74 "2018-03-01T16:31:29Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Heck, if your “evidence” consists of who you believe benefitted from the assassination, you may as well pin it on everyone who made a buck writing a conspiracy book about it. I bet more more people made money and careers out of spouting this ‘Oswald did it’ nonsense than ever was made exhibiting skepticism about it. > [@](#): > > I’m curious if anyone has evidence of a contrary theory actually supported by evidence from the minutes immediately before and immediately after the shooting, i.e. if there was a grassy knoll shooter, were there any bullet fragments found along that path from the fence to the limo toward pool on Houston street. Is it _common_ for bullets to leave fragments along their trajectories? Were bits of bullet found between the alleged ‘sniper nest’ in the TSBD and the location of the President’s limousine? > [@](#): > > Shadowy conspiracies are bullshit, I want to talk mechanics. Here’s your chance - if you think bullets leave a trail along their trajectories I’d be curious to see you flesh this theory out a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![proudfootz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@proudfootz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proudfootz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/75 "2018-03-01T16:33:36Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I had breakfast with the President this morning! My evidence: Other people have had evidence with the President in the past. If you believe you had breakfast with the President of Zygon this morning, I am in no position to argue with you. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/76 "2018-03-01T16:35:34Z")
> [@proudfootz](#): > > I bet more more people made money and careers out of spouting this ‘Oswald did it’ nonsense than ever was made exhibiting skepticism about it. You would lose that bet, easily. Why don’t you give us the top ten books that made money telling us that there was no conspiracy and that Oswald did it by himself? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/77 "2018-03-01T16:36:56Z")
> [@proudfootz](#): > > If you believe you had breakfast with the President of Zygon this morning, I am in no position to argue with you. You seem to be in no position to argue, period. Where are your facts specifically about the assassination itself? ---
**Author:** ![proudfootz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@proudfootz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proudfootz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/78 "2018-03-01T16:41:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Now let’s tie these broad historical facts to the actual assassination, shall we? Yes, my statement of the historical facts stands in stark contrast to allegations that Cuba would have any reason to murder Kennedy as suggested in the OP. Occam’s Razor would suggest that those who had a realistic motive would be the most likely culprits. > [@](#): > > What specific group do you suppose was actually behind the shooting of Kennedy, and who do you suppose pulled the trigger? I don’t have any idea who the trigger men might have been. As to which groups would be in a position to organize the murder of a politician, the US did have (and likely _still_ has) people on the payroll who specialize in the assassination of people whose politics are inconvenient. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/79 "2018-03-01T16:44:44Z")
According to [this article](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/oct/27/the-best-books-about-the-jfk-assassination-from-norman-mailer-to-don-delillo), most books are _anti_-Warren Report. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391/80 "2018-03-01T16:46:19Z")
> [@proudfootz](#): > > Yes, my statement of the historical facts stands in stark contrast to allegations that Cuba would have any reason to murder Kennedy as suggested in the OP. > > Occam’s Razor would suggest that those who had a realistic motive would be the most likely culprits. > > I don’t have any idea who the trigger men might have been. > > As to which groups would be in a position to organize the murder of a politician, the US did have (and likely _still_ has) people on the payroll who specialize in the assassination of people whose politics are inconvenient. Soooo…you’ve got absolutely _nothing_(besides vague handwaving, that is) to back up your opinion? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-castro-have-jfk-killed/809391.md?page=5)