Author Walt Brown talks to S.T. Patrick about his first conference, Mark Zaid, the legendary conferences at Duquesne University, the rare Arlen Specter appearance at a JFK conference, whether Brown will ever attend a conference again, why the turncoats (Mailer, Epstein, Mack) did what they did, Oliver Stone’s JFK and the impact it had on the research community, how the mafia angle was handled in the film and how it’s handled in the community-at-large, Don Mattingly, the Yankee dry spell that was the 1980s and early 1990s, and how readers can find Walt Brown’s books today. Walt Brown is the author of The People v. Lee Harvey Oswald, The Warren Omission, and The Kennedy Execution.
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Where do these “conferences” take place and when? I live in Louisiana and could probably check out the Texas ones.
They are usually in Dallas and they either surround or are close to the JFK assassination anniversary in November. Thank you.
One starts this Friday in Dallas , check out the citizens against political assassinations website
Downtown at the new marriott courtyard on S Houston Street this Friday and Saturday nov 22-23
Yaawwwnnnnn. . .ho hum, . . Walt Brown is at it again. Talk about a broken record. Every place this bitter old guy shows up it’s the same song: “Everyone else is stupid and corrupt, and I’m the only JFK researcher worth trusting. And I would never stoop so low as to attend any research conferences and mix it up with all those low-lifes.”
(Uhh gee, Walt, maybe because you’ve stopped being invited?)
Doesn’t this guy know how deep we’re into a Golden Age of Kennedy Assassination research? Guess not, because obviously he stopped paying attention long ago. . .
I would say that the attitude you describe is not necessarily Walt’s; rather, it is that of a lot of the older researchers. There are many who are kind, helpful, generous, and heartfelt. Walt has been very kind to me and kind to this show (and magazine). I would suggest reading Richard Bartholomew’s essay “The Gordian Knot,” as it is also (in part) a critique of conferences and their purpose/usefulness. Personally, I like them, and I enjoy attending. We do have to be mindful that we are there to share information on a somber event. Yet, for many friends who never see one another at any other time of the year, it is a time to enjoy being around like-minded friends and colleagues. For many who are in organizations, groups, or think tanks, those times are also used for annual meetings. But in many ways, Walt was right. Those years right after Stone’s JFK had to be the high period for conferences. Imagine the excitement that was in the air after that film (and the formation of the ARRB). Those must have been great conferences. I think you’re being too hard on Walt. I do. But I truly respect your view and I appreciate that you took the time to write. Thanks. — S.T.
I just watched Scorsese’s new film The Irishman, which, in the mouths of some of its protagonists, claims it was Joseph Kennedy’s connections with the Mob that made the latter secure JFK’s victory over Nixon through election fraud. The implication is that the Kennedy family thus “owed” the Mob but betrayed it with RFK’s anti-Mob witch hunt and JFK’s unwillingness to go all the way in Cuba to deliver the one-time gambling mecca back to the syndicates.
I’m already imagining DiEugenio fuming at his word processor over this slander of the Kennedy saints.
Oh wait,,, he already did!
Great to hear from Walt Brown. Enjoyed this one. Robert says hi to you ST, and to Walt. See you in April!
I always enjoy Dr. Walt’s interviews and will look forward to him being on again.
He always strikes me as a dedicated, knowledgeable and warm person.
Greetings from the UK!