When I thought things couldn’t get any worse.
Character’s Reactions:
Connally: Oh Shit!
Kennedy and McCormack: Connally, WTF!!!
Wallace: They should just make me president now.
Something Serious Has Happened on Air Force One (a Tl/story by Geon)
- Thread starter Geon
- Start date
Character’s Reactions:
Connally: Oh Shit!
Kennedy and McCormack: Connally, WTF!!!
Wallace: They should just make me president now.
Hello,
I'll just wait until most things follow through before any speculation on my part. There is still time for things to get further muddied just before all becomes crystal clear...
Chapter Fourteen: Meetings and Discoveries II
Geon
Donor
Please note that some of the names in this story such as Daniel Bradley and others are fictional characters added for narrative effect. I have no idea who the names of the actual secret agents who were in Dallas that day other then what my memory of the books I read tells me. Please be kind here.
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Washington, D.C.; Justice Department, Conference Room; 8:00 p.m. E.D.T.:
The three Secret Service agents who had been identified as being in the front of Air Force One when the shooting incident took place were escorted into the conference room by James Rowley, head of the Secret Service.
Inside seated across the conference table from where the four men were now seating themselves were J. Edgar Hoover and Robert F. Kennedy. At each seat was the preliminary ballistics report, the press photos taken and later confiscated by the F.B.I., and the depositions taken from each agent after they had returned to Washington.
James Rowley was the first to speak. Addressing the three agents he said, “Gentlemen, I would like you to look over these photos, then look over the summary of the preliminary ballistics’ reports submitted from both Dallas and the F.B.I. laboratories. Finally, I would like you to review your depositions before we proceed.”
For the next fifteen minutes the three agents did as they were asked reviewing everything in front of them. After all, three had finished reviewing the documents and photos the Attorney General asked, “Anything any of you want to add or remove from your respective statements?”
After a moment agent Troy Roger Dahrnell spoke up. “Sir, when I was up front with Stan and Bill here (the other two agents) the argument between Kenneth O’Donnell and Dr. Rose was becoming more and more heated. Fearing that Mrs. Kennedy might be hurt Stan who was on my left pulled her back behind him to shield her. At the same time Mr. O’Donnell started to scuffle with Dr. Rose trying to push him off the plane. At that point I noticed officer Daniel Bradley reaching for his pistol. I yelled for him to stop and drew my own weapon in response.”
As agent Dahrnell was speaking a stenographer was busy taking down what was being said.
Agent Dahrnell continued, “At the same moment Vice-President Johnson saw the situation was getting out of hand and tried to step between the Secret Service and the Dallas Police officers. A moment later a shot rang out and Johnson started falling. I thought a second later I had a clear shot at Officer Bradley who at that moment appeared to be attempting to kill Vice-President Johnson, as I lined up the shot however Kenneth O’Donnell seeing Johnson falling turned and tried to grab him and throw him out of harm’s way. My second shot hit O’ Donnell.
At this point Bill who was to my right had drawn his gun and was aiming it at Office Bradley. The Dallas police officer on Bradley’s right at the same moment tried to yank the pistol out of Officer Bradley’s hand. Doing so caused the shot made by Bill to miss Bradley and hit the other officer in the wrist.
Agent Dahrnell took a moment to compose himself and poured a glass of water for himself from the pitcher provided After a moment he continued.
“I tried for one more shot, but someone behind me grabbed my arm and my last shot struck the other Dallas Police officer in the hand. By that time Dr. Rose had come forward and was yelling for everyone to stop. He examined both Johnson and O’Donnell and quickly told the officers to call for an ambulance.”
Agent Dahrnell concluded his testimony. As he did James Rowley just put his hand over his face. Robert Kennedy breathed a deep sigh and said, “Agent Dahrnell, you do realize that at the very least at this point you are guilty of falsifying official testimony? “Yes sir, I know,” replied Dahrnell. Kennedy looked at the other two agents and said, “And both of you are likewise guilty,” Kennedy said in a flat voice.
Before the agents could respond Kennedy said, “As of this moment I am ordering that you be taken into custody and detained. You will be questioned further. Gentlemen you may consider yourselves under arrest for the charge of falsifying an official testimony and conspiracy to falsify testimony. What else you may be guilty of will be determined after we have examined this new information. I suggest that you look into getting good lawyers as you will need them!”
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Washington, D.C.; Justice Department, Conference Room; 8:00 p.m. E.D.T.:
The three Secret Service agents who had been identified as being in the front of Air Force One when the shooting incident took place were escorted into the conference room by James Rowley, head of the Secret Service.
Inside seated across the conference table from where the four men were now seating themselves were J. Edgar Hoover and Robert F. Kennedy. At each seat was the preliminary ballistics report, the press photos taken and later confiscated by the F.B.I., and the depositions taken from each agent after they had returned to Washington.
James Rowley was the first to speak. Addressing the three agents he said, “Gentlemen, I would like you to look over these photos, then look over the summary of the preliminary ballistics’ reports submitted from both Dallas and the F.B.I. laboratories. Finally, I would like you to review your depositions before we proceed.”
For the next fifteen minutes the three agents did as they were asked reviewing everything in front of them. After all, three had finished reviewing the documents and photos the Attorney General asked, “Anything any of you want to add or remove from your respective statements?”
After a moment agent Troy Roger Dahrnell spoke up. “Sir, when I was up front with Stan and Bill here (the other two agents) the argument between Kenneth O’Donnell and Dr. Rose was becoming more and more heated. Fearing that Mrs. Kennedy might be hurt Stan who was on my left pulled her back behind him to shield her. At the same time Mr. O’Donnell started to scuffle with Dr. Rose trying to push him off the plane. At that point I noticed officer Daniel Bradley reaching for his pistol. I yelled for him to stop and drew my own weapon in response.”
As agent Dahrnell was speaking a stenographer was busy taking down what was being said.
Agent Dahrnell continued, “At the same moment Vice-President Johnson saw the situation was getting out of hand and tried to step between the Secret Service and the Dallas Police officers. A moment later a shot rang out and Johnson started falling. I thought a second later I had a clear shot at Officer Bradley who at that moment appeared to be attempting to kill Vice-President Johnson, as I lined up the shot however Kenneth O’Donnell seeing Johnson falling turned and tried to grab him and throw him out of harm’s way. My second shot hit O’ Donnell.
At this point Bill who was to my right had drawn his gun and was aiming it at Office Bradley. The Dallas police officer on Bradley’s right at the same moment tried to yank the pistol out of Officer Bradley’s hand. Doing so caused the shot made by Bill to miss Bradley and hit the other officer in the wrist.
Agent Dahrnell took a moment to compose himself and poured a glass of water for himself from the pitcher provided After a moment he continued.
“I tried for one more shot, but someone behind me grabbed my arm and my last shot struck the other Dallas Police officer in the hand. By that time Dr. Rose had come forward and was yelling for everyone to stop. He examined both Johnson and O’Donnell and quickly told the officers to call for an ambulance.”
Agent Dahrnell concluded his testimony. As he did James Rowley just put his hand over his face. Robert Kennedy breathed a deep sigh and said, “Agent Dahrnell, you do realize that at the very least at this point you are guilty of falsifying official testimony? “Yes sir, I know,” replied Dahrnell. Kennedy looked at the other two agents and said, “And both of you are likewise guilty,” Kennedy said in a flat voice.
Before the agents could respond Kennedy said, “As of this moment I am ordering that you be taken into custody and detained. You will be questioned further. Gentlemen you may consider yourselves under arrest for the charge of falsifying an official testimony and conspiracy to falsify testimony. What else you may be guilty of will be determined after we have examined this new information. I suggest that you look into getting good lawyers as you will need them!”
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Chapter Fifteen: In the News
Geon
Donor
Chapter Fifteen: In the News
December 12, 1963 (Newspapers throughout the country):
The next day newspapers throughout the country would carry the headline.
THREE SECRET SERVICE AGENTS ARRESTED
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AGENTS TO BE CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER
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AGENTS TO BE CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER
Kennedy had wasted no time making sure that news of the arrest of the three Secret Service agents was on the front page the next morning. A press release the night before, issued immediately after the confessions of the three agents, had ensured that the news would be in the morning papers. Kennedy hoped the news of the arrest would diffuse the situation in Dallas and take some of the heat off Connally.
The hope was extremely premature as witnessed by late editions that evening of several Texas newspapers.
(From the Houston Post evening edition)
DALLAS POLICE UNION SAYS ARRESTS ARE A START BUT NOT ENOUGH
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POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTER UNIONS THROUGHOUT TEXAS THREATEN TO STRIKE IF DALLAS 25 GO ON TRIAL
DALLAS POLICE UNION SAYS ARRESTS ARE A START BUT NOT ENOUGH
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POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTER UNIONS THROUGHOUT TEXAS THREATEN TO STRIKE IF DALLAS 25 GO ON TRIAL
(Excerpts from the article)
“…The representative of the Dallas Police and Firefighters Union said late today that while the arrest of the three secret service agents is a ‘positive step in the federal government admitting it is partially at fault’ the federal government still needs to admit that most if not all the Dallas 25 have been falsely detained…”
“…The heads of the Unions for Police and Firefighters in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi all have indicated that if the trials of the Dallas 25 go forward in mid-January they will also go on strike in protest of their fellow police officers…”
“…When asked for a comment the governor’s office did not respond…”
Welp Connally's screwed. This reminds me of a certain Onion article titled "Police Did Great Job, Police Say".
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If the ones not on the plane were involved in suppressing evidence, they need to swing even more than the ones on the plan.
Police are even more showing that they have no respect for the LAW. Sympathy strikes are illegal, as are police and fire strikes.
Every one who goes on strike is an Oathbreaker, forsworn before whatever gods or spirits he or she holds sacred.
(I happen to like the Oathbreaker ritual in the Valdemar books, and if I was injured by a firefighte or police officer's failur to follow the oatsh they swear--well...)
(They have not been "Falsely detained," but arrested on serious charges. If the unions are able to make the charges go away,any trust in police will be forever shattered, and not just among groups that already don't trust them.)
Are the cops trying petty power games like towing federal vehicles, or even letting local hoodums know that feds are fair game?
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Geon
Donor
I didn't mention this earlier but I think it needs to be covered. No. Mayor Cabell is using what good will he has with the DPD to make sure there are no such incidents. He's trying to quiet things down. And he's made it clear the DPD is not to engage in any such targeting.
Now we face the issue of the DPD refusing to believe that their boys did anything wrong when it, do far, seems like the chief did a lot of obstruction and the officers (and Secret Service Agents) on AF1 did something wrong.
Not all 25 are guilty, but plenty of them are involved to some extent, but both parties refusing to believe initially they were at fault has made this worse.
Not all 25 are guilty, but plenty of them are involved to some extent, but both parties refusing to believe initially they were at fault has made this worse.
Chapter Sixteen: Meetings (part one)
Geon
Donor
Chapter 16: Meetings
Montgomery, AL; a small restaurant near the city outskirts, 12:55 p.m. EST.:
At 12:55 p.m. a non-descript car pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot and two men got out. Both were wearing sunglasses and trying to look as casual as possible. As they entered the restaurant the owner of the establishment greeted them and said, “He’s waiting for you in the back room.” The two men were escorted into a back room set aside for private meetings and parties. Sitting on one side of the table Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. rose smiling to shake the hand of one of the men, Governor George Wallace.
The other man, Governor Wallace’s driver and bodyguard nodded and sat down. Governor Wallace noted that aside from one other man on Dr. King’s side (his bodyguard and driver) the room was empty.
“I’m so glad you accepted my invitation Reverend King,” the governor said smiling. “It was my pleasure Governor, although I must tell you many of my friends were urging me to send a polite refusal. Nevertheless, I felt I could not pass up on this opportunity.”
The two sat down and a waitress came in and took their orders. The meal was excellent, and Governor Wallace declared he wanted to put this place on his list of favorite places to eat. The meal itself passed with some easy and low-key conversation between the two men.
As the two sipped coffee after dessert Governor Wallace commented, “Dr. King, first I want to thank you for getting that young man to confess his part in the bombing of Grace Baptist Church. It made things a whole lot easier for us to be able to find everyone else involved in this crime.”
Dr. King shook his head. “I didn’t do anything except proclaim the good Word governor. It was the Holy Ghost working in that young man’s heart that did the convicting and got him to confess.”
“Nevertheless, it was you who spoke that word and were the instrument used by the good Lord,” the governor said smiling.
Governor Wallace said, “You are quite the man Reverend King, definitely not the ‘rabble-rouser’ so many have portrayed you as.”
“Governor,” Dr. King said, “I am only the voice for my people. My people have been crying, praying, pleading, for justice and for the natural rights they deserve as citizens of this state and nation for years now. I am simply the one who speaks for those who can’t speak for themselves.”
“Reverend King, I think the bombing at Grace Baptist highlights the need for a greater – conversation between the two of us,” commented Wallace.
“There I would agree with you Governor Wallace,” Dr. King replied. “But I need to emphasize to you there is a sense of urgency here. This conversation as you call it is long overdue.”
Dr. King continued, “Black people throughout the South and elsewhere in this nation have waited a long time for the right to vote, and the right to send their children to a decent school. They want to be able to go into a restaurant and not be arrested because they are in one that is exclusive to white people only. They want to be judged, as I said in Washington earlier this year, not by the color of their skin but by the integrity of their character. People like you governor have the power to make the dream I talked of earlier this year into a reality.”
Governor Wallace considered what he was going to say for a moment then spoke. “Dr. King, I fully understand what your goals are. While I personally have no problem with many of them there are quite a few who would. Grace Baptist Church is a sign of the fear these people have.”
“And perfect love casts out fear,” quoted Dr. King. “That is why our demonstrations have been non-violent at least on our side.” Dr. King continued, “But governor, there are those who quite frankly are not so disposed to wait. There are many unfortunately, who are as prone to violence on our side as there are on your side. I could name names, but I suspect you know who I am talking about. They are watching us, they are watching me, Governor. And if they think that our non-violent movement is not getting results, they will be more then willing to use their own methods to force the issue with terrible consequences for everyone involved,” Dr. King concluded.
Before Governor Wallace could reply Dr. King continued. “I am not so idealistic that I am blind to the fact that racism is not just a problem for one race, it is a problem for all. And agitators on my side feel that the longer justice is delayed and therefore denied us, then they feel it is time to solve this matter by the bullet instead of by the ballot. We have some time governor, but not much. I beg you to consider what I am saying,” Dr. King finished with passion in his voice.
Several minutes passed in silence as Governor Wallace considered what he had been told, then he said. “Reverend King, I do hear and understand what you are saying. And like you I do not want this situation to flare up out of control. However, you must understand I was elected governor by all the people of Alabama, and I must stand for all the people. However, I am not blind to the problems I know your people face. I truly want to address them. Unfortunately, I do not think one meeting over a luncheon however delicious is going to solve several generations of problems. However, I would like to extend an olive branch to you and your movement that I hope will ‘clear the air’ between us.”
“Go on Governor,” prompted Dr. King.
“I am willing to ask local law enforcement agencies throughout Alabama to show leniency and courtesy toward you and your movement sir. That means no provocations, no police standing aside while spectators attack demonstrators. No arrests when you stage your sit-ins. I am willing in effect to declare a cease-fire between the different causes we represent. It allows you to freely make your case known. How local governments respond is up to them.,” finished Governor Wallace.
“That is…very generous Governor Wallace,” Dr. King replied genuinely surprised by the offer. “It is an offer graciously accepted. And I assure you we will make full use of your generosity. However, I can’t help thinking that what you are offering now is at least partially motivated by your political aspirations.”
“I knew that was going to come up,” declared George Wallace. “Yes, there is some of politics involved here but these days with these issues when is politics not involved? What we both gain here should be obvious. You gain the right to peacefully demonstrate in Alabama without the fear of violence. I gain the good will of the people of Alabama hopefully by showing I am working to be a governor for everyone in the state and of course this earns political points for me. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t.”
After another minute Dr. King said, “Governor Wallace, I think this is an agreement we can work with. It’s a small thing but sometimes greater things come out of such little decisions.”
The two continued to talk for another hour and then Governor Wallace got up to leave paying the check for himself, his bodyguard, King, and his bodyguard as he left. After he left King sighed and simply said, “It’s a beginning.
Oh the irony if Wallace turns out to be the president that ushers in the Civil Rights Act this time around.....
EDIT: It just occurred to me that Wallace has been framing himself as a "Law and Order" candidate. If he maintains that, it seems likely that the various Texas police unions are about to cut off their nose to spite their face. If they do strike for the "Dallas 25" then not only are they breaking labor laws but Connally's campaign is basically finished before it really starts. All of this makes a Wallace presidency increasingly likely. If the trials then reveal that the police unions are trying to cover up corruption in the name of police solidarity then they are going to be persona non grata with the nation as a whole and Wallace administration in particular. They will be making themselves the perfect, high-profile target for him to come down on with minimal political fallout. Whether or not this would give him the political capital to push through something like the Civil Rights Act only the author knows. Regardless, I definitely am enjoying the twists and turns of this story.
EDIT: It just occurred to me that Wallace has been framing himself as a "Law and Order" candidate. If he maintains that, it seems likely that the various Texas police unions are about to cut off their nose to spite their face. If they do strike for the "Dallas 25" then not only are they breaking labor laws but Connally's campaign is basically finished before it really starts. All of this makes a Wallace presidency increasingly likely. If the trials then reveal that the police unions are trying to cover up corruption in the name of police solidarity then they are going to be persona non grata with the nation as a whole and Wallace administration in particular. They will be making themselves the perfect, high-profile target for him to come down on with minimal political fallout. Whether or not this would give him the political capital to push through something like the Civil Rights Act only the author knows. Regardless, I definitely am enjoying the twists and turns of this story.
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Sometiomes a practical moderate can do more than a more dedicated and focussed person. Reform oft can only happen in small pieces--perhaps we're seeing the beginnings of it here.
Even better--if the Dallas PD is shown to be the corrupt organization they are looking like right now, with "Law and order" meaning that cops are untouchable, so much the better.
I grew up with books like "Our freind the Policeman" and simiar kids books. Unlike many, I questioned books, and Mom and Dad helped me, letting me know that many, even most, cops in the area can be good. I also knew from an early age how cops in some areas of the south would ticket peoplfor "Driving with a Yankee License Plate," and heard how the cops assaulted peaceful protesters an Selma, on the Freedom Rides--and through the voices of close relatives, at that.) Might the narrative in schools of "Police good" be challenged?
The problem with a Wallace-MLK alliance is that it runs the real risk of MLK being branded a sellout to the cause of Civil Rights, especially if it's exposed prematurely. While Malcom X is currently going through a disillusionment with the Nation of Islam, and even if he hasn't made the "chickens coming home to roost" comment about the Kennedy assassination (yet), there are already rifts between him and Elijah Muhammad regarding the lack of comment on LAPD violence by the Nation of Islam and Elijah's sexual improprieties.
Now in RL the disillusionment led Malcom X to leave the Nation of Islam and ultimately embrace 'mainstream' Sunni Islam, ITTL he could go that route, or other paths.
Now in RL the disillusionment led Malcom X to leave the Nation of Islam and ultimately embrace 'mainstream' Sunni Islam, ITTL he could go that route, or other paths.
Geon
Donor
I'm afraid you and I had different upbringings @NHBL. To me the police were always the fearless heroes who stood between us and criminals. And my parents and teachers always wanted me to trust them. To me the policeman was very much my friend.
However, that shouldn't be construed as saying I don't understand what you are talking about. My pastor, who served in a small church in Georgia at one time, preached a sermon on racism in our church and I got a different view of the policeman as seen through the eyes of many black people in the south. It wasn't a pretty one either.
However, that shouldn't be construed as saying I don't understand what you are talking about. My pastor, who served in a small church in Georgia at one time, preached a sermon on racism in our church and I got a different view of the policeman as seen through the eyes of many black people in the south. It wasn't a pretty one either.