Something Serious Has Happened on Air Force One (a Tl/story by Geon)

[marktaha]

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?

Were they illegal in Texas at the time?

 

[marktaha]

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.

Surely if you're going to address crowds in public with any success you have to be some kind of rabble router?

 

[marktaha]

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?

Where did you grow up? I thought Americans in general expected the police to be on the take.

 

[marathag]

Where did you grow up? I thought Americans in general expected the police to be on the take.

That was for Big City Metro areas, like New York and Chicago, not D-FW
Oh, and small Southern towns.
But not Texas ones, mind you.
Now growing up in the Upper Midwest over 50 years ago, anything Chicago adjacent was expected to be corrupt, but even Metro suburbs like Naperville or Waukegan, were not though of as corrupt as the Big City.

 

[NHBL]

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.

Mom was careful to distinguish between the local cops, who, in small town New England, probably were your friend, and other cops, who might or might not be. She rode with the Freedom Riders on a perfectly lawful trip, and her bus was firebombed. Dad, multiple times, when he was in the Air Force, was tickete for driving with a Yankee license place. After I moved to Florida, I saw first hand what they were talking about.

Were they illegal in Texas at the time?

Sympathy strikes have been illegal for a long time.

Where did you grow up? I thought Americans in general expected the police to be on the take.

My personal experience has been with small town cops in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, in wealthy communities, and with cops in Floriduh.
In small town New England, "Walking while a teenager" late at night could get you questioned, but you didn't have to worry about getting shot.
In Floriduh, in some towns, going to the right church was a "get out of a ticket free" card, and having a bumper sticker the cops didn't like was a near guaranteed ticket.
(I will only speak from personal experience here, or acounts from my relatives who were at places like Selma.)

 

[NHBL]

The general expectation of corruption in big city cops will taint Dallas

 

[RanulfC]

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.

Where did you grow up? I thought Americans in general expected the police to be on the take.

That was for Big City Metro areas, like New York and Chicago, not D-FW
Oh, and small Southern towns.
But not Texas ones, mind you.
Now growing up in the Upper Midwest over 50 years ago, anything Chicago adjacent was expected to be corrupt, but even Metro suburbs like Naperville or Waukegan, were not though of as corrupt as the Big City.

Small California town upbringing and one of my best friends growing up was the son of the Chief of Police for most of my childhood... And "I" knew at the very least, (and from the way my parents sometimes talked I don't suspect I was a minority ) he and most of the force were at least a little bent. (Some much more than others) People would call the Sheriffs office or the CHP if they thought they could get away with it. Not to say some of the officers tried but when the system is bent it tends to produce bent products.

On the other hand most of the town at the time was conservative (and white) which meant that even though the CoP was Mexican-American "Latinos" who didn't speak English perfectly tended to be the ones you saw being questioned by the police. (Keep in mind this was a time when "migrant workers" were housed in "camps" with chain link fences topped by barbed wire facing the INSIDE and gates that were locked from the outside starting at sunset. The above is in quotes because in fact most of the farm workers never went anywhere but had to live there anyway. Since they paid the city the prices weren't too outrageous and in fact when the camps went away a good portion of the ex-residents had quite the down-payment for their "first" homes Most could even afford to cash pay for new cars and trucks, which of course the rest of the town attributed to "welfare" ) It was pretty much the height of the time where the police could get away with anything because they were "our only protection from the Hippies and gangs" even though the town had neither.

Randy

 

[Ogrebear]

"“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."

Qualification there be only for King's non-violent approach., anyone else gets the tear gas and batons.

Still it is a start, but interesting to read it in practice.

 

[NHBL]

"“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."

Qualification there be only for King's non-violent approach., anyone else gets the tear gas and batons.

Still it is a start, but interesting to read it in practice.

If it applies to all non-violent approaches, that can help. If it applies to just King's movement, then clearly, King cut a deal for HIS movement.
He's only ASKING them, so he's getting the best of both worlds as long as the conversation stays quiet.

No arrests for sit-ins at lunch counters and such is a double edged sword, since part of the objective for civil dispbedience in some cases is to be arrested. One long shot possibility to make things work: Ask the cops to give them a set amount of time--say 24 -48 hours--for a sit in, so the lunch counter owners don't go broke, yet they can make their point. Also, and this is probably within his authority as governor, issue orders about HOW to arrest people when they are non-violent.

 

[Yülia]

Mom was careful to distinguish between the local cops, who, in small town New England, probably were your friend, and other cops, who might or might not be. She rode with the Freedom Riders on a perfectly lawful trip, and her bus was firebombed. Dad, multiple times, when he was in the Air Force, was tickete for driving with a Yankee license place. After I moved to Florida, I saw first hand what they were talking about.

Sympathy strikes have been illegal for a long time.

My personal experience has been with small town cops in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, in wealthy communities, and with cops in Floriduh.
In small town New England, "Walking while a teenager" late at night could get you questioned, but you didn't have to worry about getting shot.
In Floriduh, in some towns, going to the right church was a "get out of a ticket free" card, and having a bumper sticker the cops didn't like was a near guaranteed ticket.
(I will only speak from personal experience here, or acounts from my relatives who were at places like Selma.)

Different state, similar experiences (also can relate to Geon though so. Guess it's been more in the middle.)

Always interesting to read how different people's perceptions are though.

 

[Geon]

Washington, D.C.; 4:00 p.m. EST; Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Office:

Robert Kennedy was busy reviewing the transcripts/testimony of the three Secret Service agents with his aide, Edwin Guthman.

“I don’t see any problem with getting a conviction here,” said Kennedy. The question is do we ask for a maximum penalty? The more I look over this whole thing it looks like what happened on Air Force One was one big hideous accident.”

“Tell that to the press,” said Guthman sarcastically. “They’re seeing conspirators around ever corner here and they’re convinced we’re not telling them the whole truth.”

“How can we, when we don’t even know what the whole truth is ourselves,” Kennedy replied? “We still have an incomplete picture of what happened on Air Force One and until we can find Daniel Bradley any report, we give the press will be incomplete at best. Further, we’ve got Curry clearly trying to cover up the incident. Add to that the fact that some of our own in the Secret Service were clearly lying and covering up for one of their own. If I were John Q. Public, I wouldn’t believe us!”

Shaking his head, Kennedy looked at Guthman and asked, “Do you think we can find a judge who would be willing to try the cases of the Secret Service agents at or around the time the trials start for the Dallas police officers?”

“I don’t see a problem,” commented Guthman. “I like the idea of trying our people at the same time the police officers are being tried. Hopefully it shows we are treating this matter on an equal basis.”

“And hopefully it takes some of the political pressure off of Connally,” Kennedy replied. “He’s taken a heavy hit according to the most recent polls. If the primaries were held today in Texas Wallace would be the sure winner. We cannot let Wallace carry Texas. If Texas goes, we probably lose the South and then…” Kennedy left the sentence unfinished. The thought of a Wallace presidency chilled him to the bone.

“Are you still considering sitting this one out,” asked Guthman? “You might be the only one who has a chance to knock Wallace out of the running?”

Kennedy shook his head. “Ethel would lock me up in the basement before she would let me run this time around. She’s frightened what happened with Jack will happen to me. And honestly, I don’t think I have much of a chance now. A week or so ago we might have had the sympathy vote in Texas but I’m afraid that’s evaporated now. The anti-Kennedy forces are gathering down there, and if I were to lose Texas, it would look very bad for our chances elsewhere.”

“But, getting back to Connally,” Kennedy continued, “We need to do more to try to help him out and ensure he carries his own state. Plus, I think we can hopefully diffuse the situation in Dallas at the same time.” Kennedy pointed to a pile of folders on his desk. “I am going to recommend that we dismiss charges against fifteen of the officers that were arrested. First, I don’t see any grounds for holding them; they weren’t in on the cover up, second, they weren’t aboard the plane when the actual shootings took place. They were simply doing their jobs. If we did try them, I suspect we would lose and that would really be bad for Connally.

“It would be worse if they are found guilty,” Guthman pointed out. “You’ll have the unions accusing us of railroading innocent police officers who were only doing their duties.” He nodded. “I like the idea, but will it work? Kennedy shook his head, “I don’t know Edwin, but we need to try something to tone things down here or we are going to have real problems. If we have to send the National Guard into cities throughout Texas that is going to be a disaster in more ways then one!”

 

[Sir William Jol]

Washington, D.C.; 4:00 p.m. EST; Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Office:

Robert Kennedy was busy reviewing the transcripts/testimony of the three Secret Service agents with his aide, Edwin Guthman.

“I don’t see any problem with getting a conviction here,” said Kennedy. The question is do we ask for a maximum penalty? The more I look over this whole thing it looks like what happened on Air Force One was one big hideous accident.”

“Tell that to the press,” said Guthman sarcastically. “They’re seeing conspirators around ever corner here and they’re convinced we’re not telling them the whole truth.”

“How can we, when we don’t even know what the whole truth is ourselves,” Kennedy replied? “We still have an incomplete picture of what happened on Air Force One and until we can find Daniel Bradley any report, we give the press will be incomplete at best. Further, we’ve got Curry clearly trying to cover up the incident. Add to that the fact that some of our own in the Secret Service were clearly lying and covering up for one of their own. If I were John Q. Public, I wouldn’t believe us!”

Shaking his head, Kennedy looked at Guthman and asked, “Do you think we can find a judge who would be willing to try the cases of the Secret Service agents at or around the time the trials start for the Dallas police officers?”

“I don’t see a problem,” commented Guthman. “I like the idea of trying our people at the same time the police officers are being tried. Hopefully it shows we are treating this matter on an equal basis.”

“And hopefully it takes some of the political pressure off of Connally,” Kennedy replied. “He’s taken a heavy hit according to the most recent polls. If the primaries were held today in Texas Wallace would be the sure winner. We cannot let Wallace carry Texas. If Texas goes, we probably lose the South and then…” Kennedy left the sentence unfinished. The thought of a Wallace presidency chilled him to the bone.

“Are you still considering sitting this one out,” asked Guthman? “You might be the only one who has a chance to knock Wallace out of the running?”

Kennedy shook his head. “Ethel would lock me up in the basement before she would let me run this time around. She’s frightened what happened with Jack will happen to me. And honestly, I don’t think I have much of a chance now. A week or so ago we might have had the sympathy vote in Texas but I’m afraid that’s evaporated now. The anti-Kennedy forces are gathering down there, and if I were to lose Texas, it would look very bad for our chances elsewhere.”

“But, getting back to Connally,” Kennedy continued, “We need to do more to try to help him out and ensure he carries his own state. Plus, I think we can hopefully diffuse the situation in Dallas at the same time.” Kennedy pointed to a pile of folders on his desk. “I am going to recommend that we dismiss charges against fifteen of the officers that were arrested. First, I don’t see any grounds for holding them; they weren’t in on the cover up, second, they weren’t aboard the plane when the actual shootings took place. They were simply doing their jobs. If we did try them, I suspect we would lose and that would really be bad for Connally.

“It would be worse if they are found guilty,” Guthman pointed out. “You’ll have the unions accusing us of railroading innocent police officers who were only doing their duties.” He nodded. “I like the idea, but will it work? Kennedy shook his head, “I don’t know Edwin, but we need to try something to tone things down here or we are going to have real problems. If we have to send the National Guard into cities throughout Texas that is going to be a disaster in more ways then one!”

I swear if letting 15 of the Dallas 25 go free doesn't work and the police and firefighter unions still go on strike and the Texas newspapers continue to badger the federal government I'm going to lose a gasket! If we get a President Wallace though I will be both entertained and terrified at the same time.

 

[arrowiv]

I can imagine the facial reactions of the three agents being told they are under arrest! Looks like they can kiss their pay and pensions adios.

 

[Mad Bad Rabbit]

[ Will it come out at trial that the Secret Service were drinking at a Fort Worth bar the night before? ]

 

[Sir William Jol]

[ Will it come out at trial that the Secret Service were drinking at a Fort Worth bar the night before? ]

Did that happen IOTL?

 

[Ogrebear]

“I am going to recommend that we dismiss charges against fifteen of the officers that were arrested. First, I don’t see any grounds for holding them; they weren’t in on the cover up, second, they weren’t aboard the plane when the actual shootings took place. They were simply doing their jobs.”

Good call Kennedy.

Should help.

 

[Mad Bad Rabbit]

Did that happen IOTL?

Yes, "The Cellar", reportedly until 5 AM. The Warren report claimed they were not drinking, per testimony of Pat Kirkland the club owner (who years later, said they did, but he lied to investigators because he did not have a liquor license.)

The King of Clubs

The longtime impresario of the coolest chain of nightlife spots in Texas remembers well what it was like to be a Cellar dweller. Me too.

www.google.com

 

[Knightmare]

Yes, "The Cellar", reportedly until 5 AM. The Warren report claimed they were not drinking, per testimony of Pat Kirkland the club owner (who years later, said they did, but he lied to investigators because he did not have a liquor license.)

The King of Clubs

The longtime impresario of the coolest chain of nightlife spots in Texas remembers well what it was like to be a Cellar dweller. Me too.

www.google.com

It's like this. The USSS did a lot of work saying how "reckless" Kennedy was, because otherwise that would require explaining the many many many fuckups that happened under their watch, this being one of them.

 

[Prince Charon]

One thing that concerns me, that I failed to clearly articulate earlier, is that if the defence lawyers for the three Secret Service agents are doing their jobs at all competently, they will seek to cast serious doubt on any evidence that Dr. Rose gathered or had in his possession (and honestly, I have doubts about it in this TL), and for that matter, any evidence that the DPD could have interfered with, since they're also on trial. Likewise, this is something that the prosecutors of the now-ten Dallas cops will want to do, and to pay attention to. This is something that will not go over well with the union in Texas, at all. It's going to be a big mess, and the press will certainly fan the flames.

 

[Shiva]

One thing that concerns me, that I failed to clearly articulate earlier, is that if the defence lawyers for the three Secret Service agents are doing their jobs at all competently, they will seek to cast serious doubt on any evidence that Dr. Rose gathered or had in his possession (and honestly, I have doubts about it in this TL), and for that matter, any evidence that the DPD could have interfered with, since they're also on trial. Likewise, this is something that the prosecutors of the now-ten Dallas cops will want to do, and to pay attention to. This is something that will not go over well with the union in Texas, at all. It's going to be a big mess, and the press will certainly fan the flames.

I agree with this, between RFK and Dr. Rose having such close connections to the case in the first place, JFK being Robert's brother, and Dr. Earl Rose having been in the center of the gunfight that killed LBJ AND being Dallas PD's medical examiner. Pretty much every single lawyer representing their clients is going to milk this for all it's worth, and it's worth a lot. Hell, Lee Harvey Oswald himself might have a semi-decent chance of slipping the noose.

On a sort-of related note, the YouTube channel Ask A Mortician did a video about the death of John F. Kennedy and Caitlyn pointed out that Dr. Earl Rose was right in that he should have been allowed to keep a tight chain of evidence and done the autopsy in Dallas, since we would know more about the assassination and the conspiracy theories wouldn't be as intense. Though the video focuses on Jackie Kennedy and how JFK's body was handled and the funeral conducted for him.