Professor Philip Melanson, who taught political science at the University of Massachusetts, has died of cancer at the age of 62. Melanson may be the only person to have written books (published by "real" publishers) on all three of the major assassinations of the 1960s: JFK, MLK and RFK. In all three cases, his research was sane and articulate, groundbreaking yet careful. He was the "go to" writer for skeptically-minded newbies who needed an introduction to this material.I knew him, though only slightly. In his book on RFK, he hid a certain figure behind a pseudonym; recognizing the real individual, I telephoned the author -- he was listed -- to discuss what I knew of the man, and to point out a small error in Los Angeles geography. Melanson and I had a number of conversations after that and met on a couple of occasions. He always impressed me with his logic, his ability keep surmise separate from established fact, and his determination to scoop up new facts.
His final book, still unpublished, will argue that the CIA undermined the Drug Enforcement Agency. My sincerest condolences to his wife and son -- who, I hope, will make sure that this last work sees ink.
6 comments:
anyone given thought that so many folks who have been involved with the JFK investigation/research/writing have ended up dying of cancer? Jacqui Kennedy died of brain cancer. Jack ruby died of cancer within 5 years being locked up in prison.
Melanson is dying at a fairly young age, only 62.
Research was being conducted back in the early sixties to develop a fact cancer causing type substance and apparently this has been perfected to a degree.
The really unnerving part of the Jack Ruby story is that he was placed under the psychiatric care of Louis Jolyon West, who, at the time, was the CIA's boy. West was in Oklahoma City then. Apparently, they had no shrinks in Dallas who could treat Ruby.
West later found the Neuropsychiatric Clinic at UCLA, where he had an office off a hall near the front entrance. I passed by a few times, but he was never in.
The development of fast-acting cancers predated the '60s. I've heard that one of the techniques they came up with -- and this may be the first time anyone has printed this -- involved a radioactive needle, kept sheathed in a lead box. Press a button, and the needle is shot into a mattress.
Pleasant dreams.
Joe, do you know of a good book written about Jack Ruby? I heard a recent speech given by Joan Mellon, and she was asked about Ruby. Many of her sources say this was research that needed to be done. Who was it that said "Ohhh, how could Jack do that to Lee?!" They were rumoured to be lovers. Any idea if there's any plans on a book about Ruby? Seems some influential people don't want that book written. Mae Brussell was always fascinated by Ruby. And you must admit, there are so many oddities. The fear of being "suicided" and then he died quickly of a fast-acting cancer, the whole shooting of Oswald mind control game. I don't find it inplausible, with Harvey mysteriously all of a sudden being told to wear a black sweater, that this could have been a hoax. After all, Oswald was putting out in code to his handlers that he was still with the program asking for that pro-Castro attorney. I think that was his way of being in shock as being set up as the patsy. What do you think? Was there ever close scruntiny done of the actual Oswald shooting and autopsy? How many Oswald's were there?
Seems so odd how history repeats himself. I have read many times that Atta had a double, just like LHO.
The really unnerving part of the Jack Ruby story is that he was placed under the psychiatric care of Louis Jolyon West, who, at the time, was the CIA's boy. West was in Oklahoma City then.
Oklahoma City? Didn't they have a bombing there once? Oh, yeah, and when they brought in Tim McVeigh he has examined for psychological fitness, by, wait for it...Louis Jolyon West
At the time of the Iran/contra hearings, a local band here in L.A. played an original which included this memorable lyric:
"Good golly Ollie/You've been to Dr. Jolly!"
Few people know that Jolly (as he was known) also ran a ward at the vetrans center near UCLA. Weird tales surround that place.
By the way, if you're looking for a good book on Ruby, start with the one by Seth Kantor. A mass market paperback version was republished in 1992, and should be fairly easy to find at used book stores.
Columnist Dorothy Kilgallen was writing a book about Ruby, I believe, and I think she was going to interview him. Before she could do that she, too, died rather mysteriously. Didn't Ruby also beg Earl Warren to bring him to Washington and told him he would be killed if he stayed in Texas?
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