Oswald's "Handcuffed Communist Salute"

[Charles Collins]

What is your evidence that Oswald identified with a “communist salute” or even thought there was such a thing?

And while we’re at it, what does any of this have to do with the assassination?

Marxist somehow equals assassin?

From “Malcontent - Lee Harvey Oswald’s Confession by Conduct” by Sean R. DeGrilla:

It has been the official salute of all Communist Parties. It encapsulates connotations of resistance, solidarity, pride and militancy in one simple gesture. To understand the meaning of Oswald’s clenched-fist salute displayed while under arrest in police custody, and as he lay dying on the floor of police headquarters, it is important to understand the gesture’s rich and deep history. “The clenched-fist salute has been used among revolutionaries for many centuries as a symbol of defiance, comradeship, and solidarity. It was employed during the bloody French revolution of 1789, and again during the industrial revolution of 1848. At the formation of the First International in London in 1864… Karl Marx and his followers gave the clenched-fist salute… it had been used by the Paris Communes of 1871, a violent affair which led to the deaths of over 25,000 Parisians. Since the Third International, the Comintern begun in Moscow in 1919, it has been the official salute of all Communist Parties throughout the world.”[ 223] The socialists followed suit with the communists and adopted the clenched-fist salute.

[Walt Cakebread]

From “Malcontent - Lee Harvey Oswald’s Confession by Conduct” by Sean R. DeGrilla:

It has been the official salute of all Communist Parties. It encapsulates connotations of resistance, solidarity, pride and militancy in one simple gesture. To understand the meaning of Oswald’s clenched-fist salute displayed while under arrest in police custody, and as he lay dying on the floor of police headquarters, it is important to understand the gesture’s rich and deep history. “The clenched-fist salute has been used among revolutionaries for many centuries as a symbol of defiance, comradeship, and solidarity. It was employed during the bloody French revolution of 1789, and again during the industrial revolution of 1848. At the formation of the First International in London in 1864… Karl Marx and his followers gave the clenched-fist salute… it had been used by the Paris Communes of 1871, a violent affair which led to the deaths of over 25,000 Parisians. Since the Third International, the Comintern begun in Moscow in 1919, it has been the official salute of all Communist Parties throughout the world.”[ 223] The socialists followed suit with the communists and adopted the clenched-fist salute.

It encapsulates connotations of resistance,

Yes, and I believe that Lee might have been telling Warren De Brueys and Bannister that he would not reveal that they had been working with him in staging a HOAX attempt on JFK, that was basically the same MO that had been used at Walker's in April.     

[John Iacoletti]

From “Malcontent - Lee Harvey Oswald’s Confession by Conduct” by Sean R. DeGrilla:

It has been the official salute of all Communist Parties. It encapsulates connotations of resistance, solidarity, pride and militancy in one simple gesture. To understand the meaning of Oswald’s clenched-fist salute displayed while under arrest in police custody, and as he lay dying on the floor of police headquarters, it is important to understand the gesture’s rich and deep history. “The clenched-fist salute has been used among revolutionaries for many centuries as a symbol of defiance, comradeship, and solidarity. It was employed during the bloody French revolution of 1789, and again during the industrial revolution of 1848. At the formation of the First International in London in 1864… Karl Marx and his followers gave the clenched-fist salute… it had been used by the Paris Communes of 1871, a violent affair which led to the deaths of over 25,000 Parisians. Since the Third International, the Comintern begun in Moscow in 1919, it has been the official salute of all Communist Parties throughout the world.”[ 223] The socialists followed suit with the communists and adopted the clenched-fist salute.

Interesting history lesson. Any reason to think that Oswald was even aware of any of that, much less was thinking about that when the photo was taken?

[John Iacoletti]

It encapsulates connotations of resistance,

Yes, and I believe that Lee might have been telling Warren De Brueys and Bannister that he would not reveal that they had been working with him in staging a HOAX attempt on JFK, that was basically the same MO that had been used at Walker's in April.   

Clearly illustrating that the meaning of some “posture” captured in a still photograph with no additional information is in the eye of the beholder.

[Charles Collins]

Interesting history lesson. Any reason to think that Oswald was even aware of any of that, much less was thinking about that when the photo was taken?

More from DeGrilla’s “Malcontent”:

Oswald read the works of Karl Marx, among many others, and admitted that he was a Marxist. Political literature influenced Oswald throughout his life. Oswald undoubtedly ascertained from the communist periodicals and books he read that the clenched-fist salute was a Marxist symbol espousing left-wing beliefs and abhorrence of the right. Oswald was a Marxist revolutionary, if only in his mind. He believed that was what he was born to be. Oswald was so committed to his beliefs in Marxist philosophy, that the clenched-fist salute would be his dying declaration. You can’t be more committed or more hardcore than that. Let’s look at this another way–what possible reason could Oswald have for exhibiting the clenched-fist salute? He wasn’t showcasing to the world he was handcuffed, as all prisoners are handcuffed. He wasn’t trying to physically strike or put fear into anyone. The message was clear and concise for those that are aware and open to its meaning. Lee Harvey Oswald’s violent actions that day were ideologically motivated. He was a Marxist and a revolutionary, and that’s what revolutionaries do. Oswald once stated, “You don’t just sit around and talk about it. You go out and do it.”[ 228] He had committed himself to revolutionary action, and this time he finally succeeded. The clenched-fist salute was one of many physical actions Oswald displayed that bloody weekend. It’s also one more piece of the puzzle that points towards Oswald’s implied admission of guilt. After all, who else raises clenched fists? Activists. No matter what the cause or issue, activism is at the root of the clenched fist. Just like fleeing the scene, lying, selectively answering questions etc., Oswald’s display of the clenched-fist salute fits in perfectly.

[John Iacoletti]

More from DeGrilla’s “Malcontent”:

Oswald read the works of Karl Marx, among many others, and admitted that he was a Marxist. Political literature influenced Oswald throughout his life. Oswald undoubtedly ascertained from the communist periodicals and books he read that the clenched-fist salute was a Marxist symbol espousing left-wing beliefs and abhorrence of the right.

Undoubtedly.

 

Armchair psychoanalysis and speculation can only get one so far.

[Charles Collins]

Undoubtedly.

 

Armchair psychoanalysis and speculation can only get one so far.

Has anyone ever proven anything to you? And have you ever provided any alternatives? Or do you just believe that showing your skepticism is enough to dismiss every piece of evidence that exists?

[Thomas Graves]

Has anyone ever proven anything to you? And have you ever provided any alternatives? Or do you just believe that showing your skepticism is enough to dismiss every piece of evidence that exists?

Charles,

Nope.

Iacoletti isn't even sure that he exists.

"I object, therefore maybe, maybe, maybe ... gasp ... I will-we, will-we am!"

But unfortunately for the JFK assassination community, he (and James "Jumbo Duh" DiEugenio at the so-called Education Forum, et al.) does.

At least I think he does.

But, then again, he could be a creation of some of the better-English-speaking trolls at the Internet Research Agency in Saint Petersburg. 

Russia.

--  MWT 

PS  It's interesting that James Hackerott, who has recently viewed the original Darnell film in it's entirety, has stated that the three young women whom Darnell filmed walking across the Pergola Patio and then across the grass, were the same three women who were standing by the Stemmons sign in Zapruder, and that he brazenly identifies them (to Iacoletti's certain chagrin) as Stella Mae Jacob, Gloria Jean Holt and Sharron Simmons.