On The Trail Of Delusion

[Fred Litwin]

Not exactly true. Weisberg claims that they picked out pictures of Thornley. But, later one, he felt that this couldn't be true. He believed
that their clashing politics indicates Thornley would have have hung out with Oswald and vice versa. His later letters show he felt it was NOT
Thornley who picked up the leaflets.

[Steve M. Galbraith]

Not true. Thornley decided to write a book that would explain "the particular phenomenon of
disillusionment with the United States after serving in the Marine Corps overseas in a peacetime
capacity." The main character, Johnny Shellburn, was to be based on several marines, including
Oswald. But before Thornley could finish his book, The Idle Warriors, Oswald defected to the
Soviet Union, and Thornley had to reconsider his ending.

Check out my book, "On The Trail of Delusion, Jim Garrison: The Great Accuser" for
the full story on Kerry Thornley.

Fred, I think Oswald was a more influential person on the Thornley book - certainly the main idea behind it - then you seem to. Yes, the Shelburn character was a mix of people that he met; but his interaction with Oswald was, Thornley said, a key factor in his decision to write the book

For example, after reading about Oswald's defection to the USSR, Thornley said this:

"It was not until then [i.e., Oswald's defection] that I really believe his commitment to communism was serious. I was surprised. I wondered how he had come to his decision. I began to ponder the problem, And then I sat down and began work on 'The Idle Warriors.' I had my theme."

Remember that Oswald told Thornley about the abuses by his fellow Marines when he (Oswald) was stationed in Japan. Thornley said he later saw the same arrogance, the same mistreatment of Japanese citizens, by his Marines when he was sent to Atsugi. But the idea behind the book - the behavior of these "idle warriors" - didn't emerge, he said, until he was shocked to learn about Oswald's defection. It seems that without Oswald you really don't have the book. Or at least in the form that Thornley developed.

[Fred Litwin]

Steve: yes, you are right.

But, clearly Thornley had some idea for the book, and felt that Oswald fit the kind of
person he wanted to write about.

He said that "I was not so interested in explaining Lee Harvey Oswald to myself or anybody else, as I was in explaining that particular phenomenon of
disillusionment with the United States after serving in the Marine Corps overseas in a peacetime capacity; thus the title: The Idle Warriors."

But, yes, then he says: "Since Oswald inspired the book, I did base a good deal of it as a matter of convenience on his personality and his ideas."

[Fred Litwin]

You can go to the Mary Ferrell website and see the testimonies of all the witnesses (well, some, but not all) that
Garrison brought before the Grand Jury.

[Jerry Freeman]

Only a DA and 12 people are present in a grand jury.
https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/difference-between-grand-jury-and-trial-jury.html

12 23 people

[Denis Pointing]

Shows what people know about a grand jury...Witnesses are not heard by a grand jury....defense attorneys are not present at a grand jury---Only a DA and 12 people are present in a grand jury. How ludicrous can you get?
https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/difference-between-grand-jury-and-trial-jury.html

Hey, 'smart guy' from your own link; "Grand jury proceedings are held in strict confidence to encourage witnesses to speak freely" 

[Denis Pointing]

Clay Shaw was found not guilty... therefore there was no conspiracy and Oswald remains the assassin..... The logic of the Kool-Aid drinking, lone nut dwelling, bottom feeders.

So you believe the reason LN's don't believe in conspiracy is because Clay Shaw was found innocent. 'Smart guy' strikes again! 

[Steve M. Galbraith]

Steve: yes, you are right.

But, clearly Thornley had some idea for the book, and felt that Oswald fit the kind of
person he wanted to write about.

He said that "I was not so interested in explaining Lee Harvey Oswald to myself or anybody else, as I was in explaining that particular phenomenon of
disillusionment with the United States after serving in the Marine Corps overseas in a peacetime capacity; thus the title: The Idle Warriors."

But, yes, then he says: "Since Oswald inspired the book, I did base a good deal of it as a matter of convenience on his personality and his ideas."

Fred: We've gotten away (as often happens) from you main point that shows - again - how utterly reckless and demented (no other word for it) Garrison was in his investigation. Lifton befriended Thornley and was astonished how Garrison treated him.

As to Thornley and Oswald: Thornley's account of meeting with Oswald shows that Oswald was deeply angry with the US. His experience with the Marine Corps deepened this alienation and anger (Epstein quotes from several Marine colleagues of Oswald's who say that he was extremely bitter after being released from the brig after his second court martial). As Thornley said, when he read about Oswald's defection to the USSR he realized that Oswald was serious in his views.

Oswald was either a great actor pretending to hold these views or he was sincerely disaffected with his country. I think the first explanation, that he was pretending, is simply implausible.