Someone posted on Facebook about conspiracies surrounding his and his mother's deaths. As someone who was in elementary school at the time, I don't remember much about these events. Any suggestions of things to read?

Posner, Killing the Dream

But you'll get no conspiracy theories.

Thank you. Yeah, when I asked the person claiming conspiracies for specifics he wouldn't respond.

I think its kind of interesting that Ray was in prison from 1960 until his escape in 1967. Doesn't have a real job, but somehow is driving a white mustang when he escapes from Memphis. He also has money to rent a room across the street from the Lorraine Motel. Has enough money to get to Canada, and then fly to Europe and travel to 4 countries before getting caught in London. Where did he get the money? Some conspiracy theories center around Joseph Milteer collecting money from various white supremist organizations in the south, especially around Atlanta, including the John Birch Society. (He drove from Memphis to Atlanta after the assassination and then picked up his belongings and fled to Canada!) I'm not saying whether there was a conspiracy or not......but as in many things....maybe follow the money?

And Milteer figures bigly in some of the JFK Assassination theories too.

I find it more likely that he had some involvement in financing Ray, than that he knew JFK was about to get whacked.

BQ78 said:

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And Milteer figures bigly in some of the JFK Assassination theories too.

I find it more likely that he had some involvement in financing Ray, than that he knew JFK was about to get whacked.

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I would certainly agree with that, in having researched many of the groups he was involved with! When I get home I'm going to re-read "Legacy of Secrecy" by Lamar Waldron, as it breaks down Ray's ties to Milteer. (It also has a wealth of info about Hoover and the FBI's illegal wiretapping of MLK, which is interesting in light of the current outcry of corruption in today's FBI)

John Birch society was white supremacist???? I thought they were just rabid anti-communist

CanyonAg77 said:

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John Birch society was white supremacist???? I thought they were just rabid anti-communist

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They believed the Civil Rights movement was a communist plot and that segregation was natural and good. I don't know if they were openly white supremacist as an organization, but white supracists were members.

CanyonAg77 said:

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John Birch society was white supremacist???? I thought they were just rabid anti-communist

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no. The white supremacists were all holed up in the democrat party at the time. The Birchers were simply white rabid America Supremacists and anti-communists. Still valid today.

The Original AG 76 said:

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CanyonAg77 said:

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John Birch society was white supremacist???? I thought they were just rabid anti-communist

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no. The white supremacists were all holed up in the democrat party at the time. The Birchers were simply white rabid America Supremacists and anti-communists. Still valid today.

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They had no problem with segregation.

Dr. Watson said:

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The Original AG 76 said:

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CanyonAg77 said:

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John Birch society was white supremacist???? I thought they were just rabid anti-communist

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no. The white supremacists were all holed up in the democrat party at the time. The Birchers were simply white rabid America Supremacists and anti-communists. Still valid today.

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They had no problem with segregation.

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From what I've read, the John Birch Society of the 1960's was against the Civil Rights Movement and Dr King. As a platform, this might not have been their "official" stance, but apparently the organization had many "white supremacist" members. (As Dr Watson alluded to) I'm re-reading Legacy of Secrecy in which Lamar Waldron's research ties Joseph Milteer to southern white supremacist groups and took up collections from members of different ones, in order to "eliminate" MLK. Sounds a might far fetched, but then again maybe not.

After re-reading the chapters on the MLK Assassination in Legacy of Secracy....researchers Lamar Waldron and Thom Hartman used declassified FBI documents/memo's and other research to piece this together: Milteer collected money from members of the White Citizens Council, the Klan, Dixie Mafia, etc. (certain members of the John Birch Society....but NOT the organization itself) to raise the funds for the MLK hit. New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcelo brokered the deal for $300,000 , furnishing Ray (who had been dealing Heroine for Marcelo's organization after his 1967 prison escape). There is documented evidence of Ray going from LA to New Orleans in the months prior to the murder. Ray was believed to have been paid between $10,000 to $20,000 for his part. It is of interest to note that Ray traveled 450 miles south from Memphis to Atlanta after the shooting, and ditched his white Mustang not far from Joseph Milteer's home, before heading for Canada. There is a lot more detail, but it makes for an interesting read. Disclaimer: I'm not saying I believe ALL of it, but I do believe that Ray wasn't acting alone!! (What's in it for him if he was just acting alone? Where did he get the money for the escape?). Now, what the book says about Hoover and the FBI's illegal wiretapping of MLK is just as interesting to me!! (Makes you realize that certain government organizations aren't always on the "up and up!"