This is discouraging for those of who still want the truth about more recent events like the financial crisis or the torture regime under George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. On the 40th anniversary, we're still seeking the truth about the massacre of four people during the anti-war protests at Ohio's Kent State University.
A 40-year-old audio recording of the moments just before Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire on antiwar protesters at Kent State University will finally be professionally analyzed to try to determine if -- as some claim -- an order to shoot is audible.
The recording was made on May 4, 1970, by Terry Strubbe, a KSU communications student who set the microphone of his reel-to-reel tape recorder on his dorm room windowsill, turned on the machine, and went outside to watch the unfolding protest.
The chilling 30-minute tape is the only known audio that captured sounds before the shootings, the 13-second fusillade and its chaotic aftermath. Four students were killed and nine wounded in the incident, which spawned numerous inquiries and crystallized American sentiment about the unpopular Vietnam War.
I applaud the efforts to hold a Kent State Truth Tribunal next week. Contrary to those who think it's counter-productive to look backwards (yes, I'm talking about you, Barack Obama), I'm glad that there are citizens and journalists who will go to the wall for the truth, even 40 years after the fact. The song "Ohio" by Crosby Stills Nash & Young has always been one of my favorites; in it, Neil Young sings, "How can you run when you know." But first have have to know...the truth.
Unarmed students shot and killed, and people think I'm an extremist.— RG
I’d like to know if the guardsmen were ordered to fire. My aunt went to Kent State. She started there two years after the massacre occurred, thank goodness, but I know she would like to know the truth too.— Hamlet
Cue troll postings about dirty commie hippies...
Kent State is exactly what Osberg had in mind when he said he wanted to focus on more "relevant content". I wonder if this tape analysis will detect the 15 people shouting the N-word that was recently fabricated by the government healthcare hucksters in Washington?— Mr. Smith- Kent State Tribunal. Sounds like something Specter would do.— AngryWhiteMale
Whenever I hear the call for a "Truth Tribunal", I am reminded of the Indiana Jones line "Archaeology is the search for fact... not truth. If it's truth you're looking for, Dr. Tyree's philosophy class is right down the hall." The facts are 4 people died that day because of many mistakes made by many people on all sides. Sadly the worst fact is that the 2 people who died weren't responsible for those mistakes (unless suddenly attending class is a mistake). This group isn't assembling to find "truth" or "facts" - they simply want to assign blame and 40 years later what good is that doing anyone? And Will, when you are describing the incident as a "massacre" you have already decided what the "truth" is to you.— bird11
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Instead of worrying about a government mistake 40 years ago, worry about the Obama administration's Katrina-like disaster brewing on the Gulf Coast. Their response to the oil spill is questionable at best.— jmc- There is no question it was a massacre. Four unarmed, peaceful people gunned down by National Guard Troops. What is still unknown is who was responsible. If this were a review of tapes to determine if a black man shot a white cop, those criticizing this would be demanding it take place. There is no statute of limitations on murder (not saying that is what this was, just saying it is one possibility). If there is a chance to solve a crime when it is still prosecutable, why would supposed law and order right wingers be opposed to this?
- "If there is a chance to solve a crime when it is still prosecutable, why would supposed law and order right wingers be opposed to this?" Where do you see any right wingers opposed to possibly solving a crime. I only see bird11 questioning whether this is truly an attempt at getting to the truth or is it grandstanding, and I see jmc saying that they should take care of more pressing issues first (though I'm sure that both current and past issues can be looked at simultaneously). But I don't see anyone against solving a crime.— legatus
- ---}}} I wonder if this tape analysis will detect the 15 people shouting the N-word that was recently fabricated by the government healthcare hucksters in Washington? {{{--- Good point. I hope no one doubts whether you have enough knowledge to call Lewis a liar. I mean, you were there, walking right next to Wilson the entire time, right?— Talking point sleuth
- Tom Selleck - the statute of limitation for manslaughter (which is about all you could imagine charging in this matter) in Ohio I believe is 20 years. The statutes are also expired for arson and agg assault on a peace officer. So IMHO no legal action will result from this. And just so you know, if this were a legitimate chance to convict a white man or wowan for the murder of any police officer you are right I would support.— bird11
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Will Bunch, a senior writer at the Philadelphia Daily News, blogs about his obsessions, including national and local politics and world affairs, the media, pop music, the Philadelphia Phillies, soccer and other sports, not necessarily in that order.
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