Quote:
Originally Posted by flaja
I seriously doubt that RFK was the only U.S. politician that supported Israel during the Six Day War, so why would he have been the only one singled out for assassination by Moslems?
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That posted reasoning is flawed. RFKs death was not about blanket Israeli support. Sirhan Sirhan was angered because RFK endorsed a fighter plane sale to Israel - not about a war. It could have been most anything. Underlying anger and conflict was increasing everywhere to include Vietnam, the sexual revolution, rock and roll, leaders so divorced from the people that 'you can't trust anyone over 30', an oppressive cold war that had no apparent resolution and sudden revelation that even bomb shelters were useless, civil rights and overt racism, Israel’s overt attack on the USS Liberty with 50+ dead and no America response, etc. Divisions in America were growing so deep that even every 'most popular' music (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elvis) were never nominated for Grammys. Even music represented a threat to existing 'powers that be' – further demonstrating the growing rifts.
RFK was not killed over a Middle East war. That fighter sale was simply an excuse. RFK was killed because deep seated divisions were surfacing all over America in both little conflicts and in violence, arson, and bombings. The Edmund Pettus Bridge and George Wallace were just more examples. Were the Beatles dangerous? Yes according to our parents. RFK was too much at the center of most every growing rift.
Sirhan Sirhan only did what was becoming common especially in 1968. Violence was necessary to promote change - in minds of so many. We would even burn down our own cities just to promote change? It makes no sense today. In the 60s, it made perfectly good sense to so many that in Chicago, "The whole world is watching". Even overt police violence was increasing. Change represented by RFK became a perfect target for any angry person for or against change - from segregationists, hawks, or even the SDS or SLA. RFK's death summarized a serious problem in the entire fabric of America which is why it is called the tumultuous 60s.
Ohio National Guard marched on Kent State and randomly shot students (who were not even demonstrating) with live ammunition because violence had become acceptable. The same reasons that killed RFK also refused to investigate a Kent State massacre. Kent State students were even refused service in restaurants and gas stations. RFK was simply a most egregious example of a nation slowly going to war with itself. It was not about the Middle East. Sirhan’s gripe was rarely discussed. Obvious among all then were the growing divisions throughout America that included the two 'super faults' – Vietnam and racism. RFKs death really was about those growing divisions, anger, and disenchantment that would only get worse with Nixon.