//LucasHutmacherDotCom

But intimidation of Schlesinger-as-adviser went beyond silencing him in the other cabinet room – it led him to produce a nine-page memorandum to President Kennedy, written shortly before the invasion of Cuba, in which he is as blunt as Machiavelli himself in urging deception of the public to conceal the U.S. role in the invasion.  This would be necessary because “a great many people simply do not at this moment see that Cuba presents so grave and compelling a threat to our national security as to justify a course of action which much of the world will interpret as calculated aggression against a small nation.”

The memorandum goes on, “The character and repute of President Kennedy constitute one of our greatest national resources.  Nothing should be done to jeopardize this invaluable asset.  When lies must be told, they should be told by subordinate officials.”  It goes on to suggest “that someone other than the President make the final decision and do so in absence – someone whose head can later be placed on the block if things go terribly wrong. “  (Cesare Borgia again, only lacking the blood-stained knife.)

Sleshinger included in his memo sample questions and lying answers in case the issue of the invasion came up in a press conference:

Q: Mr. President, is CIA involved in this affair?

A: I can assure you that the United States has no intention of using force to overthrow the Castro regime.

The scenario was followed.  Four days before the invasion, President kennedy told a press conference, “There will not be, under any conditions, any intervention in Cuba by U.S. armed forces.”

- Howard Zinn – Declarations of Independence

Wondering what has changed? Read about it here.