Conspiracy theories

Despite having written about the politico-military history of Renaissance Italy, when conspiracies abounded, I am disinclined to believe in modern conspiracy theories because most of them turn on a touching faith in the competence of secret intelligence agencies.

But I have been troubled by the 2003 death of Dr David Kelly, ever since the surgeon who was scheduled to cut me open scoffed at the idea that Kelly could have died form the relatively shallow cut he is alleged to have made in his left wrist, in a cool environment that would have hastened clotting.

Likewise I find it hard to accept that the laws of physics were suspended in Dallas when JFK jerked back in his seat when first shot, as shown in the Zapruder film. For me, that rules out a shot from behind, ergo he was hit first from the Grassy Knoll. Whether the kill shot came from there is less easy to say, but it's the way to bet.

I could very easily be wrong on both counts: maybe Kelly lacked some essential clotting agent, and maybe someone shot through the neck might have a galvanic counter-reaction. I don't know - but given that official inquiries have a well-merited reputation for applying white-wash to unsightly blemishes in the conduct of public affairs, it is reasonable to become suspicious when they do not answer such fundamental questions.

Thence to conspiracy theory is a short step. The reason why I am loath to take that step is that it is insane to argue that a cover-up constitutes an admission of agency in the events under inquiry. It is far more likely that official inquiries, in their desire to counter uninformed speculation, may profess to a certainty to which the facts do not lend themselves.

Unfortunately, in an age where respect for authority is a dim memory, that simply adds fuel to the conspiracy theorists' flame.