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Rose Cherami still being pimped

#1 · May 12, 2021, 1:46 pm

Quote from Greg Parker on May 12, 2021, 1:46 pm
Rose Cherami's story is indeed fascinating and it does not take more than a few leaps and twists to turn her into a mystical, if drug-addled, touchstone for entry into into the world of JFK assassination modelling.
Her story was first pimped by New Orleans DA Jim Garrison and then picked up by JFK director, Oliver Stone to lead us into the movie's rabbit holes.
More recently, it has been pimped in a book by Cherami's son, Dr. Michael Marcades.
Cherami's story is well-summarized by Jim diEugenio in his review of Marcades book:
Garrison had been alerted to the case of a woman who—on the eve of the assassination—had been discarded by her cohorts on a drug run from Miami to Dallas. While hitchhiking on US Route 190 outside of Eunice Louisiana, she was struck by a car driven by one Frank Odom.
Odom took her to Moosa Memorial Hospital in Eunice. The hospital administrator, Louise Guillory, recognized she was in some kind of drug withdrawal. Since she was experienced in these kinds of cases, she called State Trooper Francis Fruge. Because of the manifest withdrawal symptoms, Fruge called for a doctor to give her a sedative and then for an ambulance to transport her to Jackson State Hospital.
It was on this drive, under routine questioning, that something stunning occurred. She gave her name as Rose Cherami, which was not her real name—it was one of the aliases she worked under in the drug and call girl trade. When asked what she was doing, she related the story of a heroin shipment she was working on. She also said she had been abandoned by the two Cubans whom she was working with on that assignment. But further, and most importantly, those two men had talked about how they were going to kill Kennedy when they got to Dallas. Even though Fruge told the House Select Committee on Assassinations that, under the influence of the sedative, Rose looked and sounded lucid to him, he did not take that statement seriously. (4/18/78 HSCA deposition of Fruge; parts of this are excerpted in Michael Marcades’ book Rose Cherami: Gathering Fallen Petals)
When he dropped her off at the hospital, she said the same thing to the two doctors who first checked her in and then talked to her. These were Dr. Victor Weiss and intern Wayne Owen. (Marcades, p. 327; DiEugenio interview with Edwin McGehee, July of 2019 in Jackson, Louisiana) Even more startling is that Cherami mentioned the name of Jack Ruby before the assassination. She told Weiss that she had worked for Ruby. (Ibid, Marcades; DiEugenio, p. 78)
Fruge was shocked when, as Rose predicted, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. He called up the hospital and told them not to release her to anyone until he picked her up. As a State Trooper, he understood just how important a witness she was. It turned out that Cherami predicted what was going to happen a fourth time. This was in the TV room after a news announcement that Kennedy was arriving in Dallas. (Memo from Frank Meloche to Lou Ivon, 5/22/67)
On November 26^th, Fruge flew Cherami into Houston. On the flight, she picked up a newspaper. She glanced at a story which denied any connection between Oswald and Ruby. She giggled when she read it. She said that was utter baloney; they knew each other for a long time. (Marcades, p. 256)
Let's ask some extremely relevant questions and see if they can be answered:
Was Rose affected by drugs?
This has never been questioned in the past, but in light of some medical history provided by Dr. Marcades, there is a viable alternative explanation. We also need to consider that it was not a medical person who made the diagnosis - but a hospital administrator!
According to Dr. Marcades, Rose had previously suffered encephalitis. To quote again from the diEugenio review "At the age of 12, she was diagnosed with encephalitis. (Marcades, p. 23) Her son, Michael, believes this was responsible for many of her problems later in life. Encephalitis can cause personality changes, seizures, overall weakness, and other personality defects. She was in the hospital for one month at this time."
What it neglects to add among possible symptoms is hallucinations.
Individuals with encephalitis often show mild flu-like symptoms. In more severe cases, people may experience problems with speech or hearing, double vision, hallucinations, personality changes, and loss of consciousness. Other severe complications include loss of sensation in some parts of the body, muscle weakness, partial paralysis in the arms and legs, impaired judgment, seizures, and memory loss.
It almost seems as if this one symptom was deliberately left out...
What is also neglected is that encephalitis can return because of trauma and stress. I would imagine that being abandoned half way through a drug run and then being hit by a car while hitch-hiking might well be both traumatic and stressful.
At a later time, emotional or physical stress can reactivate the virus to cause an infection of the brain. It causes the most subacute (between acute and chronic) and chronic (lasting three or more months) encephalitis infections in humans.
Finally, encephalitis, among other conditions, can be misdiagnosed as drug withdrawal (Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal, p32 by Dr. Peter R. Breggin, 2012)
Did Cherami overhear a plot?
Whilst almost anything may be possible, some things are certainly more likely than others.
What is more likely is that not only did Rose suffer a possible recurrence of encephalitis, but because of all of her hardships and rough-living, she was also a prime candidate to have suffered Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD). At the time, this would not have been diagnosed. The trauma suffered by being hit by the car may have triggered a flashback to past trauma. This is indicated by her supplying a name previously used instead of the name she was known by at the time - suggesting she was having a flashback to a time when she did in fact use that name.
Given the circles that Rose moved in, she most likely did hear idle threats against Kennedy - as opposed to actual plots. The Warren Commission volumes are full of documents showing the FBI chasing down information received on threats leading exactly nowhere because those making them were just talking shit - as people do. It is more than possible that Rose was having a flashback to a time when she did overhear such braggadocio - or she simply hallucinated the whole thing.
But even if what she told Fruge was not the result of a flashback or hallucination, the same scenario applies. Her confreres were simply talking shit. What assassins would talk about plans to kill a sitting president in front of someone like Rose and then abandon her - thus potentially pissing her off enough to inform on them? What plotters moreover, would plan an assassination attempt on a sitting president as an addition to a drug run? That alone not dangerous enough? Not a big enough adrenalin rush?
The final nail in the story?
This has to be the claim that Ruby and Oswald not only knew each other, but had been "shacked up" for years. This information has all the hallmarks of someone now feeling for the first time, a little bit special and being treated - perhaps for the first time - with some degree of respect. As we have seen with Judyth Vary Baker (whom Dr. Marcades cites in his book as an authoritative witness!) , the way to the heart of any conspiracy addict is to give them what they want to hear, while simultaneously embedding yourself in the history. The story is total trash.
In fact, it is so bad that Garrison's office tried to buttress the story by obtaining an affidavit from Blanch M. KREISCHER.
Blanch was the wife of Armour E Kreischer who penned a letter to the FBI on Nov 28, 1963 outlining 4th or 5th hand information that Oswald worked for Ruby and lived in an Oak Cliff boarding house. The FBI tracked the rumor to it's source - a Humble Service Station at 1030 North Zangs where they interviewed owner Jerry Duncan, The story that Duncan relayed was that a customer advised him that Ruby shot Oswald, and that her mother worked at a cafe in the same building as the Carousel and that she (the mother) knew Ruby as a result. In hindsight, he mistook references to "he" and "him" as being in regard to Oswald when they were actually all references to Ruby and that as a result, he (Duncan) was the source of misinformation to Oswald's landlady that Oswald may have worked for Ruby.
One could easily get the impression that something is being covered up here OR that it was a typical case of Chinese Whispers where information got twisted or misunderstood as it passed from person to person. This was not Duncan's only encounter with the FBI on the case. He also claimed at one stage that Oswald had gone out drinking with one of his employees. This turned out to be not Oswald but a boarder at 1026 N Beckley named Floyd de Graffenred.
There is a vague possibility that Ruby employee Larry Crafard stayed at the boarding house for a short period close to the time of the assassination and it was Crafard that was the subject of the Kreischer rumor. Larry wanted to move out of the Carousel and Ruby did know the sister of the boarding house housekeeper. But even if this vague possibility were true, it in no way, shape or form, confirms Cherami's story about Oswald and Ruby.
It is about time to allow Rose to Rest in Peace.

Rose Cherami's story is indeed fascinating and it does not take more than a few leaps and twists to turn her into a mystical, if drug-addled, touchstone for entry into into the world of JFK assassination modelling.

Her story was first pimped by New Orleans DA Jim Garrison and then picked up by JFK director, Oliver Stone to lead us into the movie's rabbit holes.

More recently, it has been pimped in a book by Cherami's son, Dr. Michael Marcades.

Cherami's story is well-summarized by Jim diEugenio in his review of Marcades book:

Garrison had been alerted to the case of a woman who—on the eve of the assassination—had been discarded by her cohorts on a drug run from Miami to Dallas. While hitchhiking on US Route 190 outside of Eunice Louisiana, she was struck by a car driven by one Frank Odom.
Odom took her to Moosa Memorial Hospital in Eunice. The hospital administrator, Louise Guillory, recognized she was in some kind of drug withdrawal. Since she was experienced in these kinds of cases, she called State Trooper Francis Fruge. Because of the manifest withdrawal symptoms, Fruge called for a doctor to give her a sedative and then for an ambulance to transport her to Jackson State Hospital.
It was on this drive, under routine questioning, that something stunning occurred. She gave her name as Rose Cherami, which was not her real name—it was one of the aliases she worked under in the drug and call girl trade. When asked what she was doing, she related the story of a heroin shipment she was working on. She also said she had been abandoned by the two Cubans whom she was working with on that assignment. But further, and most importantly, those two men had talked about how they were going to kill Kennedy when they got to Dallas. Even though Fruge told the House Select Committee on Assassinations that, under the influence of the sedative, Rose looked and sounded lucid to him, he did not take that statement seriously. (4/18/78 HSCA deposition of Fruge; parts of this are excerpted in Michael Marcades’ book Rose Cherami: Gathering Fallen Petals)
When he dropped her off at the hospital, she said the same thing to the two doctors who first checked her in and then talked to her. These were Dr. Victor Weiss and intern Wayne Owen. (Marcades, p. 327; DiEugenio interview with Edwin McGehee, July of 2019 in Jackson, Louisiana) Even more startling is that Cherami mentioned the name of Jack Ruby before the assassination. She told Weiss that she had worked for Ruby. (Ibid, Marcades; DiEugenio, p. 78)
Fruge was shocked when, as Rose predicted, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. He called up the hospital and told them not to release her to anyone until he picked her up. As a State Trooper, he understood just how important a witness she was. It turned out that Cherami predicted what was going to happen a fourth time. This was in the TV room after a news announcement that Kennedy was arriving in Dallas. (Memo from Frank Meloche to Lou Ivon, 5/22/67)
On November 26^th, Fruge flew Cherami into Houston. On the flight, she picked up a newspaper. She glanced at a story which denied any connection between Oswald and Ruby. She giggled when she read it. She said that was utter baloney; they knew each other for a long time. (Marcades, p. 256)

Let's ask some extremely relevant questions and see if they can be answered:

Was Rose affected by drugs?
This has never been questioned in the past, but in light of some medical history provided by Dr. Marcades, there is a viable alternative explanation. We also need to consider that it was not a medical person who made the diagnosis - but a hospital administrator!

According to Dr. Marcades, Rose had previously suffered encephalitis. To quote again from the diEugenio review "At the age of 12, she was diagnosed with encephalitis. (Marcades, p. 23) Her son, Michael, believes this was responsible for many of her problems later in life. Encephalitis can cause personality changes, seizures, overall weakness, and other personality defects. She was in the hospital for one month at this time."

What it neglects to add among possible symptoms is hallucinations.

Individuals with encephalitis often show mild flu-like symptoms. In more severe cases, people may experience problems with speech or hearing, double vision, hallucinations, personality changes, and loss of consciousness. Other severe complications include loss of sensation in some parts of the body, muscle weakness, partial paralysis in the arms and legs, impaired judgment, seizures, and memory loss.

It almost seems as if this one symptom was deliberately left out...

What is also neglected is that encephalitis can return because of trauma and stress. I would imagine that being abandoned half way through a drug run and then being hit by a car while hitch-hiking might well be both traumatic and stressful.

At a later time, emotional or physical stress can reactivate the virus to cause an infection of the brain. It causes the most subacute (between acute and chronic) and chronic (lasting three or more months) encephalitis infections in humans.

Finally, encephalitis, among other conditions, can be misdiagnosed as drug withdrawal (Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal, p32 by Dr. Peter R. Breggin, 2012)

Did Cherami overhear a plot?
Whilst almost anything may be possible, some things are certainly more likely than others.

What is more likely is that not only did Rose suffer a possible recurrence of encephalitis, but because of all of her hardships and rough-living, she was also a prime candidate to have suffered Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD). At the time, this would not have been diagnosed. The trauma suffered by being hit by the car may have triggered a flashback to past trauma. This is indicated by her supplying a name previously used instead of the name she was known by at the time - suggesting she was having a flashback to a time when she did in fact use that name.

Given the circles that Rose moved in, she most likely did hear idle threats against Kennedy - as opposed to actual plots. The Warren Commission volumes are full of documents showing the FBI chasing down information received on threats leading exactly nowhere because those making them were just talking shit - as people do. It is more than possible that Rose was having a flashback to a time when she did overhear such braggadocio - or she simply hallucinated the whole thing.

But even if what she told Fruge was not the result of a flashback or hallucination, the same scenario applies. Her confreres were simply talking shit. What assassins would talk about plans to kill a sitting president in front of someone like Rose and then abandon her - thus potentially pissing her off enough to inform on them? What plotters moreover, would plan an assassination attempt on a sitting president as an addition to a drug run? That alone not dangerous enough? Not a big enough adrenalin rush?

The final nail in the story?
This has to be the claim that Ruby and Oswald not only knew each other, but had been "shacked up" for years. This information has all the hallmarks of someone now feeling for the first time, a little bit special and being treated - perhaps for the first time - with some degree of respect. As we have seen with Judyth Vary Baker (whom Dr. Marcades cites in his book as an authoritative witness!) , the way to the heart of any conspiracy addict is to give them what they want to hear, while simultaneously embedding yourself in the history. The story is total trash.

In fact, it is so bad that Garrison's office tried to buttress the story by obtaining an affidavit from Blanch M. KREISCHER.

Blanch was the wife of Armour E Kreischer who penned a letter to the FBI on Nov 28, 1963 outlining 4th or 5th hand information that Oswald worked for Ruby and lived in an Oak Cliff boarding house. The FBI tracked the rumor to it's source - a Humble Service Station at 1030 North Zangs where they interviewed owner Jerry Duncan, The story that Duncan relayed was that a customer advised him that Ruby shot Oswald, and that her mother worked at a cafe in the same building as the Carousel and that she (the mother) knew Ruby as a result. In hindsight, he mistook references to "he" and "him" as being in regard to Oswald when they were actually all references to Ruby and that as a result, he (Duncan) was the source of misinformation to Oswald's landlady that Oswald may have worked for Ruby.

One could easily get the impression that something is being covered up here OR that it was a typical case of Chinese Whispers where information got twisted or misunderstood as it passed from person to person. This was not Duncan's only encounter with the FBI on the case. He also claimed at one stage that Oswald had gone out drinking with one of his employees. This turned out to be not Oswald but a boarder at 1026 N Beckley named Floyd de Graffenred.

There is a vague possibility that Ruby employee Larry Crafard stayed at the boarding house for a short period close to the time of the assassination and it was Crafard that was the subject of the Kreischer rumor. Larry wanted to move out of the Carousel and Ruby did know the sister of the boarding house housekeeper. But even if this vague possibility were true, it in no way, shape or form, confirms Cherami's story about Oswald and Ruby.

It is about time to allow Rose to Rest in Peace.

#2 · May 12, 2021, 1:55 pm

For anyone interested in actual foreknowledge of what was about to happen in Dallas, please see The Oxnard Riddle Explained

#3 · October 27, 2024, 3:19 am

Quote from Greg Parker on October 27, 2024, 3:19 am
The substack version of the opening post had been recommended on the JFK Education Forum, but Dr Neiderhut mischaracterized it and then criticized his version of what I'd wrote. He either did not read it very carefully, or he was going straight for the straw argument.
One of the other members, a Michael Kalin, gave him a proverbial high five and then piled on with a criticism of my take on Lee Harvey Oswald being on the autism spectrum.
In any case, I responded with the following - again at my substack page,
------------------------------
From Dr W. Niederhut - Harvard trained psychiatrist - favorite pastime - reminding everyone, every few days, that he is a Harvard trained psychiatrist)
As for Greg Parker's essay on Cheramie, his quotation from DiEugenio is worthwhile, but his neuropsychiatric diagnosis is simply silly.
I am not a doctor, psychologist or social worker. I do have 15 years experience at the coal-face working to improve the lives of those living with disabilities. Anyone can count that for whatever they think it is worth. But in other jobs, I assessed medical reports of people claiming government assistance for medical conditions and on occasion, had to write reports for legal appeals where assistance was denied based on the legal criteria.
I have no doubt that my dealings with those suffering certain conditions that are more prevalent in the lower socio-economic groups surpass Dr N's experiences with people in those groups.
In regard to the doctor’s specific complaint: According to di Eugenio's review "At the age of 12, she was diagnosed with encephalitis. (Marcades, p. 23) Her son, Michael, believes this was responsible for many of her problems later in life. Encephalitis can cause personality changes, seizures, overall weakness, and other personality defects. She was in the hospital for one month at this time." I believe that it is absolutely true that it affected her throughout her life - up to and including her claims and behavior after being taken to the hospital that day.
Why her son, di Eugenio, Dr. Niederhut and the charming Mr. Kalin wish to exclude those wild statements and actions from being caused by encephalitis, is rather odd. Especially since her son admitted that this condition “was responsible for many of her problems later in life.” I can only put it all down to a certain amount of cognitive dissonance so prevalent in this field.
More from Dr. Niederhut
Encephalitis is not acutely re-activated by car accidents. If visual hallucinations occur with encephalitis, it is in the context of acute inflammation and delirium.
I never said anything about VISUAL hallucinations. Nor did I say it was "re-activated" by the car accident. What I said was that it can return because of trauma or stress and cited the accident and her abandonment as being traumatic and stressful. Here is a psychiatric paper on stress induced encephalitis.
There is a mountain of work showing that encephalitis can and does return in up to 30% of cases depending on type. In some cases, it has not really gone, it has just become dormant.
Further to that, I offered the alternative explanation that her life up to that point was a perfect storm for the development of PTSD and that the accident and abandonment may have triggered flashbacks to past trauma which may have included hearing idle threats to JFK - common at the time in criminal and extremist political circles. This would tend to explain her use of an old alias, In her mind, she had returned to that time period. I note that the good Harvard trained doctor chose to ignore that possibility altogether.
Now to Mr. Kalin's 2 cents worth.
Thanks, good to see a medical person refute cyber quack Parker's diagnosis.
Another bogus Parker diagnosis is his finding that Oswald was an aspie, possibly a topic some day for another thread."
Poor Mr. Kalin. He thinks I was refuted, when the very evidence THEY rely on refutes them. No need for another topic, Why not just debate me on the subject?
Once again — by her own son’s admission, most of her problems in life resulted from encephalitis. Encephalitis can and sometimes does return - and symptoms can include hallucinations just as I linked to in my original piece. Yet when writing about Rose, they all - to a man - left that out. They do not want that known or accepted. It ruins their shared fantasies.
Here is another medical site confirming it.
People with severe encephalitis usually have some change in consciousness, ranging from mild confusion to coma. They will often be disoriented and delusional with possible hallucinations, agitation, and personality changes.
You could not ask for a better description of Rose as she was found that day. Yet these jokers will continue to claim that a hospital administrator was correct that Rose was freaking out on drugs - which as I pointed out in the previous piece, is a common misdiagnosis - from doctors no less, let alone pen-pushers.
As for the Gronk’s complaint that in other writings I have suggested Oswald was on the autism spectrum…
When writing my book, I contacted the man considered the world’s leading authority on Asperger’s, Tony Attwood
In my email , I detailed all the main reasons I believed that Oswald was on the spectrum. Obviously he was not going to make a diagnosis based on that, nor was I asking for one. I was asking about the probability of it.
His reply

In regard to his further suggestions…
FRIENDSHIPS the literature suggests they tend to prefer the company of older people - George DeM, the Paines
RECOGNIZING SOCIAL CONVENTIONS - small talk and eye contact are two areas where he had major issues, in the south you would be expected to attend church, and socialize with work colleagues or at least be on cordial terms with them, swapping small talk.
BOUNDARIES: In my interview with Ruth Peters (nee Kloepfer) who had a long conversation with Oswald when she was 16, she said that she thought he was hitting on her - even though his wife, Ruth Paine and her own mother were just one room away. I believe this was more her misreading his awkwardness than anything else. She was a very attractive young lady. She also confirmed he could not look her in the eyes.
BODY LANGUAGE: he often looks awkward in photos
SENSORY SENSITIVITY: I think this was part of his marital problems with Marina - he did not like to be touched. A BIG issue with those on the spectrum.
SPECIAL INTERESTS Voluminous reading, learning languages, politics, photography
ROUTINES: Despite all of his moving around, he would always settle into a routine - and when some routines where not adhered to, it would cause a meltdown. For example as a child, yelling at his mother if dinner was not ready on time, or as an adult, abusing Marina if she forgot to put butter on the table (see testimonies of Dutz Murret and Marina among others)
Additionally, he was diagnosed at Youth House with Schizoid Personality Disorder Note that Autism Spectrum Disorders were not recognized in the US at that time.
As shown here, Spectrum Disorders are sometimes misdiagnosed as Schizoid Personality Disorder because they do have overlap.
My critics can keep coming at me with their shitty theories, deliberate misinterpretations and magical thinking. I have the facts on my side. And if ever I do not, unlike them, I will admit it,
--------------------------------------
The person who originally recommended my article then posted the above reply at the education forum, since I am mot a member. However, Dr,, Neiderhut is a moderator at the forum and immediately deleted it without warning or reason.
Thinking he had made a technical error in posting it, the member later tried again. This time, not only did Dr Neidehut delete it, but sent a rebuking email to the member stating he was disallowing it because he found it personally insulting.
I find this whole episode fascinating, not least because the good doctor has spent a great deal of time in that same thread insulting those he disagrees with, thus underlining what I said privately about his lack of insight into his own behavior - not to mention his lack of responsibility in leading by example, in a forum that values style (defined by civility) over content (defined by facts, evidence, and logic) every day of the week.
Of course, their rules of civility are poorly annunciated, confusing, and arbitrarily applied by the moderators.
Here are some examples of the psychiatrist at work on the thread where he has been the most active contributor, making 50 of the 313 posts thus far,
Geez...more guano from Operation Mockingbird Redux. Can we get another Education Forum clean up on Aisle Litwin?
(I confess that your propaganda sales pieces have never been on my history reading list.)
What is this, Lone Nutter Appreciation Day on the Education Forum, with special guest, Greg Doudna-- the man who adamantly insists that CIA asset Ruth Forbes Paine wasn't a CIA asset?
I'm calling bullsh*t on that claim. (my note - even as moderator, the twee-ness instilled into the American psyche will always come to the fore ensuring "bad " words will be recognized but under no circumstances, actually spelled fully - I'm calling bullshit on the "bullsh*t" that makes a grown psychiatrist act like a naughty schoolboy instead of the grownarse man with ego issues that he actually is)
As for your claims about Nagell and Rose Cheramie, I'm calling BS-- and I say that as a board-certified psychiatrist who has conducted sodium amytal interviews, on occasion. (and there it is - the daily double - an insult accompanied by his bi-weekly reminder of his qualifications)
I'm calling BS on Litwin's false revisionist history denying the CIA conspiracy to assassinate JFK. Did Fred meet Hugh Aynesworth at a Company picnic, or what. 60 years if this Mockingbird propaganda is, frankly, more than I can stomach-- especially on the Education Forum. As for my volunteer status as a moderator, I'd prefer to be a regular member who is at liberty to tell the truth without worrying about offending delusional people. (hilariously on point - where he is the deluded one being offended by facts)
With all due respect, your superficial conciliatory "analysis" here simply ignores the fact that there was-- and still is-- an organized, heavily-funded psy op to promote Allen Dulles's "Lone Nut" WCR narrative about the conspiracy to murder John F. Kennedy. (backed by nothing but his feelings. But then he does come good later with a citation regarding Operation Mockingbird - a blogsite called "The Signs of End" an evangelical laugh riot about the coming of the anti-Christ. Right about now, I am starting to have many doubts about the psychiatrists state of mind. In any event, Operation Mockingbird was aimed at two reporters for a defined period of time due to their leaking of classified information. The operation he is calling Mockingbird had no official title and involved the recruitment of assets within the media)
Let's get real guys. This is the Education Forum. (comic gold)
(Followed up with unintended irony) To be honest, I have serious concerns about the quality of some of our recent Education Forum debates-- aside from the obvious spelling errors and impaired reading comprehension.
Perhaps there are people who get their jollies by propagating historical falsehoods, gratis, but it seems like an odd avocation. I would classify them with people who key cars in parking lots and tip over port-a-potties in public parks.
As for Greg Parker's essay on Cheramie, his quotation from DiEugenio is worthwhile, but his neuropsychiatric diagnosis is simply silly.
There are several more pages of examples, but I will spare the reader the rest
I think a deeper dive into Dr Neiderhut and Michael Kalin is warranted.

The substack version of the opening post had been recommended on the JFK Education Forum, but Dr Neiderhut mischaracterized it and then criticized his version of what I'd wrote. He either did not read it very carefully, or he was going straight for the straw argument.

One of the other members, a Michael Kalin, gave him a proverbial high five and then piled on with a criticism of my take on Lee Harvey Oswald being on the autism spectrum.

In any case, I responded with the following - again at my substack page,

------------------------------

From Dr W. Niederhut - Harvard trained psychiatrist - favorite pastime - reminding everyone, every few days, that he is a Harvard trained psychiatrist)

As for Greg Parker's essay on Cheramie, his quotation from DiEugenio is worthwhile, but his neuropsychiatric diagnosis is simply silly.

I am not a doctor, psychologist or social worker. I do have 15 years experience at the coal-face working to improve the lives of those living with disabilities. Anyone can count that for whatever they think it is worth. But in other jobs, I assessed medical reports of people claiming government assistance for medical conditions and on occasion, had to write reports for legal appeals where assistance was denied based on the legal criteria.

I have no doubt that my dealings with those suffering certain conditions that are more prevalent in the lower socio-economic groups surpass Dr N's experiences with people in those groups.

In regard to the doctor’s specific complaint: According to di Eugenio's review "At the age of 12, she was diagnosed with encephalitis. (Marcades, p. 23) Her son, Michael, believes this was responsible for many of her problems later in life. Encephalitis can cause personality changes, seizures, overall weakness, and other personality defects. She was in the hospital for one month at this time." I believe that it is absolutely true that it affected her throughout her life - up to and including her claims and behavior after being taken to the hospital that day.

Why her son, di Eugenio, Dr. Niederhut and the charming Mr. Kalin wish to exclude those wild statements and actions from being caused by encephalitis, is rather odd. Especially since her son admitted that this condition “was responsible for many of her problems later in life.” I can only put it all down to a certain amount of cognitive dissonance so prevalent in this field.

More from Dr. Niederhut

Encephalitis is not acutely re-activated by car accidents. If visual hallucinations occur with encephalitis, it is in the context of acute inflammation and delirium.

I never said anything about VISUAL hallucinations. Nor did I say it was "re-activated" by the car accident. What I said was that it can return because of trauma or stress and cited the accident and her abandonment as being traumatic and stressful. Here is a psychiatric paper on stress induced encephalitis.

There is a mountain of work showing that encephalitis can and does return in up to 30% of cases depending on type. In some cases, it has not really gone, it has just become dormant.

Further to that, I offered the alternative explanation that her life up to that point was a perfect storm for the development of PTSD and that the accident and abandonment may have triggered flashbacks to past trauma which may have included hearing idle threats to JFK - common at the time in criminal and extremist political circles. This would tend to explain her use of an old alias, In her mind, she had returned to that time period. I note that the good Harvard trained doctor chose to ignore that possibility altogether.

Now to Mr. Kalin's 2 cents worth.

Thanks, good to see a medical person refute cyber quack Parker's diagnosis.
Another bogus Parker diagnosis is his finding that Oswald was an aspie, possibly a topic some day for another thread."

Poor Mr. Kalin. He thinks I was refuted, when the very evidence THEY rely on refutes them. No need for another topic, Why not just debate me on the subject?

Once again — by her own son’s admission, most of her problems in life resulted from encephalitis. Encephalitis can and sometimes does return - and symptoms can include hallucinations just as I linked to in my original piece. Yet when writing about Rose, they all - to a man - left that out. They do not want that known or accepted. It ruins their shared fantasies.

Here is another medical site confirming it.

People with severe encephalitis usually have some change in consciousness, ranging from mild confusion to coma. They will often be disoriented and delusional with possible hallucinations, agitation, and personality changes.

You could not ask for a better description of Rose as she was found that day. Yet these jokers will continue to claim that a hospital administrator was correct that Rose was freaking out on drugs - which as I pointed out in the previous piece, is a common misdiagnosis - from doctors no less, let alone pen-pushers.

As for the Gronk’s complaint that in other writings I have suggested Oswald was on the autism spectrum…

When writing my book, I contacted the man considered the world’s leading authority on Asperger’s, Tony Attwood

In my email , I detailed all the main reasons I believed that Oswald was on the spectrum. Obviously he was not going to make a diagnosis based on that, nor was I asking for one. I was asking about the probability of it.

His reply

In regard to his further suggestions…

FRIENDSHIPS the literature suggests they tend to prefer the company of older people - George DeM, the Paines

RECOGNIZING SOCIAL CONVENTIONS - small talk and eye contact are two areas where he had major issues, in the south you would be expected to attend church, and socialize with work colleagues or at least be on cordial terms with them, swapping small talk.

BOUNDARIES: In my interview with Ruth Peters (nee Kloepfer) who had a long conversation with Oswald when she was 16, she said that she thought he was hitting on her - even though his wife, Ruth Paine and her own mother were just one room away. I believe this was more her misreading his awkwardness than anything else. She was a very attractive young lady. She also confirmed he could not look her in the eyes.

BODY LANGUAGE: he often looks awkward in photos

SENSORY SENSITIVITY: I think this was part of his marital problems with Marina - he did not like to be touched. A BIG issue with those on the spectrum.

SPECIAL INTERESTS Voluminous reading, learning languages, politics, photography

ROUTINES: Despite all of his moving around, he would always settle into a routine - and when some routines where not adhered to, it would cause a meltdown. For example as a child, yelling at his mother if dinner was not ready on time, or as an adult, abusing Marina if she forgot to put butter on the table (see testimonies of Dutz Murret and Marina among others)

Additionally, he was diagnosed at Youth House with Schizoid Personality Disorder Note that Autism Spectrum Disorders were not recognized in the US at that time.

As shown here, Spectrum Disorders are sometimes misdiagnosed as Schizoid Personality Disorder because they do have overlap.

My critics can keep coming at me with their shitty theories, deliberate misinterpretations and magical thinking. I have the facts on my side. And if ever I do not, unlike them, I will admit it,

--------------------------------------

The person who originally recommended my article then posted the above reply at the education forum, since I am mot a member. However, Dr,, Neiderhut is a moderator at the forum and immediately deleted it without warning or reason.

Thinking he had made a technical error in posting it, the member later tried again. This time, not only did Dr Neidehut delete it, but sent a rebuking email to the member stating he was disallowing it because he found it personally insulting.

I find this whole episode fascinating, not least because the good doctor has spent a great deal of time in that same thread insulting those he disagrees with, thus underlining what I said privately about his lack of insight into his own behavior - not to mention his lack of responsibility in leading by example, in a forum that values style (defined by civility) over content (defined by facts, evidence, and logic) every day of the week.

Of course, their rules of civility are poorly annunciated, confusing, and arbitrarily applied by the moderators.

Here are some examples of the psychiatrist at work on the thread where he has been the most active contributor, making 50 of the 313 posts thus far,

Geez...more guano from Operation Mockingbird Redux. Can we get another Education Forum clean up on Aisle Litwin?
(I confess that your propaganda sales pieces have never been on my history reading list.)
What is this, Lone Nutter Appreciation Day on the Education Forum, with special guest, Greg Doudna-- the man who adamantly insists that CIA asset Ruth Forbes Paine wasn't a CIA asset?
I'm calling bullsh*t on that claim. (my note - even as moderator, the twee-ness instilled into the American psyche will always come to the fore ensuring "bad " words will be recognized but under no circumstances, actually spelled fully - I'm calling bullshit on the "bullsh*t" that makes a grown psychiatrist act like a naughty schoolboy instead of the grownarse man with ego issues that he actually is)
As for your claims about Nagell and Rose Cheramie, I'm calling BS-- and I say that as a board-certified psychiatrist who has conducted sodium amytal interviews, on occasion. (and there it is - the daily double - an insult accompanied by his bi-weekly reminder of his qualifications)
I'm calling BS on Litwin's false revisionist history denying the CIA conspiracy to assassinate JFK. Did Fred meet Hugh Aynesworth at a Company picnic, or what. 60 years if this Mockingbird propaganda is, frankly, more than I can stomach-- especially on the Education Forum. As for my volunteer status as a moderator, I'd prefer to be a regular member who is at liberty to tell the truth without worrying about offending delusional people. (hilariously on point - where he is the deluded one being offended by facts)
With all due respect, your superficial conciliatory "analysis" here simply ignores the fact that there was-- and still is-- an organized, heavily-funded psy op to promote Allen Dulles's "Lone Nut" WCR narrative about the conspiracy to murder John F. Kennedy. (backed by nothing but his feelings. But then he does come good later with a citation regarding Operation Mockingbird - a blogsite called "The Signs of End" an evangelical laugh riot about the coming of the anti-Christ. Right about now, I am starting to have many doubts about the psychiatrists state of mind. In any event, Operation Mockingbird was aimed at two reporters for a defined period of time due to their leaking of classified information. The operation he is calling Mockingbird had no official title and involved the recruitment of assets within the media)
Let's get real guys. This is the Education Forum. (comic gold)
(Followed up with unintended irony) To be honest, I have serious concerns about the quality of some of our recent Education Forum debates-- aside from the obvious spelling errors and impaired reading comprehension.
Perhaps there are people who get their jollies by propagating historical falsehoods, gratis, but it seems like an odd avocation. I would classify them with people who key cars in parking lots and tip over port-a-potties in public parks.
As for Greg Parker's essay on Cheramie, his quotation from DiEugenio is worthwhile, but his neuropsychiatric diagnosis is simply silly.

There are several more pages of examples, but I will spare the reader the rest

I think a deeper dive into Dr Neiderhut and Michael Kalin is warranted.

#4 · October 27, 2024, 12:51 pm

Quote from Greg Parker on October 27, 2024, 12:51 pm
Dr William Neiderhut
Harvard trained practicing psychiatrist in Denver with 40 plus years experience.
Dr Neiderhut published a medical book in 2005 through Authorhouse called the COBAD Syndrome:New Hope for People Suffering from the Inherited Syndrome of Childhood-Onset Bipolar Disorder with ADHD. Authorhouse calls itself a publishing facilitator - but by definition it is a vanity press since they will publish anything if you pay the fees. There is nothing wrong with that per se. I used a such a company.
However - not only does Authorhouse have a terrible reputation, you will rarely, if ever see a doctor use one for a medical book. His poor choice of publisher does not reflect well on his judgement.
The COBAD Syndrome is either a new name for a known syndrome, or he has tried to define a new syndrome he has "discovered". Either way, it never took off. The only place you will find the term used anywhere on the web is in reference to his book. If I were to guess, I would suggest Dr Neiderhut either knew this work would not be published in any reputable medical journal, or it was submitted and rejected by one or more journals.
In 2008, he did write a letter to Psychiatric News concerning an article from a previous edition in which, without referencing his COBAD Syndrome, nevertheless pushes the themes presented with in it, in opposition to the ideas from the article.
Also in 2008, Dr Neiderhut is quoted in the New York Times as hitting out at relationships between Big Pharma and doctors, and affirmed he has no such relationship himself. Kudos to him for that.
His poor judgement, lack of insight, belief that anything in a conspiracy book is factual, his citation of an End Times blog to support a false notion about what Operation Mockingbird was (classic confirmation bias), and his all-mighty ego however, all weigh heavily against him.
Michael Kalin
Whereas Dr Neiderhut is not shy about his background, the opposite appears to be true about Mr Kalin.
His JFK Education Forum bio tells us that he lives in the US and has an interest in the Tippit killing. That's about it. If he has any social media presence in that name, I was unable to locate it. Likewise, he does not seem to have any presence in any related forums or groups under that name.
The only other things to be gathered from his JFK ramblings... he is a Dylan fan... he is a believer in the Two Oswald theory... and he "may" have once been a member of my forum, or at least a lurker there. If the former, it was certainly under a different user-name. In any case, whatever favorable views he held of it at that time, have evaporated.
His final remark on me in that thread is that he may start a new thread on my research showing Oswald was on the autism spectrum (he is not impressed!). I hope he does. I look forward to reading his takedown of it and his alternative position.
In fact, I would be happy to debate him on it any time on any platform.

Dr William Neiderhut

Harvard trained practicing psychiatrist in Denver with 40 plus years experience.

Dr Neiderhut published a medical book in 2005 through Authorhouse called the COBAD Syndrome:New Hope for People Suffering from the Inherited Syndrome of Childhood-Onset Bipolar Disorder with ADHD. Authorhouse calls itself a publishing facilitator - but by definition it is a vanity press since they will publish anything if you pay the fees. There is nothing wrong with that per se. I used a such a company.

However - not only does Authorhouse have a terrible reputation, you will rarely, if ever see a doctor use one for a medical book. His poor choice of publisher does not reflect well on his judgement.

The COBAD Syndrome is either a new name for a known syndrome, or he has tried to define a new syndrome he has "discovered". Either way, it never took off. The only place you will find the term used anywhere on the web is in reference to his book. If I were to guess, I would suggest Dr Neiderhut either knew this work would not be published in any reputable medical journal, or it was submitted and rejected by one or more journals.

In 2008, he did write a letter to Psychiatric News concerning an article from a previous edition in which, without referencing his COBAD Syndrome, nevertheless pushes the themes presented with in it, in opposition to the ideas from the article.

Also in 2008, Dr Neiderhut is quoted in the New York Times as hitting out at relationships between Big Pharma and doctors, and affirmed he has no such relationship himself. Kudos to him for that.

His poor judgement, lack of insight, belief that anything in a conspiracy book is factual, his citation of an End Times blog to support a false notion about what Operation Mockingbird was (classic confirmation bias), and his all-mighty ego however, all weigh heavily against him.

Michael Kalin

Whereas Dr Neiderhut is not shy about his background, the opposite appears to be true about Mr Kalin.

His JFK Education Forum bio tells us that he lives in the US and has an interest in the Tippit killing. That's about it. If he has any social media presence in that name, I was unable to locate it. Likewise, he does not seem to have any presence in any related forums or groups under that name.

The only other things to be gathered from his JFK ramblings... he is a Dylan fan... he is a believer in the Two Oswald theory... and he "may" have once been a member of my forum, or at least a lurker there. If the former, it was certainly under a different user-name. In any case, whatever favorable views he held of it at that time, have evaporated.

His final remark on me in that thread is that he may start a new thread on my research showing Oswald was on the autism spectrum (he is not impressed!). I hope he does. I look forward to reading his takedown of it and his alternative position.

In fact, I would be happy to debate him on it any time on any platform.