THE ANTI-CAPITALIST AGENDA

9/10/2019

The disdain for "yellow journalism", capitalism, multi-media conglomerates and the Hearst Corporation in particular, was clearly evident in the actions and writings of the Symbionese Liberation Army from 1973 through to 1975. Their communications were diverse and many during this period - with the group becoming the focus of attention when they kidnapped media heiress, Patricia Campbell Hearst on February 4th 1974. The Zodiac Killer was attributed with four communications between January 29th 1974 (Exorcist Letter) and July 8th 1974 (Red Phantom Letter), however, doubt has been cast on at least three of these four communications - in particular, the SLA Letter mailed from Los Angeles on February 3rd 1974. Here is a brief summary regarding the SLA Letter and its possible links to the Exorcist Letter. The following will examine the notion of the Exorcist Letter having been mailed by the Symbionese Liberation Army as a form of veiled attack on the film industry and its control of the populace through mass indoctrination. This became further evident when the Badlands Letter arrived at the San Francisco Chronicle on May 8th 1974, expressing consternation at the running of advertisements for the Badlands movie, directed by Terrence Malick and starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. But first, here is an example of the Symbionese Liberation Army threatening to "Seize CBS" (Columbia Broadcasting System) in a communication addressed to Paul Greenberg on February 19th 1974. CBS (an initialism of the network's former name, the Columbia Broadcasting System) is an American English language commercial broadcast television and radio network that is a flagship property of CBS Corporation. The company is headquartered at the CBS Building in New York City with major production facilities and operations in New York City (at the CBS Broadcast Center) and Los Angeles (at CBS Television City and the CBS Studio Center).

William Samuel Paley (September 28, 1901 – October 26, 1990) was the chief executive who built the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) from a small radio network into one of the foremost radio and television network operations in the United States. William Paley met Dorothy Hart Hearst (1908–1998) while she was married to John Randolph Hearst, the third son of William Randolph Hearst. Paley fell in love with her, and, after her Las Vegas divorce from Hearst, she and Paley married on May 12, 1932, in Kingman, Arizona. This may have been one of a number of reasons why the Symbionese Liberation Army targeted this network, not withstanding the headline on the front page. Much of the Symbionese Liberation Army's communications and tape recordings were mailed to the newspapers and radio stations, often exhibiting a hatred of "big business" and global capitalism. This may have included the film industry as well, and hence the ridicule of The Exorcist movie which was attracting huge audiences and vast media coverage before and after its release. The author of the Exorcist Letter (possibly the Symbionese Liberation Army), were clearly rattled by the wallowing masses bewitched by this film, describing it as "the best satirical comedy that I have ever seen". Who were subsequently irked by the coverage of the Badlands movie also.

Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry

The Symbionese Liberation Army held headquarters in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the latter of which ties both The Exorcist and Badlands movies together under the banner of Burbank, California. The Exorcist and Badlands films were both distributed by Warner Brothers. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. is an American entertainment company headquartered in Burbank, California and a flagship subsidiary of AT&T's WarnerMedia. Founded in 1923. It has operations in film, television and video games and is one of the "Big Five" major American film studios, as well as a member of the Motion Picture Association of America. The "Big Five" are the five major players in the film industry that included Columbia Pictures, who in 1972 went into partnership with Warner Bros.to form the Burbank Studios in the heart of SLA country. Was this a secondary motive for the Symbionese Liberation Army (if responsible), highlighting The Exorcist and Badlands movies because they were both the product of Warner Bros. in Los Angeles? The January 29th 1974 Exorcist Letter featured Tit-Willow from Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado. The 1967 British film adaptation, directed by Stuart Burge, was also distributed by Warner Brothers, as ironically, was the Dirty Harry film starring Clint Eastwood, that passed Zodiac by.

The disdain would continue with the Red Phantom Letter, mailed on July 8th 1974 to the San Francisco Chronicle, when Count Marco was told to go back to the "hell-hole from whence it came". The letter was again demanding the removal of elements featured in the newspaper. The appearance of sensationalized material, "yellow journalism" and the coverage of challenging material such as The Exorcist and Badlands movies through adverisements - and likely swaying the masses - seemed only to engender the mocking derision in the author of the 1974 communications. The overblown and dramatic coverage of The Exorcist film, featured in the San Francisco Chronicle on January 11th 1974 under the title of Weird Goings on at the Movies, appeared the driver behind the January 29th 1974 letter. But was that driver the Symbionese Liberation Army or the Zodiac Killer?

27 Comments

Rubislaw 32 link

9/13/2019 08:54:38 am

A bit busy on other aspects,to fully focus on this area of the case,at present,Richard.

But am most interested at the specimen examples,that you have illustrated,in this article.

I do believe that this same extortionist,possibly the Zodiac,had quite a positive ''thing'' about Ike Eisenhower...and refers to the liking of ''8 years of Ike'' on a number of occasions.

As if,''we'' might be persuaded that this extortionist holds a ''balanced'' political viewpoint [?].....I think ''not'' [!]

Just on a ''trivial'' point,to others....but important,personally....when I realized that the subject matter of Z32,was actually Candlestick Park,and ''not'' 555 California Street [....Saint Mary's Cathedral had been another candidate....].....I was confronted be ''IKE'' as the first three characters,starting my ''believed'' partial solution.

What could it be ?....Ike Eisenhower...or Ike and Tina Turner [?].

Neither...as it transpired....but ''actually'' '' I KEep it heeled in...''.

So....for me,anyway....''IKE'' does hold some persuasion,that the Zodiac was,in some way,influenced by....

Ike Eisenhower.

Toots

9/13/2019 11:58:43 am

Rubislaw,
I'm assuming you saw that all of those stamps he used are Ike Eisenhower.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/13/2019 03:01:03 pm

Yes indeed,Toots....but from a perspective of believing that the same extortionist,featured here,is featured quite heavily,in the Ted Kennedy FBI Files,also.

Much scrawling of profanity and anti-Kennedy leanings,in capital letters,with a biro...and biro defacing of newspaper cuttings.Someone who appeared to like crossword puzzles,and changing ''western'' faces,into Mikado style characters.And,went pretty ''mental'' over Ted Kennedy having ''got away with'' the Mary-Jo K scandal.

This ''same'' extortionist,seems to have ''liked Ike'',for all his apparent hate,expressed.

Dwight ''Ike'' D.Eisenhower,was a Texas born Republican,with moderate conservative leanings,and became President,between 1953 and 1961.He was seen a ''compromise'' candidate,when a period of calm,was called for,in the wake of WW2,with a largely anti-communist view,generally shared,by the majority.

If the extortionist is ''The Zodiac''....this 1953-1961 would,I believe,represent the second part of the Zodiac's childhhood....and into adulthood.So,his ''liking'' for Ike,may have had more to do,with fond sentiment of a happier period,in the Zodiac,before he became the person,with much hate in his heart,and propensity for terrorizing the establishment....and,the public,at large.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/13/2019 03:18:07 pm

.....and,of course,''may'' have been the same extortionist,now featured in the first two of the ''new'' Joseph Kennedy FBI Files,who extorted Ted Kennedy,himself....Ethel Kennedy,and Adlai Stevenson,who was the Kennedy family's chief political advisor.''This'' extortion,in the wake of Bobby Kennedy's assassination....with the main intention of dissuading Ted Kennedy to run for Presidency,now that his brother,Bobby,''lay dead''.

History shows that Ike Eisenhower,won two Presidental elections,defeating Adlai Stevensen,as the winning Democrat candidate.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/13/2019 03:56:19 pm

When ''WW2 hero'' Eisenhower became President,he became the first Republican,to hold this office,for 25 years.

But,really also,my inclinations have always been,that the Zodiac was a Texan....as Eisenhower was.

Now,traditionally,in US politics,the saying goes that there has to be a Texan ''on the ticket'' [...President or Vice-President candidate...],in order to win the election.

Well....with Jack Kennedy,he had Lyndon Johnson [...a Texan..],as his ''running mate''.And further,of course,Johnson,a Texan,went on to become President,after JFK's assassination.

So...if the Zodiac,as I believe,was a Texan....then I believe that we ''might'' see more evidence of this same extortionist,in FBI Files on Lyndon Johnson...albeit a Texan...because Johnson was ''in bed'' with the Kennedys.

Well ''Lo and Behold'',I see now that the FBI have just published two files on Lyndon Johnon [!].

I am about to check out these ''new'' files,to see if there is any evidence of this ''same'' extortionist...who may be the Zodiac.

I would suggest that this recent ''series'' of FBI publications....might be a sign that,the authorities are ''quite soon'' to arrest the Zodiac....who ''might'' be a Texan.....and,the most prolific extortionist,in criminal history.

Hope so.

Toots

9/13/2019 05:38:02 pm

Rubislaw,
Look into the man that replaced Lyndon Johnson's son in law, C. Robb, in the Vietnam War....that would be my suspect and relative.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/13/2019 05:56:33 pm

Certainly a ''sobering'' thought,to take in,Toots.

I'll have a look at him.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/13/2019 08:30:52 pm

The Lyndon Johnson FBI Files number close to 500 pages,and strangely,focus almost wholly on a tour of the Far East,undertaken by Johnson,in the days leading up to,and just after....October 31st 1966.

To Zodiac enthusiasts,that marks the murder of Cheri Jo Bates.

Disappointingly,however,much evidence from extortionists,has been covered up,and marked ''Secret''.This was a heightened time for ant-Vietnam War protest....and,in light of where Johnson was visiting,even more so,back home.

One ''rare'' letter,viewed :

Sent to Presidential Advisor,and Head of the CIA,Marvin Watson :

Oct 26 1966

Dear Mr.Hover
Please diliver this letter to Precedent Johnson.
We prayed for a safe hom comming.
Yours truly

[....Refer File 2,Page 71 and 72....]

Rubislaw 32 link

9/14/2019 07:31:02 pm

Well,well,well.....and well,again !

A bit ''premature'' of me to exclaim anything,really...but...

In the last 48 hours,the FBI have been playing around,with Joseph Kennedy Sr,'s files.There are now 8 files....when there were just 2 before.But,I think they are just smaller,in number of pages.

I'm going to have to go through them again....but,really...

Do you think they have ''attended'' to the files....because of me ???

Wonders never cease.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/15/2019 06:51:11 am

Yup....the FBI have definitely ''re-arranged the furniture'' with information,as officially pertaining,to Joseph Kennedy.

But,here's the thing,Richard,and as I pointed out...I would suggest that,what is of particular interest to Zodiac enthusiasts,is....

'' Jack Ass Ripper had to die'',''Bob Goon had to die'',''Ted Killer has to die''.

''This'',just over a year,after ''Bates had to die''.

I'll report,anything of note,found.

Richard

9/15/2019 08:34:58 am

It is within the relevant timeframe and worthy of investigation Rubislaw. Some of these FBI files certainly have crossover value. The files of the Zodiac did with the SLA, so there has to be more. If the Bates writer was a serial agitator, then it's likely they targeted others with their hateful rhetoric.

Toots

9/15/2019 09:29:56 am

What do people think about the return address of 110 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley?

That address doesn't exist. He might have been referring to People's Park, which is a block away from Telegraph Ave?

Richard

9/15/2019 09:40:36 am

People's Park was relevant to the March 13th 1971 letter and the 1968 Telegraph Ave Incident in 1968. That's what initially comes to mind Toots.

Toots

9/15/2019 09:57:58 am

I agree Richard.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/15/2019 09:47:40 am

Yes...it's an interesting thought,Richard,that the extortionist in the Bates case....could have been the same,as the one who extorted Teddy,Ethel and Adlai.....but ''not'' being the Zodiac,in all cases.

Though,of course,it is ''tantalising'',that this,possibly ''one and the same'' extortionist......could be the Zodiac,also.

And,thanks for the tip,Toots....just about to run through the whole of the Joseph Kennedy [8] Files,now.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/15/2019 06:57:01 pm

With the Joseph Kennedy files,it does seem clearer as to the particular dates,that these letters,were sent....and,all from posting points,in the the vicinity of the city of Boston M.A.

1 : June 7th 1968 - Edward Kennedy

2 : June 17th 1968 - Joseph Kennedy

3 : June 26th 1968 - Ethel Kennedy

4 : June 29th 1968 - Edward Kennedy

5 : June 29th 1968 - Adlai Stevenson

6 : July 5th 1968 - Joseph Kennedy

This July 5th letter,included ''Jack had to die,Bobby had to die,Ted has to die.''

The FBI allude to a possible ''resumption'' of these sorts of letters,in August of that 1968 year....but do not elaborate further.

So,for the ''grouping'' of letters,by the same extortionist,from June 7th,to July 5th....a 28-day campaign.

To consider,perhaps....was this extortionist a resident of Boston [?].

Or,did the extortionist keep travelling through Boston...for example,using Boston Logan Airport [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

9/16/2019 04:47:21 am

To add further,information,it was,intially,Senator Edward Kennedy's offcial office,in Washington D.C,that handed these 6 letters,over to the authorities,in July 1968.

Ethel Kennedy's own family,were from Virginia,and Adlai Stevenson's home was in Illinois.Joseph Kennedy,from Mass.

So,in one sense,the FBI began to deal with the work,of one extortionist,directing his menace,at the Kennedy family....as a ''job lot''.

Six letters,in four weeks.

And,naturally,with the Zodiac's historical retrospective record,as having been perceived,as a traveller,it can be noted that...

Boston's Logan International Airport and Newark International Airport,are traditionally seen as the gateway to Western Europe.And as the gateway,for Western Europeans,to the USA mainland.

Toots

9/16/2019 06:16:04 am

It's interesting to note that my suspect's parent's and older sisters attended JFK's inaugural gala in 1961. This was a star studded event that was attended by a host of celebrities including Sinatra and others.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/16/2019 07:02:39 am

Of interest,Toots.

Clearly,the FBI are of the opinion,that the ''same extortionist'' was responsible for a letter of condolence to Joseph Kennedy,on the death of son,Jack....mailed February 29th 1964.I have traced this posting point,with confidence,to Pennsylvania Railway Station,New York.

In addition,the FBI appear confident that this ''same extortionist'',sent a letter to Joseph Kennedy,in July 1968 [...just following the 6...],representing a bogus political union,offering funds to Joseph Kennedy...in return for a guarantee that his son,Teddy,would ''not'' run for President,or Vice-President.

At first glance,we seem to be looking at an ''East Coaster'',as the extortionist [?].

But,given what we believe to know,about the Zodiac,as an extortionist in particular,then ''most'' geographic scenarios seem possible.

Toots

9/16/2019 07:17:38 am

Rubislaw,
Wow, great find on Penn Station.
Penn Station is the busiest one in the western hemisphere, but it doesnt surprise me he mailed it from here. It's a clue pointing to the state of PA.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/16/2019 07:51:39 am

Again,of interest Toots.

If you can elaborate any more,on Penn Stations ''tentacles'',that would be great.

Toots

9/16/2019 08:22:24 am

Penn station is the primary route for rail customers going from Boston - NYC - Phila - Wash DC. The station was built by the Penn Railroad company, thus the name.

My bet is the extortionist grew up in PA, or was living in PA at the time.

Just like Betsy Aardsma, student from Penn State University...he's giving very subtle clues about his history and he wanted someone to connect the dots.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/16/2019 12:34:16 pm

Thanks Toots....so Penn Station is,as an initial observation,the place you go...for transportation from....''The Big Apple'' to ''The Seat of Power''.

At a basic level,and at the very least....that is interesting.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/16/2019 12:46:21 pm

.....that is what it is inferring,anyway...so,as you mention,Toots,this increases the chances that,the extortionist was from Pennsylvania.

I would wager,that in 1964,the extortionist was ''travelling'',and using the station,as part of his itinery.

Perhaps,also [?]....that the extortionist felt that air travel,at that time...was out of his price range [?].

And,as an alternative,that the extortionist was a young tourist,on general travels....possibly,with a ''special deal'' railway ticket.

Just looking at general possibilities.

Toots

9/16/2019 01:16:44 pm

Or college student. The number of universities in these cities within walking distance of the train, even during the 60s, is staggering.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/16/2019 01:34:09 pm

Certainly inclined to believe that,at Februrary 1964,the letter writer of condolence...who later became the ''1968'' extortionist...was a college student.

This,at least,gives us a reasonable extra chance,to guess the Zodiac's age [?].

If say,the 1964 condolence writer,had become a college student....then probably 19 or 20,in 1964 [?].

Which would mean that a ''possible'' Zodiac,was born circa 1944.

Which puts ''that'' possible Zodiac,as being 75 years of age...now.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/16/2019 01:24:35 pm

Just thinking on....this February 1964 letter...does seem to be,with no proof of ''menace'' [...maybe just slightly ''weird'' enough,to have been retained by authorities [?]...].

And yet,all 1968 letters,are,and as confirmed by the FBI...as deemed ''extortion''.

So,why would an ''extortionist with intent'' come up,to New York,to post one letter...that would have been ''heading back the way'',from where they came from [?].

I suppose,if the ''same extortionist'' was from PA....that the 1964 ''letter of condolence''....might have been something that he had elected to write,to while away the time,on his rail journey,to New York.

THE ANTI-CAPITALIST AGENDA

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