Here is all that needs to be said about the credibility of "The Men Who Killed Kennedy:"
"In an hourlong program to be broadcast tonight, the History Channel will engage in an unusual mea culpa, presenting an evaluation of one of its own programs that concludes that it and the channel were irresponsible.
Tonight's program (at 8; 7, Central time) was produced in response to vociferous complaints about a documentary, ''The Guilty Men,'' that accused former President Lyndon B. Johnson of being complicit in the assassination of his predecessor, John F. Kennedy. It was broadcast in November, during the week of the 40th anniversary of President Kennedy's death, and a squall of protest arose shortly afterward, led by the broadcaster Bill Moyers; Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association of America; and others who worked for Johnson during his presidency. They were supported by Lady Bird Johnson, the president's widow.
The History Channel subsequently asked three prominent historians -- Robert Dallek, Stanley I. Kutler and Thomas Sugrue -- to make an independent evaluation of the documentary. Their findings are the subject of tonight's program, called ''The Guilty Men: A Historical Review.'' In a statement the History Channel acknowledged that the historians determined that the accusation against Johnson was insupportable and that the documentary should not have been broadcast.
''After reflecting on the historians' comments and conducting its own internal review,'' the statement said in part, ''the History Channel recognizes that 'The Guilty Men' failed to offer viewers context and perspective, and fell short of the high standards that the network sets for itself. The History Channel apologizes to its viewers and to Mrs. Johnson and her family for airing the show.''
Barr McClellan, the author of a book that makes similar accusations against President Johnson and who was a central interview subject in ''The Guilty Men,'' said he was disappointed that none of the three historians got in touch with him, or the film's producer, Nigel Turner, to ask about their sources or their evidence. He said that he stands by his research. Mr. Turner could not be reached."
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/07/arts/ ... gizes.html