,VEMBER 19, 1993 this week is that the valuable Wilt; gets lost in the avalanche. And the TV REVIEWS problem with missing the good work is that it Is only in the past year that a truly meaningful inves - Moyers' Journal Reaches Ligation of the epochal crime has been possible. Like "Frontline's" eeeniful - port Tuesday, "Who Was n_ to Har- for Peace in 'Holy War' vey Oswald?," CBS' "Who Killed JFK? The Final Chaptei" Ot. 9 (,T he New Holy War," the tonight on Channels 2 and 8) latest edition of "Bill benefits from new access to KGB Moyers' Journal" (at 9 files and authorities, recently re- tonight on KCET-TV Channel 28; 8 leased documents and a variety of p.m. on KVCR-TV Channel 24). articulate viewpoints -dominated displays, in full relief, hopelessly by Gerald Posner, whose new book uncompromised beliefs and stances debunking all conspirau; theories, between Christians on the right "Case Closed," is all the rage. and gays and lesbians on the left. Indeed, instead of week, Somehow, though, Moyers' re- this is really Gerald Posner week, port concludes with a glimmer of and Posner really has the ear of hope, the possibility that a passion- host Dan Rather. It's tea bad for ate center may emerge in the CBS, though, that "F'ronliine" beat debate over Christian ethics and them to the story by several gay rights. days—as well as the same conclu- Perhaps the last place the center sion, that there is no hard evidence will hold is Colorado Springs, to support anything other than that where the Colorado initiative Oswald acted alone. A lot of those known as Amendment Two—pre- who figure prominently in the venting gays and lesbians from "Frontline" study, such as Posner claiming discri m I natio n — began. and insightful journalist Priseilia It's where Moyers comes to talk to McMillan, repeat their views for all sides in a still-raging debate. Rather. He's in his favorite role, the Of course, for those more prone thoughtful liberal outsider trying to tune in CBS than PBS, some of to understand everyone. this will be startling. Oswald's More deeply though, Moyers— mother, Marguerite, is filmed lying without stating it—comes to the heart of Christian fundamentalist that son Lee wasn't found to be country as a practicing Baptist and emotionally disturbed. Rather's lifelong Christian himself. What claim that CBS has proceeded with slants his report isn't politics, but its own investigation since 1963 is his desire to search for a Christian supported with fascinating tests. middle ground in a secular nation. including showing marksmen hit- He finds reasonable people all ting a target simulation of the around: In the newsroom of the moving limo. CBS' report shows some class by Colorado Springs Gazette-Tele- not mentioning that its weekend- graph; with a devout but hardly long, commercial-free broadcast of fanatic fundamentalist like Rev. Kennedy's state funeral and burial Bernie Kuiper, who articulates the fundamentalist position on homo- marked a historic turning point in sexuality as thoroughly as possible; TV news journalism and for CBS in particular. It will come in for with Betty and Lynn, a church-go- ing, Christian lesbian couple; and strong criticism, however, in offer- among non-fundamentalist Chris- ing the impression that all of the key assassination conspiracy theo- tians chagrined at the extremism of some of their fellow faithful. ries—was it the Mafia? the CIA? It is with this latter group that a the Cubans? the Soviets? —are dialogue has begun with local gays quickly dismissible. TN:: is appar- and lesbians, and with it, the ently Posner's influence, but the struggle to explore whether bibli- unanswered questions, especially cal doctrine, American polity, fam- those regarding Mafia ties to both ily-based values and individual Oswald and his killer, Jack Ruby. rights can be commonly held. Moy- New Data Unfolds in are simply ignored here. ers, the believer in a Democratic Still, there is something deeply Christianity and a clear separation `Who Killed JFK?' affecting about watching Walter of church and state, doesn't express Cronkite nearly cry or camera as he obvious problem with so a good deal of hope. But there is he recalls the week'7,. events. He many films, movies and docu- some, he suggests, as long as T feels the social earthquake, the decent people can talk to one mentary investigations of the Ken- loss, to this day. Journalists are another. nedy assassination coming at us humans, after all. —R.K. — ROBERT KOEHLER