After 54 years, the U.S. government has released more of the files involving the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

I haven’t read any of them — yet, although I have talked to at least one friend who has read, some, possibly all, or by now a good bit of the files.

The release of the documents will be a boon to historians and perceived by some conspiracy theorists as proof positive, they hope, there was a conspiracy to assassinate what has been one of the more popular presidents in history.

Personally, I still believe at this point that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, although when I eventually get around to reading the papers that are online, that may change.

The conspiracy theorists can defame and accuse me of whatever sins or ignorance they perceive, but I can’t go off on theories that are filled with speculation and half-truths based on scant information or coincidence. I don’t even trust much of what I read on Facebook for those reasons.

But getting back to the conspiracy theories, I believe the recently released records will only serve to whet the appetite of the conspiracy theorists, and I’m sure they’ll find something and point to it as proof positive that Oswald didn’t act alone. But in reality, the proof won’t be in the public records. I believe the truth about who was involved — or not involved — in the Kennedy assassination is still locked away in those records that have not been released at the request of the country’s intelligence agencies, and will be revealed when, and only when, those records are declassified.

The release of the Kennedy assassination documents is only the latest chapter in the study of a man I don’t think anyone really knows; for many, much of his life remains a mystery. There have been biographies written and scandalous tales told about him. But there is an aura around John F. Kennedy that I think is related to the youth, vigor, self-confidence and charisma he publically displayed while campaigning and as president.

He’s seen as a great leader, although his administration never passed one major bill. When people talk about Kennedy, they talk about the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Peace Corps and his assassination. And it is his assassination that has, as one article on the 50th anniversary of his death said, made his life an obsession.

I believe the best characterization for our love affair with President Kennedy was written by an author whose name I am unable at the moment to remember. He wrote the legacy surrounding John F. Kennedy’s years as president was not what it was, but what could have been.

I hope the documents currently being withheld will soon be released, so historians and conspiracy theorists can have everything on the assassination to peruse and ponder and resolve the final mystery surrounding the man, and the close the controversy.

And maybe we can look at the late president’s whole life instead of one part.

John Surratt is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. You may reach him at john.surratt@vicksburgpost.com.