Playing those mind games

December 8, 1980 - 25years past and it's still intensely disturbing how Mark David Chapman and a 0.38 revolver extinguished John Lennon - musical demigod, unabashed social activist. With a copy of The Catcher In The Rye and and unflinching countenance, Chapman casually walked away from the hemorrhaging rock star and became either the most deranged or misunderstood man in the world of conspiracy theories. For certain, Chapman was the murderer, but the motive is shaky at best. Insanity was ruled out since legally administered tests conclusively paint the picture of a sane man. The motive then became Chapman shot Lennon because he wanted his fifteen minutes of fame. But many didn't buy this theory, like British journalist Fenton Bresler who asked, (Was Chapman) as much the victim of those who wanted to kill John Lennon as Lennon himself?
Unknown to most, FBI policy is that ALL EXTREMISTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS. Hence the FBI watched him constantly as he fit the bill as a bold, undeterred spokesman against the Vietnam War in the late 60s and 70s. At Lennon's behest thousands upon thousand of adoring youth would furnish roses, bolstering his message of a pacifist revolution. In 1980, the cold war was in full swing and President Reagan and the government had plans that'd draw Lennon's opposition. Lennon was not to be trifled with given his unfettered public influence and successful comeback album. His activist involvements could be a threat and he was young and still active. For the government, problems need to be solved and getting rid of him wouldn't have been a bad solution.