Meaning: The quote you provided is from Jim Garrison, a former district attorney of New Orleans who is best known for his controversial investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. In the quote, Garrison acknowledges that until November of 1966, he had complete faith in the Warren Report. The Warren Report, officially titled "Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy," was the result of the investigation conducted by the Warren Commission, which was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.

Garrison's statement reflects a common sentiment at the time, as the Warren Report was widely accepted and believed to provide a comprehensive and accurate account of the events surrounding the assassination. However, Garrison's admission that his faith in the Report was grounded in ignorance, as he had never read it, raises important questions about the nature of belief, trust, and the role of evidence in shaping our understanding of historical events.

Garrison's own involvement in the investigation of the Kennedy assassination would later lead him to question the official narrative presented in the Warren Report. In 1966, Garrison began his own inquiry into the assassination, ultimately leading to the prosecution of New Orleans businessman Clay Shaw in 1969. Garrison's investigation and subsequent trial of Shaw were depicted in Oliver Stone's 1991 film "JFK," which portrayed Garrison as a crusading hero challenging a government cover-up of the truth behind Kennedy's assassination.

Garrison's skepticism toward the Warren Report was not isolated, as the report faced criticism and scrutiny from various quarters. Critics of the Warren Report pointed to inconsistencies in the evidence, unanswered questions, and the possibility of a conspiracy behind Kennedy's assassination. These criticisms fueled public skepticism and led to the establishment of numerous alternative theories about the assassination, ranging from claims of a second shooter to allegations of government involvement in a cover-up.

The quote by Jim Garrison highlights the importance of critical thinking and the need for independent examination of evidence, particularly in historical and political contexts. It serves as a reminder that blind faith in official narratives, especially in matters of significant historical importance, can be problematic. The Warren Report, like any historical document, should be subject to scrutiny and analysis, and individuals should seek to understand the basis of their beliefs through informed investigation and study.

Garrison's journey from unquestioning faith in the Warren Report to his own investigation and prosecution of a suspect reflects the complexity of historical inquiry and the challenges of uncovering the truth behind contentious events. His quote serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of relying on assumptions and the importance of engaging with primary sources and critical analysis.

In conclusion, Jim Garrison's quote about his initial faith in the Warren Report, grounded in ignorance due to not having read it, encapsulates the broader issues surrounding historical investigation and belief. It underscores the need for critical examination of historical events and the dangers of uncritically accepting official narratives. Garrison's own experiences with the Kennedy assassination investigation serve as a compelling example of the complexities and challenges inherent in historical inquiry.