Proposed timeline: JFK survives but is brain damaged
This supposes Oswald was a lone gunman & evrything on November 22, 1963 proceeds exactly as before except a butterfly moves the previosly fatal bullet by millimeters - so that the President survives, but with severe brain damage. Here is what I have so far:
November 22, 1963: while riding in a motorcade in Dallas President John F. Kennedy is struck twice by sniper fire. One bullet goes through the back of the President's neck and exits his throat. Another shot grazes the President's skull. Surgeons manage to save the President, but due to bone fragments in the head wound, swelling and a loss of brain matter there is significant brain damage. The only statement released by White House Press Secretary Pierre Salinger states only that the President came out of surgery and was "resting." There is otherwise a news blackout on the President's condition. Attempts by Vice President Johnson to get information on the President's condition are rebuffed by the hospital as they indicate the First Lady is overwhelmed and deferring all decision making to her father-in-law former Ambassodor Kennedy and the President's brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
Lee Harvey Oswald is arrested by Dallas Police and charged with the murder of a Police Officer Tippet. The District Attorney indicates Oswald is also a suspect in the shooting of the President and Governor John Connelly who was also wounded that day.
Despite assurances from the Soviet Union that they had no involvment with the attempt on the President, Secretary of Defense MacNamara places all United States miltary forces on alert, but indicates he cannot call up Reserves without a Presidential order. The Soviets respond by increasing there alert status.
On November 23rd Vice President Johnson returns to Washington D.C. with plans to contact members of the cabinet to have them meet him at the White House to discuss what they should announce the President's condition . He first calls Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to ask how he would legally assume authority as "Acting" President. The Attorney General informs him that he has "no such authority," and any attempt to assume it would be considered a coup. He tells Johnson not to even think of going to the White House, or contacting other cabinet members. RFK then orders FBI Director Hooover not to share any part of the investigation with the Vice President.
By November 24th the press and other governement officials are asking questions, but not getting answers on the President's status, and who is in charge. Nothing has broken in the media, but in the upper levels of government people are lining up behind either LBJ or RFK. Informal discussions begin on whether Congress will need to pass some sort of legislation or even submit a Constitutional Amendment to deal with the situation. The CIA reports the Soviet Union is making concerning noises about Berlin and Castro has put Cuban forces on a war footing. The President is awake, but not responsive to questions.
That same day Oswald is transferred from the Dallas Police station where he was held to the County jail without incident. Jack Ruby a local strip club owner is overheard to remark that had he actually killed the President he (Ruby) would have made Oswald pay right then and there. FBI Director Hoover reports to RFK that the Texas officials are not willing to turn Oswald over the Federal authorities. The Attorney General could likely get a Federal Court order, but is reluctant to risk it given the way the Vice President, and Governor Connelly (who is recovering and backing LBJ in his dispute with RFK) have publicly stated no federal crime was committed and theywould let the Texas criminal justice sytem take its course. Oswald as yet is still only charged with the murder of Officer Tippett. The press is making much of Oswald's connections to the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Hoover tells the Attorney General that although the Soviets likely had nothing to do with what happened "it was a good bet that Castro did this" in retaliation for the CIA attempts to kill him. Hoover says CIA director John McCone is"not forthcoming with information." McCone, a Republican appointd by JFK, is keeping distance from RFK and LBJ as he sees little basis for either to act in the President's stead.
What do you think?
This supposes Oswald was a lone gunman & evrything on November 22, 1963 proceeds exactly as before except a butterfly moves the previosly fatal bullet by millimeters - so that the President survives, but with severe brain damage. Here is what I have so far:
November 22, 1963: while riding in a motorcade in Dallas President John F. Kennedy is struck twice by sniper fire. One bullet goes through the back of the President's neck and exits his throat. Another shot grazes the President's skull. Surgeons manage to save the President, but due to bone fragments in the head wound, swelling and a loss of brain matter there is significant brain damage. The only statement released by White House Press Secretary Pierre Salinger states only that the President came out of surgery and was "resting." There is otherwise a news blackout on the President's condition. Attempts by Vice President Johnson to get information on the President's condition are rebuffed by the hospital as they indicate the First Lady is overwhelmed and deferring all decision making to her father-in-law former Ambassodor Kennedy and the President's brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
Lee Harvey Oswald is arrested by Dallas Police and charged with the murder of a Police Officer Tippet. The District Attorney indicates Oswald is also a suspect in the shooting of the President and Governor John Connelly who was also wounded that day.
Despite assurances from the Soviet Union that they had no involvment with the attempt on the President, Secretary of Defense MacNamara places all United States miltary forces on alert, but indicates he cannot call up Reserves without a Presidential order. The Soviets respond by increasing there alert status.
On November 23rd Vice President Johnson returns to Washington D.C. with plans to contact members of the cabinet to have them meet him at the White House to discuss what they should announce the President's condition . He first calls Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to ask how he would legally assume authority as "Acting" President. The Attorney General informs him that he has "no such authority," and any attempt to assume it would be considered a coup. He tells Johnson not to even think of going to the White House, or contacting other cabinet members. RFK then orders FBI Director Hooover not to share any part of the investigation with the Vice President.
By November 24th the press and other governement officials are asking questions, but not getting answers on the President's status, and who is in charge. Nothing has broken in the media, but in the upper levels of government people are lining up behind either LBJ or RFK. Informal discussions begin on whether Congress will need to pass some sort of legislation or even submit a Constitutional Amendment to deal with the situation. The CIA reports the Soviet Union is making concerning noises about Berlin and Castro has put Cuban forces on a war footing. The President is awake, but not responsive to questions.
That same day Oswald is transferred from the Dallas Police station where he was held to the County jail without incident. Jack Ruby a local strip club owner is overheard to remark that had he actually killed the President he (Ruby) would have made Oswald pay right then and there. FBI Director Hoover reports to RFK that the Texas officials are not willing to turn Oswald over the Federal authorities. The Attorney General could likely get a Federal Court order, but is reluctant to risk it given the way the Vice President, and Governor Connelly (who is recovering and backing LBJ in his dispute with RFK) have publicly stated no federal crime was committed and theywould let the Texas criminal justice sytem take its course. Oswald as yet is still only charged with the murder of Officer Tippett. The press is making much of Oswald's connections to the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Hoover tells the Attorney General that although the Soviets likely had nothing to do with what happened "it was a good bet that Castro did this" in retaliation for the CIA attempts to kill him. Hoover says CIA director John McCone is"not forthcoming with information." McCone, a Republican appointd by JFK, is keeping distance from RFK and LBJ as he sees little basis for either to act in the President's stead.
What do you think?