WI: Joseph Kennedy Was Lobotomized by JFK in Retribution for Sister?

Exactly what it says on the tin. Assume JFK is so enraged over learning the truth over what his father did to his sister years ago that after becoming elected President, he orders his father lobotomized for the pain he inflicted onto the family? What could be some possible reactions to this decision?
 
I knew the Kennedy family was, shall we say, dysfunctional, but I had no idea their father was that bad. But even so, Joseph Kennedy held a pretty firm grip on his kids even once JFK became President. It's my understanding that John didn't even want to make Bobby his Attorney General, but their father demanded it and he simply gave in. However, if JFK did muster the courage to stand up to his father so to the point of having him lobotomized, he'd need good reason for it. Otherwise, it'll be a scandal of epic proportions (assuming it becomes public knowledge). I can't imagine a situation where the general public (perhaps aside from some women, who sympathize with Rosemary) would be alright with a sitting President up and demanding his father be completely incapacitated. And if he's not careful in how he goes about it, I could see some even arguing for impeachment on grounds of abuse of power.
 
Yes, the senior Kennedy was a major bastard to be blunt. He allegedly had ties to the German Reich and saw this as nothing more than a simple business relationship. He also was an apparent raging semite who wanted no Jews to be involved in the family. Let's say that JFK goes through with this and in June 1961, Joseph Kennedy is lobotomized per his son's orders. Maybe JFK tries to hide this, but is unsuccessful and it leaks out to the public?
 
Well historically, JFK had a good relationship with the press and used that pretty effectively. His affairs were even ignored by them for quite some time, but I don't know if that relationship was strong enough for them not to run with this type of story. If it gets out, I don't see it as a good situation at all for him. And again, if it can be proven that he did this using the powers of the Presidency, impeachment will at least be talked about, even if nothing comes of it.
 
Okay, how would an otherwise sane man be strapped up for lobotomy? Can we discuss that particular detail first?

I mean, short of bribing a doctor or something, how do you get Joseph in the position for lobotomy?
 
The best opportunity to do this under the cover would be during his father's stroke in December of 1961. The resulting damage could have been covered up by what was already a pretty damn catastrophic stroke that made him paralyzed on his left side.

So its not really strapping a healthy man down to lobotomize, its more kicking the old man after he's already fallen down to ensure he never stands back up
 
@SargentHawk pretty much hit it on the head there. That's the best shot Kennedy has, realistically, at covering it up. The only other justification I can think of would be, perhaps JFK does refuse to make his brother AG, and that sends Joe into a fit of rage. Some others witness this, and JFK convinces them that he's unstable and a danger to both himself and others. So, they quietly have the procedure performed under the auspices of keeping him safe and stable. But that seems very unlikely to me.
 
to be fair though, with the family dynamic and high press coverage, if you don't want to go down the stroke cover up route, Kennedy would have better luck pushing his father down the stairs.
 
How do you think this information might be received years after it's occurred, long after JFK has been assassinated?

After JFK's death, I see the impact as fairly minimal. It's not like either of the other Kennedy boys really came all too close to becoming President themselves, so it won't really impact them too much. As for JFK's legacy, I think opinions would be split. For some, it might help shed light on the true abuse all the Kennedy kids (especially Rosemary) dealt with, and allow them to empathize with JFK and understand his decision. Others, I suspect, would look at it as cruel and uncaring for his own father. Ultimately, I don't see it damaging his legacy too much, honestly.
 
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