Reply #11: I didn't say her parents instilled something special in her, though I'd [View All]

[Phx_Dem]

be willing to bet her siblings would say that. But, by her siblings own admission on many occasions, she instilled something special in them. They adored her.

And Joe is the only person responsible for Rosemary's lobotomy. Rose knew nothing about it. Today, a hospital would (I assume) require both parents authorization for a serious medical procedure, but back then men could make decisions without their wife's consent. Probably his biggest error in judgement was doing this behind his wife's back. She almost certainly would not have agreed, according to books/written accounts. Joe Kennedy had many many flaws, but I don't believe for one second that he knew this procedure would cause more damage -- people knew next to nothing about brain injuries/retardation back then. He made a very bad decision and was extremely selfish in not consulting his wife, but there was no malice involved toward Rosemary.