Dictata

A couple days ago one of modern history's most important men passed on. There was little news about the death of Robert McNamara, Kennedy and Johnson's Secretary of Defense, as news viewers were interested in other dead celebrities. Pop stars, actors, and infomercial stars ruled the front page, but McNamara didn't get much of a mention.

This is of little surprise to anyone as the former World Bank president didn't entertain many. The Vietnam conflict was often referred to as 'McNamara's War' as he was pivotal in increasing troop presence in the region after the French pulled all forces. The treaty obligations regarding the protection of our allie's rubber plantations lead to one of our darkest periods in our nation's history and he was a key player.

Later in life he wrote his memoirs and was the subject of the riveting 'Fog of War' in which he seemed to apologize for the mistakes made in both administrations that he served. Granted many critics saw this as too little too late, but regardless it's an interesting lesson on the arrogance of leadership. While McNamara's morality left a lot to be desired there's no mistaking his intellect was rarely rivaled.

Robert McNamara wrote about the lessons of war and how we as a world must never forget them, although one would argue that we have repeated his mistakes already. Regardless it seems that so many are far more interested in the life and death of someone who starred in The Whiz. This is why I believe mankind will one day destroy itself.

You probably stopped reading a few paragraphs ago didn't you? Oh well. I could type anything right now. Lama tomahawk Clark Gable router paper clip. I was at the gym on the eliptical trainer yesterday in front of the mirror and I saw a glimpse of my moobs bouncing up and down. It was kind of gross. I need to spend more time in the gym.

"Neither conscience nor sanity itself suggests that the United States is, should or could be the global gendarme." - Robert McNamara