Robert McNamara died in his sleep last week. He was 92.
There is no doubt he was instrumental in changing the world during his time--for good or bad.
As a pencil pusher, bean counter he was a "whiz kid"; but what about his humanity? Was something left out of his make- up , as so often is the case with genius personalities.
As a civilian aide to General Curtis LeMay in W.W II , he advised the carpet firebombing of Tokyo; the resulting inferno, although resulting in a horrible loss of life, did little to shorten the war.
His role, mostly behind the scenes in the Vietnam war left an indelible mark, particularly on those who fought and died in this effort on both sides. Lyndon Johnson gave him a carte blanche for facilitating the slaughter. A horrible time in our nation's history, when we were treated nightly with "body count" numbers.
His tour with Ford Motor Company was touted as such a success. Actually, He almost caused their downfall from which they are still reeling. Remember the Edsel? His creation.
After the Defense Department fiasco he was named president of the World Bank , where he increased the money giveaway more than twelve fold. Somehow the totalitarian regimes always seemed first in line for this largesse.
A question comes to mind about these 'wondermen' that suddenly appear on the world stage. Are they placed in positions of power by hidden hands? Or are they incredible mistakes by those we trust?
He is gone now from the living; praised by the Washington Post and the New York Times as a great administer of foreign aid and humanitarian.
Some will miss him.
With Love and Kindness,
THE HATMAN
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