Former US defence secretary Robert McNamara dies

[Psychotic Mongooses]

Robert McNamara, who served as US defence secretary during the Vietnam war and the Cuban Missile Crisis, has died aged 93.
Mr McNamara, who served under presidents John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson, was also an architect of the US policy of nuclear deterrence.
After leaving the Pentagon he became president of the World Bank.

Rest of the story

So. What are people's opinions on the guy? Specific policies that were terrible, specific actions that were daring, hawk, dove, good Secretary for Defence, one of the worst?

What's his legacy? Vietnam or Cuban Missile Crisis or the World Bank or even champion of nuclear disarmament?

[Charlotte Ryberg]

I think he is more likely to be remembered for the Vietnam War, but the Ford Motor Company turnaround is notable too.

[Pepe Dominguez]

Well, he was hated by both sides. That usually indicates either character or a supreme lack of character. I'll leave it there.

[Buffett and Colbert]

I heard this an hour or so and I'm very disappointed. I quite liked his opinions on various issues.

[Abel Zealand]

My name is McNamara.

[Brogavia]

He did a decent considering he had very little millitary experince.

[Pepe Dominguez]

My name is McNamara.

...

It's a common name.

[Psychotic Mongooses]

Well, he was hated by both sides. That usually indicates either character or a supreme lack of character. I'll leave it there.

I thought of him as pragmatic in certain circumstances and not afraid to change his thought process. Obviously not in all aspects, given policies re the Vietnam War, but in the Missile Crisis that's the sense I got from him.

[Ashmoria]

the documentary "fog of war", where mr mcnamara discusses his life in ww2, ford motor co. and as sec of defense during vietnam is a must see. as long as you understand that it is not a balanced view of the man or his life.

http://www.sonyclassics.com/fogofwar/

[Brogavia]

the documentary "fog of war", where mr mcnamara discusses his life in ww2, ford motor co. and as sec of defense during vietnam is a must see. as long as you understand that it is not a balanced view of the man or his life.

http://www.sonyclassics.com/fogofwar/

Which side is it presented from?

[Ashmoria]

the documentary "fog of war", where mr mcnamara discusses his life in ww2, ford motor co. and as sec of defense during vietnam is a must see. as long as you understand that it is not a balanced view of the man or his life.

http://www.sonyclassics.com/fogofwar/

Which side is it presented from?

its mcnamara talking about his life and the lessons he learned over time. so its slanted in his favor. its hard to tell how much is revised thinking on his part.

this doesnt bother me because i understand that its HIS point of view. people who have a strong dislike of him get upset over how he excuses his errors and misjudgements.

but to hear him say that general curtis lemay said that if they didnt win the war (ww2) they would face war crimes charges over the firebombing of japanese cities....

to hear him tell about meeting vietnamese officials years later and how they rebuked him over not understanding vietnamese history...

to hear him tell about talking to castro years after the cuban missile crisis....

priceless.

[Ifreann]

Seriously, I haven't recognised a single famous person to die since Jacko. What the hell?

[Psychotic Mongooses]

but to hear him say that general curtis lemay said that if they didnt win the war (ww2) they would face war crimes charges over the firebombing of japanese cities....

I hated that guy.

[Ashmoria]

but to hear him say that general curtis lemay said that if they didnt win the war (ww2) they would face war crimes charges over the firebombing of japanese cities....

I hated that guy.

yeah..

hes not my favorite either.

[Dododecapod]

McNamara did a good job. Looking back we can see his mistakes; but hindsight is always 20/20.

"Better to have tried and failed, than never to have tried." Anon.

[You-Gi-Owe]

An empty suit.

[Buffett and Colbert]

the documentary "fog of war", where mr mcnamara discusses his life in ww2, ford motor co. and as sec of defense during vietnam is a must see. as long as you understand that it is not a balanced view of the man or his life.

http://www.sonyclassics.com/fogofwar/

This is an excellent documentary. I was trying to remember the name!f

[Brogavia]

but to hear him say that general curtis lemay said that if they didnt win the war (ww2) they would face war crimes charges over the firebombing of japanese cities....

I hated that guy.

yeah..

hes not my favorite either.

Boo hoo.

At the time, it was perfectly acceptable.