Opinion of Henry Kissinger

[Sir Mohamed]

Surprised there hasn't been a poll on the dude here. Your opinion of Henry Kissinger, one of the most controversial politcal figures of the post-WWII era?

He did some postive stuff such as detente, but far too many "questionable" involvements like Chile and the inhumane Laos bombing. On balance, HP.

[TDAS04]

Enabler of genocide.  When he dies, I doubt there will be much mourning in Bangladesh or East Timor.

[PSOL]

Enabler of genocide.  When he dies, I doubt there will be much mourning in Bangladesh or East Timor.

[Wikipedia delenda est]

Enabler of genocide.  When he dies, I doubt there will be much mourning in Bangladesh or East Timor.

This, plus a war criminal for his actions involving Cambodia.

[ON Progressive]

Enabler of genocide.  When he dies, I doubt there will be much mourning in Bangladesh or East Timor.

This, plus a war criminal for his actions involving Cambodia.

[Xing]

Titanium HP

[Skunk]

HP would imply he's a person.

[Big Abraham]

Enabler of genocide.  When he dies, I doubt there will be much mourning in Bangladesh or East Timor.

This, plus a war criminal for his actions involving Cambodia.

[Politician]

Enabler of genocide.  When he dies, I doubt there will be much mourning in Bangladesh or East Timor.

This, plus a war criminal for his actions involving Cambodia.

[Deleted User #4049]

A deranged psychopath, enabler of genocide, and serial war criminal. One of the worst people to set foot on this earth, and his continued feting by the political and economic establishment is nothing short of disgusting. Massive HP.

[SWE]

One of the most evil people alive today

[Arturo Belano]

One of the most evil people alive today

[RaphaelDLG]

I hope he gets eaten by crocodiles

[Cory]

Possibly the smartest person alive today.

[fhtagn]

HP would imply he's a person.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It's a good occassion to point out detente was hardly a novel move by Nixon and Kissinger. It's been already pursued by the likes of de Gaulle and Brandt. LBJ administration was very interested in the "new opening", but Vietnam derailed it then.

[President Johnson]

He's a political genius, but the Nixon Administration mishandled Vietnam terribly. Chile was equally worse and not excusable. In conclusion, horrible person. I think Kissinger may have done better under a President Rockefeller (who was his mentor before joining Nixon's team) or Romney.

It's a good occasion to point out detente was hardly a novel move by Nixon and Kissinger. It's been already pursued by the likes of de Gaulle and Brandt. LBJ administration was very interested in the "new opening", but Vietnam derailed it then.

True, LBJ almost became the first sitting president to visit Moscow in 1968.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Enabler of genocide.  When he dies, I doubt there will be much mourning in Bangladesh or East Timor.

This, plus a war criminal for his actions involving Cambodia.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I agree with Cory and SWE. Evil, but beyond competent. Which is what made him so uniquely destructive. The reason he’s even still alive is because he’s surely terrified of hellfire for eternity.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I agree with Cory and SWE. Evil, but beyond competent. Which is what made him so uniquely destructive. The reason he’s even still alive is because he’s surely terrified of hellfire for eternity.

I tend to dispute this image of "malevolent competence" for both Kissinger and Nixon. Wouldn't detente have actually restrained Russian missile production if that were the case?

[HisGrace]

Very good at his job.

[gottsu]

It's a good occassion to point out detente was hardly a novel move by Nixon and Kissinger. It's been already pursued by the likes of de Gaulle and Brandt. LBJ administration was very interested in the "new opening", but Vietnam derailed it then.

And let's don't forget about that Kissinger hasn't been a fan of De Gaulle or Brandt way in the sixties. When East Germany started to build a Berlin wall, Kissinger was very hawkish and wanted JFK to intervene militarily.