Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

haele

(15,601 posts)
12. I personally interacted him twice.
Tue Nov 4, 2025, 11:15 AM
Nov 2025

Of the three times I was in his presence.
The man had no consideration for "peons" or even personal staff other than how useful to him they were at the time.
If they displeased him or couldn't "jump to it" (once when he was SecDef, he was underway with us observing a final Project test - his staffers became seasick), he had them replaced ASAP.
He was a right surly selfish asshole.

But one "okay-ish" thing I could say for him, he ultimately understood a somewhat open market Democracy protected the continuance his hunting lodge, caviar canape, and fine single-malt lifestyle much better than the zero-sum game of full-on autocracy or oligarchy would. So there's that.

Recommendations

4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I will have to say.... FarPoint Nov 2025 #1
Voting against Trump is a VERY low bar. RandomNumbers Nov 2025 #17
Redemption growth, the goal for change, this is why we protest ...to evoke change. FarPoint Nov 2025 #18
..which meant standing up for his country and his daughters. lostnfound Nov 2025 #2
There's one dead piece of shit for his family, one giant sigh of relief for mankind. Blues Heron Nov 2025 #3
man people will rehabilitate anything these days WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2025 #4
Dick motherfucking Cheney. Iggo Nov 2025 #20
His one and only good deed. nt PunkinPi Nov 2025 #5
I'm neither sad nor happy. harumph Nov 2025 #6
Honestly his death doesn't hit like I imagined it would in the early 2000s. BannonsLiver Nov 2025 #16
It's because we are not up against one person, harumph Nov 2025 #23
He saw the end of the road he paved, and removed one cobblestone in protest . . . hatrack Nov 2025 #7
My condolences to his family. GoCubsGo Nov 2025 #8
Kick dalton99a Nov 2025 #9
I was astounded myself. But then I remember Darth Vader redeemed himself in Return of the Jedi. nycbos Nov 2025 #10
I know in my own life, as the years have clicked by... hamsterjill Nov 2025 #11
I personally interacted him twice. haele Nov 2025 #12
The sneer lildDemz Nov 2025 #15
Only met him once when he was SecDef sarisataka Nov 2025 #21
Kick orangecrush Nov 2025 #13
Death bed conversion. Tbear Nov 2025 #14
I'll remember him for getting rich off all them dead Iraqis and all them dead service members. Iggo Nov 2025 #19
Hitler liked dogs sarisataka Nov 2025 #22
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»✨I will remember h...»Reply #12