I’m going to admit that I never learned anything about kissenger, I only remember reading about him in passing. The guy sounds like a souped up version of Cheney/rumsfeld, a truly despicable person. Is it safe to say that he is the father of interventionist international policy?
Hrmm, not sure I would go that far. Pretty sure we were doing bad things in Latin America before Kissinger was even a gleam in his daddy's eye. A despicable bastard for sure though. We did a real number on Laos. Chile, Argentina, Latin America, East Timor, this guy was everywhere, the scale can't really be equaled by any other figure's involvement I don't think, maybe I'm wrong.
I'd say Cheney and Rumsfeld looked up to the guy to an extent, but weren't as concerned with diplomacy. Neither attained that level of international rep as a result. Kissinger was such a crowd worker he'd move in on State Dept's job and they'd have to stfu and take a backseat. More charisma than Cheney sure, but same level of apathy over the value of life.
Rumsfeld and his boy Cheney actually orchestrated Kissinger's fall from the White House, off his lofty NSA perch. They learned from him in the ways they found useful and then they took him out. Cue Kissinger inventing the million dollar a week executive problem solving/consulting gig. He said fuck you I'll even become more powerful. Stayed pro until the age of 100. White House and State, Google, Apple, etc all had him on speed dial. But yeah, despicable. Getting a Peace Prize was such a joke, and he knew it. Tried to give it back then donated it I think.
I'll never forget during those primaries Bernie glaring right into the crowd, looking really serious: "I am PROUD to say that Henry Kissinger is NOT my friend."
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