While this news will most probably pass through the press without that much fuss (certainly in comparison to the 
current Michael Jackson circus) I am saddened by the news that I have just learnt of Robert McNamara’s passing.
I am not old enough to remember McNamra BUT I do know about him due to a 2003 documentary called “The Fog of War” which chronicled the life and times of the former U.S. Secretary of Defence. By the way the original score is by Philip Glass.
The documentary outlined 11 key points.
- Empathize with your enemy
- Rationality will not save us
- There’s something beyond one’s self
- Maximize efficiency
- Proportionality should be a guideline in war
- Get the data
- Belief and seeing are often both wrong
- Be prepared to re-examine your reasoning
- In order to do good, you may have to engage in evil
- Never say never
- You can’t change human nature
According to the Washington Post he advised his family that “No funeral/memorial service. I leave this earth believing that I have been blessed with a wife, children and friends who have brought me love and happiness beyond compare”
I think that regardless of whether you believe in what he did or had to say (or not) he had some interesting thoughts to contemplate in hindsight (the one thing we all wish we had before the event) – whether that be the Ford Motor Company or the Vietnam War.
You can visit the Sony website or head down to your local video library as ask for a copy. Regardless – you (hopefully) will understand why I won’t be erasing my copy of the Fog of War of my Foxtel box for some time to come.
