isn't this guy supposed to be really well-educated? Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfield this morning on CNN: "Saddam Hussein is now taking his rightful place alongside Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Ceaucescu in the pantheon of failed brutal dictators, and the Iraqi people are well on their way to freedom," said Rumsfeld." I wasn't aware that either Stalin or Lenin "failed"... Brutal, yes. Dictators, yes. But last I checked,weren't they among the most successful dictators in history, dominated for decades, died in their beds, mourned by a nation, and worshipped for decades after? And even, Hitler, didn't he achieve far more than anyone's wildest dreams? A monster? Perhaps. A failure? I don't think so.
Well.... considering that Hitler's stated aim was to perpetuate the "master race" and take over all of Europe and eventually the world... I would say he failed mightily. but thats just my opinion..maybe you see it differently.
I think the only one that doesn't really fit 100 % in this is Lenin. I would not be surprised if many saw it as an ignorant mistake to put him in the same group as Hitler.
I was surprised at the addition of Lenin also. I consider Stalin a failure. He may have retained control throughout his life, but he is still a failure as a human and wrt history.
I think it was more intended as symbolism, rather than actual fact... But hey, that's just my opinion...
I thought the same thing. Pretty darn successful dictators. BUT... they were eventually defeated, and so were their ideas. And history looks down upon them.
