"I just want you to think big, Henry, for Christsakes!"

Some context: Despite Henry Kissingers well-earned reputation as one of the most evil foreign policy figures in US history, many of his worst decisions were actually the *more dovish* option in comparison to his boss, Richard Nixons, ideas about how to handle global affairs. Even with his legendary apathy toward sacrificing hundreds of thousands of innocent lives abroad, Kissinger couldnt help being shocked by Nixons lack of restraint when it came to his willingness to slaughter civilians and risk nuclear war. While Kissingers name is deeply associated with the notorious Operation Menu bombing campaign against Cambodia during the Vietnam war, many will be surprised to learn that in the beginning, [even he thought the president was acting rashly in planning such a maneuver.](https://www.humanrightsresearch.org/post/henry-kissinger-symbol-of-impunity) Although he had no moral problem with the bombings, Kissinger initially opposed attacking Cambodia (likely because many at the time viewed a move against a country America wasnt at war with as completely illegal and unconstitutional.) Of course, Kissinger quickly became intimately involved with the execution of Menu. But even he stopped short of endorsing the nuclear option, which Nixon constantly expressed his desire to use behind closed doors. His enthusiasm for dropping a nuke on Vietnam on multiple occasions was so pronounced that even Kissinger was horrified and regularly tried to talk him out of such an irresponsible move. According to Kissinger aide David Young, before even taking office Nixon [drunkenly explained to Kissinger](https://www.theguardian.com/weekend/story/0,3605,362958,00.html) about his intention to use the nuclear option against the Vietnamese. >Nixon and Kissinger were talking. Nixon was drunk, and he said, Henry, weve got to nuke them. [Again in 1972.](https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v14/d126) >We’re going to do it. I’m going to destroy the goddamn country, believe me, I mean destroy it if necessary. And let me say, even the nuclear weapons if necessary. It isn’t necessary. But, you know, what I mean is, what shows you the extent to which I’m willing to go. By a nuclear weapon, I mean that we will bomb the living bejeezus out of North Vietnam and then if anybody interferes we will threaten the nuclear weapons. [And just a few weeks later](https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v08/d123) >Nixon: I still think we ought to take the North Vietnamese dikes out now. Will that drown people? >Kissinger: About two hundred thousand people. >Nixon: No, no, no, Id rather use the nuclear bomb. Have you got that, Henry? >Kissinger: That, I think, would just be too much. >Nixon: The nuclear bomb, does that bother you?. I just want you to think big, Henry, for Christsakes! The only place where you and I disagree is with regard to the bombing. You’re so goddamned concerned about civilians, and I don’t give a damn. I don’t care. On one occasion, a (likely very drunk) Nixon, after being informed of the North Koreans having shot down a US plane, [began ordering plans for a tactical nuclear strike against the country,](https://www.theguardian.com/weekend/story/0,3605,362958,00.html) going so far as to prepare the Joint Chiefs of Staff for said strike and asking for optimal targets. Kissinger, sensing the President was not in his right state of mind, immediately called the Chiefs and convinced them to stall the strike until Nixon was sober in the morning, when it was eventually called off. Kissinger once even complained to his aides >[If the president had his way, there would be a nuclear war each week!](https://www.theguardian.com/weekend/story/0,3605,362958,00.html)

Reading about Bangladesh really opens your eyes to how Machiavellian Kissinger and Nixon were with the third world

Fact: after the Kent State shooting, both of them not only blamed the collage students for it, but also noticed how the protestors stopped after the guards started shooting. Not “wow, that was horrible,” but “it seems violence stops protestors… interesting” People were **not** happy after the shooting, and less happy about how the government handled the aftermath. Don’t know if it’s related to the topic at hand, but it’s something I’ve learned.

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