History will have time to judge Donald Rumsfeld’s public service - which includes a lot more than his last stint as GWB’s Sec. of Defense. I too have my criticisms. But the rush to dance on his grave is a bit gross.
When Trump dies, there will be a big public debate over how and whether to honor him. That is unavoidable. But I won’t be showing joy or snark at his final passing. Nor is it necessarily the moment to say what can later be said, about his poisonous legacy.
I see death - including the death of a public figure - as an opportunity not to pass a final verdict, but to reflect on our own mortality and limitations, to quietly admire what was good and take humble lessons of our own from mistakes made or harm done.
Faced with similar choices, similar responsibilities, what would I do? Could I do better? Can I do better? If so, from where will that strength and clarity come?
The gist of what I’m saying: death should inspire in us humility and self-reflection, based on our common human fate, rather than an eagerness to judge.
The death of an actual enemy in war, which might bring peace, is an exception that proves the rule. But it is an exception.
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