Machiavelli or Robespierre?

Alberto Gonzales, as everyone and his dog knows, has resigned. It seems that Bush's trusted advisers are one by one jumping ship.
I thought it might be worth a mention on this blog as not only was he singularly evil but in his capacity as Attorney General of the strongest Nation in the world he was also singularly capable of executing evil. I thought of comparing Gonzales first to Machiavelli. But that wouldn't be fair. Although, Gonzales might admire the author of The Prince, I doubt Machiavelli would take kindly such an invidious comparison. Realpolitik meant something quite different our Florentine Diplomat. What of Robespierre, legal architect of The Terror and Jacobin without equal? Not perfect, but there are interesting parallels. I am sure there is an essay in there somewhere. I won't write it though. I hate them both. At least we know Robespierre received his just desserts. We may only hope, against reason, that Gonzales will meet a similar fate. Machiavelli died age 68, peacefully, just outside Florence.

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