Now, as for “clemency,” how about Augustus’ letting an imprisoned father and son decide which of them would live and die. (From Suetonious.)

For indeed, it would be the American Caesar of unparalleled military genius who preserved South Korea against all odds, warned us of Truman’s actions that would, indeed, preserve NORTH Korea (and China)… the American Caesar who was the most decorated American of World War I, who devised the most complex, elegant, and brilliant campaign of World War II– anywhere on the map, using not just troops (strike Patton from the top), but also air and naval power. It was a concert for the ages, planned by him– with some notable help from the likes of George C. Kenney.

To respond to your points: Truman had just as much Intel as MacArthur had, and no one in Washington was very worried about it either. His Intel chief, General Willoughby, had extensive intelligence indicating China would enter, but if you read history on the subject, you would know that Willoughby disregarded it and failed to mention the material to his superior. If MacArthur can be thought to have a fault here is that he kept incompetents like Willoughby too close to him for too long.

And MacArthur was absolutely right, as Geoffrey Perret revealed in his recent biography, about USSR intervention had we actually not settled for surrender as Truman decided (if you ask me– and I guess you haven’t :) ).

And yes, it is certainly possible that the Veracruz incident was fabricated out of cloth. But most respectable historians discount that since they look at the whole picture and understand his unmatched bravery, his lack of regard for his own life. What they understand, however, is that he is as unmatched in florid imaginings as he is in strategic genius– so it’s far more likely that at least some of it was exaggerated. ( And by the way– since we’re on the topic– you don’t actually think that Julius Caesar story happened exactly as told do you? Give me a break. :) )

Oh yes, MacArthur is an easy target, but as his enemies found out, not so easy to kill. In the end, the only one who could bring him down was himself.

To be sure, Julius Caesar has a FAR more depraved record, and perhaps one that will echo further down history. But that remains to be seen, and you will bear witness to that as China rises in power. For my money, I will take Augustus as ten times the Emperor he was, and with one hundred times the historical. Julius, in the end, is not very impressive, no matter the fawning glow cast upon him by classicists and wannabe classicists. Hell, I’ll take Justinian over Julius.

I leave you with a quote from one of the better Ender’s Shadow books, Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card:

“…let me say that I have no doubt of your capacity to achieve your ambition. I can only hope that, in the event of success, you will choose to emulate Washington, MacArthur, or Augustus rather than Napoleon, Alexander, or Hitler.”

You might as well toss Julius Caesar into that latter list. Had you put MacArthur in Caesar’s shoes, you would have had true military genius AND competent administration. What a combination.

[Full disclosure: I'm a sick, sick MacArthur apologist.]

“He was mild in his revenges. Having forced the pirates to surrender to him, whom they had formerly taken prisoner and put to ransom, since he had threatened to crucify them he condemned them to that punishment, but only after having them strangled.”

Unfortunately, I don’t know who he’s quoting!