Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini, or "Il Duce" to his unfortunate admirers, was a man who truly understood the power of a good uniform and a dramatic balcony speech. He started as a socialist, which, much like a person claiming to be a "reformed" foodie, only makes you wonder what kind of radical diet he was on before.

His regime was characterized by extreme nationalism, authoritarianism, and a flair for the theatrical. He believed in the power of the state over the individual, which is a polite way of saying he believed in the power of himself over everyone else. His foreign policy was, shall we say, expansionist, and he had a particular fondness for ancient Roman imagery, presumably because he thought togas were still in fashion.

Ultimately, Mussolini's grand plans and even grander ego led him and Italy down a rather dark path. His alliance with Hitler cemented his place in history as one of the 20th century's most notorious dictators. His end was, to put it mildly, ignominious, proving that even dictators can't escape the wrath of an angry populace (and a rather undignified hanging). Imagine the kvetching in the afterlife about that reception.

So, as a Jew? Not even a little. His policies were, shall we say, less than favorable to Jewish people. In fact, he enacted racial laws similar to those in Nazi Germany. So, no "I" (Identity), no "O" (Origin), and a resounding triple-zero on the "K" (Kvell-worthiness) scale. Unless, of course, you're kvelling over someone who really nailed the dramatic pose.