What is the meaning of "his modus operandi seemed nothing short of Draconian"

[Madman1981]

in the sentence

To wincing observers his modus operandi seemed nothing short of Draconian, but Cronkite would blasphemously brook no interference.

from Wikipedia:

Draconian is an adjective meaning "of excessive severity", that derives from Draco, an Athenian law scribe under whom small offenses had heavy punishments (Draconian laws).

Is Cronkite a victim of Draco, or is his modus operandi like someone enforcing Draco's law? Based on the last sentence (Cronkite would blasphemously brook no interference), my understanding is that the severity of Cronkite's work (whose job is capping blazing gushers) was such that if he were a victim of Draco's law, but nevertheless he prefers that others not interfere with his work. That is, he prefers to endure this hardship to the interference of others.

 

[probus]

Cronkite is not a victim of Draco. The passage means that although many observers thought that Cronkite's methods were excessively severe (Draconian), he did not care about the disapproval and used profanity in rebuking his critics.

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[Tarheel]

You started out making sense, but then you went terribly wrong. Your source says "draconian" means "exceedingly severe". Then it cites Draco as the origin for that word. We would normally use "draconian" to refer to punishments that are inappropriately severe. They are unduly harsh. They have nothing to do with Draco, who lived centuries ago.

 

[BobK]

I'm afraid @Madman1981 is a victim of what is known as the Etymological Fallacy.