He may flame on mailing lists from time to time, but I prefer an honest character to CoC thumping Machiavellis who talk and behave like politburo members.
The latter actually harm and exclude people while acting politely; Linus does not.
I have near unlimited respect for Linus. He has an allergy to bullshit. He does not mince words when preventing any kind bad code or needless complexity from entering the kernel.
The same things that make some people consider him an "asshole" are the same things that make him so effective.
The latter actually harm and exclude people while acting politely; Linus does not.