RIP Nelson Mandela

[Limey]

Amazing man, amazing life.

His wife, on the other hand...

[Bench]

An amazing leader and a true inspiration. 

[NeilT]

I just saw this quote from Mitt Romney (on Facebook of course):

"In the modern age, Nelson Mandela will be remembered as an unsurpassed healer of human hearts. By dint of his character, sacrifice, vision and abounding love, he won a revolution without shedding blood, founded a peaceful nation in a land of turmoil, and personified principle in a world searching for integrity."

It's a bit verbose for my taste, but it says a lot of things I was thinking: that there are a rare few people I'll see in my lifetime who are so important, and that he's important because he so completely defines what patriotism should be.

Now his wife, on the other hand . . .

[strosrays]

I just saw this quote from Mitt Romney (on Facebook of course):

"In the modern age, Nelson Mandela will be remembered as an unsurpassed healer of human hearts. By dint of his character, sacrifice, vision and abounding love, he won a revolution without shedding blood, founded a peaceful nation in a land of turmoil, and personified principle in a world searching for integrity."

It's a bit verbose for my taste, but it says a lot of things I was thinking: that there are a rare few people I'll see in my lifetime who are so important, and that he's important because he so completely defines what patriotism should be.

Now his wife, on the other hand . . .

The use of "dint" indicates the statement is purely bullshit. No feeling, at all. No surprise there.

[NeilT]

The use of "dint" indicates the statement is purely bullshit. No feeling, at all. No surprise there.

I can see that you were deeply inspired by Mandela's message of reconciliation.

[juliogotay]

The use of "dint" indicates the statement is purely bullshit. No feeling, at all. No surprise there.

Mirriam-Webster: Dint-By force of. Because of.

[Limey]

The use of "dint" indicates the statement is purely bullshit. No feeling, at all. No surprise there.

I love using the word "dint".  Of course, that doesn't counter your assertion in any way, as I use it mostly to be a superior asshole.

[Ron Brand]

Some fuckwit repubtard put a dint in my car. I'm gonna kick his ass for that.

[NeilT]

Some fuckwit repubtard put a dint in my car. I'm gonna kick his ass for that.

Put a dint in his head, by dent of you superior skill with cudgels.

[Ron Brand]

I hate tolerance.

[HudsonHawk]

I hate tolerance.

Not unlike the wingnuts out there celebrating Nelson's death, or whom they call the biggest Marxist terrorist of the 20th century.

[Bench]

Not unlike the wingnuts out there celebrating Nelson's death, or whom they call the biggest Marxist terrorist of the 20th century.

Seriously?  What lunatic theory supports that accusation?

Now his wife, on the other hand...

[Ron Brand]

Not unlike the wingnuts out there celebrating Nelson's death, or whom they call the biggest Marxist terrorist of the 20th century.

Oh good lord. Are they really? All I've seen are tributes and some Rick Santorum silliness, but nothing on that scale. I felt bad enough playing with this thread but it seemed it had already been bruised...

[subnuclear]

Seriously?  What lunatic theory supports that accusation?

Now his wife, on the other hand...

Especially when its clearly Ho Chi Minh, but I guess that's a sore point with wingnuts.

[BizidyDizidy]

Oh good lord. Are they really? All I've seen are tributes and some Rick Santorum silliness, but nothing on that scale. I felt bad enough playing with this thread but it seemed it had already been bruised...

Ted Cruz's FB wall:

http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/14475/ted-cruz-honors-nelson-mandela-supporters-blast-the-senator-in-bigoted-display

[HudsonHawk]

Seriously?  What lunatic theory supports that accusation?

Well, Mandela was an avowed communist and Marxist, and spent 27 years of a life sentence in prison...for offenses that were not non-violent in nature.  One man's revolutionary is another man's terrorist.

[Bench]

Ted Cruz's FB wall:

http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/14475/ted-cruz-honors-nelson-mandela-supporters-blast-the-senator-in-bigoted-display

Insane.

[Ron Brand]

I didn't think that Cruz had a constituency that felt he was too liberal. I guess I should go ahead and get that bunker and armory together before their assault begins.

[Bench]

Well, Mandela was an avowed communist and Marxist, and spent 27 years of a life sentence in prison...for offenses that were not non-violent in nature.  One man's revolutionary is another man's terrorist.

Too bad he never got a chance to take things in a different direction after he got out of jail. 

[subnuclear]

Well, Mandela was an avowed communist and Marxist, and spent 27 years of a life sentence in prison...for offenses that were not non-violent in nature.  One man's revolutionary is another man's terrorist.

But he was open about planning sabotage. Armed resistance to oppression is not always a bad thing.

[Bench]

But he was open about planning sabotage. Armed resistance to oppression is not always a bad thing.

Those idiots don't care.  They probably think he was actually born in Canada.

[Limey]

One man's revolutionary is another man's terrorist.

See Washington, George.

[Limey]

But he was open about planning sabotage. Armed resistance to oppression is not always a bad thing.

Who?  Cruz, or Mandela?

[HudsonHawk]

Too bad he never got a chance to take things in a different direction after he got out of jail. 

I suppose you're arguing the end justifies the means, at any cost.  Perhaps so.  I'm not arguing otherwise.  I'm just pointing out that not everyone was a fan of Mandela's and the ANC's methods, particularly those on the other side.  He targeted violence against people for the "crime" of being white.  Some feel it was justified, others do not.

[HudsonHawk]

But he was open about planning sabotage. Armed resistance to oppression is not always a bad thing.

Not saying it is.  I'm saying there's a reason behind why not everyone in the world views him as peace-loving.

[HudsonHawk]

See Washington, George.

Exactly.  I suspect that your countrymen in the 18th century didn't view George with the same reverence that we Americans do today.

[Bench]

I suppose you're arguing the end justifies the means, at any cost.  Perhaps so.  I'm not arguing otherwise.  I'm just pointing out that not everyone was a fan of Mandela's and the ANC's methods, particularly those on the other side.  He targeted violence against people for the "crime" of being white.  Some feel it was justified, others do not.

Not ends justifying means, more that it's important to consider the totality of the circumstances and a person's actions when passing judgement on their life.  Of course, nuance isn't a club in those maniac's golf bags.   

[HudsonHawk]

Not ends justifying means, more that it's important to consider the totality of the circumstances and a person's actions when passing judgement on their life.  Of course, nuance isn't a club in those maniac's golf bags.   

Nor is critical thinking.  Yet they are allowed to vote.  Equality has it drawbacks as well.

[Limey]

Exactly.  I suspect that your countrymen in the 18th century didn't view George with the same reverence that we Americans do today.

He was, by dictionary definition, a traitor.

[Aussie Astro]

I just saw this quote from Mitt Romney (on Facebook of course):

"In the modern age, Nelson Mandela will be remembered as an unsurpassed healer of human hearts. By dint of his character, sacrifice, vision and abounding love, he won a revolution without shedding blood, founded a peaceful nation in a land of turmoil, and personified principle in a world searching for integrity."

It's a bit verbose for my taste, but it says a lot of things I was thinking: that there are a rare few people I'll see in my lifetime who are so important, and that he's important because he so completely defines what patriotism should be.

Now his wife, on the other hand . . .

When did RSA become a peaceful nation?  I must have missed something.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

People who criticize Mandela as a one time terrorist or communist are ignorant. Any State that considers one race superior to another is in fact the terrorist. And given the the climate of Apartheid, communism was a better alternative to pursue.

His ex-wife though...