Posted on 12/10/2013 2:50:57 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
The memorial service for Nelson Mandela is a big deal. "We're now on 91 Heads of State & Gov confirmed plus 10 former Heads of State, 86 Heads of delegations & 75 Eminent Persons," tweeted South African government spokesman Clayson Monyela on Monday. Among those leaders attending are the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and French President Francois Hollande -- plus, of course, President Obama and former Presidents Carter, Clinton, and George W. Bush. Dozens of lesser leaders, plus celebrities like Bono and Oprah Winfrey, will also be there.
From the United States Congress, House Speaker John Boehner appointed a 23-member delegation, led by Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock and dominated by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, all Democrats. Their plane departed early Monday morning.
But what about the U.S. Senate? Senators could have joined the representatives on the congressional plane. But exactly one -- one -- senator will be at the Mandela memorial: Texas Republican Ted Cruz. No member of the majority Democratic or minority Republican leadership will attend. And not the Senate's only black Democrat, Cory Booker, or the Senate's only black Republican, Tim Scott.
Why such a poor turnout from the world's greatest deliberative body? "Remember, the presidential delegation didn't invite any members of Congress," says a Senate Republican aide. "The delegation the House put together only took shape over the weekend, so it was a scramble to even make it available to members in the first place (and to those who could get back to DC in time to make the flight). So I wouldn't read anything into that small attendance."
A winter storm across much of the country also had something to do with it. "The [congressional delegation] plane left before dawn, and a lot of members who wanted to go had their flights or trains canceled or delayed," says a Senate Democratic aide.
So how did Cruz make it? There's no doubt the freshman from Texas has shown a lot of energy in his 11 months in the Senate, and he did it again this time: He made the plane when others didn't. Says a spokesman: "Sen. Cruz believes that once-in-a-generation historical leaders, whatever their strengths/weaknesses, who accomplish extraordinary things, should be recognized and celebrated. And he personally wants to be part of demonstrating the recognition in American of the transforming power of the end of apartheid."
Cruz took some hits in the hours after Mandela's death when he posted a Facebook item saying Mandela "will live in history as an inspiration for defenders of liberty around the globe." Some of his followers criticized Cruz for praising Mandela, and some in the press picked up the story as an example of alleged Republican intolerance. But in the end, Cruz was unfazed -- and he made the plane.
One of them is that people, as demonstrated on this thread, throw them under the bus for the most stupid reasons possible when they should know better.
Doofus. This is worth its weight in gold showing he is not racist.
You may be right on that point, I have read that the only reason he was not released is that he would not renounce terrorism.
These events which attract a huge gathering of high level government leaders the world over are also an opportunity for them to meet and greet and hatch plots to overthrow each others governments etc. Fun times on the govt dime. Lots to be garnered from an intelligent observer who makes good use of the close up association with a variety of cultures and individuals. Ted Cruz is intelligent and will benefit from this experience.
I agree.
Now that is a thought, imagine the eye contact on that one. He may have in mind to show his father's defiance of those despots continues and has traction in some of the US.
Agree.
Hoping you’re right
Me too. Time will tell. His background is outstanding as far as education and necessary job experience goes and now the political role is building on all that. I include Ted Cruz in my prayers because the pressures of leadership are many and varied and entail making good choices for the future of this country. God be with us all. We certainly need huge help from the Almighty.
Thank-you.....Prayers indeed!
I hear ya, IT’s a chance to step on the world stage.
not sure many will see it as such.. but.. as noted in the piece
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“Sen. Cruz believes that once-in-a-generation historical leaders, whatever their strengths/weaknesses, who accomplish extraordinary things, should be recognized and celebrated. And he personally wants to be part of demonstrating the recognition in American of the transforming power of the end of apartheid.”
What is going on here? I’ve seen attempts to explain away his public statement on this, but travelling there?
“According to official statistics, nearly a million unborn children been killed in South Africa since President Mandela signed legislation in 1996 permitting abortion on demand two years after taking office. Same-sex ‘marriage’ was legalized in 2006, with Mandela having supported it long before its passage. ..
It was 1996 when Mandela signed into law one of the world’s most pro-abortion laws. Passage of the “Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Bill” was assured since Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC) refused its members a free vote on the issue of providing state-funded abortion on demand.
The same year, Mandela’s new constitution made South Africa the first country to place “sexual orientation” alongside race and religion as a restricted grounds for discrimination – something that paved the way for homosexual ‘marriage’ a decade later....
“the African National Congress revealed today that Mandela was in fact a high-ranking member of the Communist Party.
“Madiba was also a member of the South African Communist Party, where he served in the Central Committee,” said the ANC release.`” - http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pro-life-leaders-urge-caution-while-pope-and-bishops-praise-controversial-n
debate: http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/in-the-line-of-fire/42018-nelson-mandela-sinner-or-saint
Teddy is smart, and was raised by his dad to think about appearances, public impressions. This gesture was very simple, but look at all the tongues-a-waggin about Cruz. Let’s give them something to talk about! No other republican thought to do what they could have done. The end of apartheid is something to be celebrated by all civilized men, even republicans!
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