Posted on 12/10/2013 6:47:13 AM PST by Lazamataz
Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, died recently at the age of 95. Senator Ted Cruz is attending his funeral today, and is likely to speak of Mandela in positive terms.
This is causing many of my conservative brethren (and cistern) much consternation. Some have even gone so far as to abandon him, politically.
I ask that those who are concerned, and especially those who have 'crossed him off their list', rethink their position. I suggest that Mandela is a complicated figure, and one that defies simple analysis. There is an evil side to Nelson Mandela, no question. There is also a good side to him. He faced a really heinous and oppressive system, and sometimes good men must do evil to achieve good results.
Let us say our system continues the slide to tyranny, and a few people you personally know, love, and respect need to stoop to the tyrant's level to re-acquire freedom. This is a probability, at this point, not just a possibility, so it's less of a thought-experiment, and more of a situation you will need to face.
Apartheid was not acceptable. Neither, too, is the creeping tyranny we find America drifting into. Horrible acts may be committed by good men who have good motivations. It is unpleasant, but it is reality. You cannot fight some tyrannies with a vote and a protest sign. Sometimes it gets deeper than that.
Those men, these actors, who acted against evil, are they themselves evil because of their actions? To an extent, yes. But they are also good, because of their motivations.
So it goes with Mandela.
I give Cruz a pass here --and suggest many of us do the same -- because he is recognizing the good. If Ted Cruz was pressed on the particulars of Mandela's uncivilized and horrible actions during the course of his life, I am certain he would disavow the evil acts of Mandela in the same breath, as he praises him for the good that Mandela wrought.
Excellent analysis. Also, for Ted Cruz to continue to develop as an effective leader, he must perform leadership duties such as this ... and he can (and must) do so in a way that does not compromise his principles. Ronald Reagan was a master at this, and Ted Cruz would to well to continue to emulate one of the great American presidents.
A heartfelt and eloquent position statement, Laz.
>> Some have even gone so far as to abandon him, politically.
Speaking for myself, I’m not abandoning him politically. I think he’s the foundation of the conservative revival we so desperately need.
>> I give Cruz a pass here —and suggest many of us do the same
I’m not abandoning him — but neither will I stop calling him out. What he is doing is not only immoral, it’s dangerous to us (and to him) on many levels.
>> If Ted Cruz was pressed... I am certain he would disavow the evil acts of Mandela in the same breath
I’d like to believe that, Laz, but I’m not so sure... because he IS being pressed and so far, nothing about the evil that thoroughly permeates Nelson Mandela and his life work.
Look at it this way. When a star performer in ANY field has a “bad game”, he gets called out on it; he has set the bar high and his stakeholders expect better. This is natural and healthy — it’s one of many things that keep star performers star performers.
And look at it another way: “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. A conservative’s journey across the aisle begins with a little supressing of ideals, a little innocent glad-handing, some innocent partying on their big corrupt boats... and pretty soon the journey is complete and the conservative is discovered in their EMBRACE.
How many times have we seen that sad scenario unfold, FRiend?
Walk it back, Senator Cruz. We need you too badly.
We disagree.
However, I must inform you, I can no longer ‘agree to disagree’. Therefore, you must come around to my way of thinking. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter!
:)
It would have been cool to see someone do a “Animal Mother” from Full Metal Jacket and say :” Better you than me” at the funeral.
If I had sistern, I would not let them near the cistern, especially to praise the ‘complicated’ racist named Mandela.
You were absolutely right, I hope it helps to prevent some kind of circular firing squad from gaining traction.
Well, don't look for any denigration during the funeral / appropriate period thereafter.
Ted Cruz is no classless Barack-Obama, I guaran-damn-tee ya.
But yeah, you will hear him take on the negative facets of Mandela at some point, probably on the Sunday screaming-faces shows.
If you had sistern, I’d hittern.
No better time to introduce new characters than at the closing of one chapter and opening of the next.
Conservatives need to ditch the perpetual outrage and start doing some heavy lifting. Its kind of like the Detroit situation. If we don’t do something, the democrats will and they’ll do it at our expense.
A BIG withdrawal from his moral bank account. Frankly, I think it’s disgusting and that he never should have gone. I am VERY disappointed.
"WE came, WE saw, HE DIED!" - Sec. of State Hillary Clinton
Abandoning Cruz = Cutting off nose to spite face.
>> But yeah, you will hear him take on the negative facets of Mandela at some point, probably on the Sunday screaming-faces shows.
I hope you’re right. We’ll see.
Selectively choosing not to kick a dead horse is never a dilemma, it is just being polite.
>> If you had sistern, I’d hittern.
OH Lord. lol
The ULTIMATE FAUX PAS of all FAUX PAS is NOT to attend his planting.
Almost equal to this would be saying "I hope he fails" about Obama.
There's plenty of time, later, for Cruz to call Mandela out on his negatives. Now is not that time.
Political correctness has helped nobody save the left.
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