Mandela at 85

The Observer via the Guardian ^ | Sunday July 6, 2003 | Anthony Sampson

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Last Wednesday, Nelson Mandela once again showed his unique moral influence, two weeks before he celebrates his eighty-fifth birthday with a banquet in Johannesburg. In Westminster Hall, he launched the Mandela-Rhodes Foundation which will bring part of the huge fortune built on diamonds and gold back to black South Africa. He heard tributes from Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, with whom he had talked at length at Number 10 beforehand.

The Prime Minister made an impromptu speech explaining how Mandela 'symbolised the triumph of hope over injustice'. Mandela warmly thanked him but did not conceal their differences about the Middle East: 'We differ on one point - very strongly,' he said.

Afterwards, Blair and Clinton supported the frail old man as he walked slowly down the hall between the audience of a thousand Rhodes Scholars who were clapping Mandela much more than them. It was a poignant image: the two much younger leaders still needed the moral support of the old man.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

There is a big difference between the liberal media beating a drum, and the Bush administration acting. There is a big difference between Bush's dire warning today, and the silence of the Clinton administration. There has been a huge shift in the political landscape since September 11th. The radical Muslim population is a concern, today.

[TLBSHOW]

I am correct Blair is a socialist.

[JOHANNES801]

Hell most Americans both black and white have no idea what is happing in Africa.I have talked to many that dont even know there are white people there.

[annyokie]

There has been a huge shift in the political landscape since September 11th. The radical Muslim population is a concern, today.

It is my understanding that the people of Liberia are mainly Christians. They are the descendants of American Freemen. They are the victims of a brutal dictatorship (Charles Taylor is today seeking asylum).

While I am sure your statements are heartfelt, what is the problem with President Bush standing for the people of Liberia versus Clinton's deafening silence on all things African, unless it was a photo op with Nelson Mandela?

[annyokie]

I have spoken to/counselled black women who think Europe is part of the Eastern Seaboard. I'm not surprised.

[annyokie]

You sleep tight tonight, secure in your knowledge that you are right.

A little nighty-night poem for you.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I do not have a problem with President Bush calling for Taylor to resign. I wish he had targeted Mugabe first, but Mugabe second is not a problem with me! I don't know where you got the impression that I do not support the President completely.

I have thought for a long time that we must do SOMETHING about Africa. To allow the problems in Africa to simmer, under the guidance of quiet diplomacy amongst African nations, only creates a vacuum. Liberia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and South Africa should all be wary at this point. They may wish someday in the future, that they had never asked President Bush to even visit the continent.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

That is a truly sad commentary about their knowledge of world affairs.

[Guillermo]

Which politician would ever say the truth about Mandela?

What did you expect?

[pabianice]

... still a racist, communist moron...

[TheSpottedOwl]

It's Nelson's birthday??? Let's all chip in and buy him a necklace ;-p

[JOHANNES801]

Sad but true.Folks I know insist my wife cant be from Africa because she is white.They have never heard of Rhoadisia.

[AdA$tra]

I am correct Blair is a socialist.

Yes you are correct. He is a man of character none-the-less.

[onyx]

It's Nelson's birthday??? Let's all chip in and buy him a necklace ;-p

His necklaces are so passe' --- I'll contribute to the purchase of a "Columbian necktie" for him.

[annyokie]

I never said you did not support our President. My question to you was to your assertion about the Liberal Press.

To my mind, Liberia makes more sense than Zimbabwe (not that their problems are lesser.) Liberia sits on oil reserves, it is populated by the descendants of enslaved American-Africans and it is near to where we are deployed in the Middle East.

Our man Dubya is one heck of a poker player, regardless of what others here think of him.

The real problem with doing business with Africa, is the culture. I don't mean it in a bad way, but, you tell someone in charge in "X-town" (pick a country) that you will be there Tuesday at 10:00 to repair their phone service, but if you are not specific about WHICH Tuesday, you may be there for three weeks out of your time limit. Plus, BRIBES are a huge deal in a cash-less economy.

The whole thing is very, very complicated and will not be resolved easily.

[Scenic Sounds]

I am correct Blair is a socialist.

This time you've gone too far, TLB!!

You've become like the North Korea of FreeRepublic - why, you're nothing but a "rogue Freeper," that's what you are!!

[TheSpottedOwl]

His necklaces are so passe' --- I'll contribute to the purchase of a "Columbian necktie" for him.

Hey why not? Let's truly embrace multiculturism!!!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I believe the reason why the focus is on all of Africa today, has to do with the war on terror and the understanding that terrorism hides within these nations, and the dictators often turned a blind eye to it.

The culture differences can be a problem, but if you start with free elections, if you start with the rule of law, if you start with accountablity to the civilized world, then the countries of Africa can prosper.

My difficulty with the liberal press is their silence on these issues. I do not see an outcry from the press. I remember reading about a journalist who covered the conflict in Sierre Leone, and he said that he filed report after report with the AP, and none of the major papers would pick up his report, it would never show up in the news. And perhaps the same can be said for Rwanda. Holding Mandela up on a pedestal is part of the problem. Mandela is part of the past, we must deal with Mbeki today. How many Americans even know of Mbeki?

I think perhaps this has more to do with our American culture, than anything else. Perhaps there is only so much bad news that we can handle, or so much policing of the world that we are willing to tackle. My hope is that now that our attention has turned to Liberia, that the people will not think that is the end. There is much work to be done in Africa, and in the end we can reap huge benefits from offering a helping hand, today.

[onyx]

Multiculturalism! LOL! Thanks for a good laugh!

[TLBSHOW]

I WAS CORRECTING THIS FALSE STATEMENT...

Tony Blair is not a socialist

IN POST 3

now if some of you want to either say Blair is not a socialist or want me to say I support a socialist sure does not make me a rogue freeper but what does it make you here at a conservative site?

shame on you!