Posted on 07/19/2003 4:12:16 PM PDT by nwrep
Clintons, Oprah Lead Star Studded Tribute to Senile, Communist Mandela
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former U.S. president Bill Clinton (news - web sites) led a host of glittering stars and world luminaries in celebrating the 85th birthday of former South African leader Nelson Mandela on Saturday.
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Irish rock star Bono and U.S. talk show host Oprah Winfrey were among international guests celebrating the anti-apartheid hero, who turned 85 on Friday, at a banquet for 1,600 people.
Mandela's South African invitations spanned the range of his many years of political activity, stretching from fellow struggle hero and Nobel peace laureate Tutu to apartheid South Africa's last president, F.W. de Klerk.
"We thank God for you Madiba, for teaching us to forgive," said Tutu of the man who led South Africa down the road to democracy, peace and reconciliation, seemingly against all odds.
"We thank you Madiba for making our country a beacon of hope for the rest of the world," he added, using the clan name "Madiba" by which Mandela is fondly known in his home country.
Bringing an Irish theme to the event, rock star Bono joined Irish band the Corrs on stage and Clinton quoted verses by Irish Nobel literature laureate Seamus Heaney in praise of Mandela.
"You have made hope and history thrive. You have made beautiful music in all our lives. I hope our birthday present to you will be a lifetime of service, to make Africa all it can be, and to make the world the village your life deserves," he said.
The banquet was Mandela's biggest party since his 80th birthday celebrations, when he married his third wife, former Mozambican first lady Graca Machel.
Sweeping into the highly guarded event in a plush northern suburb of Johannesburg, guests poured adulation on Africa's revered elder statesman. "I have deep, deep love for him," said Winfrey. "Madiba is an inspiration for all of our hearts."
Clinton arrived fresh from delivering the first in a series of annual lectures inaugurated in Mandela's honor, at which he had called for more debt relief for Africa.
The former U.S. President and his family received a warm welcome in contrast to the relatively cold shoulder presented to George W. Bush by the South African public when the current U.S. president made a short state visit earlier this month.
Now we have Clinton appearing with this putrid communist, so soon after that vicious attack.
This man is an absolute disgrace to America, endorsing Mandela in this way.
I know the ANC had communists, but I always thought Mandela kept enough distance to keep that charge slippery.
The communists hate the current ANC, I thought.
It's one thing to disagree with the president, I do myself on some issues.
To liken the President to Hitler and attack him like Mandela did is outrageous.....
.........now we have the Treasoner-In-Chief celebrating with this piece of communist trash.
Maybe he thinks he's gonna get to "change his luck"....fat chance.
I believe he's pointing at Nelson and Hillary, saying what a great couple they'd make. Notice that Hillary seems genuinely happy for once? Must be all that leftist commie B.O. in the air....
I believe he's pointing at Nelson and Hillary, saying what a great couple they'd make. Notice that Hillary seems genuinely happy for once? Must be all that leftist commie B.O. in the air....
It looks like it's infected.
See this:
Nelson and Winnie Mandela alongside KGB colonel and then South African Communist Party leader Joe Slovo, giving communist salute.
Two known communists paying tribute to a third known communist.
Actually the first term that came to mind was terrorist but I decided that would be an insult to terrorists.
Wonder if the current Missus is into necklacing like the former one was.
I once blithely mentioned the "Communist ANC" on a genial liberal site, and they called me on it.
I couldn't find a clear link, especially recently. The ANC seems to have diverged from the SACP (South African Communist Party).
http://www.sacp.org.za/docs/history/nm900729.html
El Conservador: Let's not forget the legacy of Mandela, who single-handedly turned a repressive, racist nation into an apparently functional democracy in God-forsaken Africa. Mandela can be quite unpalatable to Conservative tastes, but, please, give him the benefit of the doubt, and let history judge him for his actions. Or would you prefer South Africa kept under the boot of apartheid???Amen. Make that $0.04 along with my two cents. I got sick of the sorelosermen after Florida and I'm equally sick of the sorelosermen who still can't get over Clinton and spew hatred towards anyone that is even sitting at the same table with him. Get over it, folks. Dubya is 30 months into his own term. Wasting your time and blood pressure on Clinton just makes you out as having never gotten over it. Even though FreeRepublic lectured Gore for months to get over it. Maybe your mom sewed two suits?
My $0.02
Mom, have you seen my flame-proof suit???
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