RIP Mandela

***Earniel*** · 12-06-2013, 08:55 AM

Mandela died last night, aged 95.

A sad day.

Insidious Rex · 12-06-2013, 02:22 PM

He is finally free. May has great legend never be forgotten and may we forever learn from his exceptional example.

The Gaffer · 12-06-2013, 06:21 PM

The greatest politician of the 20th century IMO. You can tell by the extraordinary wealth of tributes pouring in.

We are privileged to have walked the earth with him.

Totally agree with you IR. Long may his example inspire.

Coffeehouse · 12-11-2013, 07:08 AM

Great man - timeless inspiration.

I have visited his prison cell on Robben Island, which really is shockingly small.

I find Mandela to be naively misunderstood however - perhaps even glorified for the wrong reasons. He appears much more in the same mould as many other strong personalities like Obama or Churchill (and less a Gandhi than popularly presumed). Anyone know that Mandela was making bombs and leading the militant wing of ANC? He was no pacifist

, but a cunning fox.

Of course he is almost alone in serving the length of prison time that he did.. which he served with extraordinary, nay near god-like, dignity.

R.I.P. Mandela

The Gaffer · 12-12-2013, 06:15 AM

Hi Coffeehouse

The Right are often keen to point out Mandela's "terrorist" background. I remember the young conservatives wearing "Hang Nelson Mandela" t-shirts. They prefer their enemies to be pacifists, of course.

Leaving their hypocrisy and cowardice aside, would apartheid have ended without the threat of armed resistance?

Coffeehouse · 12-18-2013, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gaffer

Hi Coffeehouse

The Right are often keen to point out Mandela's "terrorist" background. I remember the young conservatives wearing "Hang Nelson Mandela" t-shirts. They prefer their enemies to be pacifists, of course.

Leaving their hypocrisy and cowardice aside, would apartheid have ended without the threat of armed resistance?

Hi Gaffer,

While im neither Right, nor Left, I agree, the threat of armed resistance definitely gave the regime a headache. The point is that Mandela was no Gandhi - who truly did advocate non-violence. That takes nothing away from the man however, in my view. His (and Gandhis) legacy will always be amongst the Greats.

12-06-2013, 08:55 AM	#1
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	RIP Mandela Mandela died last night, aged 95. A sad day.

12-06-2013, 02:22 PM	#2
Insidious Rex Quasi Evil Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Maryland, US Posts: 4,634	He is finally free. May has great legend never be forgotten and may we forever learn from his exceptional example. __________________ "People's political beliefs don't stem from the factual information they've acquired. Far more the facts people choose to believe are the product of their political beliefs." "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

12-11-2013, 07:08 AM	#4
Coffeehouse Entmoot Minister of Foreign Affairs Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 2,145	Great man - timeless inspiration. I have visited his prison cell on Robben Island, which really is shockingly small. I find Mandela to be naively misunderstood however - perhaps even glorified for the wrong reasons. He appears much more in the same mould as many other strong personalities like Obama or Churchill (and less a Gandhi than popularly presumed). Anyone know that Mandela was making bombs and leading the militant wing of ANC? He was no pacifist , but a cunning fox. Of course he is almost alone in serving the length of prison time that he did.. which he served with extraordinary, nay near god-like, dignity. R.I.P. Mandela __________________ "Well, thief! I smell you and I feel your air. I hear your breath. Come along! Help yourself again, there is plenty and to spare."

12-06-2013, 06:21 PM	#3
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	The greatest politician of the 20th century IMO. You can tell by the extraordinary wealth of tributes pouring in. We are privileged to have walked the earth with him. Totally agree with you IR. Long may his example inspire.

12-12-2013, 06:15 AM	#5
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	Hi Coffeehouse The Right are often keen to point out Mandela's "terrorist" background. I remember the young conservatives wearing "Hang Nelson Mandela" t-shirts. They prefer their enemies to be pacifists, of course. Leaving their hypocrisy and cowardice aside, would apartheid have ended without the threat of armed resistance?