Nelson Mandela has passed away at 95.

[Dustin]

Nelson Mandela dies - CNN.com

[Mel]

The man lived to a ripe ol' age for someone who had to travel the rough road that he did.

[Mel]

It will be awhile before he will truly get to rest in peace. Family members will now begin the battle over where he will be buried.

[RadicalModerate]

So true. Spend that long in prison, especially a prison in Sudan, and you've already put in more than just about anyone else in one life.

"Sudan"?

[Martin]

judging by the frequency of my facebook friends' status updates, paul walker played a more influential role in history. i'm gonna have to say that's more than a little disappointing to me. -M

[Garin]

The real Nelson Mandela was not IMO as great as everyone else thinks.

[RadicalModerate]

The real Nelson Mandela was not IMO as great as everyone else thinks.

That's true of every great leader from Martin Luther King to Rush Limbaugh.
And probably on back to Og or Alley Oop.
(yet this doesn't prevent me from appreciating their positive contributions to society)

[Antler dad]

The real Nelson Mandela was not IMO as great as everyone else thinks.

Shocker! Please tell us who the "real Mandela" was, aside from the man who invited his prison guards to his inauguration and told his people, don't look to what past, look to the future and what we can do.

[RadicalModerate]

It's always easy to second-guess, criticize and nit-pick yet, if one believes that a reasonable definition of "Success" is that the world is a better place for one having been in it than if one had never been born and, in addition to that, that a generally positive legacy such as that left by Mr. Mandela is preferable to swimming through a wake of sh!t, then I'd have to say that Nelson Mandela falls on the good side--despite "the other stuff".

[Garin]

• Truth about South African icon at odds with public portrayal

By Pete Papaherakles

As South Africa’s 95-year-old Nelson Mandela lies in the hospital, the worldwide media portrays him as a larger-than-life heroic figure and the liberator of his people. But is that truth or fiction? And how will honest historians judge him?

The official story goes something like this: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in 1918 into the Thembu tribe’s royal family. He studied law at two prestigious universities and became involved in “anti-colonial politics,” joining the African National Congress (ANC). He was committed to non-violent protest in gaining sovereignty for blacks. In 1962 he was arrested and convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government and was sentenced to life in prison.

- See more at: The Real Mandela | American Free Press


Not saying people can't change , but he's a lot like Bill Ayers in a way.

[Chadanth]

• Truth about South African icon at odds with public portrayal

By Pete Papaherakles

As South Africa’s 95-year-old Nelson Mandela lies in the hospital, the worldwide media portrays him as a larger-than-life heroic figure and the liberator of his people. But is that truth or fiction? And how will honest historians judge him?

The official story goes something like this: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in 1918 into the Thembu tribe’s royal family. He studied law at two prestigious universities and became involved in “anti-colonial politics,” joining the African National Congress (ANC). He was committed to non-violent protest in gaining sovereignty for blacks. In 1962 he was arrested and convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government and was sentenced to life in prison.

- See more at: The Real Mandela | American Free Press


Not saying people can't change , but he's a lot like Bill Ayers in a way.

So you're a supporter of apartheid?

[Chadanth]

How'd I know you were going to use a rag like that. Haha. You've yet to post anything credible, from anyone credible.

According to the article, Mandela was an evil friend of European jewery, bent on destroying the only organizing force in Africa. Such benevolent Boers, you know. (I just threw up in my mouth a little bit)

[dankrutka]

• Truth about South African icon at odds with public portrayal

By Pete Papaherakles

As South Africa’s 95-year-old Nelson Mandela lies in the hospital, the worldwide media portrays him as a larger-than-life heroic figure and the liberator of his people. But is that truth or fiction? And how will honest historians judge him?

The official story goes something like this: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in 1918 into the Thembu tribe’s royal family. He studied law at two prestigious universities and became involved in “anti-colonial politics,” joining the African National Congress (ANC). He was committed to non-violent protest in gaining sovereignty for blacks. In 1962 he was arrested and convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government and was sentenced to life in prison.

- See more at: The Real Mandela | American Free Press


Not saying people can't change , but he's a lot like Bill Ayers in a way.

This is one of the dumber things I've read on this board. Of course he was anti-colonial (every African and human should be anti-colonial if you believe in democracy) and the ANC only used violent resistance when it became absolutely necessary. Mandela was not a perfect man, but as a leader he's among the greatest the world has ever seen. He was basically Washington AND Lincoln for South Africa. RIP, Madiba.

[Garin]

Which part is untrue ?

[Chadanth]

Which part is untrue ?

Neither of us is a South Africa or Melson Mandela historian, but the fact is that he fought against one of the more prominent unjust systems we had at the time. War makes strange bedfellows.

Was it wrong to fight against apartheid?

[Antler dad]

Which part is untrue ?

With respect to the part you quoted, who cares?: Would we denigrate a slave from 1860 for engaging in sabotage? With all due respect (which, in my opinion, is not much), have you posted a single thing that has included any "thought" with respect to whether it was appropriate or not? Lincoln feared he overstepped his powers with regard to slavery during the Civil War. Should we throw that up now that he's passed?

[CaptDave]

• Truth about South African icon at odds with public portrayal

By Pete Papaherakles

As South Africa’s 95-year-old Nelson Mandela lies in the hospital, the worldwide media portrays him as a larger-than-life heroic figure and the liberator of his people. But is that truth or fiction? And how will honest historians judge him?

The official story goes something like this: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in 1918 into the Thembu tribe’s royal family. He studied law at two prestigious universities and became involved in “anti-colonial politics,” joining the African National Congress (ANC). He was committed to non-violent protest in gaining sovereignty for blacks. In 1962 he was arrested and convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government and was sentenced to life in prison.

- See more at: The Real Mandela | American Free Press


Not saying people can't change , but he's a lot like Bill Ayers in a way.

Kind of like those anti colonialism people in the late 1700's who sabotaged shipments in Boston harbor and conspired to overthrow the colonial government?

[RadicalModerate]

I'm simply glad that Mr. Mandela almost certainly had A. Lincoln, M. Gandhi and M.L. King as real life inspirations rather than Sharpton, Jackson and Hinn. (and that he didn't get all scientific about misplacing his faith).

[Garin]

Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of blacks in South Africa aren’t natives, but came by the millions from neighboring countries only after the white Boers created a country with a thriving economy, education opportunities and medical benefits.

Under white rule, blacks in South Africa enjoyed better living conditions than any other African country, where blacks kill each other in tribal warfare.

In 1994, the same year Mandela took power, the Hutu tribe killed 800,000 Tutsis in Rwanda. Similar tribal genocides have taken place in Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Chad, Mali, Zimbabwe, Angola and many more African countries. Tribal savagery and genocide has always been a way of life for Africans.

Since Mandela took over, South Africa has become a Third World country. It went from being the safest country in Africa, to being the rape and murder capital of the world. In Johannesburg, 5,000 people are murdered every year. Unemployment went from 5% in 1994 to 50% today.

South Africa also has the largest number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in the world. In 2007, over 18% of adults, or 5,700,000 people had AIDS. In 2010, an estimated 280,000 died of AIDS.

- See more at: The Real Mandela | American Free Press

[Chadanth]

Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of blacks in South Africa aren’t natives, but came by the millions from neighboring countries only after the white Boers created a country with a thriving economy, education opportunities and medical benefits.

Under white rule, blacks in South Africa enjoyed better living conditions than any other African country, where blacks kill each other in tribal warfare.

In 1994, the same year Mandela took power, the Hutu tribe killed 800,000 Tutsis in Rwanda. Similar tribal genocides have taken place in Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Chad, Mali, Zimbabwe, Angola and many more African countries. Tribal savagery and genocide has always been a way of life for Africans.

Since Mandela took over, South Africa has become a Third World country. It went from being the safest country in Africa, to being the rape and murder capital of the world. In Johannesburg, 5,000 people are murdered every year. Unemployment went from 5% in 1994 to 50% today.

South Africa also has the largest number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in the world. In 2007, over 18% of adults, or 5,700,000 people had AIDS. In 2010, an estimated 280,000 died of AIDS.

- See more at: The Real Mandela | American Free Press

So, you're a supporter of apartheid?

[jerrywall]

So, you're a supporter of apartheid?

Well, he's quoting as a source a paper that's been classified as a hate group by the SLC, published by an KKK supporter and alleged neo-nazi, who is also a holocaust denier and 911 truther. I had to check out some of the other articles there. Wow.

[trousers]

Well, he's quoting as a source a paper that's been classified as a hate group by the SLC, published by an KKK supporter and alleged neo-nazi, who is also a holocaust denier and 911 truther. I had to check out some of the other articles there. Wow.

Next thing you know he will be quoting Clayton Bigsby.

[Antler dad]

Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of blacks in South Africa aren’t natives, but came by the millions from neighboring countries only after the white Boers created a country with a thriving economy, education opportunities and medical benefits.

Under white rule, blacks in South Africa enjoyed better living conditions than any other African country, where blacks kill each other in tribal warfare.

In 1994, the same year Mandela took power, the Hutu tribe killed 800,000 Tutsis in Rwanda. Similar tribal genocides have taken place in Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Chad, Mali, Zimbabwe, Angola and many more African countries. Tribal savagery and genocide has always been a way of life for Africans.

Since Mandela took over, South Africa has become a Third World country. It went from being the safest country in Africa, to being the rape and murder capital of the world. In Johannesburg, 5,000 people are murdered every year. Unemployment went from 5% in 1994 to 50% today.

South Africa also has the largest number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in the world. In 2007, over 18% of adults, or 5,700,000 people had AIDS. In 2010, an estimated 280,000 died of AIDS.

- See more at: The Real Mandela | American Free Press

Do you read anything that isn't on the outermost fringes of political thought? You certainly never quote anything worth taking the time to read.

[Antler dad]

Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of blacks in South Africa aren’t natives, but came by the millions from neighboring countries only after the white Boers created a country with a thriving economy, education opportunities and medical benefits.

Under white rule, blacks in South Africa enjoyed better living conditions than any other African country, where blacks kill each other in tribal warfare.

In 1994, the same year Mandela took power, the Hutu tribe killed 800,000 Tutsis in Rwanda. Similar tribal genocides have taken place in Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Chad, Mali, Zimbabwe, Angola and many more African countries. Tribal savagery and genocide has always been a way of life for Africans.

Since Mandela took over, South Africa has become a Third World country. It went from being the safest country in Africa, to being the rape and murder capital of the world. In Johannesburg, 5,000 people are murdered every year. Unemployment went from 5% in 1994 to 50% today.

South Africa also has the largest number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in the world. In 2007, over 18% of adults, or 5,700,000 people had AIDS. In 2010, an estimated 280,000 died of AIDS.

- See more at: The Real Mandela | American Free Press

Are you educated at all?

[Chadanth]

Are you educated at all?

I wouldn't refute a lot of the post-apartheid crime and HIV stats, but that's what happens when you dismantle an incredibly oppressive police state.