Mandela

[Robbie Earle's Perm]

When younger he was part of the ANC and was labelled by some as a terrorist. Imagine for ome second that the uk had been taken over by Germans 60 years ago, or Muslim extremists. And although we outnumber them by millions, we can't vote, live in abject poverty and have very few human rights. Whether or not you condone violence, if people fought against it would they be terrorists? Regardless of your views on before he went to prison, his legacy is what he did when he was released. The country could of declined into violence and a thirst for revenge. His leadership guided them away from that. Not only pushing for reconciliation, but actively embracing both ethnic groups in healing the country. Considering the events of the previous 30 years, that was amazing, and a brilliant political achievement. How some can hail thatcher as great and not Mandela defies belief.

 

Here, here. He was indeed a true great.

 

Plenty of room of lots of true greats, its an overused word but he truly was, lead the unification of nation for the better.

[Robbie Earle's Perm]

He was labelled a terrorist by SA pro apartheid government so I assume anyone who believes the same has sympathies with this level of oppression and inequality based on skin colour.

 

Ironically those extremists who label him a terrorist are usually those that support Loyalist terrorism in NI.

 

I hope not, I think maybe its just a case of lack of education in this respect.

[Robbie Earle's Perm]

Great man, who did a lot for South Africa and should be honoured for what he did.

 

However, why did the BBC not wait 7 minutes or just put it on as rolling news on the bottom of the screen, then put it as the main part of the news, instead of stopping "Mrs Brown's Boys". There was only a bit of it left.

 

Somethings are more important, its monumental news and like the death of Diana, the twin towers etc. most people will always remember where they are when they heard the news.

 

He will go down as one of the greats of our time.

[Andyregs]

I can't think of anyone who comes close to him in terms of greatness. Those that argue otherwise for me speaks volumes of their 'politics'.

[Birdy]

There are only two others that come close. Martin Luther King and Ghandi, but I think even they would acknowledge they were second and third behind Mandela.

[Caligula]

There are only two others that come close. Martin Luther King and Ghandi, but I think even they would acknowledge they were second and third behind Mandela.

 

Second best how exactly? I've never heard of Ghandi ordering any bombings.

[mickyferns]

There are only two others that come close. Martin Luther King and Ghandi, but I think even they would acknowledge they were second and third behind Mandela.

 

Second best how exactly? I've never heard of Ghandi ordering any bombings.

Or having the opposition hanged!

[Birdy]

Scenario: If the Germans had succeeded in invading Britain and the natives formed a resistance movement would that be terrorism or would you be happy at being as equals to flora and forna?

 

Ghandis actions lead to thousands of deaths and ultimately his own.

[Andyregs]

Or having the opposition hanged!

 

Was he a do gooder too? I'm presuming if sharia law was introduced into this country and white people couldn't vote or live in certain areas etc, you would be happy with it and be disgusted with any effort to stop it? And once released from prison after the best years of your life, you would preach peace and reconciliation. You're obviously a much better person then the rest of us, Mandela included. Well, either that or ignorant, it has to be one or the other.

[fairportnick]

Paris Hilton tweeted that she loved his I Have A Deam speech.

[Jimmy]

Paris Hilton tweeted that she loved his I Have A Deam speech.

 

 

 

............................. Someone also said he was brilliant in the 'Shawshank redemption' film

[Caligula]

Scenario: If the Germans had succeeded in invading Britain and the natives formed a resistance movement would that be terrorism or would you be happy at being as equals to flora and forna?

 

Ghandis actions lead to thousands of deaths and ultimately his own.

 

It'd certainly be terrorism if this "resistance movement" bombed civilian targets.

[Dr Winston O'Boogle]

He's a terrorist and freedom fighter.

 

Your perception and opinion on his stance isn't relevant to people claiming that he's a terrorist.

[Eddie Hitler]

I was staggered at the number of fans that didn't observe the minute's applause tonight.

 

Perhaps they all have greater insight into world politics than most of us but I was sickened to be amongst people with such views.

 

Truly depressing.

[Heatwave]

Perhaps they're all Thatcherites.