RIP Nelson Mandela

RIP Mr. Mandela.

 

Head shot fail ...

 

Two equally courageous and persecuted people, though.

 

Rest in peace, N-Man.

 

In Dallas:

 

At least Nelson never slapped the soccer ball out of F.W. de Klerk's hands.

 

Douche on the local news yesterday...

"After making such a big deal out of the death of an action star, I just hope the death of a true hero gets the coverage it deserves."

Right, because someone dying unexpectedly at age 40 in an accident should be compared to someone who is 95 and has been dying for more than a year.

 

Mandela's death got plenty more coverage, unless all you watch is E!

 

Mandela is a testament to the power of forgiveness. South Africa has its problems, to be sure, but unlike Zimbabwe, it didn't fall apart in pointless vengeance. Forgiveness and compassion for your enemies -- which can be had even while sticking to your principles -- are often seen as weakness, but they can result in much greater strength, for the forgiven as well as the forgiver.

One notable sports-related act by Mandela -- embracing the Springboks, the rugby team often seen as the athletic embodiment of apartheid. (I guess that's been obliquely mentioned with the Morgan Freeman references.)

http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/how-mandela-saved-the-springbok

 

Shep Smith yesterday on on Mandela passing:

"SMITH: There is a race to define and own the narrative, the political narrative that is that of this nation. It has changed hands repeatedly over the past few months, and the quest for ownership of the narrative is now going to take a short break and the world and the nation are better for it. Leave your narrative at the doorstep and let's celebrate a great man of the world."

 

Sadly, not everyone thinks Mandela was the great man most decent human beings think he was. And they're not above making shit up to prove their point.

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/wnds-farah-nelson-mandela-was-racist-terrorist

 

Yes, I for one enjoyed the irony of David Cameron singing Mandela's praises, he being the current standard-bearer for a party whose own Reagan figure outwardly called Mandela a terrorist.