Mandela

I'm a little surprised and disheartened to see no mention, here, of the passing of one of the most inspiring World leaders of the last century.

Especially when you can easily find a uniting facet for whatever your politics. Meaning 'liberal' in the classical sense.

What matters most in politics is not what side you appear to be on, and platform tactics, when you try to throw out the old corrupt regime but what you do when you finally attain power and the fate of your nation rests on your shoulders.
Compare and contrast to Mao, Mugabe, Idi Amin, and Castro.
Despite South Africa still having lots of problems with corruption and bias, Mandela succeeded in uniting all but the most radical of his countrymen, without a bloodbath that many feared and some wanted. Divorcing his despicable wife being the first sign of hope.

I have no doubt he will go down in real world history alongside Ghandi in that respect. I'm not alone among those 'right wingnuts' either. Skim the article, predictable from the headline, BUT read the comments to know what MOST conservatives think about Mandela, including Limbaugh.

Note: This is NOT about his politics, there's some things that most wouldn't agree with, one side or another. This is about his decency and humanity toward all his constituents.

 

Fog, thanks for the thread. Not sure why one wasn't started earlier, perhaps because he was so iconic and tributes could be found on every other conceivable media format is the reason. What an amazing man and in my lifetime not sure if there has been anyone else that will be remembered 100 years from now like he will. Also, glad to see all the living US presidents in good health there.

 

A true giant of history.

And then there's this guy:

http://www.live5news.com/story/24157747/pickens-co-sheriff-refuses-to-lower-flag-for-nelson-mandela

 

Last time I checked the President does not hold the powers of a King. What did you learn about that in school? I learned that the local executive had the decision power for half-staffing flags.
The guy COULD have said he wasn't about to lower our flag for an admitted terrorist / killer, and he would have been within his rights. But he didn't. Same as I didn't point that out in the OP.
If you can find he lowered the flag at Maggie Thatcher's death, for example, I'll say you got a point. If it had been me making the decision I would probably lower the flag because leaders of state such as Mandela should be honored as an example of real statemanship.

So in summary: the guy is stubbornly anti-political correctness. I like him.