Nelson Mandela - 'murdering Old Terrorist'

[sp1814]

...according to Nick Griffin

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/09/nick-griffin-insults-nelson-mandela_n_3410608.html

Who also charmingly cracked the following witticism:

'No surprise #Mandela’s lungs are shot - all those burning tyres. Smoking necklaces very bad for the health.’

Remember earlier this year after Thatcher died, and those who raised criticisms about her premiership were told that they were being disrespectful? Should the same apply to commentators on the political right, especially when the subject is still alive?

Or is this all fair comment?

[Sqad]

Trigg.......it could mean...that Mandela was "black" and Thatcher was white.................

[jim360]

What I found the most distasteful was the celebration of Thatcher's death. By all means we have to debate her legacy, and Mandela's, and everyone else's, because we have to learn from history. But celebrating anyone's death just feels wrong. If they are your friend, why celebrate, and if they are "your enemy", then their death has come far too late to change that.

That's what I was objecting to last time, and what I would object to this time. But arguing over Mandela's actions and his legacy is a debate worth having.

[FredPuli43]

Trying to think of a, still revered, European who was responsible, by violent action, for the deaths of lots of black or brown native peoples. Is there one? Any ideas ? I suppose the new Americans killed quite a few, but which individual is revered for doing so? Wellesley , later Wellington, must have been responsible for some; he wasn't just killing Frenchmen in India.

[ichkeria]

Did Nelson Mandela actually kill anyone directly?
He was certainly never convicted of miurder or attempted murder.
His argument was always that peaceful protest became futile because the government was conducting a campaign of violence.
I'd say he was more freedom fighter than terrorist, particularly as he was "fighting" on behalf of an unempowered, oppressed people.

[dave50]

He was a terrorist who became a politician, a bit like Gerry Adams. I do know that when he does die, the gushing, sentimental, outpouring of grief and weeping from around the world will be nauseating.

[FredPuli43]

dave, Mandela was convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government. The sabotage was destroying government property , often by bombs.

Do you not regard that action of his as justified? Did you think an apartheid government should not have been removed? How would you have achieved that objective?

At no point was he accused of inciting murder or being responsible for any murder. You say he was a bit like Gerry Adams. Adams's organisation had a campaign of murder.

[jno]

so you're in agreement with Nick Griffin then, dave50? That's... er... a proud boast.

[Kromovaracun]

"I do know that when he does die, the gushing, sentimental, outpouring of grief and weeping from around the world will be nauseating."

See, that's how I felt when Margaret Thatcher died, even though I wasn't particularly against her policies - I'm broadly in favour of her legacy.