Setting the record straight on Mandela

There's something to say about that old adage 'If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all' (believe it was Bambi's Thumper!), particularly upon death.  However, with the near cult-like adulation that's ensued upon the news of Nelson Mandela's death (from both left and right alike, and especially from President Obama), perhaps the record should be set straight with the good, the bad and the unfortunate ugly. And I couldn't have stated it any better than a FB friend's post...

Ok lets set the record straight.

First, I no more believe that Barack Obama started his political career protesting Apartheid or his crocodile tears during his presser about the passing of Nelson Mandela. Obama played political correctness yesterday. But Mandela's leftist past I no doubt see as someone Obama did idolize because it meets his hero worship ideals. Now the record.

While he did work to end an oppresive form of government that needed to end because of its cruelty and racial hatred, Mandela was NOT the saint being portrayed in all of the tributes. He moved to the center to a certain extent when becoming President and did step down when he could have easily become a dictator. But in his 'fight' against Apartheid he was considered a terrorist by many. He allied with the Soviet Union and Fidel Castro to gain arms for his 'movement' which many believe actually delayed the end of Apartheid by 15 to 20 years. His association with the Soviets during the worst years of the Cold War placed him against the United States; and even though in principle the ending of Apartheid was desirable to the US and Great Britain because of his association with the Soviets, he and his movement were actually on both countries terrorist watch lists. President Reagan and Prime Minister Thatcher were pressured to place economic sanctions on South Africa to force the end of Apartheid, but refused because they knew a communist influence would take over at the time if the oppressive government were to fall. Even after becoming President, he politically befriended Gaddafi of Libya and Yassar Arafat the Palestinian terrorist, but warmed to the West over time. He did condemn the 9/11 attack against the US, while the South African government, which he distanced himself from in retirement, praised it. But most of his political career was far from democracy and mostly violent. His peaceful side appeared only after he was released from prison in the 90's. Yes he did help end an evil form of oppresive government, but the whole story needs to be told, not just the half truths that are being sung.

H/t: KT, JB

The point is not to disrespect the man in death, as most progressives and statists (but I repeat myself) nonchalantly do with each and every conservative leader who passes. On the contrary, for being a key figure in ending Apartheid in South Africa, he should be remembered. But with it, the elusive embrace of communism, terrorist friendships and indirect support of brutal tactics (see necklacing, or here) while keeping one's hands clean can't be forgotten either. So perhaps we should think twice before raising the man to George Washington stature.

What President Obama mourns is not simply the man alone, but the anti-colonialist movement that Nelson Mandela was a key participant of and that Barack Obama has subversively welcomed to these shores.

Related links: “Saint” Mandela? Not So Fast!
The Real Mandela
Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro: A Relationship Built On Mutual Admiration
Nelson Mandela 'proven' to be a member of the Communist Party after decades of denial
Mandela was a bit too friendly with Castro and Ghadaffi

ADDENDUM: Beyond the handshake, the selfie, and even the 'slavish, kiss ass' media, Rush assisted in setting more of the Mandela record straight...

RUSH: “Here’s a Nelson Mandela quote on the United States. ‘If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America. They don’t care for human beings.’ And so Nelson Mandela was no different than anybody else on the left anywhere in the world. America was imperialist, and it was imposing itself, and it was opposing communism as a stunt.”

Also, Nelson Mandela was in prison for acts of terrorism that he wouldn't renounce...

CALLER: "...he was incarcerated not for his political views but for the involvement of 23 different acts of sabotage, that he wanted to overthrow the government."