Nelson Mandela

You can’t say that…..well, not without backing it up with some facts!

To be absolutely fair, we are pretty certain he is dead, and was, at one time, defined by the S African government as a terrorist. The ANC did some pretty nasty stuff in the day.

I think you’ll find Snapper’s post was just a little stirring, but it should remind us all that today’s terrorist can quite easily become tomorrow’s head of state.

Moggy

I am sure that a great many people here in UK felt there were other things happening that affected them…

I cannot imagine anything worse than the news media doing a ‘piece’ from anywhere near me if I was flooded…

…I think I’d probably end-up punching somebody! 😉

(Hope you feet and carpets are dry!)

One more dead terrorist.

You can’t say that…..well, not without backing it up with some facts!

At least it is nice to see that this forum has adopted it usual ‘balanced’ commentary on world events. 😉

I understand that but to be fair the weather and to a lesser extent Gideon’s autumn statement took up the news for most of the day. After the death of Nelson Mandela at 10pm then the emphasis changed.

It is also a shame that here and elsewhere, the death of one the great leaders of our time is overshadowed by those who want to bicker about the TV coverage.

Derekf,

I have no problem with BBC (and others) leading with the Mandela story, I have great respect for Mandela and all he achieved, but not to the total exclusion of concern of everything else going on in UK, or the rest of the world, last night.

I am sure that a great many people here in UK felt there were other things happening that affected them and their neighbourhoods far more than the death of Nelson Mandela, and that those things warranted “equal billing” at best, or a quick mention at worst…

It was hardly a “slow news” day that left news editors short of other things to cover was it?

Paul F

Looks like some are willing to follow the lead of the likes of the odious Nick Griffin in their selective memories.

Nelson Mandela never made any secret of his past and admitted the errors of his past. What a shame that others are less magnanimous.

It is also a shame that here and elsewhere, the death of one the great leaders of our time is overshadowed by those who want to bicker about the TV coverage.

Re 6 & 7

Accurate and to the point.

Then will follow the nonsense.

Same on the excellent BBC2 Cold War programme – not once but 4 times.:(

Indeed, he was no respector of art either, I was engrossed the the Sky portrait artist of the year competition on one of the minor channels, (you watch them develop the subjects they are painting ) when a damn great bar appears across the screen and the paintings I am watching develop pronouncing his death and telling me to tune to Sky One, as if I was that interested. They must have thought I’d missed the announcement because 5 minutes later it was emblazoned across the screen again, it wasn’t as if it was a quick message either, it hung around like a seriously bad fart…

He was a great man not a terrorist just great he saved hundreds of thousands

Nelson Mandella was definitely a saint. Watching the BBC news last night and he made the floods go away.

Yes indeed – forty minutes of news, plus the live feed of Pres Zuma’s broadcast beforehand, and barely a mention of the suffering of various communities on the UK’s East Coast.

Yes I agree Mandela was a true great among men, but I am sorry, for many in UK, I am sure once we’d heard a eulogy from one head of State (i.e. “call me Dave”) we didn’t need to hear much the same words from every other western leader…. we are NOT the 51st or 52nd State of the US, do we really need to hear Obama’s words too, when so many of our own countrymen are watching their homes and possessions being lost to the largest tidal surge in 50 years….?

Sorry, while many in UK admired Mandela, I suspect he had little direct impact on their daily lives, unlike thousands of gallons of cold North sea washing away peoples homes and livelihoods.

BBC News at 10 last night was ittle more than 40mins of “Mandela-Worship”….apalling decision by the editor.

Paul F (“Angry of East Sussex”)

Nelson Mandella was definitely a saint. Watching the BBC news last night and he made the floods go away.

Waking this morning I find that 526,387 people have sent me Twitter and Facebook messages telling me he had died. Even a few texts. Thanks. But I already knew.

One more dead terrorist.

A piece of good advice, especially when someone dies, is , if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

Your voice will be a lone wimper among a sea of appreciative and respectful voices.

If every terrorist had his breadth of wisdom and generosity the world would be a very different place. It is a pity that his example has not been followed elsewhere. He wasn’t a god and was as flawed as many other men but few have shown so much humility and so little bitterness. South Africa is assuredly a better country for his reconciliation than it was during his incarceration.

One more dead terrorist.

I have to say he really only came to my attention with this song –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCZKZILvE70

Note to self: Put £25 on this being Xmas number-one! 😉

He at last is truly free, one of the worlds greatest who has left an everlasting legacy that few will ever touch. A true statesman with an unassuming aura about him. Godspeed Mr Mandela

one only worries about the petty squabbles that will now go on over the great mans estate, they seemed to be trying to run his life near the end with his ex wife at the front, trying to bathe in his fame 🙁

.

May he R I P.I have to say he really only came to my attention with this song– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCZKZILvE70

When he was released after twenty-seven years in prison in 1990 (aged seventy-one) I made a prediction: ‘I bet he does not live more than a year’…

…I thought the strain of finally being released and the ‘pressure of public life’ would kill him.

I am glad to say how very much I underestimated his strength.