Today is the first day of our world after the Nelson Mandela era. We don’t need to canonize him or consider any messiah characteristics, but we should stop today and reflect on what kind of Mandela legacy we want to carry forward. Here are a few ideas to consider. Chances
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Alberta Diary: Nelson Mandela: ‘An international emblem of dignity and forbearance’
Nelson Mandela, in about 1964. Nelson Mandela is the father of modern South Africa, but he belongs to all humanity now, and all of humanity seems ready to embrace him at last. The New York Times accurately observed that Mr. Mandela, who died today at the great age of 95,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Rest In Peace
We are all the poorer today. Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95. My personal hero, his greatness of soul will not be seen again for a very long time, if ever. He was the antithesis of all that people find repugnant in our ‘leaders’. May the world
Continue readingLeDaro: Nelson Mandela: The Greatest leader the world ever knew
South Africans are celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday. I believe that Nelson Mandela is the greatest leader, he dismantled the apartheid in South Africa. I put him above any King, Queen, President, Prime Minister or any other nomenclature different countries use. I read his autobiography few years ago. Mandela was
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Mandela and Snowden Two Heroes In A Dark World
Nelson Mandela For decades after the intrusive CIA fingered Nelson Mandela, the terrorist was imprisoned in South Africa. In spite of his incarceration he never gave up hope. Mandela gained international recognition and upon his eventual release led the South Africans to democracy as their president. Now in his final
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Who Will Give Us Hope?
I recently wrote a post on the ailing Nelson Mandela and why he is so important a world figure. Last Friday Gerald Caplan wrote a piece in the Globe entitled The world will be poorer without Nelson Mandela. I hope you will take the time to read his thoughts on
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Why Mandela Is So Important
Although I have only made reference to him three other times in this blog, Nelson Mandela is a person who I revere like no other. And of course, I am hardly alone in that sentiment, attested to by the fact that millions of people, not only in South Africa but
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Exploiting Mandela
In an age when everyone feels entitled to their own reality series because, well, because they are ‘special’ and entitled, I suppose I shouldn’t be appalled that that icon of integrity and reconciliation, Nelson Mandela, a man I revere, is now in the unfortunate position of seeing two of his
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Theresa Spence’s Heroism Already Eclipses Nelson Mandela’s
by Obert Madondo | Huffington Post Blog: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/obert-madondo/chief-theresa-spences-her_b_2408049.html Hunger-striking Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence is the reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. She is becoming the greatest moral and political leader of our time. In fact, Chief Theresa Spence’s courage and sacrifice already eclipses that of South Africa’s
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Tale of Two Men
No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Victor Toews demonstrates how wedge politics biteth like a serpent
Mennonites in Paraguay. Below: Victor Toews and Omar Khadr as they appear nowadays. Way below: Ron Anders in one of his waking moments. You’d think Victor Toews would have felt a little empathy for Omar Khadr. Mr. Toews is the Paraguayan-born public security minister in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government.
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Here There Be Heroes
No matter what age we may attain, I doubt that we ever lose our need for heroes. Certainly, as we grow up, the definition of hero must mature, changing from someone with superpowers who fights evil and injustice, to someone who looks very much like we do, has no special
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