I only subscribe to the power of now if thats what you mean? This is this ... and I live my life that way and proud to have found that to be the only answer ... Be a penalty that was or wasn't or the way that people read and spin history. My late Father would often worry as he got older and I was there to watch him. On the day of his death he made a cup of tea while doing one of his paintings ... He went to toilet and did a headstand in the bath ... in effect he stopped working and his life finished there and then. a hour before that exact moment he was still a man who savoured every mouthful of tea ... He didn't get to finish his last cup thinking i will have quick piss and finish that later. It don't work like that ... savour every minute lads
Neither Bin Laden or Mandela have killed as many civilians as the British or American governments, not even close.
Glad someone has finally picked up on that! Always bugs me when I see it with my morning croissant fresh from the bakery... Sorry to go back to the original point, and the source of Shefford's impressive 'talking bollocks' count...but regarding your Mandela comments and stance...I don't know if you have been to S.Africa or not...but the times I have been, I have seen a country that has still got a long long way to go...but is slowly but surely heading in the right direction. Too slowly...but when is equality ever reached quickly enough? It is unfair to compare Mandella with Osama Bin Laden, because although both had strong political beliefs which they acted upon violently...they also both reached a crucial decision point in their lives. Bin Laden decided to continue with attacks, but Mandella did not. Mandella came from a lifetime on Robin Island in prison, and chose a path of peace and reconciliation. I believe at his inauguration as President, standing very close to him was his prison guard from his days in prison...a sign that he wanted to move beyond oppression and injustice, and take the whole country with him. After all he had been through and done (and lots of violent acts that I would never condone) it was this stance of reconciliation that changed a nation. For that, I would say, he is due respect. Feel free to shoot me down...now.
Whilst I read this and the previous Mandela thread Sheff i do see your point. The fact is Husky has hit the nail on the head. Are British troops in Northern Island that crash through peoples front doors clased as terrorists. Maybe to certain Irish supporters & not others What about the British government that came to Aus and enslaved to indigenous? Are they terrorist & does that make Captain james cook a terrorist? Sureley then any government that "discovered" new worlds are terrorists? i think the thing about Mandela is that Yes, he was the leader if a terrorist group (apparently) that commited acts of violence. I think they way he changed a nation and effectively terrorist government through peace and negotiation certainly does not forgive him of his crimes, but, should also be celebrated and applauded. remember, this is a change that not only affected black/coloured people in SA, It directly affected millions around the world. It highighted that (wide spread)racism is wrong in any form or any country. He did not act soley for himself, ala bin Laden, British government etc. He acted on behalf of all those who had ever suffered from racism whatever there colour. Funnily enough that also includes "white" people in foreign countries. So therefore it also affects you. Dont really think it can be compared with Bin laden mate, although i see the point you were getting at.
I didn't get involved in the Mandela love fest and the white washing of his past. I've also stayed away from the news for the same reason and can't understand what he had to do with football. Then again we get a round of applause now if the tea lady's cat dies. I'd have just not clapped if I was at the game and left it at that. I know my opinion on the matter would have been even more unpopular than usual.
It's easy don't trust anything you watch on the TV or read ... clue: watch the hand movements of any new presenter/reporter ... It's all choreography and we are all spellbound by the wizards. NM did some **** but also did a lot of sugar. I can only hope the day comes when Blair is hacked to death in the streets. What can we do what can any of us do?
I agree about the round of applause thing: people are entitled to their own opinion on the matter and a round of applause for an individual without any direct connection to football or QPR, whatever his standing in world politics and so forth, should be not be made 'morally' obligatory; that sort of praise should be dealt with elsewhere on the basis of personal choice.
The good thing is you can ignore it without looking like a dick, a minutes silence is obligatory really if you agree with it or not.
Each to his own, freedom of speech and expression etc etc, but the level of jaded cynicism around is getting truly depressing. A bloke who devoted his entire life, much of which was spent in solitary confinement, fighting to end a truly hideous injustice against millions of people because of the colour of their skin, and then trying to build a nation without the mass slaughter of the original oppressors doesn't merit a round of applause from a few football supporters? Are you serious? No, it shouldn't be compulsory to applaud, but anyone who can't respect what Mandela achieved must be ****ing difficult to impress. So he (reluctantly) decided that his struggle required violence to bring his enemies to the negotiating table - it worked and why the **** should the oppressed be patient? What are they supposed to do, lie back and have their faces stamped on for eternity?
Perfectly summed up. Mandela's greatest achievement was to defuse a civil war. Murderer? To the best of my knowledge neither Mandela nor OBL ever killed anyone. Nor for that matter did Tony Blair nor George Bush nor Netanyahu.
