R.I.P. Nelson Mandela

[Umaril Has Returned]

It always seems unsettling when a man of such world prominence passes,whether you agree with his views or not.

It's unsettling, huh? Yeah  I'm sure Israel wailed at the wall for days after Arafat died, and I'm sure all Russians cried for days when Stalin died, especially those who were sent to his "railroad" for being "mentally unfit" for opposing Communism.   

[ChaosTheory]

[Leah]

THANK YOU FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE THREAD!!!

Yes I am in an annoyed mood.

[Trevor]

Nelson Mandela gave me hope.

[ChaosTheory]

THANK YOU FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE THREAD!!!

Yes I am in an annoyed mood.

Yeah, sorry I didn't engage in petty political bickering with the rest of you.  You're  such an infant.

[tracy]

I wasn't wanting to upset anyone.....

[Umaril Has Returned]

Aside from the little quip I left a few pages back, I mostly avoided this thread.
However, after seeing the turn this threas has taken, I will say one thing.

NO man is truly without sin. And yes, while Mr. Mandela was an extraordinary human being for the ordeals he endured, the fact is is that NO man is without their wrongdoing.  That said, Mr. Mandela's wrongdoings would have eventually become the subject of discussion somewhere else, if not here at Badmovies. And, it would happen as it always does, with the usual chances for harmony or discord afforded these types of post-mortem discussions regarding great leaders. It's part of the process.

Sadly, what seems to be happening is that it seems to be a crime to criticize people for anything today,  and it seems that the right to do so seems to be disappearing at a faster rate every day, regardless of the right to speak one's mind that is inherent to ALL human beings.

And with that being said, we need to remember that while it IS true that politics and religion are topics that should be avoided if one wished to remain friends with others, there is no stopping an individual from speaking their mind. That you cannot stop, or take away.

All you can hope for is that respect will prevail, but it doesn't always work that way.  Just stay cool and let it work itself out.  Peace, fellow members   

Umaril

[Rev. Powell]

I wasn't wanting to upset anyone.....

You didn't do anything wrong, Tracy. You just need to stay out of political topics if you don't want to upset anyone, or be upset by anyone.

[indianasmith]

I think we can probably put this one to bed now.

[Newt]

I wasn't wanting to upset anyone.....

You didn't do anything wrong, Tracy.  Your post was nicely unbiased and entirely appropriate.

[zelmo73]

NO man is truly without sin. And yes, while Mr. Mandela was an extraordinary human being for the ordeals he endured, the fact is is that NO man is without their wrongdoing.  That said, Mr. Mandela's wrongdoings would have eventually become the subject of discussion somewhere else, if not here at Badmovies. And, it would happen as it always does, with the usual chances for harmony or discord afforded these types of post-mortem discussions regarding great leaders. It's part of the process.

I'm still astonished that so many of a lot of the same global leaders, politicians, etc. were pouring the same accolades and remembrances on the late U.S. Senator Robert Byrd's memory: former Ku Klux Klan leader turned "respected voice of the Senate" according to the New York Times and President Bill Clinton among others. I guess redemption is best served by those who don't remember what an old guy did in his youth.

[indianasmith]

I was not a huge fan of Robert Byrd, but I will say that in his later years he did all he could to atone for the sins of his youth, and was dedicated to the cause of civil rights.  I think it is important to judge a person by their life in full, not by a single snapshot from a misspent moment.

[Allhallowsday]

...Yeah, sorry I didn't engage in petty political bickering with the rest of you.  You're  such an infant.

Well, Bull is young... and he means well.