Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Mandela

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  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    delete, control...

    ...memory-hole/rewrite history...

    Let's also not forget the global secret-mongers who, I'm sure, would like us to forget just who sold Mandela out back in '62.

    ...at the time of Mr. Mandela's arrest in August 1962, the C.I.A. devoted more resources to penetrating the activities of nationalist groups like the African National Congress than did South Africa's then-fledgling security service.
    The account said the American intelligence agency was willing to assist in the apprehension of Mr. Mandela because it was concerned that a successful nationalist movement threatened a friendly South African Government. Expansion of such movements outside South Africa's borders, the agency feared, would jeopardize the stability of other African states,,
    ...the C.I.A. had put an undercover agent into the inner circle of the African National Congress group in Durban.
    That agent provided the intelligence service with detailed accounts of the organization's activities, including information on the whereabouts of Mr. Mandela, then being sought as a fugitive for his anti-apartheid activities..

    These are the same people we are expected to trust as we are being led, as a nation, blindfold over the rubicon of TPPA-No Return...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Russell Brown,

    seeing him released from Robben Island on live TV in 1990.

    What that video shows is Mandela's release from Victor Verster Prison in the Western Cape, where he spent the last 14 months of his imprisonment. Prior to that he'd been incarcerated for over 6 years in Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town, after being transferred from Robben Island.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    according to veteran union leader Ken Douglas

    and what a disappointment he was

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Six inconvenient positions Mandela supported.
    (via Sapna Samant)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    PM selects interesting official tour party for the funeral.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to Sacha,

    Six inconvenient positions Mandela supported.
    (via Sapna Samant)

    And he was correct on all of them.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    What that video shows is Mandela’s release from Victor Verster Prison in the Western Cape, where he spent the last 14 months of his imprisonment. Prior to that he’d been incarcerated for over 6 years in Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town, after being transferred from Robben Island.

    Thank you.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Kracklite, in reply to Matthew Hooton,

    "I... I... I... I..."

    Oh great, Hooton sees an opportunity to tell us all about how he likes to think of himself. Get over yourself and show some respect Hoots, this isn't about you.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    Mandela had his own house in the grounds of the medium security Victor Verster prison. It's been preserved as a national monument. Prior to that he had a roof garden at the huge maximum security Pollsmoor, which was a privilege he'd been denied in his years on Robben Island. Today Pollsmoor holds almost twice as many inmates as it was designed for.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Kracklite,

    Oh great, Hooton sees an opportunity to tell us all about how he likes to think of himself. Get over yourself and show some respect Hoots, this isn’t about you.

    Yeah, it is. It's a place where people share their experience. That's the heartbeat of it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kracklite,

    not called for. you can do better

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    I've been getting increasingly irritated with the Meeja on Mandela and I think part of the reason is ...

    There's a lot of Internet Mandela. He was readily accessible and Google-able, even after he stood down as President. The images of Internet Mandela (the old dude in the funny shirts, meeting endless celebs) are dominating the coverage. Especially when the journos are, you know, 12 (and a half). He was off Robben Island before some of them were born.

    Contrast with the deaths of Reagan and Thatcher. There was no Internet Reagan. He announced he had Alzheimer's and withdrew completely from all public life in the mid-90's. So when he died, the images were of his political ascendancy in the 1980's, not his post-career. (And what images, courtesy of his brilliant PR team).

    There was a bit of Internet Thatcher, but not much. She withdrew not long after Reagan. So again, back to the '80s clips, and "you turn if you want to".

    I'd kinda like a TV newsreader to say "he was behind bars for 27 years, but there was no webcam in the cell, so here's another picture of Mandela meeting Bono or Beckham. Sorry."

    There has been some very good stuff (thanks, BBC World Service radio), but not much from the NZ media. The Herald for example, dug out their editorials from the '90's, published on his release, and then his election as President. That's fine, but did the Herald have nothing to say about Mandela and apartheid in the 50's and 60's? About the regime he struggled against? Yes, they probably did, but they may not want to remember it today, or share it with us.

    Obits for the old and famous are always prepared well in advance (I bet they've had Prince Philip's in the can for years). Given they had months to prepare for this, I think a better job could have been done.

    (exceptions - TV3 last night, and Paul Thomas in the Weekend Herald. Others?).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Kracklite, in reply to Sacha,

    Considering Hooton's past record of racist invective about the "dumb bros" in Mana or the "stupid maori" in Labour - his hypocrisy deserves bluntness, not sophisticated tolerance. There are plenty of people like David Cameron who wore "Hang Mandela" badges" getting into full Uriah Heep mode now and this should be a time for honest reflection, not sentimental sanctimony.

    There are processes by which dead heroes/heroines are appropriated and turned into recruiting posters for causes they never supported. There are a lot of people who called Nelson Mandela a terrorist and demanded his execution who are now trying to use him to lend gloss to themselves. It's grotesque and insidious and it shouldn't be shielded by sentimentality.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kracklite,

    this should be a time for honest reflection

    exactly. Trust your own sense of dignity. Mandela is one of the greatest examples of that during our lifetime. Don't let yourself down.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kracklite, in reply to Sacha,

    "Mandela is one of the greatest examples of that during our lifetime."

    I believe that deeply.

    Dignity, I'm afraid, has never been my forte.

    As my amended comment above says - probably written after you wrote this, there is already a movement among those who demanded Nelson Mandela's death - such as Cameron - to now appropriate his legacy for their aims. That is insidious and should be quashed immediately. Please don't let the real honouring of a great man be corrupted by people using kitsch sentimentality to pervert his legacy.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kracklite,

    Hooton's past record of racist invective

    A great person has left us. According to Nicky Hager, Hooten was one of those in the Nats' inner sanctum who resisted Brash's Orewa speech.

    In any case, please at least respect the content of his post in the spirit in which it was offered. I'm impressed he chose to share it with us here.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kracklite,

    There are plenty of people like David Cameron who wore "Hang Mandela" badges" getting into full Uriah Heep mode now

    worth challenging, yes

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kracklite,

    now trying to use him to lend gloss to themselves. It's grotesque and insidious and it shouldn't be shielded by sentimentality

    For sure. Our current PM seems an useful target for accountability.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kracklite, in reply to Sacha,

    "resisted Brash's Orewa speech"

    For all of thirty seconds.

    I respect the spirit of this post, so I am offended by an overt racist trying to hitch a ride.

    Anyway, I'm aware that this could hijack a thread that is dedicated to Nelson Mandela's memory and I'll bow out. You can assume that I acknowledge anything else you say, Sacha and Russel. Good night.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report Reply

  • simon g, in reply to Kracklite,

    There are a lot of people who called Nelson Mandela a terrorist and demanded his execution who are now trying to use him to lend gloss to themselves. It’s grotesque and insidious and it shouldn’t be shielded by sentimentality.

    As a general point, very true. But your specific target isn't justified.

    Try Rick Santorum instead.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kracklite,

    For all of thirty seconds.

    You vs Hager. Not one you want to bet on.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kracklite, in reply to Sacha,

    But he didn't resign.

    OK, enough, I'm gone.

    This is about Nelson Mandela. Forget me, honour him.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kracklite,

    honour him

    yep

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX,

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX, in reply to Matthew Hooton,

    he was alongside Reagan, Thatcher in the sense of bringing tyranny to an end

    I appreciate that you have expressed yourself well, however. I cannot see Reagan and Thatcher alongside Mandela ever. They both cast Mandela as a terrorist for seeking universal suffrage so that all people in South Africa had the right to vote regardless of race.

    Mandela would not sit comfortably alongside such ill company; he would be civil but uncomfortable - civil unrest.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

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