tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22117033.post3035149359518833996..comments2024-01-15T20:15:13.053-08:00Comments on Saberpoint: Nelson Mandela: Some Sour Notes Amid The Chorus of PraiseStogiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05852841950131130696noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22117033.post-31958846209761530552013-12-07T02:32:06.279-08:002013-12-07T02:32:06.279-08:00The way I see it, Nelson Mandela ultimately chose ...The way I see it, Nelson Mandela ultimately chose peace and reconciliation over a race war. Had he chosen the opposite, South Africa could have plunged into civil war, which would've been very bad news for the entire world (i.e. the USA and USSR both opt for direct military intervention, the UN is unable is as usual unable to deescalate it, and the Cold War turns hot). He also chose to keep South Africa a democratic state, rather than declaring himself president for life (unlike Robert Mugabe of neighboring Zimbabwe). That is the reason he has my respect.<br /><br /><br />Is he a saint? No. But then again, neither were the Founding Fathers. In my opinion, he at least partially grew out of his own narrow-mindedness and became a leader of higher caliber than most (including our own president).Stars and Bars Forevernoreply@blogger.com