Nelson Mandela, 95..
 

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2...ela-dead-at-95

Rest in peace. A remarkable man and as important a figure in world history as we've known.

We'll said Steve. RIP.

RIP Nelson, a long life well lived..

Nelson Mandela, 95..
 

RIP. He almost single-handedly saved the country from tearing itself apart.

" No one is born hating another person because of the color 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.” - Nelson Mandela

Amen to that:tro:

RIP Mr. Mandela, your courage will never be forgotten. A very brave man.

:tro: The right man in the right place at the right time. It is easy to think of many other ways that events could have unfolded and plunged the country into civil war instead of the peaceful transition they had, due to his stewardship as president of South Africa.

that's a great quote, from a great man who did great things. we need more like him.

Really interesting article on the Anti-Apartheid Act that Congress passed (over Reagan's veto) and a reminder that in the 1980s, Communism was such a bugaboo that people made excuses for gross injustices in the name of limiting its spread. (this is not a bash-the-GOP post, as the Senate that overrode Reagan's veto was GOP controlled and 37 of the 53 GOP senators chose to stand on the right side of history; it's just an interesting look at how far we really do come over time):

http://www.policymic.com/articles/52...-and-apartheid

Mandela was not a saint, but most great men aren't. And he was truly a great man. Enormous power to forgive in the name of what was best for all South Africans. RIP.

nice article highlighting what's best about our democracy.

it's hard not to be nostalgic about a time when serious political divisions existed but legislators could still take their responsibilities seriously and act accordingly.

mandela wasn't a saint. i'll mangle his words but he said something along the lines of "i'm not a saint. i'm a sinner who keeps trying."