Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Does Rob Anders Still Think Nelson Mandela Was A Terrorist? It Seems So

It appears Rob Anders still believes Nelson Mandela was a terrorist.

The outspoken Conservative MP was the sole parliamentarian to vote against making Mandela an honorary citizen in 2001, preventing the motion from passing unanimously.

Anders, a Canadian Alliance MP at the time, infamously labeled the anti-apartheid leader and former South African president "a terrorist and a Communist."

"Nelson Mandela advocated violence and used violence to achieve his aims," he said. "It is very politically correct to go ahead and lionize him, but there are problems in South Africa today and we are glossing over these things."

Then-Prime Minister Jean Chretien responded by blasting Anders as "stupid."

On Friday, Global News reporter Laura Stone wrote that she asked Anders if his position on Mandela has softened over the years.

"I wish South Africa peace," he told her.

Anders also referred her to a Mandela obituary from the David Horowitz Freedom Center, a conservative foundation in the United States.

The obit argues Mandela left behind a mess in South Africa and isn't worthy of the "unhinged adoration" he has received across the political spectrum.

"Mandela began as a terrorist and never turned his back on monsters like Arafat and Castro, whom he considered brothers in arms," Horowitz writes.

But many other Conservative MPs and ministers shared condolences after Mandela passed away Thursday.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid tribute to Mandela in the House of Commons and even received a handshake from NDP Leader Tom Mulcair after his speech.

"The world has lost one of its great moral leaders and statesmen," Harper said.

Original Article
Source: huffingtonpost.ca
Author: The Huffington Post Canada

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