JCC Nelson Mandela is dead.

"I have had it with these ************* snakes on this ************* plane!" - Nelson Mandela

 

Has anyone seen the biopic with Idris Elba yet? It got mediocre reviews, but I'm still interested.

 

They also let Malema attend.

To summarise:

The ANC is made up of a large body of African communists and trade unionists, and they see Mugabe as a liberator figure bullied by the West and unfairly picked on for a pro-African sentiment. Malema and other ANC Youth often went to ZANU-PF rallies to speak about the land seizures favourably; and Jacob Zuma has often shielded Mugabe from AU sanctions.

 

"Hullo. I'm the Doctor. Basically: run."
-- Nelson Mandela

 

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." - Nelson Mandela

 

Alternatively or complimentarily, as you may prefer, they were sister-struggles against allied racist regimes. The ANC actually preferred a different revolutionary party to Mugabe's ZANU, but they were ultimately weakened, and forced into junior partner status. The apartheid regimes made a habit of actively degrading and destabilizing credible alternatives to their rule in an attempt prolong their lifespan. In so doing, they more or less ensured that the most radical factions of the opposition would have the highest chance of surviving long enough to take power when the inevitable collapse came. Mugabe is the result.

Nor is this really unusual. Leaders who play a role in ending some historic positive change are usually able to get away with huge numbers of professional indiscretions themselves, and are often lionized for a long time after they might have proved themselves unworthy of it. Witness the popularity of the Ghandi family in India. The sentiment that George Washington could have had himself crowned King. John McCain's idiotic praise of Saakashvilli despite the man's widely known authoritarian tendencies.

 

*Nehru-Gandhi family. Funnily enough, it's the former that gave them their initial power and prestige. The Gandhi name is just a coincidence as they have no (close) relation to Mohandas.

 

Lol. Didn't know that.

But yeah, given Nehru's role in gaining independence, that perhaps just strengthens the point if it has any impact at all.

 

You should have been able to find a feed on the internets.

 

Or Mandela?

 

It premiered in London and it happened to be the day he passed away. An announcement was made during the film, according to BBC News. I don't think it actually opens here til after Christmas though.

 

How badly do you think Michelle Obama kicked Barack's ass on the plane ride home?

 

"i'vebeenreallytryinbabytryintoholdbackthesefeelingsforsolongandifyoufeellikeIfeelbabycomeonohcomeonlet'sgetitonwe'reallsensitivepeoplewithsomuchlovetogiveunderstandmesugarsincewegottobeletssayIloveyouthere'snothinwrongwithmelovinyouandgivinyourselftomecanneverbewrongiftheloveistruedon'tyouknowhowsweetandwonderfullifecanbei'maskinyoubabytogetitonwithmeiaintgonnaworryiaintgonnapushsocomeoncomeoncomeoncomeonbabystopbeatinroundthebushlet'sgetiton" ~ Nelson Mandela

 

Not really. He certainly had the affection that all these leaders receive, and one can argue that can live up to such adoration. But I don't see how he really abused it. He delivered on the central promise he made as a political leader and revolutionary. The South African example of political reconciliation is still upheld as one of the best and most effective in modern history. He also steered that country clear of the ethnic tensions that prove problematic for many post-colonial societies. At the same time, he maintained reasonable economic growth.

For all that, he like every leader brought his own faults to the organization he was at the center of. There were a number of baked in issues that are only now receiving attention after having festered openly for some time. But no, I'm not particularly inclined to buy some "Nelson Mandela was a terrible incompetent leader" pitch. He was hailed as effective, politically skilled, and thoughtful because his career shows that he was all those things. I don't see his faults as particularly extraordinary.

 

Ultimate photobomb, or perhaps ultimate videobomb

The sign langauge guy is fake. He lied his way in and his "sign language" is fake gibberish.

 

December 20 here in the US from what I caught from a commercial that aired earlier.

 

December 20th nationwide? Because I thought it came out over Thanksgiving break?

 

It is currently showing in only a select number of theaters around the country. I assume they are talking about when it goes into wide release.

 

Yes, Nationwide.

 

Well great! Unfortunately, now there will be fart too many movies I will need to see over the Holidays.