Nelson Mandela speaks his mind:
Former South African president Nelson Mandela has slammed the U.S. stance on Iraq, saying that “one power with a president who has no foresight, who cannot think properly, is now wanting to plunge the world into a holocaust.”
Speaking at the International Women’s Forum, Mandela said “if there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America.”
Mandela said U.S. President George W. Bush covets the oil in Iraq “because Iraq produces 64 percent of the oil in the world. What Bush wants is to get hold of that oil.” In fact Iraq contributes to only 5 percent of world oil exports.
Not content to be merely stupid, Mandela wades into some race-baiting:
Receiving applause for his comments, Mandela said Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are “undermining” past work of the United Nations.
“They do not care. Is it because the secretary-general of the United Nations is now a black man?” said Mandela, referring to Kofi Annan, who is from Ghana.
Yawn.
*** Update ***
Alex Knapp speaks.
John Hawkins at Right Wing News has some comments:
I bet Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton must be kicking themselves right now for not already playing this angle. I can just hear Jackson now…
Lawrence Simon show us some ‘New Math:’
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to practice my Mandela Math
Laurence Simon
So does blowing the math on the percentage of oil Iraq exports make him a front-runner for the Nobel Prize in Mathematics or Economics?
MommaBear
Somehow, all the crackpots have managed to seize the microphones !!
jim boyle
If you wingnuts would step back and review what this & other world leaders are saying about America – it would make you take pause and consider what is happening to the image of the U.S. here at home and around the world.
This is the land of the free (except not on paper, as the UNPATRIOT ACT & FATHERLAND SECURITY measures have made certain civil rights null & void.
If you haven’t studied the history of CIA covert activities dating to the early 1950’s – then you may understand what could be construed as American Terrorism. If you looked at the dictators & totalitarian regimes we have backed with weapons & money – you might understand why some consider it American Terrorism.
This is the alleged home of the brave & yet so many right wingers & their followers want to strike first to avoid the possibility of future terrorist attacks. Brave indeed.
You know “w” told us after 9/11 that the terrorists hated us because of our freedoms – like any Blame America First crybaby – he went about dismantling these same freedoms under cover of the Patriot Act & Homeland Security Act.
Lastly, if we had a news media that pointed out this & every mistatement or outright lie that comes from Bush43 & his staff of largely unconvicted felons dating from 70’s & 80’s, Nixon/Ford(Watergate) & Reagan/Bush (Iran/Contra) Administrations – then I would say that CNN pointing out one factual error might be relevant. It is however, very revealing about the State of Our Media.
And like a classic Reagan misstatement – could the statement that Iraq produces 64% of the oil, really be that Iraq has the potential to contain 64% of the worlds oil reserves?
Stick that in your gas tank & burn it!
REGIME CHANGE 2004
One more quote… this from our illustrious high commander (“w”) during the State of the Union, “You’re enemy is not surrounding your country. Your enemy is ruling your country. And the day that he is removed from power will be the day of your liberation!”
NOVEMBER 3, 2004
LIBERATION DAY!
John Cole
Wingnuts. hehe.
Why, yep, you are right. The reason Bush wants war in Iraq is because Kofi Annan is black. We should pay attention to Mr. Mandela.
Jim Boyle
Yes, I said wingnuts. Mandela never said “w” was going to war with Iraq because Kofi Annan is black. Frankly, I don’t quite understand what this comment refers to.
However, after the Trent Lott affair, it is obvious (and has been to people that pay attention)that the right wing panders to racists and small minded people everywhere.
Also, I have never met a Republican that has any friends of color… that do not think & speak exactly like them.
No real diversity in that or in this WHITE House either.
In fact, although Iraq is militarily weak (but oil rich) This coming Iraq War is sure to be swift (Shock & awe concept of 800 cruise missiles in the first 48hours should see to that), if a majority of other Muslim Nations take up the jihad against us because of our supposedly anti-Muslim CRUSADE (as BUSH43 glibly called it at some point). The anti-American forces in the Middle East will have a field day with this kind of propaganda, thereby sowing the seeds for future terrorists (and again to quote “w”; we will not rest until every terrorist is dead (or some variation on that theme).
Potential for a Muslim Holocaust? Again, it is now easy for Muslim radicals to make this case.
John, I see that you didn’t respond to any of the difficult questions posed. Like a typical rightwing hate spewer – you just try to find one statment and twist it to fit your idealogical needs for a fascinating rebuttal.
Think for yourself -because they’re not doing it Washington, D.C.
Things to note: This Iraq war must start within the next few weeks because the whole mess has to be cleaned up and larger amounts of Iraqi oil must be pumping by late 2003. Otherwise, 2004 won’t be per Karl Rove’s game plan.
2004 will bring a “free” Iraq. More plentiful oil will reduce energy costs and could help invigorate the American economy. And if Plan A doesn’t work out – then fear Plan B.
This could horrifically result in a 9/11-Part2 and martial law being imposed. They seem to be playing for keeps.
IMPEACH BUSH!
Andrea Harris
Hey, Jim, I hear there’s a two-for-one sale on extra-strength Reynold’s wrap going on at the grocery store. You might want to stock up on your supply; wouldn’t want those delta rays to get through.
Hero
Niccceee pagee