Condoleezza Rice
Throughout history, a few special people have been able to transcend differences and change the world for the better. Nelson Mandela was one of those people who had a vision for human rights and equality. Those beliefs made him the father of multi ethnic democracy in South Africa. All freedom loving people will miss him but we will never forget his sacrifice and his achievements. My prayers and my thoughts are with him and with the people of South Africa.
Charles Badger: Nelson Mandela and recognizing greatness
The sign welcomed us to Robben Island.
We force out an uneasy laugh because the moment of levity is at marked variance from the somber surroundings. This former leper colony turned prison compound looks and smells the part.
Read more: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/unstereopolitical-thoughts/2013/dec/10/nelson-mandela-recognizing-greatness/#ixzz2n7DkmwAI
Deborah Simmons: Mandela: May the man of many roles rest in peace
Putting away childish things as the Bible teaches, he began shedding his youthful self and attempting to reconcile his adulthood and with the harsh realities of a post-World War II world and racist politics.
Like Americans thousands of miles away, he sensed that communism was out of sync with his Protestant values, and like his black American sisters and brothers and brethren in the diaspora, he came to see that apartheid — like U.S. segregation — was downright inhumane and unjust.While he shared those common threads of life, he refused to conform.Instead, he chose the path of resistance against white-minority rule
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/8/simmons-mandela-may-the-man-of-many-roles-rest-in-/#ixzz2n7GhjTWK
Sen. Tim Scott
"Nelson Mandela was a transformational figure, a man who truly changed the world. He walked a long road to freedom and embraced the fundamental human belief in equality. After his release from prison, his tireless work to reconcile a nation torn apart by centuries of tension and hostility made him one of history's greatest statesmen. All freedom-loving people mourn his passing."
Crytsal Wright: GOP grow up: Mandela's Apartheid battle doesn't equal your Obamacare battle
WASHINGTON, December 10, 2013 — Once again the GOP has shown how out of touch it is. Rick Santorum compared Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid to the Republicans’ fight against Obamacare.In a Fox News appearance hours after Mandela’s death, Santorum couldn’t wait to get political, agreeing with Bill O’Reilly that Mandela was a communist. He said, “But you’re right, I mean, what he was advocating for was not necessarily the right answer, but he was fighting against some great injustice, and I would make the argument that we have a great injustice going on right now in this country with an ever-increasing size of government that is taking over and controlling people’s lives, and Obamacare is front and center in that.”
Read more: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/crystal-wright-conservative-black-chick/2013/dec/9/gop-grow-mandelas-apartheid-battle-doesnt-equal-go/#ixzz2n7EXsDn2
I never bought the notion that Mandela was a terrorist. Deep down, the South African government must have felt the same way. It released him after 27 years of imprisonment in 1990.
Four years after he was released, Mandela was elected South Africa’s first black president. Those who thought he would urge blacks to go on an orgy of revenge against whites were in for a disappointment.
I had a hunch that Mandela would do exactly what he did: make an urgent plea for unity and racial reconciliation. I wasn’t surprised when he stepped down after one five-year term as president either.
Read more: http://washingtonexaminer.com/praise-for-nelson-mandela-is-well-deserved/article/2540382
Niger Innis: In light of Nelson Mandela's recent passing, I wanted to share my comment I made in his tribute video. My commentary that Mandela's Presidential Legacy is bigger than Nelson the Man was included alongside many prominent (mostly liberal) fellow Americans including Former Sec of State Albright, Reverend Al Sharpton, Justice Stephen Breyer, and Tom Brokaw.
Read more: http://on.aol.com/partner/
Michael Steele: South Africa stands taller thanks to Nelson Mandela
Imprisoned for 27 years because he fought to be equal and free, a man can become bitter, even angry at his jailers and the oppressors they represent. But as Nelson Mandela recalled “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”For the Mandela family, their loss is personal, but it is a loss shared by a world that has been touched by the quiet strength and fearless determination of Nelson Mandela. While we mourn with them and the people of South Africa, we also celebrate with them the life of a great man.
God blesses us with the precious gift of life. What we do with that gift is the legacy we leave behind.
Read more: http://therecoveringpolitician.com/contributors/msteele/michael-steele-south-africa-stands-taller-thanks-to-nelson-mandela
Mia Love
The world lost a great leader today. Nelson Mandela embodied freedom, honor, grace, and peace. His smiling face reminds us to find the good in others. The world is a better place because of him, and he will be missed.
Colin Powell
A great man left us today and went to his reward, Nelson Mandela, “Madiba,” led his people to freedom and by his example inspired the world. I was privileged to know him. I was at his inauguration as President of a new South Africa in 1994. I will never forget the moment he took the inauguration stand preceded by the leaders of the South African armed forces demonstrating their loyalty to their ne...w leader and to democracy. After 27 years in prison he was asked upon release if he was bitter, if he wanted to get even with his jailers or oppressors. His simple, but profound answer, was, “If I felt that way I would still be in jail.” His jailers sat in the front row at his inauguration. I will never forget him, nor will the world. My wife and I offer out deepest condolences to his family and the people of South Africa. His spirit lives on.