Appalled, and not looking for UN help (CHICAGO ANSWERS THE "GREAT" MANDELA)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | September 4, 2002 | Sun-Times Ed. Staff

[Chi-townChief]

Nelson Mandela is a patient man. You have to be, to spend 27 years in prison, waiting with calmness and dignity for the moment of triumph for yourself and your people that you are certain will come. Perhaps it is understandable that the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner would speak out against the possibility of a U.S. attack on Iraq. Mandela said he was "appalled'' that any country would go outside the UN and attack another. So are we. It appalls us that a leader such as Saddam Hussein can brazenly invade his neighbor, be forced back by the United States and its allies, then be permitted to spend 10 years regaining strength until he finds himself in a situation where he is able to pose a threat, not only to his neighbors, but to us.

We are appalled, and wish we could follow Mandela's advice, to seek and find a solution within the hushed chambers of the United Nations. But we tried, and it didn't work. The UN obviously isn't about to solve the latest crisis; with each passing year it more and more becomes an entity whose only purpose is to castigate the United States. One can't help but be amused that, at the same summit in South Africa where Mandela spoke of his concern, Iran also added its voice to the chorus of nations urging inaction--Iran, which for years waged its own bloody, devastating war against Iraq.

George W. Bush is also a patient man. Despite the pressing need to remove the Iraqi threat, he has shown restraint and a concern for the opinions of nations that will never support U.S. action so long as it is we and not they who are threatened. Bush has yet to talk to Mandela. When he does, we hope he reminds him of all the good he could yet do in his own backyard--the Zimbabwean farmland nightmare, the troubles in Zaire and other African nations where reasonable, respected leaders are a rarity. And he might point out to Mandela that his voice does not often blend in perfect agreement and harmony with Saddam's, and perhaps that is something he might want to think about.

[Chi-townChief]

No additional comments needed on my part.

[dennisw]

As good as it gets from a mainstream paper. Is this THE Chicago newspapre?

[Chi-townChief]

It's one of the two major dailies, the other being the Chicago Tribune.

[BOBTHENAILER]

Very good post. Nice to see that all mainstream media are not clueless.

[krodriguesdc]

Mandela is not to be taken lightly - but - then again neither is G2...

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

"The UN obviously isn't about to solve the latest crisis;"

Which reminds me. What "crisis" has the U.N. ever solved?

[Let's Roll]

Mandela, taking time out from busily turning his once thriving country into another third world cess pool, favors the world with his priceless advice.

[BillyBoy]

It's spooky. The "independant" Chicago Sun-Times (an off-shoot of an ultra-liberal paper in the 40s) is now clearly more conservative than the "Republican" Chicago Tribune.

I don't think the Trib has said anything remotely conservative since calling for Clinton's resignation in 1998.

[bfree]

Excellent article. I am sick and tired of outsiders telling the US what we should do. To the critics I say-we will fight our battles and I suggest you(from now on) fight yours. Make the world better without asking the US to pay for it. Lift your own societies up without our help. Please take the UN with you when you start your new independent world. Please do not ask for us to help. Build your military with your own money, send your people to help solve the world's problems and to fight the world's dictators.
This country began with nothing except people wanting freedom and has built itself in the world power in less than 300 years. What has Europe, Africa and our other critics done in the same time frame?
This is a time we would like, but certainly not need, the support of those we have always supported. Obviously, short memories prevail and to that I say I hope we show the same short memory the next time our critics need help.

[Thebaddog]

Anybody here for the newly proposed internation tax to "help" alleviate poverty?

[Enemy Of The State]

Mandella...go pack sand!

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

This country began with nothing except people wanting freedom and has built itself in the world power in less than 300 years

And those people were just humble unsophisticated farmers.

Good post. Couldn't have said it better.

[paulklenk]

This is not breaking news.

[astounded]

No - IMHO it is the "black" Chicago newspaper, so its stance on Mandela is puzzling. However, as a Rupert Murdoch rag, the "puzzle" becomes a bit clearer.

[ppaul]

This?
From the Chicago Sun Times?!!

Cool.

[tom paine 2]

It's the only conservative paper in town. It is a Rupert Murdoch owned daily.

[OldFriend]

This from a Chicago newspaper. What a refreshing change from the usual lamestream america hating rhetoric.

[OldFriend]

Perhaps Mr. Mandela would care to comment on the action taken by the UN to prevent the massacre in Rwanda.

[jae471]

The Tribune is affiliated with LAT/WP, and named in the lawsuit against FR.

They have forfitted any right to be called "Republican".

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/705427/posts