Mandela in Miami

[Mika]

Mandela in Miami
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Ethics has never been a forte of the pro-embargo Cuban-American lobby. But the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC has reached a new low.

Capitalizing on South African president Nelson Mandela’s health problems, embargo supporters have constructed a false parallel between the multilateral sanctions against South Africa’s apartheid regime and the illegal, immoral, and counterproductive embargo against Cuba.

But Mandela’s own relationship with Cuba tells a different story—one with important lessons for current foreign policy.

Read on, here --> http://www.sacsis.org.za/site/article/1735

[indie9197]

1. Mandela was a leader, not a politician n/t

[Judi Lynn]

2. These shrieking idiots never cease to amaze. How can anyone be this twisted?

It sounds as if they are really clutching at straws with this one, doesn't it?

How on earth do they explain their entire history of racism, anyway?

Miami Mayor to Apologize for 'Mandela Moment'
Saturday, July 12, 2003

MIAMI — Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas (search) said Monday he would make an official apology to former South African president Nelson Mandela (search) next week.
"If Mandela were in Miami today, I think he would receive an official welcome." Penelas said.

Thirteen years ago, that was not the case. In June 1990, Miami's politically powerful Cuban exile community protested a visit by Mandela, newly released from a South African prison, for his praise of Fidel Castro (search), arch-enemy of Cuban exiles but friend of the anti-apartheid movement.

Despite pleas by local African-American leaders, the cities of Miami and Miami Beach, along with Miami-Dade Country, refused to recognize Mandela when he visited the area for a labor conference. The Miami City Commission rescinded a proclamation honoring Mandela.

Tourists angry at the Mandela snub launched a boycott that cost the city $25 million in lost revenue. Business leaders helped end the boycott in 1993, but tensions continued in the 1990s between blacks and Cubans after several incidents where Miami police roughed up Haitians.

Penelas, one of five Florida Democrats running for the U.S. Senate, said there was nothing political about the coming apology, and denies trying to woo black voters.

More:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2003/07/14/miami-mayor-apologizes-for-mandela-moment/