Am I a cynical pr1ck?

y0ssar1an22

After listening to the news, a book of condolences will be open in Dublin for people to sign in honor of Nelson Mandela.
Is this a bit over the top? I think it is. In fact I think the whole reaction is over the top.
What was he really? Someone who fought oppression, was imprisoned, and used sport as a means of uniting people.
Surly there are numerous people with similar stories? Does this attitude make me cynical?

Larbre34

y0ssar1an22 wrote: »

After listening to the news, a book of condolences will be open in Dublin for people to sign in honor of Nelson Mandela.
Is this a bit over the top? I think it is. In fact I think the whole reaction is over the top.
What was he really? Someone who fought oppression, was imprisoned, and used sport as a means of uniting people.
Surly there are numerous people with similar stories? Does this attitude make me cynical?

No just a bit of a g0bsh1te. There are many people with similar stories, though maybe not as inspiring and achieving as Mandela. Those people are usually afforded due respects like a book of condolence when they die also.

qwertz

Apartheit, anyone?

Mrs Garth Brooks

Yes you are a cynical pr1ck

IK09

jesus christ man read a book

lahalane

Does it really bother you that much? I'm sure you could ignore it if you really tried. How about NOT signing the book?

y0ssar1an22

qwertz wrote: »

Apartheit, anyone?

thats the oppression I was referring to. But how many other people have also fought against oppression?

Collie D

y0ssar1an22 wrote: »

After listening to the news, a book of condolences will be open in Dublin for people to sign in honor of Nelson Mandela.
Is this a bit over the top? I think it is. In fact I think the whole reaction is over the top.
What was he really? Someone who fought oppression, was imprisoned, and used sport as a means of uniting people.
Surly there are numerous people with similar stories? Does this attitude make me cynical?

I would think it's cynical. You;re entitle to be underwhelmed if you want but tens of millions of people admired Mandela. South Africa could easily have gone the way of Zimbabwe at the end of Apartheid. Many countries that end an era of opression enter another one with revenge being a guiding motive. Mandela's key focus after Aprtheid was on healing and reconciliation. A trait to be admired.

What many admire about the man was not him helping to end opression but what happened afterwards

ScumLord

y0ssar1an22 wrote: »

What was he really? Someone who fought oppression, was imprisoned, and used sport as a means of uniting people.

Pft.. I did that last weekend on my lunch break.

Too Tough To Die

Don't bother, i signed one on behalf of the country earlier.

The Diabolical Monocle

y0ssar1an22 wrote: »

After listening to the news, a book of condolences will be open in Dublin for people to sign in honor of Nelson Mandela.
Is this a bit over the top? I think it is. In fact I think the whole reaction is over the top.
What was he really? Someone who fought oppression, was imprisoned, and used sport as a means of uniting people.
Surly there are numerous people with similar stories? Does this attitude make me cynical?

Well...maybe a little bit, he was surely worthy of a condolence book.
Why not, its not so over the top, its not a national day of mourning or anything.
Plus if we didn't we'd have to listen to a load of yapyapyap racist yapyapyap backward.

Ok he was very very famous and controversial and had great impact on the world, most people cheered on his achievements in politics. By now normal people are back to normal mode.

Unfortunately when someone famous dies it is seen as an opportunity for the fawners, over reaction types, attention seekers, bandwagon hoppers and oddballs to unite over. An all round ceremonial circle jerk for reality tv fans.

An opportunity to collect figurines and newspaper scraps which go in their jizz stained folders in their basement locker. If you think this is bad, if you think Kim Jong Il's death was ridiculous...just wait til the queen of England kicks it. Get the emergency box sets ready for that one.

road_high

Well I would say the S African regime that followed was not exactly some kind of utopia. AIDS rates shot up, living standards dropped measurably.

nc19

Personally im more upset about Paul Walker.

I suppose it has to do with what impact the person had on you and how old you were when they impacted on you.

I didnt read a newspaper until i started working in 1998

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

i don't think prick is censored...

syklops

Im with you OP. Whats the fuss about? Brought an end to apartheid? Pffft. What did he do recently? 27 years in prison? Big deal.

Where was he the night of the bailout when we needed him?

neil_hosey

qwertz wrote: »

Apartheit, anyone?

no i only had my dinner thanks

BeerFear

My mother died last yeat. Did I make a facebook page R.I.P etc No!. Did I get someone to sign a book in the store No! I see tons of statuses from friends about nelson saying R.I.P. I couldn't give a flying **** of what he did. I don't give a toss. If I knew him then I would.

donutheadhomer

y0ssar1an22 wrote: »

After listening to the news, a book of condolences will be open in Dublin for people to sign in honor of Nelson Mandela.
Is this a bit over the top? I think it is. In fact I think the whole reaction is over the top.
What was he really? Someone who fought oppression, was imprisoned, and used sport as a means of uniting people.
Surly there are numerous people with similar stories? Does this attitude make me cynical?

we all deserve a national day of mourning to recover from this tragic news. How do I propose this and can I be sure that my employer will pay my wages while I watch his funeral on TV?
Thankfully RTE are showing it so I won't need to get sky installed for the event.

3DataModem

Can't believe nobody mentioned his film career. Batman, Bruce Almighty, March of the Penguins, and To Sir With Love 2.

Too Tough To Die

road_high wrote: »

Well I would say the S African regime that followed was not exactly some kind of utopia. AIDS rates shot up, living standards dropped measurably.

For some. Quite the opposite for others.

There's a thread on Nelson Mandella already in full swing. Ask your questions there please.