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| Tutu: You should be sorry the Iraqis are free! |
| 2004-02-16 |
| British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush ought to say sorry for waging "an immoral war" against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, according to excerpts of a speech Archbishop Desmond Tutu was to deliver. Are you a bishop or a pawn, Desmond? In an evening lecture to be delivered at Church House, Westminster, in central London, the Nobel laureate was to say that Bush and Blair would reap a revival in credibility if they apologise for waging a war that left the world "a great deal less safe". *twang* "My harp!" "How wonderful if politicians could bring themselves to admit they are only fallible human creatures, and not God, and thus by definition can make mistakes," according to excerpts of the speech published in Monday’s Independent newspaper, which is sponsoring the event. Bush and Blair DO know this. "Unfortunately, they seem to think that such an admission is a sign of weakness," Tutu said. "Weak and insecure people hardly ever say ’sorry’. It is large-hearted and courageous people who are not diminished by saying, ’I made a mistake.’ President Bush and Prime Minister Blair would recover considerable credibility and respect if they were able to say, ’Yes, we made a mistake’." Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his non-violent struggle against apartheid in his native South Africa. In December, Tutu said Saddam should be put on trial before the International Criminal Court in The Hague on the understanding that he is innocent until proven guilty. In his speech Monday, Tutu was to draw a link between Bush’s doctrine of pre-emptive attack on rogue regimes and the president’s support of capital punishment when he was governor of Texas. |
| Posted by:Steve from Relto |
| #17 He's already spiritually dead, Mark... |
| Posted by: Ptah 2004-2-16 7:29:56 PM |
| #16 Desmond is worthy of assasination. Spiritual, of course. Physical to follow. |
| Posted by: Mark 2004-2-16 7:20:56 PM |
| #15 Chris, I don't think Tutu worships secular liberalism. He worships socialism. |
| Posted by: mhw 2004-2-16 6:42:32 PM |
| #14 Those of us who are still Anglicans, at least on paper, know that Des has been secular liberalism's house chaplain for decades now. In exchange for them declaring him a saint, he tries to put a "Christian" gloss on whatever the leftist cause of the moment happens to be. Uncle Desmond hasn't had anything worthwhile to say about anything for a very long time. |
| Posted by: Christopher Johnson 2004-2-16 5:34:52 PM |
| #13 I think Tutu and Mandella are desperately hoping that the Western world will continue to believe that the ANC is an enlightened force for good in the world. Most people will obligingly refuse a peek behind the curtain in most circumstances. As the great enablers call once again for us to buy another round of power for all the despots and crooks who have bellied up to the NGO bar, I chose to grab my hat and coat. That's just me, though, I'm sure there are many more who will pony-up. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-2-16 4:47:06 PM |
| #12 Here's tutu's email address. Tell this idiot what you think about him. mpilo@iafrica.com |
| Posted by: Danny 2004-2-16 4:42:40 PM |
| #11 they are passing my e-mail on and reverse-engineering it Mike has anyone every said you have a mean streak? And you count the number of aid workers... hmmm. I just don't know anymore. All I can say is Racist, Racist, Hailiburton. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-2-16 4:24:59 PM |
| #10 I'm trying to recall all the things Desmond did to alleviate the sufferings of the Iraqis and mitigate the evil of Saddam Hussein. I'm sure there was something... |
| Posted by: Fred 2004-2-16 4:16:57 PM |
| #9 What a coincidence, I recently mailed the chi-com embassy in Zimbawe and asked for an apology for them assisting and enabling the present situation in Zimbabwe to come about, by supplying/backing Bob during the "Liberation War". I think they are passing my e-mail on and reverse-engineering it. No-one will now get to the Lotus garden on a Butterfly until I have an apology/face-saving reply. Perhaps i can try again, in force. Feel free to join, that's what we're here for. Date: 21/01/04 To: chinaemb_zw@mfa.gov.cn Dear Ambassador, Thank-you for your such kind interest in my home-land. You and your country have done a wonderful job of helping it to drag itself into the dust heap of humanity, by supporting the "liberation" and not following through. I cannot believe that you have placed just 3 teachers and 9 medical staff in the country since 1984, after all the damage that you caused with your AK's and land-mines, albeit in the hands of other people. And as for the Trade figures, it seems obvious that "Zimbabwe" has something special that you want. Please define in a break-down of the figures, so that I can be a real friend of your Heavenly Kingdom, and understand your position whilst the present regime lasts. And what exactly does Zimbabwe import from you? I am hoping to become a Lotus flower in the next world, but I hope to see the Heavenly Kingdom first in order to truly blossom. I hope you take these thoughts to bed with you, even during the daytime too, and ponder enough on them to reply, in order that I do truly blossom, I must have honest and full answers, and no wishy-washy crap. Your Humble Bowing, Mike Addison, 110332, no rank. Now there's a rant! |
| Posted by: Rhodesiafever 2004-2-16 2:49:04 PM |
| #8 I met Tutu when the apartheid regime was just crumbling. He had moral gravity then, although he was careful not to criticize the ANC. As the ANC took power in South Africa, both he and Mandela seemed to grow in importance and in moral stature -- in their own eyes. Not an uncommon thing, but also not something I feel obliged to join them in. The thing is, both of those men were at their best when they were in opposition and protest. Now that they are in charge, the ambiguities and difficulties of their positions hit them square in the face every day. It's a lot more comfortable to find others to keep opposing than to be humbled by the task that is really theirs to do. |
| Posted by: anon Episcopalian 2004-2-16 1:57:21 PM |
| #7 wow makes me mad when pricks like tu tu start whining about the whole Iraq thing, they must be so really pissed off that Saddams captured and the Iraqis have half a chance at setting up a normal country with democratic goverment.Cocks like tutu need putting down or sending to North Korea where he can mix with people with his own opinions. |
| Posted by: Jon Shep U.K 2004-2-16 1:41:13 PM |
| #6 Tutu's just a Communist who happened to join the priesthood. Liberation theology, anyone? |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2004-2-16 1:08:52 PM |
| #5 So, the Mullahs don't have a monopoly on the absurd afterall. Tutu should make clear how he planned to bring Saddam to the Hauge. Obviously talk alone was not enough. Comparing the Bush doctrine to the Texas death penalty is idiotic. See "Study: Texas Not No. 1 in Death Penalty " posting. |
| Posted by: GK 2004-2-16 12:40:46 PM |
| #4 No. We will not apologize for removing a murderous, facist tyrant responsible for the death of millions, you pompous sanctimonious wind-bag. Even if he was your friend. Sh*t. I used to object to people saying that there are too many hypocrites in the Church. Now, I just look at Desmond and mutter, "Y'know. Ya got a point there..." |
| Posted by: Ptah 2004-2-16 12:33:23 PM |
| #3 Tutu and Mandela have long ago squandered any honor due them for past activities. Stupidity at the top of your lungs can do that |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-2-16 12:06:44 PM |
| #2 "How wonderful if politicians could bring themselves to admit they are only fallible human creatures, and not God, and thus by definition can make mistakes," Could you add loud mouthed, sanctamonious holy men to that list, Des? Thanks a lot. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2004-2-16 12:04:17 PM |
| #1 Has Tutu ever apologized for the ANC's crimes? Or for the continuing and growing crime wave in South Africa? In his speech Monday, Tutu was to draw a link between Bush’s doctrine of pre-emptive attack on rogue regimes and the president’s support of capital punishment when he was governor of Texas. Do you think it'll ever occur to Tutu that both policies make for a safer world for the innocent? |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2004-2-16 11:57:18 AM |