I am going to post once and only once on this thread, because I knew it would make me angry, and it did.

1. Nelson Mandela has absolutely NO room to talk about atrocities. Look in your own backyard babe. I have a friend who lives in South Africa and has to have a gate around her house to protect her and her family...and that STILL didn't work when 2 men got in and broke her car window and then pulled her out and beat the living hell out of her, just because she is white.

2. South Africa has the highest rape rate in the world. There have been estimates that 1 in 3 women will be raped at some point in their lives if they live in South Africa.

3. The U.S. was one of the first countries to jump on the bandwagon to help South Africa rid itself of apartheid. I remember that when I worked at the bank that we stopped selling kuegarands (I'm sorry I don't know the correct spelling) because the U.S. wasn't buying them anymore.

4. I'm sick to death of this anti-American rhetoric. It seems to some of those on this thread think that the Americans can't do anything right. We aren't supposed to stick our nose in anyone's business, yet, we get raked over the coals for not providing enough aid to other countries. Make a command decision, either you want our help or you don't.

5. IF America is such and awful place to live, why, then, do so many people want to come here to live? And why, are they so passionate in their adoration for this country and its freedoms?

6. I used to have the utmost respect for Nelson Mandela, and you couldn't find a more ardent supporter of him, but no more. As soon as he played the race card, I was done. I guess he forgets what country was instrumental in getting him out of prison and who supported him in his administration.

7. Ann, the U.S. gives support to just about any country who needs it, whenever they need it, so don't go there.

8. Why was it ok to go into Bosnia and get rid of Milosovich, but not ok to go into Iraq and rid their people of a rotten, evil dictator? Perhaps because it was Clinton who went into Bosnia and it's Bush who is going into Iraq? Hmmmmm....

9. I am not, nor never will be, a Republican or a Democrat in this country, I am an independant thinker. My only thought is, let's be fair. I don't like the idea of war anymore than anyone else, but, if you're not involved, stay out of it.