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Finally Free

The event that I am going to write about this week is one that has rocked South Africa’s world for the better. I am writing about the official statement from South African president F. W. de Klerk, that he is going to release Nelson Mandela from jail. This happened on February 10^th, but Nelson Mandela was not officially released until February 12^th.

            The government at the time was an apartheid government. That is where classes are split by race. Mandela was completely against that and became a part of the African National Congress. The ANC was banned by the government in 1960 for the way they though, and in return, Mandela had to go in disguise and took on many odd jobs to keep his true identity a secret.

            In 1961 Mandela was tired of staying quiet and started to think that nonviolent tactics was not getting his idea across. He and his group of people from the ANC started widespread bombings at government buildings and government official’s property. He was looked at by many during this time as a terrorist even though he was fighting for what was right in the community. Mandela was arrested on August 5, 1962 and was sentenced to five years in prison. After he was arrested, officials went on a raid at Lilliesleaf farm in Rivonia. They found different documents written by Mandela himself, describing his plan on taking down the government in South Africa. He was then sentenced to more prison time and was sent to the prison on Robben Island.

            While Mandela was in prison, he had the great skill of influencing many people, even the most mean prison guard there. According to PBS, “Through his intelligence, charm and dignified defiance, Mandela eventually bent even the most brutal prison officials to his will, assumed leadership over his jailed comrades and became the master of his own prison.”

            In the 1980’s, Mandela’s former law partner Oliver Tambo, started an international movement to free Mandela. In 1989, President F. W. de Klerk started to dismantle all of the apartheid ideas in the government. He also started to release all of the imprisoned members of the ANC.

            After Mandela was released, he was named President of the ANC and was rewarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

            Mandela is looked at by many as a symbol of hope. He never stopped trying to do what he knew was right. He is a very idolizing figure and should put strength in many to do what they believe is right, no matter what measures you have to take.

Bad Mr. President

            The event that I am going to write about has been a controversial topic for some time in the past. This event happened on January 27, 2012. It was when the First Lady at the time, Hilary Clinton, blames Bill Clinton’s affairs on a vast right wing conspiracy.

            The “vast right wing conspiracy” spiraled out of control when there were allegations against them for the murder of former White House Aide, Vince Foster. He was found dead in a park in Washington; but it was then concluded that he had shot himself.

            Mrs. Clinton did not believe that her husband had cheated on her with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. At the time she felt that it was all a set up to make them look bad after the election. Bill Clinton also denied having any sort of relationship with Lewinsky. Other people had complained about sexual harassment from Bill Clinton in the past. The allegations against him started when he was only the governor of Arkansas.

            Many people felt that Hilary Clinton’s response to the affair and blaming it on a conspiracy was ridiculous. Former president of the conservative Rutherford Institute replied with the response, “Show us the facts. Who conspired and where? Who are these people who are conspiring?”

            Mr. Clinton was caught directly giving gifts to Monica Lewinsky. She felt that it had only happened because he was “gregarious and giving to everyone he meets.” In my opinion he was obviously a little to giving.

            Mrs. Lewinsky and her attorney submitted a formal proposal stating that they did not have sexual relations in return of not being prosecuted.

            Although she said they had no such relationship, there have been recordings of her talking to friends telling them about hers and Mr. Clinton’s relationship being just that. She also told her friends that she had been told to lie so that neither of them would get into any trouble.

            For months and months, many news stations were debating on whether or not Clinton actually had extra marital affairs with Lewinsky, and if he did, he would have perjury charges against him for lying about it. After the break in the news that it was in fact true, Lewinsky received a transactional immunity. That is immunity from persecution. She exposed everything about that affair and even turned over a blue dress that had stains from Mr. Clinton on them. After DNA tests, it shows that Mr. Clinton had affairs with Lewinsky.

            On August 17, 1998, Clinton admitted in a taped grand jury statement that he had an “improper physical relationship” with Lewinsky. That evening he also gave a nationally televised statement admitting to the affairs saying that it was “not appropriate.”

            Because of him lying about the affair, he had many hard ships coming for him. He had to pay a 90,000 dollar fine for lying in court. He was also almost impeached from office, especially since many of the members of congress were Republican. He did remain in office though. Many question that if a man was capable of that, would it make him a bad president? That is up for you to decide.