Letter to the Editor: Should Key attend Mandela’s funeral?

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FROM:     “f.macskasy”
SUBJECT: Letter to the Editor
DATE:      Sat, 07 Dec 2013 12:15:32 +1300
TO:            letters@star-times.co.nz

Sir/Madam,

I find it something of a dark irony that John Key will be attending Nelson Mandela’s funeral.

Let’s not forget that in 1981 it was a National government that permitted and encouraged the Springbok tour to proceed, and mustered the full power of the State to crack down on New Zealanders who opposed the tour.

And in 1988, National MP, Lockwood Smith branded Nelson Mandela a terrorist when he said this in Parliament,

“Jul 21, 1988 – Dr LOCKWOOD SMITH (Kaipara) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Is it correct that a New Zealand Nelson Mandela scholarship has been established by … of the African National Congress to study at a tertiary institution in New Zealand? … Congress—and will not have been involved in terrorist activities?”

And who can forget one of Key’s most famous ‘brainfades’  in 2008 when he conveniently forgot his stance on the 1981 Springbok visit, and said on TV,

“Oh, I can’t even remember … 1981, I was 20 … ah … I don’t really know. I didn’t really have a strong feeling on it at the time. Look, it’s such a long time ago.”

Personally, I look forward to Key attending Mandela’s funeral. What will be his answer when he is inevitably asked,

“What did you do, Mr Key, to oppose the 1981 Springbok Tour?”

Fudging the truth – as is his constant habit – will not work this time.

Frank Macskasy

(address and phone number supplied)

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References

NZ Herald: In search of John Key

Dominion Post: Recalling the 1981 Springbok tour

The Daily Blog: John Key shouldn’t be going to Nelson Mandela’s funeral

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