Beyond Embarrassing Posted by Adam Blickstein

Robben Island was no Guantanamo:

Nobel Peace Prize winner and international symbol of freedom Nelson Mandela is flagged on U.S. terrorist watch lists and needs special permission to visit the USA. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calls the situation "embarrassing," and some members of Congress vow to fix it.

What might be even more absurd are some of the explanations and apologies for this farce:

Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., called ANC members' inclusion on watch lists a "bureaucratic snafu" and pledged to fix the problem.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says "common sense" suggests Mandela should be removed. He says the issue "raises a troubling and difficult debate about what groups are considered terrorists and which are not."

Ah, bureaucratic snafus, the sanguine explanation for all government incompetence.

Comments

[Don Bacon]

Sure, Michael Chertoff, it's troubling and difficult to determine if Nelson Mandela is a terrorist or not. Would you like a guide to the men's room? You might have a troubling and difficult time finding it on your own.
And to think that this clown is in charge of Homeland Security. We're all in trouble if there's any real threat, or perhaps this proves that there isn't any threat.

[Mike M.]

So how many people are on that list who can't just be removed based on common sense because they aren't famous?

[John B.]

It's gotta be Cheney. I have no doubt that he considers Mandela a terrorist. Remember when he voted against a House resolution calling on the former government of SA to let Mandela out of prison? He said he was a terrorist and should stay locked up.

[Müzik]

think that this clown is in charge of Homeland Security. ilanlar
We're all in trouble if there's any real threat, or perhaps this proves that there isn't any threat.