Seriously, BuzzFeed?

Posted by in Blog, News, Politics on June 26, 2012 8:08 pm / 5 comments

There’s a post over at BuzzFeed that may be one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read. In a post entitled “Did Arizona Senate Candidate Jeff Flake Lobby For Apartheid In South Africa?” they try to paint Flake’s 1987 opposition to sanctions against South Africa as somehow “supporting the apartheid government.”

In 1987, Flake testified before the Utah State Senate in support of a resolution expressing support for the government of South Africa while racial segregation laws were enforced — largely to support U.S. mining interests in the region. In testimony flagged by a Democratic source, Flake opposed sanctions on the regime, arguing they only worsened the living conditions for black South Africans.

Right, because opposing something that would only worsen conditions for the oppressed is somehow supporting the government that is oppressing them? Please. Oh, and the resolution? Here’s the part they published:

“As an ally of the United States, South Africa is a major source to the free world of vital minerals such as manganese, cobalt, platinum, gold etc.”

“Without a dependable and economic source of these minerals, many industries in the United States and the free world would be severely impacted and the cost of these manufactured items is greatly increased.”

“Whereas, economic sanctions would have had a more direct impact on the black community,”

“Whereas, the black population suffers from the present violent and depressed economy,”

“Notify the elected leaders and all the citizens of South Africa that we welcome them as friends and allies in the war against poverty and racial injustice.”

It’s pretty obvious he was opposed to the sanctions because they were going to hurt blacks in South Africa more than anyone else, and he supported the resolution because it contained those exact words. In what world does that even allow the question of “did he lobby for Apartheid” to be asked? Of course he wasn’t. That’s not even remotely in the same universe as that.

The sad part is anyone with half a brain can figure out what he was doing just by reading the article. Well, all except for the guy that wrote it…

(h/t @MattCover)

 
 

5 Comments

  1. geek49203 says:
    June 26, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    This is no more stupid than the “Romney vetoes elevators for handicapped people then built elevators for his car” thing that has been going around…

  2. Jose says:
    June 27, 2012 at 7:52 am

    I believe Flake opposes the Cuban embargo for the same reasons.

  3. Mike says:
    June 27, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    I know this blog is ran by a group of young adults, but did you even bother to look into the history of the South African apartheid government? Do you even know about the apartheid government? Do you even know about the Sullivan principles?

    South Africa’s apartheid government was awful. I suggest you look into it.

  4. Tommy says:
    June 27, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    Mike,

    First, if wanna take issue with what was written, do so. Don’t take shots by trying to play the tired “age card.”

    Secondly, I’m 37, a college graduate, and U.S. Army veteran. So speaking of “not bothering” to do stuff, maybe you should do a little research before making the kind of statement you did above.

    As to your point about whether or not I know anything about South Africa, it has nothing to do with my post or my issue with BuzzFeed.

    The point was Flake’s reasoning was essentially ignored in their post. They took his opposition to sanctions and made a giant leap to that equaling him “lobbying for Apartheid” even though he clearly stated why he opposed them. That’s what the post was about.

    Finally, you what else is awful? Your reading comprehension. I suggest you look into it.

  5. THE INFORMATION says:
    June 27, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    Ok, Tommy, how about the “stupid card”, let’s play that one because if you had any skills you would have been in another service arm.

    Do you really think no one ever noticed the Boer BXP? Or that an Atlas Cheetah was a copy of the Kfir C1?

    Do you think no one ever knew that American white supremacists invested in these companies?

    Do you think no one could ever put two and two together and understand that Israelis and White Power conspired together to find and arm apartheid for generations?

    Whoops.

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