o0ops
left off the 'a'

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=howard+mandela

Dear SPQR,

If you were to walk into any of my library branches
the staff there would be more than capable of helping
you find the books you were after. However, it
wouldn't be me helping you.
I work in a specialised area as a subject consultant.
And your suggested subject of car repairs is a simple
one that any of the library staff could help you with.
There are heaps of DIY for dummies on the shelf.

Dear Graham,

It doesn't really
matter Mr Howard's reasons for not supporting sanctions
against South Africa. What mattered in this case
was how it was perceived by the people who
chose not to give him their vote. Perception was everything
in this case. And they obviously expressed their feelings
by not voting for him.

Paul 1405, "I cannot provide you with a link to this, only personal knowledge, but in the days of the White Springbok's rugby tour of Australia and just prior to Howard's election to Parliament, he was seen as one of the younger conservatives supporting the white only rugby tour"

Even if he did which is conjecture anyway, the issue would have been opposition to politics in sport. That is a reasonable complaint, particularly for an amateur sport such as rugby.

Activists of all hues like to piggy-back to get their headlines and that is what activists were doing in the subject case. In truth we care talking about activists linked with terrorism as well.

I have never seen any evidence whatsoever of any 'racism' in John Howard. Quite the opposite applies in his case, although you will not see him wearing it as a shield as some do.

Here are a few links on the question of
Mr Howard and racism as perceived by some
authors:

http://www.anu.edu.au/polsci/mi/1/mi1kuhn.pdf

And:

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=3993

Beach, let me get this clear, a rugby team representing South Africa, a team that was purely selected on racial grounds toured Australia. This racially selected team represented a country which was governed by a raciest regime. Even if he (Howard) did (support this rugby tour) which is conjecture anyway (Howard did), the issue would have been opposition to politics in sport. That is a reasonable complaint, particularly for an amateur sport such as rugby (SA rugby was totally racially controlled, that is why 95% of their population could never be selected, they were the wrong colour). By supporting a racially selected team you are showing support for racism. The excuse of no politics in sport is a nonsense, the whole thing from start to finish was political inspired to give an air of legitimacy to the oppressive apartheid regime. People like Howard could not divorce themselves from that.

Paul1405. You have no evidence and you should have just admitted that. If Howard was pro-Apartheid someone would have something on the record - he's not a man who's been backward in putting his point of view.

Graham, you question me as to evidence of Howard's support for apartheid. I actually said Howard was a racists, not a screaming in your face racists, but a racists never the less. Does not the Tampa issue point to overt racism from Howard. Those who defend a racists often use the argument that he treats this group, no differently than he would treat others. Something that is often impossible to [rove or disprove. Is that not like saying hypothetically "Oh yes, he hates blacks, but he really hates everyone, black or white." You would never know if that was true or not. With this line the raciest can escape the charge.