in the name of the counter-terrorism, the US government have committed a few inhuman acts. Places and events like “Guantanamo” and “the Iraq invasion” are two on a long list.

But of all the ridiculous things they did in the name of protecting American security, putting Nelson Mandela on a terrorism watch list may be the most absurd. MSNBC had a note about it on there site.

” Who knew Nelson Mandela was on the US terror watch list? Well as of today, he’s not anymore.

This morning, President Bush signed into law a bill granting Secretary Rice the authority to waive travel restrictions on President Mandela and other members of the African National Congress (ANC). The bill was sponsored by Democratic Sens. John Kerry and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Republican Sen. Bob Corker.

The senators say Mandela and ANC members remained on the list “for activities they conducted against South Africa’s apartheid regime decades ago.” They also said in their written statement that the removal “end[s] an embarrassing impediment to improving U.S.-South Africa relations.”

USA should have a thought or two about the next South African leader however, Mr. Zuma. I don’t think he in any way should be categorized as a terrorist, but maybe on the list of unsuitable African leaders?

See Mandelas life in pictures here.