RIP Margaret Thatcher

Perhaps I'm being a tad hypocritical here, but I wouldn't be averse to rejoicing in, say, the death of Kim Jong-Un as I did with his father. There's a difference between someone whom you may despise for any number of reasons versus someone who is truly evil, not to mention dangerous. That malignant troll Achmedinijad (sp?) in Iran is one example.

The obsequious tributes you mention are annoying to me as well. Unfortunately, politicians of all stripes love to celebrate themselves and their offices so in what amounts to a "gentlemans agreement" (ironic given that we're talking about politicians) they agree to come together and praise the decedent to the skies, no matter their political persuaion, secure in the knowledge that, when their turn comes, they too will be remember fondly (at least in the "official" media) and lionized in public, at least for a brief period until they're safely interred in some resting place of honor. Then everything goes back to normal.

Obviously, one's point of view in these matters is skewed by one's own political views and whether or not you approved or disapproved of the late notable. I admit I admired her and approved of her politics and I realize that many didn't. Also, I can see that, since I'm an American, her policies didn't affect me as they did those in the UK (I didn't have to live with them) so my approval is more in the abstract. The blogger in question offended me but, to his credit, he didn't back off and responded with a spirited defense. We shall have to agree to disagree, I guess...

I seem to recall reading that Margaret Thatcher was caned across her hands as a schoolgirl. Apparently that can cause nerve damage and that she showed evidence of that damage if you looked at her hands. Apparently the pinky finger will be raised oddly if your hands have been caned enough to get that damage.

Although I remain a dedicated although not uncritical admirer of the late lamented MT, I totally agree with Bogiephil. I shall not be tuning in to the in many cases hypocritical tributes paid in the House of Commons.

I'm reminded of an incident in the Roman Emperor Tiberius's life. His son had died early, and the Senate were weeping and wailing about the terrible loss. Tiberius knew it was totally hypocritical and was heard to remark:

"Ugh! This place smells of onions!"

I worked in local politics for 10 years and i dont necessarily agree that all the MT tributes are hypocritical. In my limited experience, opposing parties and individuals would argue, battle and try to undermine each other ...but then walk out of the debate and have a drink together. Maybe they werent bosom buddies but there was mutual respect. Certainly, there were people that disliked each other but that was based more on personalities rather than politics. Perhaps my perception was naive or just 'rose coloured' but i, for one, judged party members on who they were, not what side they sat on. No one from the other party was ever mean to me!

She was definitely a 'Marmite' politician in much the same way as Enoch Powell or Tony Benn were. Looking back now though I have to admire the honesty of all of them. I didn't always like what they said or even did but they had a great belief in themselves and their opinions and always acted accordingly. I doubt if they were fiddling thousands of pounds on unwarranted expenses.

The fact that some people are openly partying about her death says more about their lack of manners than it does about her.

Yes, I agree. I haven't bought a newspaper or switched on the television for several days, though I might risk watching Masterchef this evening!

Be careful -
you might catch "A Masterchef Tribute to Margaret Thatcher."

All I can say having that lived through that period and voted for her to wake up the labour party she died forty years too late. She destroyed more lives and communities than Adolf did and would never have been re-elected except for the Falklands debacle. Just like George W and 911.

As an observer from outside, I have no special love or hate for the former Prime Minister. I know the things that made her lost her initial popularity but on other side she was the most powerful PM since Churchill and granted Britain a respect it lost for many years.

The Falklands War brought a lot of victims to both side of a stupid conflict but, besides giving Lady Thatcher the boost she needed, it gave the kick of death to a brutal military dictatorship in Argentina and most probably added to the resolve of Brazilian military in restoration of democracy. Even if it wasn't the decisive contribution, the iron will of Lady Thatcher helped South American people getting rid of the years of lead. Only for this, RIP Margareth Thatcher.

KJM

The most hateful and macho comment about her, I think, was made by President Chirac: "What does she want, the housewife? My balls on a tray?"