Margaret Thatcher....

[muppet]

Whatever about the impact of her government's economic policies which still run to this day, and her way of dealing with domestic and international issues like the Cold War etc. One thing that strikes me the most about her was distinct lack of empathy in her tenure. Unlike in other countries like France and Australia whom also in the 80's underwent upheavals of their own, she never really sought to help bring along those people who struggled to adapt to the radical changes of the time she helped implement, made no concern of the plight of those in formerly thriving mining communities with their families who were made redundant, told the British public to rejoice in the deaths of conscripted Argentine sailors etc. One of the few times I noted her concerns was when she apologised to a friend who was in charge of TV-am when they lost their ITV franchise thanks to the rules she brought in for their award. She helped break down a militant bunch of union leaders that could threaten to hold Britain to ransom but filled the vacuum with a bunch of cronys and reckless spivs that were too big to crash and fail, and that the UK became too dependent on for its economy. Ironically, the troubles in the north perhaps shielded a lot of the associated social upheaval here compared to much of Britain and arguably over here we still have a more communitarian social structure (with the GAA being a major pillar in many places) compared to brash individualism that is present in many parts of England, to the point that when she was getting old and senile neither of her children wanted her to move in with them to care for her, forget about "No such thing as...", her own offspring didn't want her as a burden on their own lives. And for all that I've typed so far, to me that is why it is explainable that many people see no reason to have empathy in her passing, because when she was living she never showed any herself to them.

Great post.

[magpie seanie]

Politician in bad policies shocker.
Obviously Eire is insignificant to Britain. The point was not so much the interest level and why Irish person seems to care so much about Ernie the miner from Leeds? Her policies were misguided, but perhaps it's a stretch for blaming her for Irish political stupidly.

Granted, she was in a different league for callousness and intransigence back in the day.
I just find the current circus around her death is great for internet bravado.
Or will champagne corks really be popping like machine fire tonight?

I don't know what point you are trying to make. People in Ireland are interested in what happens in British politics. If they sneeze we catch a cold and all that. I don't give Irish politicians a pass because they followed her down the road to ruin of living in a world run by bankers for bankers, but she was the standard bearer for those policies. And so what if there aren't actual physical live parties being staged up and down the land on the occasion of her demise. Are people not permitted to use figures of speech on the internet without having to field the accusation of being a keyboard warrior?

The point is, this affinity with some vague English working classes is feigned just to suit the sort of keyboard warriorism that you mention. When the same oiks are getting water cannoned at England away games, we'll be tut-tutting at what ill-reared blackguards they are.

I'd go to a Thatcher party of there was one happening nearby though. Might be a bit of fun.

I don't agree with your comparison. British Imperialism has been punctuated across the globe by absolutely shitting on the ordinary man. I think a lot of Irish people are actually astounded that this creation was such a tyrant that she visited that hateful behaviour on her own people.

On top of that it's quite clear there is little difference betwen the ordinary folk of the north of England and the vast majority of us over here. Irish people have gone and worked and lived side by side with these people for generations. Many of the people in the mines had Irish backgrounds & links.

So I think to call it a feigned affinity is unfair and incorrect. My main reasons for hating her are related to the north and seafoid eloquently put how I'd feel myself on that score. Outside of that in practically everything she did she proved herself to be a hateful person without an ounce of humanity.

[deiseach]

The point is, this affinity with some vague English working classes is feigned just to suit the sort of keyboard warriorism that you mention. When the same oiks are getting water cannoned at England away games, we'll be tut-tutting at what ill-reared blackguards they are.

I'd go to a Thatcher party of there was one happening nearby though. Might be a bit of fun.

I think most people can distinguish between someone having their skull cracked for being in a picket line and someone having their skull cracked for ripping up seats at a soccer match. There would be overlap between the two subsets. But I find it strange that someone would look at one and instinctively see the other. Thatcher certainly did.

[seafoid]

Politician in bad policies shocker.
Obviously Eire is insignificant to Britain. The point was not so much the interest level and why Irish person seems to care so much about Ernie the miner from Leeds? Her policies were misguided, but perhaps it's a stretch for blaming her for Irish political stupidly.

Granted, she was in a different league for callousness and intransigence back in the day.
I just find the current circus around her death is great for internet bravado.
Or will champagne corks really be popping like machine fire tonight?

I don't know what point you are trying to make. People in Ireland are interested in what happens in British politics. If they sneeze we catch a cold and all that. I don't give Irish politicians a pass because they followed her down the road to ruin of living in a world run by bankers for bankers, but she was the standard bearer for those policies. And so what if there aren't actual physical live parties being staged up and down the land on the occasion of her demise. Are people not permitted to use figures of speech on the internet without having to field the accusation of being a keyboard warrior?

The point is, this affinity with some vague English working classes is feigned just to suit the sort of keyboard warriorism that you mention. When the same oiks are getting water cannoned at England away games, we'll be tut-tutting at what ill-reared blackguards they are.

I'd go to a Thatcher party of there was one happening nearby though. Might be a bit of fun.

It 's not nice to see ordinary people being shafted. I would have a lot of sympathy for the families of the Hillsborough disaster even though I wouldn't be a big fan of Liverpool.
Can anyone in Ireland listen to a song such as "a town called malice" and understand it or do you have to be born in England ?
There are a lot of Irish people in England too.
You could even argue that the opposition to Thatcherism in Ireland was one of the reasons the social welfare system is different.   53 quid a week is savage compared to what people get in the 26 counties.

[Farrandeelin]

She will now meet her maker to atone for the murders that were committed under her watch

Nah, she'll go to hell instead.

[seafoid]

She will now meet her maker to atone for the murders that were committed under her watch

Nah, she'll go to hell instead.

She'll be reincarnated as an untouchable.

[trileacman]

Micheal D didn't get carried away.

Statement from Áras an Uachtaráin

"I am sorry to learn of the death of Lady Thatcher. To have been Great Britain's first female Prime Minister means that Margaret Thatcher's place in history is secure. She will be remembered as one of the most conviction-driven British Prime Ministers who drew on a scholarship that demanded markets without regulation.

The policies of Mrs Thatcher's Government in regard to Northern Ireland gave rise to considerable debate at the time. However, her key role in signing the Anglo-Irish Agreement will be recalled as a valuable early contribution to the search for peace and political stability.

Lady Thatcher's political career, its impact and legacy will be discussed and debated for many years. What is undeniable is that the strength of conviction in her beliefs was acknowledged by those who robustly opposed her, as well as by those who enthusiastically supported her.

I extend my condolences to Lady Thatcher's family, her friends and political colleagues."

Fair fucks to him, he can't exactly write the ould **** off since he is a figure head of a neighboring state but still managed to snipe at her. "demanded markets without regulation"

Adams aside, have any Irish politicians called a spade a spade today?

Higgins by the look of things. Unlike Gerry who is a leader of a minority party, the government can't come out and say, "ah yeah good riddance ya bitch".

[Maguire01]

http://www.isthatcherdeadyet.co.uk/

[muppet]

I don't agree with your comparison. British Imperialism has been punctuated across the globe by absolutely shitting on the ordinary man. I think a lot of Irish people are actually astounded that this creation was such a tyrant that she visited that hateful behaviour on her own people.

On top of that it's quite clear there is little difference betwen the ordinary folk of the north of England and the vast majority of us over here. Irish people have gone and worked and lived side by side with these people for generations. Many of the people in the mines had Irish backgrounds & links.

So I think to call it a feigned affinity is unfair and incorrect. My main reasons for hating her are related to the north and seafoid eloquently put how I'd feel myself on that score. Outside of that in practically everything she did she proved herself to be a hateful person without an ounce of humanity.

Historically they did treat their own badly, almost as badly as us. 'To hell or the Bahamas' was about the Irish sold into slavery in the Carribean, but it was also about the Scots, Welsh and English who were sent down the same route. The ruling classes in Britain treated their own lower classes and in particular English Catholics abominably. Remember The Penal Laws didn't just apply in Ireland. Thatcher was simply 'old school' in that regard.

[Nally Stand]

Adams aside, have any Irish politicians called a spade a spade today?

Higgins by the look of things

Bearing in mind the sheer amount of blood which dripped from her hands, what specific piece of Higgins' statement do you see as being him calling a spade a spade? I fail to see a single bad word about her throughout. (Whether or not he should say a bad word isn't my point, I'm just asking what you see in in his statement as him calling a spade a spade).

[Harold Disgracey]

They say you should only speak good about the dead.  She's dead, good.

[Maguire01]

Adams aside, have any Irish politicians called a spade a spade today?

Higgins by the look of things

Bearing in mind the sheer amount of blood which dripped from her hands, what specific piece of Higgins' statement do you see as being him calling a spade a spade? I fail to see a single bad word about her throughout. (Whether or not he should say a bad word isn't my point, I'm just asking what you see in in his statement as him calling a spade a spade).

There's an element of diplomacy you have to expect from the likes of the President/Taoiseach.

[give her dixie]

I for one will not be shedding any tears over Thatcher, and tonight I will raise a glass in memory of the thousands of people she directly and indirectly killed, and to the millions worldwide who suffered under her rule.

Maggie Thatcher R.I.H.

[T Fearon]

Sure didn't Mick O'Leary say only for Thatcher we'd all be penniless and governed by Germany, (someone should tell him most of his 26 county compatriots already are!)

[brokencrossbar1]

Argentinian Pope...Thatcher dies...coincidence, I think not, twas a miracle!