Her legacy was mixed in many ways. I won't argue that. Indeed - I still feel it is to early to fully judge her legacy.

Nevertheless - the country seemed to be better off in 1990 - than when she took power in 1979. And she deserves praise for helping to end the Cold War. And she deserves credit for her gradual realisation of what the future for Britain in the EU would be. Indeed - it was because of this that she got reformed from office by the pro-EU elements in her party.

Still - she was a hell of a politician. They just don't make them like this anymore. And it shows as well - that sometimes a woman can be the most alpha person in the room.

Here are my two favourite Thatcher moments:











Regardless of how mixed her legacy was. It does annoy me when all the left wingers attack her for destroying the country. They never seem to notice that the Labour party - despite spending 13 years in power - never reversed a single one of her major reforms.

I've always seen Thatcher as a cornerstone of feminism. The "Iron Lady" identified strongly with her nickname.

I think everyone here will agree that the Thatchers and Merkels are exaclty the opposite of what we call feminine, even though they didn't cut their hair short.

Thatcher despised feminism, she called it 'poison'

She was right about the single currency and the backdoor federalization of Europe. I think a lot of women, in business and in politics, often think that because they have made it to a relatively high position that they are the next Thatcher. Unfortunately for them, Thatcher was truly exceptional, whereas they are fairly ordinary or sub standard. I think feminism actually makes it LESS likely not more likely that a woman of real talent will make it because they have made it artificially easier for many women to advance. This will allow less-talented women to potentially drown out (or sabotage) truly talented women, who will be viewed as legitimate threats.

also I'd say a large part of the British population are celebrating her death as are a large part of the Irish population

I think it is pathetic how a load of people on facebook are celebrating her death when they probably have no idea who she is. She fucked the miners over in the North of England, but at least she had principles unlike the career politicians we have today.

Bojangles, I didn't know she said that about feminism, good for her.

One of the West's greatest 20th century leaders.

If she had been born in the US 20 years later, she would have been Obama's running mate.

I live in the north of England. And issues surrounding the mining industry are tricky.

It comes down to whether you support free trade (in which case subsidised industries will close down and be exported abroad) or think it is better for communities to have people doing inefficicent work. Instead of paying them to stay at home.

I have a hard time deciding exactly which side is correct. What with the law of unintended consequences and all.

On the one hand you have Marie Le Pen with the following quote which I really like:

Quote:Quote:

"Globalisation means getting slaves to make things abroad to sell to unemployed people here."

And on the other hand you have Milton Friedman's masterful defense of free-trade:






I am still thinking alot about these issues. But - politicians in power don't have this luxury. They have to get on and make difficult decisions. And are probably lead by the most reasonable argument they have heard from an advisor that month.

It is a tricky area - and I don't think anyone should imagine they know for definite that their worldview is 100% correct.

I love Milton Friedman - and the above clip shows him at his best. Yet - I wonder if he can be 'penny wise and pound foolish'.

Since - it seems possible that your country is getting a bad deal when it dismantles industries, and bases of tradition and knowledge. Which could often be at the centre of the next wave of technological progess. In exchange for the short term benefit of cheaper goods from abroad.

For instance - Rolls Royce nearly went bust in the UK - 30 years ago. But the government decided to subsidise it and save it from closure. And today it is one of our greatest companies, making a ton of profit and providing thousands of high-skilled jobs. As well as making every engine in every plane in the world (at least this is what I have heard). So - that is a success story in terms of government intervention. But I guess that should be weighed against the many examples of government waste in propping up industries that had no future.

It is a complex area...

These two scenes from the film 'Other People's Money' are worth watching. One provides a cogent attack on free market principles. And one provides an excellent defense.

It is a real education watching this. And I guess my sympathies side more with Danny Devito's character than Gregory Peck's character.

While I don't agree with some of her policies, I do respect that fact that she was someone who believed in what they did and there were many highlights of her career.

RIP

I wonder how many people had their daily wank ruined/enhanced due to images of a dead thatcher? not going to lie im going to have a drink to her death tonight she ruined a lot of lifes in my neck of the woods. I may despise the woman but i can't help to admire the fact she never hid her true intentions unlike a lot of modern politicians.

As a kid growing up in the Reagan era, I remember her being his political soul mate. Those two were always inextricably linked in my mind and stood up to the Soviets. That's probably the closest the USA and UK have ever been.

You know what Margaret Thatcher's greatest achievement is? Delaying by a couple of decades the inevitable decline of the UK into a socialist council housing drunken debauched welfare state hell hole.

Alas, even the iron lady couldn't put a permanent stop to it.

And people who dance on her grave, go fuck yourselves.

Quote: (04-08-2013 08:55 AM)bojangles Wrote:  

Thatcher despised feminism, she called it 'poison'

You have to be very weary of any female leader who publicly subscribes to feminist principles. They can do a lot of harm in a short space of time.

There definitely are women who make strong and effective leaders (not talking politics here), like Thatcher, Merckel and even the Queen. None of those three would touch feminism with a 10 foot pole. If you are an effective person already it can't do anything for you. Speaking of it only confirms your personal weakness.

Then think of another female leader who does embrace feminism, Julia Gillard. I'm not that familiar with her politics, but she does seem to be an emotional basket-case flitting from one thing to another. She should have looked to other female leaders of the past and never ever spoken of the "F" word.

Quote: (04-08-2013 09:12 AM)Teedub Wrote:  

I think it is pathetic how a load of people on facebook are celebrating her death when they probably have no idea who she is. She fucked the miners over in the North of England, but at least she had principles unlike the career politicians we have today.

Bojangles, I didn't know she said that about feminism, good for her.

There's no intrinsic value "having principles". Some of the worst people in history stuck to their principles.

Quote: (04-08-2013 10:11 AM)soup Wrote:  

Quote: (04-08-2013 09:12 AM)Teedub Wrote:  

I think it is pathetic how a load of people on facebook are celebrating her death when they probably have no idea who she is. She fucked the miners over in the North of England, but at least she had principles unlike the career politicians we have today.

Bojangles, I didn't know she said that about feminism, good for her.

There's no intrinsic value "having principles". Some of the worst people in history stuck to their principles.

well large swathes of the UK think she is like Hitler/Stalin, they had principles and stuck to them till their death. In terms of life in the country, her premiership was the most turbulent time with riots in nearly every single city, year on year.

While I didn't agree with all of her policies, she inspires major respect. And while feminists like to either hate on her or try to present her as one of their own, she was a true example of what those feminists are not: a brave and determined woman who commanded the same respect as her male colleagues. Her personal life was also calm and a fine contrast to today's "strong" carousel-riding women. R.I.P.

I would rather have her than 99% of new politicians.
She was smart, tough, economic driven and day after day showed those commies/socialists that their "solutions" sucked and still suck balls.

Quote: (04-08-2013 09:03 AM)Menace Wrote:  

She was right about the single currency and the backdoor federalization of Europe. I think a lot of women, in business and in politics, often think that because they have made it to a relatively high position that they are the next Thatcher. Unfortunately for them, Thatcher was truly exceptional, whereas they are fairly ordinary or sub standard. I think feminism actually makes it LESS likely not more likely that a woman of real talent will make it because they have made it artificially easier for many women to advance. This will allow less-talented women to potentially drown out (or sabotage) truly talented women, who will be viewed as legitimate threats.

That's true with men too. Fuck, it's even more embarrassing with a man with zero qualifications and is decidedly anti-exceptional somehow becomes president.

The man I'm thinking of, his name rhymes with "Tush"

Brits complain about everything. They won't be happy no matter who is in charge.

My ties to Liverpool say "RIP?! Fuck off!", my red pill ties say "whatever".

Good riddance to the old cow. Thatcher epitomised everything that was bad about the 1980s, Gordon Gecko 'Greed is good' culture. She initiated deregulation in the finance and banking sector which led us to the mess we are in now. Her 'Good Society' policy was a disaster. Hundreds of thousands of state owned council homes were sold off to private developers resulting in a huge housing shortage that the UK has now. She was vehemently anti trade union/anti worker and her treatment of the miners showed. Her policies ripped the heart and soul out of many working class communities when by shutting down the traditional industries like coal mining and manufacturing leaving them with nothing. Whole communities and cities like Liverpool were simply abandoned and left to their own devices, re: Broadmoor and Brixton riots. The YTS scheme another dismal policy which failed so many. Her economic model in which some here speak so highly of went wollop with the crash in '87. By the time she left office in 1990, the UK was a shell of its former self. The manufacturing industry which had built the UK was all but gutted and many former workers were poorly trained or ill equipped to deal with the changes. Those that did get jobs ended up in low paid, non union services sector. In foreign policy, she cosied up to some of the worst right wing desports like Saddam Hussein, General Augusto Pinochet, Mobutu of Zaire and Suharto of Indonesia whom she sold weapons knowkingly that there were being used to slaughter East Timorese villagers.

It was fitting that she died on the 32nd anniversary of IRA Hunger Striker Bobby Sands being elected as MP. I am sure Mr. Sands cracked a big smile today at seeing his arch nemesis get a red iron hot poker shoved up her arse by Satan himself.

I will leave the final word to Elvis Costello.

Quote: (04-08-2013 12:05 PM)Partizan Wrote:  

Good riddance to the old cow. Thatcher epitomised everything that was bad about the 1980s, Gordon Gecko 'Greed is good' culture. She initiated deregulation in the finance and banking sector which led us to the mess we are in now. Her 'Good Society' policy was a disaster. Hundreds of thousands of state owned council homes were sold off to private developers resulting in a huge housing shortage that the UK has now. She was vehemently anti trade union/anti worker and her treatment of the miners showed. Her policies ripped the heart and soul out of many working class communities when by shutting down the traditional industries like coal mining and manufacturing leaving them with nothing. Whole communities and cities like Liverpool were simply abandoned and left to their own devices, re: Broadmoor and Brixton riots. The YTS scheme another dismal policy which failed so many. Her economic model in which some here speak so highly of went wollop with the crash in '87. By the time she left office in 1990, the UK was a shell of its former self. The manufacturing industry which had built the UK was all but gutted and many former workers were poorly trained or ill equipped to deal with the changes. Those that did get jobs ended up in low paid, non union services sector. In foreign policy, she cosied up to some of the worst right wing desports like Saddam Hussein, General Augusto Pinochet, Mobutu of Zaire and Suharto of Indonesia whom she sold weapons knowkingly that there were being used to slaughter East Timorese villagers.

It was fitting that she died on the 32nd anniversary of IRA Hunger Striker Bobby Sands being elected as MP. I am sure Mr. Sands cracked a big smile today at seeing his arch nemesis get a red iron hot poker shoved up her arse by Satan himself.

It's a good thing Thatcher de-regulated finance and banking, otherwise you WOULDN'T have a banking business in the City today. And Thatcher has ZERO responsibility for the excesses of the early 21st century.

It's a good thing that Thatcher broke the backs of the Trade Unions, which were instrumental in keeping Britain a 3rd world country. That a trade union could grind an economy to a halt is completely unacceptable. And do you WANT to go back to a coal-fired economy? Really?

Manufacturing was going to the 3rd world, no matter who was in charge. That's not Thatcher's fault.

All the haters, like you, have some gauzy vision of working class utopia. Give it up. Those days are gone. And good fucking riddance.

The road to free markets is a painful one, but the end result is always a benefit for society. Economic growth is not a zero sum game.

RIP Thatcher.