BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 02:07 PM

*G* Catspaw...

As for the Falklands, I see it as us 'calling the Argies bluff' really...but then they called OUR bluff by HOLDING, & 'forcing' us to fight...

However, I think a lot of Conflicts can be seen in that way

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Cllr
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 02:09 PM

Spaw.

That is a visual image I _really_ didn't need.

Cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 03:26 PM

I wasn't actually comparing Thatcher to Bin Laden. In fcat I was contrasting them, as a way of challenging whether that remark of Giok really stands up. If really it is appropriate to "admire in anybody" the "ability to be true to (their) beliefs, right or wrong", the logic of that has to be to admire that in Bin Laden or in Hitler.

Well, maybe it is possible to distinguish between the actual beliefs and the ability to be true to them. That's why I put a question mark in my reply.

As I said earlier, I don't go for seeing Maggie Thatcher as the person to carry the responsibility for everything that happened in her time. People elected her. She didn't come to power through an army coup like Pinochet. If there is blame - and I think there is - it rests on a lot of people, those who voted for her, yes and those who drove them to vote for her. And also those who have consistently refused to reform the voting system so that a fanatical minority could never achieve overwhelming power.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 03:37 PM

Agreed, Mr McGrath, with just about all of that

...I feel that there are a number of extreme left-wing individuals who engendered a LOT more than 'one person - one vote' FOR the Tories.....

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Gareth
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 03:53 PM

God -yes.

Let the nuts on the left hang their collective heads in shame the way they helped keep that ***** in power.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 03:57 PM

McGrath the reason that your comparison falls down, ( and as they say comparisons are odious ) Is that none of the fanatics you cite stood for election, AND got elected, and more than once. This fact alone no matter how much one agrees with the result gives them legitimacy, or a mandate as they prefer to call it.

Jock

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 04:10 PM

Ooops! doesnt that bring up the knotty problem of President Ford then?

*evil, teasing grin*

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Ditchdweller
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 04:12 PM

Mrs Thatcher was elected in 1979 thanks to the unstinting efforts of the trade unions to impose their rule over the elected Labour Government. The country was in absolute rag order at the time. In 1977 I drove Green Goddesses in Wigan as part of the the emergency fire cover for the Firemen's strike. The next year we had a squadron clearing streets because of a bin-mens strike. The winter of '78/79 was was notable for hospital porters picket lines turning back patients because the porters did not think they were ill enough. Also, there were strikes of delivery drivers who then picketed hospitals and schools to prevent heating fuel from getting through. In addition there were further public service strikes resulting in unburied bodies in Liverpool and massive heaps of rubbish in Glasgow. The Wilson/Callaghan government clique had shown themselves to be totally ineffective in dealing with these troubles, as had the Heath government a few years earlier. Mrs. Thatcher was by no means not perfect, but she was MANY times better than the incompetants who preceeded her. Also, to hear some of the invective regarding the Falklands, it would be easy to gain the impression that the whole event was set up with Galtieri simply so she could kick his forces out and get re-elected. Come on, get real!!

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 04:25 PM

Sapper, if I believed that LAST bit WAS the case, I'd be sending you a Private Message on here asking if you could knock up a 'certain piece of kit'....& I'd willingly go & position it.

Thats a bit flippant, sorry....& to save upsetting 'Councillor' (who is someone I dont dislike at all, though I despise his political affiliations, & his defence of Thatcher) I think I'll shut up on this subject now!

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Gareth
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 06:45 PM

Sapper -

My politics are somewhat left of center - but, like you, it infuriates me to hear the mantra, that that ***** set up the Falklands War to gain electorial sympathy.

260 plus UK servicemen may have died to save her face ( and many more Argentinian conscripts) but that particular crime can not be layed to the cow.

Foe what it's worth I suspect that the Falklands war may well have saved the British Labour Party from complete electorial breakdown.

As stories go, this one is worth telling. At the time of the war I was at a routine meeting in East Kent, held in the Miners Institute in Aylesham (nr Dover). Business in the smokey back room had finished and I was enjoying a pint or so before cycling back to Whitstable.

One of our lunatic fringe started sounding off to say that the whole thing was a capitalist war etc. Sure enough the stupid sod was picked up by half a dozen colliers (not Thatcher sympathisers) and projected out of the bar horizontally - to general applause.

Nobody can pretend that that war was to protect democracy in the Falklands, or in Argentina - but I suspect that it was a case of the Government making all the right decisions for all the wrong reasons.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Tone d' F
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 07:09 PM

so you don't think that the fact that the Falklands gives the UK legal access to antartica Via Drake Passage and Paradise bay had any bearing on it's value.

mmm... Flaklands lamb only £3,220 per pound (spitting Image)

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 07:17 PM

I'm curious, truly: Just what is/was it that the people who voted her party into power like/liked about her? And what was her political reputation before she achieved the prominence?

I hope no one takes offense if I say that some of the invective on this thread sounds just a bit sexist? I can't fathom a 'Catter speaking of a 'bull' politician, especially in a negative sense. Is it possible that the fact that this was a woman prime minister makes it easier and more 'correct' to hate her?

Eb

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: AliUK
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 07:45 PM

since when was Thatcher ever a woman? And that's a direct quote from a feminist of many years that I know, and most of the feminists I know were of the same opinion. The Malvinas conflict was a result of many interests, political and economical, as has already been pointed out, like the straits of Gibralter. The Malvinas Islands are a handy staging ground for the UK's interests in the Antarctic mineral fields. The only reason the British ahave got the arse end of Spain is because the impirialist/economic policies of the era were to control the traffic in and out of the Med. Also, Thatch's government were flagging a bit at the time and they were in serious danger of getting booted out. Then the Pols in the conservative party wouldn't have been able to continue to line their pockets and those of their industrialist cronies through the sale of the public utilities and services.. 79 was the year when the British voters didn't do what they did this year, stay at home to register then non-vote. This was the end of the era of british popular political consciousness.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Tone d' F
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 08:24 PM

We brits don't vote people into power, we let the 40% to 60% of people that vote do it.

But not satisfied by that you can win by having the highest percentage of votes something like 51% willput you in power even though 39% of the voters were against you.

Strangely enough I don't think people are sexist about Thatcher, just hateful, resentful, spiteful and rude but not sexist

It looks as though she read Das Kapital and reversed it, selling off the assets quicker than a Yankie carpetbagger.

If the Falklands had not happened she would have been out of office but as with PM's before her, stick a pin in the patriotic nerve and you're ok for another six months

Before entering polotics she was a research scientist who's claim to fame was working out just how much air to put into ice cream to make it soft (Mr Whippy)

She was assertive and domaneering and when she wanted your opinion she would give you it. As for why the Tory's voted her as leader, I can only guess being controlled by her was cheaper than a visit to Ms Whiplash (sorry conservetives but your slease track record sucks)

From what was on offer she was the best of the lot as with Hitler and Mousolini things started out seemingly ok and all three started wars

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Gareth
Date: 07 Oct 01 - 02:30 PM

I suppose this would not be a good time to post the following extracted from the Freeserve news site.

Tories need to break with Thatcherism, says vice-chairman

A leading Tory says the party must break with Thatcherism.

Vice-chairman Gary Streeter says they need to act in the same way that Tony Blair convinced Labour to ditch Clause Four.

He says Baroness Thatcher was a fantastic Prime Minister but she has only a very small part to play in the future.

Mr Streeter told GMTV: "We are talking about 15 and 20 years ago and it's a very different world in which we live today.

"Society has changed enormously and I think if we are to attract support from a wider group of people, then we have to say, 'that was great then but that's yesterday, we leave that behind and we look forward'.

"I think you will find that Baroness Thatcher has a very small part to play in the future of our party, although she was a giant in the century that we've just enjoyed."

Mr Streeter says the party could benefit from a confrontation between Mr Duncan Smith and hardline Thatcherites.

"If we are to show people we are changing and we have changed, picking a fight with a reactionary group within the party, as Mr Blair did, is not necessarily a bad thing," he said.

Those reactionary forces include racist party members, according to Mr Streeter.

"I think we have to pick a battle with them and say that will not do for the future of this Party because we are now looking forward to a multi-racial, multi-cultural society," he said.

Let us respect thier greif in private.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Ringer
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 06:35 AM

Just remind me which war(s) Mrs Thatcher started, Tone d'F.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Scotland the brave
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 01:06 PM

magaret thatcher, as I said she's just a mad old cow, who should be really locked up for her and our sakes.

And anyone who could admire that old bitch must be a tory in disguise. I just wish that the old bitch would just crawl under a stone and die. Or do like one of heroes Hitler, just put a gun to her head and shoot herself, I mean what she did to Scotland was terrible, and her pals in the Labour party, that helped her by doing nothing. They just sat back and let her run riot here in Scotland, and yet there are still people here in Scotland thinks that she's great. I really can't understand why Scots can vote for the Tories or New Labour or even the Liberals because all they care about is what happens in Westminster and not in Scotland. I don't know how they could make that old bitch (Sorry to old bitches everywhere) a barnoness. To be one you would need to be human and she's not and never will be. I agree that she stuck to her ideas and all that sort of thing, but to ruin Scotland and Wales and also start a war just so that she could remain prime minster is beyond a joke. So one final word I just wish would hurry up and die.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Penny S.
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 03:26 PM

Did anyone see the program in which she was challenged about the Belgrano by Diana Gould? I missed it, wanting to miss her, but watched a repeat later, when our family had met Mrs Gould, whom we liked. Our video failed to record it, so I couldn't rewatch to verify what I saw. Mrs Thatcher gave a very good impression of someone in the position of defending a deciasion she couldn't defend - either because it was taken by someone else, or because she had doubts about it. She was definitely uneasy, which was very surprising for her. And yet, as has been shown above, there were statements she could have made, and which she must have met in disputing with Tam Dalyell. It was very odd.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Tone d' F
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 07:17 PM

Bald Eagle, yeah sorry it was an undeclared war and the Argentinians did'nt remove their military escort for the scrap metal merchants and they did then invade.

I appologise, my memory of the details of 20yrs ago were iffy, and as with everything you only remember what you want to remember.

Mrs T did not start the Falklands war

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Ferret
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 10:20 PM

Margaret Thatcher is one of the few politicians that I have to agree with the sentiment of this song about.

I'D LOVE TO SHOVE HER

By: Saw. Dr,/O'Glacain Performed by "The Irish Brigade" From the Album "Ten Years On The Run"

They have voted for another magi's bottom of the poll Well she's nothing left to do now But sine up at the dole Kicked out on here hole In the Falklands and in Ulster She went in with guns ablaze But like any dried up cow now They sent her out to graze God above be praised

Chorus: Oh I'd love to shove her I'd love to shove her once Where, off Mount Errigal I'd love to shove her love to shove her once Where, off Mount Errigal Gone, Magi Thatcher is gone Woe, Woe Gone, Magi Thatcher is gone

She was the iron lady who spoke for the British nation since they sent her to the scrape yard Her mouth has constipation And her silence's is in contrast to the politicians here Charlie Hohy and Ian Paisley Both have verbal diarrhoea Talking from there rear

Chorus: Oh I'd love to shove her I'd love to shove her once Where, off Mount Errigal I'd love to shove her love to shove her once Where, off Mount Errigal Gone, Magi Thatcher is gone Woe, Woe Gone, Magi Thatcher is gone

After thirty years of service her love life can begin She can stay at home with Dennis now and help him get it in I'm talking about the gin Well she can think of former glory now she's nothing else to do Will she often think of Brighton When she's siting on the loo What a chance we blew

Chorus: Oh I'd love to shove her I'd love to shove her once Where, off Mount Errigal I'd love to shove her love to shove her once Where, off Mount Errigal Gone, Magi Thatcher is gone Woe, Woe Gone, Magi Thatcher is gone

They're going to hang her picture In the Tory hall of fame Though there's many people that I know That would spit upon her name All the tragedy and death she coursed Lives on though years may pass Sure the Proves won't be happy Till she's six feet under grass Sentex up her ass

Chorus: Oh I'd love to shove her I'd love to shove her once Where, off Mount Errigal I'd love to shove her love to shove her once Where, off Mount Errigal Gone, Magi Thatcher is gone Woe, Woe Gone, Magi Thatcher is gone

They have voted for another She can go and kiss my ass.

------------------------------------

As for voting her in, well the 1983

Conservative 42.4% Labour 27.6% Liberal/SDP Alliance 25.4% Welsh/Scottish Nat 1.5% Others 3.1%

Under Britain's present electoral system the number of seats held by a party in Parliament dose not reflect the total number of votes polled by that party in a General Election. On the basis of the 1983 General Election results the Conservative benefited most from the system and the Liberal/SDP Alliance cam of worst. The Election results showed that the Alliance needed, on average, more than ten time's as many votes per MP as the victorious Conservative. Proportional representation (PR), a system used in other democratic countries, would (and now in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland but not England.) have produced different results. With PR, the number of MP's elected is, as far as possible, proportional to the share of the national vote each party obtains.

That's Conservative 32,776 Labour 40,463 Liberal/SDP Alliance 338,302 votes per MP

British democracy is the best that money can buy. Isn't democracy a wonderful thing.

As for Argentine light cruisers, well the Afghan SAM's were not aimed or fired at the us plans till after they had gone in but they still had to be taken out before they were able to kill U.S. lives and not after, do we wait till the Argentines sink one of the British ships before taking out a threat a 6" shell dose a lot of damage.

All the best Ferret.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 10:39 PM

Six of the current eight top threads are B.S.

And people wonder, "what has happened to the DT/MC

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Troll
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 10:58 PM

Guest:click here

troll

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Ringer
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 06:45 AM

What a very unsavoury thread this is. Not much argument, but lots of hatred and vituperation. I suggest that if you can't refer to Mrs Thatcher except in terms of "that bitch" you don't bother to post. Rather, stew in your own vile juices.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Gervase
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 07:03 AM

BE - your comments remind me of some of those US commentators who, after September 11, were bemusedly wondering "Why do people hate us?".
Doesn't the level of vitriol and contempt in this thread tell you something about the effect the woman had on this country? Sure, there aren't many reasoned arguments as to exactly why she was such a socially divisive and malign influence on the UK, but the visceral comments from the posters should be as eloquent. Look where many of them come from - parts of Britain where the employment prospects were virtually destroyed during her tenure, in pursuit of a misguided monetarist policy adopted only by Pinochet's Chile.
I'm one of the fortunate ones - I was lucky to work for a right-wing newspaper group throughout the Tories' reign, and I never had it so good. Others didn't.
Remember Corby, Consett, the miners' strike...? Those aren't just numbers; they're people and families. Some 15 years on, some of those who were kicked onto the scrapheap are "lucky" enough to work in call centres and do other McJobs.
Others have been repeatedly processed through inadequate training schemes designed, it seems, merely to massage the unemployment figures.
Bitter? I thought the thread was a model of restraint!

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 11:29 AM

When someones contribution to a thread contains the lines "I can't understand how anyone could--------" then there is no point putting your side of the argument 'cos as they said, they can't ( or won't ) understand.

Jock

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Ringer
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 11:40 AM

And most of the posts in this thread, Gervase, remind me of the old saw, "Empty vessels make the most sound". The levels of "vitriol and contempt" tell me nothing except that the posters are vitriolic and contemptuous. No doubt Osama bin Laden is also full of vitriol and contempt: does that justify his arguments and actions?

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: red flag
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 01:12 PM

Bald Eagle, I take that you have never lived under her government, here in Britian, and therefore can't really comment on this subject.

Until you have lived with Thatcher as you prime minister, then as I say you really don't know what it was like for us here in Britian, mind you I'm not the only one here in britain that hates her there are millions of others who hate her too.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: red flag
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 01:13 PM

Bald Eagle, I take that you have never lived under her government, here in Britian, and therefore can't really comment on this subject.

Until you have lived with Thatcher as your prime minister, then as I say you really don't know what it was like for us here in Britian, mind you I'm not the only one here in britain that hates her there are millions of others who hate her too.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Cllr
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 01:41 PM

SF I still think Thatcher is great, just 'cos you repeat your self does'nt make your bile any more illuminating.

I'm not a tory in disguise I'm a Tory And I asure there are millions of people who thinks she was/is great.

I don't start these threads and I don't particulary expect a sympathetic audience to my views I'm still entitled to make them. I try not to hate anyone although PIRA sympathisers and BNP come pretty close I still wouldn't want them to be tortured.

Gervaise you should know better. (OT are you coming to my halloween party?) Labour political history in the seventies doesnt make pretty reading either.

Jock couldn't agree with you more.

Cllr (Still being a Tory and Proud of it)

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Gareth
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 02:44 PM

Actually - I think we should put a preservation order on Cllr - he is a very rare specimin.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 03:31 PM

As someone who did live in the UK under Maggies rule, I can honestly say that it never did me any harm. Then again I was not against her by reason of her politics or her sex, before she had even moved into No.10. I travelled a lot in Europe in those days, and found that she was greatly admired across the channel, which helped this country's image, but things like that account for nothing in the face of blind prejudice. On the basis that I think there is a certain amount of winding-up going on in this thread, and also the general tone of cultural fascism, this you may be pleased to hear is my last word on this thread.

Jock

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 10 Oct 01 - 04:38 PM

Whatever else she was she was more in touch with, and sympathetic to the lot of the squadie than any politician since. I believe it was genuine concern for our people in the S Atlantic the led to the sinking of the Belgrano.
Remember also that the Falklands were invaded against the will of every islander, by a truly odious, fascist regime that had disappeared thousands of its own people.
It might have been cheaper to resettle the entire population, but there were other Galtieris watching to see if appeasement was to be the British response.
Keith.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Gareth
Date: 10 Oct 01 - 06:43 PM

Keith,

I disagree - at the end of the day the sinking of the "Belgrano" was an opperational decision by the Navy, or put it another way, can you imagine the ructions there would have been if it had leaked, and it would have leaked, that the Prime Minister had overuled the Admiral on the spot. - And a light cruiser and two exocet armed destroyers had got amoungst the troop ships ? It could have made PQ17 look like a picnic.

I concur with your description of the Junta, I also remind you of the hysterical sympathy Thatcher and others poured over Pinochot (sic) in recent times.

I also concur on the subject of appeasement. If the Patrol ship had not been on the cuts list ?

No- as I said earlier in this thread :-

1/. Don't charge/credit that woman with the "Belgrano" sinking.
and
2/. It was a case of a Government making the correct decisions for the wrong reasons.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: mooman
Date: 11 Oct 01 - 02:50 AM

Although I don't share Cllr's politics and have always detested MT, Cllr has a great sense of humour, makes some shrewd observations, is fully entitled to his perspective and is most welcome here as far as I'm concerned!

Mudcat has (mostly) been, and should continue to be, a broad and tolerant "church" (in the non-religious sense).

"Don't let the b*****s get you down" Cllr!

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 11 Oct 01 - 02:32 PM

I accept what you say Gareth, but she was subject to much personal criticism over the sinking, and she never tried to evade the responsibility by saying it was purely the Navy's decision, which is how any other politician might have played it.
I see PQ17 has sailed into the thread.Nice one Gareth!
Keith

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Roughyed
Date: 11 Oct 01 - 07:02 PM

I wonder what it was that made Thatcher grate so much. She certainly inspired - and still obviously does - massive hatred. Yet I have more comtempt for the politicians such as Michael Howard or Portillo who did not believe a word of the vicious nonsense they spouted. Their only concern was for their miserable careers and they did not give a damn about the damage they did. Yet somehow I hate her more and I know it's not because she was a woman. As for the remarks about the unions, they could not have damaged the fabric of the country worse that Thatchers government. There is some serious rewriting of history in this column

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Gareth
Date: 11 Oct 01 - 07:11 PM

Keith - agreed she did not try to evade responsability. It might have been interesting to see what would have happened if she had.

PQ17, reminds me I owe you a pint or two over that thread, I'll PM you next time im M25 North about.

Swan - I had the honour/misfortune to act as an election agent/organiser (volentary/unpaid) in Kent in those days. The mental scars are still with me.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: red flag
Date: 13 Oct 01 - 09:45 AM

Thatcher is a still a dictor, and those who think that she was great, try telling that to the millions of people that were made reduntant by her and her party. I understand that cllr has a nice wee job, I would really love it if they came up here in Scotland were we have only 1 Tory MP, which just goes to show how much the Tories are liked here in Scotland. Unlike those from the South east of England, the Tory heartland. I mean if you came up here to Scotand and said that you were proud to be a tory then I bet you wouldn't stand a chance of getting out of Scotland alive.

As for saying that Thatcher should die, I just wish she would. I meand thanks to your party, the industry here in Scotland is very low. I think that cllr should take off the rose coloured glasses and take a look at the real that Thatcher and her greedy pals created.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 13 Oct 01 - 12:23 PM

The fact that we have only one Tory MP in Scotland is because the Labour???? party have successfully fooled most of the people up here that their name means what it says. Goodness me they'll be calling themselves Socialists next!!

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: red flag
Date: 13 Oct 01 - 01:25 PM

New Labour Party (Old tory) Party. always fool the people of Scotland even when they were a socialist party.

The reason why there is only one Tory MP is because the SNP slipped up and alowed them to win, well we really felt sorry for them.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Cllr
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 09:50 AM

Sorry for the delay I just got back from Tunisa(Hmm I forgot to check if we have any mudcatters out there)

Any way back to the plot. Red flag What do you mean "nice wee job" I wasn't given it, I fought a bloody hard election and got voted in. I'm a full time councillor on very little money. I don't denigrate Socialist or New Labour or Liberals for donating time and energy for being involved with local government or was this a remark aimed not just at me but all those involved in local democracy. My family on my fathers side are from Scotland I have cousins (scottish) running a hotel in Inverness. and I am good friends with a former chairman of the local conservative branch in Glasgow. Red flag you really do assume far too much about my knowledge. As for rose tinted specs thats better than the thistle tainted ones you seem to be wearing.

cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: John J
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 12:50 PM

That bloody woman....

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Cllr
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 04:31 PM

John J

LOL, short and sweet ... like a roasted maggot

Also thank all of you who made kind comments.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: red flag
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 06:09 PM

Cllr,

At Least your family all have jobs and by the looks of them bloody good ones at that including yourself, I mean am I supposed to feel sorry that you're a councilor with very little pay, it's still a job, as I say take a real look at Britian and as I said go to the poorer areas of Britain and tell them that the Tories are the best party for them. Oh by the way I'm a Scottish Nationalist, and I will never vote for a right wing party like yours.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: red flag
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 06:17 PM

P.S I wish that i could go to Tunisa on the giro that I get and bet there's quite a lot of other people would like to go as well. I proud to a Scot

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Gareth
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 06:34 PM

Children - Children !

Let those who wish to fantasize do so.

Some day Thatcher will be used to frighten you, like Monmouth Hal (Henry V) in France, or Boney in Kent.

A ledgend with bad conetations.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 08:39 PM

I think almost the worst thing about the Thatcher years that it legitimised an arrogant vicious personalised style in political discourse, and I think that is reflected in the way this thread has gone. Every time you time you turned on the radio there'd be some politician sneering and strutting and totally humourless.

Thank God she's no longer there, and that way of thinking has gone with her for the time being anyway. Honestly, it's bad enough, but it really is different.

But to pretend that all that was just down to Thatcher, and that there is some cathartic value in going on about her now is is missing the point.

I think it was a pretty sick time, but I see her as a symptom of the illness rather than the cause. "I hate this bloody headache" is an understandable thing to say at the time - but once you've recovered it's a rather futile sort of thing on which to waste your curses.

Incidentally, I've always thought it was remarkably prescient of Bob Dylan to write Maggie's Farm ten years before the Tories accidentally made Thatcher the leader of the party.

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Cllr
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 10:08 PM

red flag I never suggested you should vote for my Party, I mean get real.

I was telling you not to pretend you knew my background.

You didn't respond to that particular point... except by saying My family has good jobs (of which you have no idea.) I don't have to validate my views by what my brothers are employed or not employed as.

Please understand that my view on TBW is my own, I don't dis-believe yours but mine is different.

cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Cllr
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 10:16 PM

dear mr Mcgrath Some people say " never trust a politician who does not have a sense of humour" Personally I think that politicians with a sense of humour are the most dangerous.

Cllr ( Oh No I've hoisted my self by my own petard) _Thats assuming most of you mudcatters credit me with a sense of humour_

Subject: RE: BS: Margaret Thatcher-any comments?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 19 Oct 01 - 04:05 AM

Whether you're a Nice Guy or a Nasty Guy is entirely down your you own nature. Your politics are largely dependant on your background--you vote for the party you perceive a being better for your situation. As far as being good for the Country goes, it all depends on who you think the "Country" is: Business, the workers, the government ... add your own items to the list. If we stay off politics and religion, and stick to music, we'll all get on well. But we can all benefit from vigorous debate, as long as it doesn't descend into mere personal abuse. It's always been my curse to see the other bloke's point of view; if you can't see it, make the effort!

Steve