Margaret Thatcher

I sometimes feel like I'm getting a grip on UK politics/society, but this is like looking in the neighbor's window when they are having a really bad row - a lot of pain going way back.

I know...I was completely clueless! Hubby worked in the coal mines way back when...so he has some very strong feelings about the whole thing. I knew she wasn't his favourite, but wow! Growing up in the 80's in the US, I knew only what we saw of her in the paper and on telly. I didn't realize everything that was going on over here.
I think some of what's happening now is in very bad taste...but I guess its their right to feel the way they do.

Growing up in the 80's in the US, I knew only what we saw of her in the paper and on telly. I didn't realize everything that was going on over here.

It was pretty well covered in the US media, I thought! I lived in the US in the '80s and I was very much aware of what was going on.

ETA: Maybe I'm older than you are so was more aware of the news?

I'll be 42 this year...maybe I just wasn't paying attention enough which wouldn't surprise me.

I'll be 42 this year...maybe I just wasn't paying attention enough which wouldn't surprise me.

I'm really old. 

I'm really old. 

Aren't we all? I always think its funny how my idea of old keeps changing...because I know that I'm not as old as the people I knew that were in their 40's when I was a teenager! 

I'm 43.

I remember Thatcher. Vividly.

I was also IN the UK, and Ireland, several times, for extended periods of time, when she was in power.

She was a monster.

Her policies killed people, and she literally ruined entire communities.

She made Reagan look like Mother Theresa.

Google 'Section 28' and 'Thatcher and Pinochet' and 'Ten dead in minors riots' and 'Irish hunger strike Bobby Sands' for some very interesting information.

That person was a monster. She literally had ice in her veins.

She literally had ice in her veins.

While I agree with your sentiment, I'm not sure she literally had ice in her veins. 

I think you are right.

After all, she was a monster, and I have no idea if she had actual veins...

Wait... Charty... You... AGREE... with... ME?!

Seriously?

This is a monumental moment. We are bonding. I feel all warm an gushy!

xoxooxoxoxxoxo  xoxoxoxoxxooxxo

I am 50 in a few months time, and have been in the UK since 1985, so I remember her 'reign'.   I can't pretend that I was 100% completely aware/understanding of the implications of everything that was happening at the time...  I wasn't politically-minded at all when I was young.  But living amongst Scots for the last 25+ years, whose hatred for her runs deep, I suppose some of that has rubbed off on me, even if I didn't completely 'get it' at the time it was happening.  I get it now.

Mother Teresa was a monster as well, so Reagan still doesn't come off great in that comparison

Wait... Charty... You... AGREE... with... ME?!

Seriously?

This is a monumental moment. We are bonding. I feel all warm an gushy!

xoxooxoxoxxoxo  xoxoxoxoxxooxxo

Don't get too excited. I can count on one hand the people who'd disagree. 

I agree!

See, we are soooooo getting on!!!

xoxox

As an ex-member of 'Maggies Army' throughout the eighties

Big Mags Thatcher was a Monsteress alright for a number of reasons like the 'Poll Tax' (community charge) rolled out in Scotland as a test.

but she took on and beat the Trade Unions who were literally strangling British businesses, calling Strikes at the drop of a hat if they did not get their way.

She enabled ordinary Brits living in council houses to buy and own their homes.

She stood up to the Argentinians during the Falklands War and had more guts than any Male PM since Churchhill.

In the 50's she was part of a Chemist research team involved in developing emulsifiers for producing Icecream. So the next time you tuck in to a tub of MacKies, don't forget to thank her.