Breaking news: Margaret Thatcher has died

[11B4V]

Why must the British be such a mean spirited bunch?

It's in their nature. Much like the Germans.

[Razgovory]

I didn't care for Reagan, but I didn't have a party when he died.

[11B4V]

I didn't care for Reagan, but I didn't have a party when he died.

Because we have class. Unlike the Limey's. They have bad teeth too.

[Josquius]

I didn't care for Reagan, but I didn't have a party when he died.

I'm no expert on American politics so I could be wrong but I don't think he fucked up America anywhere near as badly as Thatcher did Britain. Not in the short term anyway.

I didn't care for Reagan, but I didn't have a party when he died.

Because we have class. Unlike the Limey's. They have bad teeth too.

Irony?
As those are two areas in which Americans are famously bad.

[Martinus]

According to google search, some Americans actually did celebrate Reagan's death.

[Razgovory]

But I didn't.

[Martinus]

But I didn't.

But neither anyone here partied because Thatcher died, so in any case we are talking about other people.

[Tamas]

This topic has become very boring

[Agelastus]

I can't articulate with the skill of either of "the Marks" – Steel or Thomas – why Thatcher and Thatcherism were so bad for Britain but I do recall that even to a child her demeanour and every discernible action seemed to be to the detriment of our national spirit and identity.

http://m.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/apr/09/russell-brand-margaret-thatcher

Well, I can't say I'm surprised by the fact that I'll never see eye-to-eye on the issues of "national spirit and identity" with Russell Brand since my impression at the time was the exact opposite.

Still, since we're on opposite sides of the political spectrum that's hardly ground-breaking news. I think he's a twat; if he ever met or got to know about me I'm sure I'd be a "Fascist" or something more unpleasant.

Admittedly, as a successor to George Cole's "Flash Harry", he wasn't bad at all...

[grumbler]

You may be right grumbler, but it doesn't seem to be a view that has wide currency. I mean, I don't think Tyr's views make him an outlier for his or his parents' demographic.

I can't talk for Tyr.  All I can tell you is my experience from having lived in Britain at the time. Perhaps your second-hand anecdotes about how Thatcher really felt are more reliable than my memory of what she did.

[grumbler]

Seems like plenty of people are hoping to turn it into me arguing that she shouldn't have done what she did, but I'm not. So then it becomes about whether it sucked that people got hurt, and I think it does; I'm not quite clear to what degree people disagree with that. Finally, it seems that there's a strain of argument that goes that people did not get hurt which I find, frankly, preposterous.

I don't think the issue is whether or not people were hurt, nor is anyone contesting that it sucks to lose your job.  For me, at least, the issue is that people continue to hold that grudge to the extent that almost a quarter-century after she left office, people celebrate her death and argue that, in fact, what she did was unnecessary.  That kind of myopia (as I see it) is fairly uncommon given the overwhelming consensus that her policies were successful enough to be continued by her political opposition years later.

Personally, I don't think it has to do with Thatcher at all; it has to do with the parochialism of the North of England, and especially resentment over the exodus of the educated Northern youth to the South.

[grumbler]

According to google search, some Americans actually did celebrate Reagan's death.

Well, we all know that "according to google search" is as reliable as a source can get! 

[Syt]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/apr/11/bbc-ding-dong-thatcher-facebook?CMP=SOCNETTXT6966

BBC to play Ding Dong in chart show despite anti-Thatcher Facebook push

Radio 1 says it may ask Newsbeat reporter to explain context of song, as top five entry poses test for corporation's new chief

BBC Radio 1 is planning to play Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, the Wizard of Oz track being bought by anti-Thatcher protesters in the wake of the former prime minister's death, on its chart show on Sunday.

However, in what is thought to be a first for the BBC chart show, the corporation is considering having a Newsbeat reporter explain why a song from the 30s is charting to Radio 1's target audience of 16- to 24-year-olds – none of whom will remember Margaret Thatcher's controversial premiership.

In what could be seen as the first major test for the new director general, Tony Hall, BBC insiders said the track is likely to be played if it makes it into the top of the charts in defiance of criticism from Tory supporters.

The Official Charts Company said on Thursday morning that Ding Dong the Witch is Dead was on course to reach number four, up from 10 the previous day.

The Daily Mail has been leading the charge against Facebook and Twitter campaigners trying to push the song, which has become the anthem of anti-Thatcher protesters.

In Thursday's Daily Mail, the paper branded Romany Blythe, the woman who set up the Facebook page "The Witch is Dead" as a "teacher of hatred", quoting critics who condemned plans for Thatcher "death parties" as "revolting" and "offensive".

Radio 1 insiders said if the song does make it to the top five, there would be no reason not to play the track.

However, it is understood The Official Chart Show presenter Jameela Jamil might have to invite a reporter from Radio 1's Newsbeat to explain to listeners why a track they are unlikely to be familiar with has charted.

"Among the 16- to 24-year-olds, a lot of people are saying they are not 100% sure who Thatcher is. Even though this seems extraordinary, they may not understand who that song would chart," said a BBC source.

The BBC does not always play every song in the top 10 – a track that had been ranked for weeks or months may not be aired under normal circumstances, but it is unlikely to shy away from playing a track that has just charted, even if it is effectively a novelty song.

A decision about what will be played on Sunday's Radio 1 chart show will not be made until Sunday morning when the final sales data comes in.

A BBC spokesman said it would not make a decision on the grounds of taste or politics and pointed out that the song was not on the Radio 1 playlist, which is compiled by staff according to the tastes of the youth audience.

"The Official Chart Show on Sunday is a historical and factual account of what the British public has been buying and we will make a decision about playing it when the final chart positions are clear," the spokesman added.

[The Brain]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbYtqAWDF2U ?

(possibly NSFW in the square part of the world)

[Jacob]

I don't think the issue is whether or not people were hurt, nor is anyone contesting that it sucks to lose your job.  For me, at least, the issue is that people continue to hold that grudge to the extent that almost a quarter-century after she left office, people celebrate her death and argue that, in fact, what she did was unnecessary.  That kind of myopia (as I see it) is fairly uncommon given the overwhelming consensus that her policies were successful enough to be continued by her political opposition years later.

Personally, I don't think it has to do with Thatcher at all; it has to do with the parochialism of the North of England, and especially resentment over the exodus of the educated Northern youth to the South.

Fair enough.