Margaret Thatcher

bluebell I have followed what you said. After all it's not rocket surgery. That's why I made that post about Jimmy Saville. Because I was thinking of those people who feel it is not right to speak ill of the dead I didn't include a fairly gentle criticism of a man who turned out to be a disgusting sexual predator and exploiter. A blanket instruction not to speak ill of of the dead or "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" really doesn't make sense. I also think that just become someone was elected to political office during their life doesn't put them beyond criticism in death – especially with our unrepresentative voting system.

Well, if they mean that they would agree that criticising Pol Pot or Hitler was wrong. I suppose what I'm trying to understand is the issue about whether or not it is OK to criticise someone immediately after their death - or OK to want to celebrate their death? So, when posters talk about it being disrespectful to talk ill of the dead or whatever phrase they use, do they mean all dead people or just MT? I suppose it's a matter of being clear - if I said we should be respectful of the dead I would mean all dead people in all circumstances, if I didn't mean that I would say why with this particular person we should be respectful or not - soop you are right. But I was really trying to understand but all that happened, as usual, was people jumped down my throat

Deep sigh..........................................I'm wandering away from all this yakkity yak. Maybe meet others of a like-mind in the quiet room #shortbread&

How do you know what the posters meant, bluebell? That's twice you've asserted that 'they didn't really mean that'.

Sel - many posts were making the general point that it was wrong to criticise a person after their death. They didn't really mean that - that's why I made my point and why the point was made about Pol Pot and Hitler.

bluebell criticism is perfectly fine, it's vitriol and hatred that are so distasteful and unacceptable. Regardless of your opinion of MT, an elected politician,using Philpott, a convicted criminal as a comparison is slightly odd. I don't think you're the first though if that's any consolation. Someone remarked on one of the threads something about not being able to criticise Hitler & Pol Pot then.

The point I was making was that many posts said the dead (in general it was implied) should be respected - they didn't actually mean that at all, they meant, don't you dare criticise MT. Of course it's perfectly right to criticise people after their death, there is no general rule.

I hardly think the comparison stands up bluebell

Speaking ill of the dead - if Philpott died in prison I wonder what the reaction would be?

Oh yes Absent!

Not speaking ill of the dead? When Jimmy Saville died, I posted a fairly bland comment on Gransnet, but just before I did I deleted the last sentence in which I described finding him a bit weird and creepy because I thought maybe it was not appropriate in the context. Yeah…

Sel I think Margaret Thatcher was renowned for not having a sense of humour which caused much merriment in the Tory party. "Everyone should have a little Willy" etc.

Well, I guess even unionists can't be all bad WhenIm!

Nice conversation though and at least, unlike The Yoof of today who are rioting and protesting at her life, we were there. We did live it.

I don't know Greatnan I do just find some of the comments on here make me chuckle. I agree, MT was not a laugh a minute person.

I love the idea that humour might be a right wing thing. I don't remember Thatcher being a laugh a minute, but I do remember several excellent satirical shows, which were probably made by those humourless left wingers
And as I approach my 2,000 mark for jokes posted, I think I can safely claim to have quite a good sense of humour.

Sel j08

Ah ok. Won't be asking for autographs but will take a look, it's a start.

No!!! (delusions of grandeur?) Front 'page' of Gransnet!

No j08 where? The Guardian?

(In the news)

See?

Yeah well. They've featured my 'idiotic thickos' one on the front page!

Surprisingly.

Oooh, is this the nice thread? Am I detecting a bit of humour even? Is humour a right wing thing do you think? Does being left wing make you more wrinkled?

Oh yes - look This one needs an airing. Only 30 posts.

Keep up at the back there!

Don't know whether I am coming or going with all these Mrs T threads. I am sure I have replied to a few posts on the wrong threads.

In the past I admit to being feeling intimidated by others who may have held very different views than myself. But these days I tend to just agree to disagree and move on. I try not to take anything too personally and it does take all kinds to make a world after all doesn't it? How boring would life be if we all agreed all of the time?

At least the death of Mrs T ( whatever your political views) has given us something to talk about .

There are mixed opinions on this thread and on the other thread.

What do people mean "intimidated"? Are you intimidated because someone has a different view from your own?