Muses on a sad day . . .

[Manoverboard]

.... I would be interested to read what people's opinions would be were it another politician - say Tony Blair - who was having a similar funeral. I think that would make very interesting reading indeed.

As an ex Prime Minister he will be honoured in a manner that is determined by Parliament ... and it won't bother me one jot cos life is far too short to worry about other people's funerals.

[Serendipity]

How eloquently put Dancing Queen, the lady in question did more good than bad for this country and I thought the hymn 'I Vow to Thee My Country' summed the lady up perfectly.
Arthur Scargill drained the miners union funds by sending them to Russia and living a life of luxury, thank goodness his effort to keep his luxury home in London was thrown out of court (courtesy of the miners union).
I dislike Tony Blair immensley for his role in the Iraqi war, but should he die I would no more think of lowering myself to attend demonstrations against him.

[Admiral of the Humber]

Austin Mitchell, the Labour MP for Great Grimsby, was interviewed about Margaret Thatcher on the local radio today.

He was asked if it was right to spend £10 million on her funeral. He replied (and I paraphrase a bit) "Of course, she was a significant figure in the history of Great Britain, a great leader who achieved a lot of good as well as bad. As such her passing is a significant historical episode and it is only right and proper that the occaision should be celebrated".

That'll do for me.

Regards
Rob aka AOTH

[jay-ell71]

We do it so well. Perhaps the gun carriage was a little over the top, but on the whole a fitting send off. Mostly the crowd were respectful, and those who turned their backs caused no trouble.

So far as our "subsidising" Mark Thatcher I am at a loss. If the Family had organised the funeral they would have paid like any other family, but they didn't organise the funeral did they?

RIP Baroness Thatcher. Jay

[Boris+]

Re Arthur Scargill - does anyone know the up to date situation about him being sued for staying in the apartment in The Barbican by the NMU?

As to a funeral for Tony Blair - firstly I don't think he would opt for one like we saw today; and whilst I have far better things to do that be part of a protest about him, I might just treat myself to a wonderful and quiet celebratory cream tea.

Coming back down swiftly to reality - I'll be gone before him!

Em

[Dancing Queen]

Austin Mitchell, the Labour MP for Great Grimsby, was interviewed about Margaret Thatcher on the local radio today.

He was asked if it was right to spend £10 million on her funeral. He replied (and I paraphrase a bit) "Of course, she was a significant figure in the history of Great Britain, a great leader who achieved a lot of good as well as bad. As such her passing is a significant historical episode and it is only right and proper that the occaision should be celebrated".

That'll do for me.

Regards
Rob aka AOTH

Good for Austin Mitchell Rob, don't hear much from him these days but remember him from his Calendar News days.

It'll do for me too !!

[Dancing Queen]

.... I would be interested to read what people's opinions would be were it another politician - say Tony Blair - who was having a similar funeral. I think that would make very interesting reading indeed.

As an ex Prime Minister he will be honoured in a manner that is determined by Parliament ... and it won't bother me one jot cos life is far too short to worry about other people's funerals.

Exactly Moby, those of us that can detach ourselves from the "hatred" that many show towards Baroness |Thatcher would not deny any other Prime Minister the right to a state/ceremonial funeral ..it's called being "grown up"

[ChesterfieldJohn]

.... I would be interested to read what people's opinions would be were it another politician - say Tony Blair - who was having a similar funeral. I think that would make very interesting reading indeed.

As an ex Prime Minister he will be honoured in a manner that is determined by Parliament ... and it won't bother me one jot cos life is far too short to worry about other people's funerals.

Exactly Moby, those of us that can detach ourselves from the "hatred" that many show towards Baroness |Thatcher would not deny any other Prime Minister the right to a state/ceremonial funeral ..it's called being "grown up"

WOW how self righteous

[Delboy]

This funeral was organised long before this government came into power, it was designed in 2006 under the watch of the Blair government.
As Cameron explained to Dimbleby today, all his government has done is to make sure those arrangements have been carried out as arranged.
The Thatcher family have paid for the actual funeral, the government has paid for the ceremonial part, as I say arranged on Blair's watch.

The only person who crushed & trod the Miners union under foot was Arthur Scargill, by failing to hold a ballet. He was determined to bring the Thatcher government down, the same as the miners had done with the Heath government, had he had a ballot he may have succeeded.

Prior to Mrs Thatcher's premiership the Unions had brought this country to its knee's, just google and find out how many 1,000's of days were lost to strikes.

In my opinion Mrs Thatcher was the right person, in the right job at the right time, and today we honoured her, for dragging this country up from the gutter it was in, and put the great back into it.

It was great today to see her funeral service was above politics, it was about her as a woman, mother, grandmother and a world states person.

If was also great to see people there, who put their political believes to one side, and join together to honour her. 12 Serving prime ministers attending.

The thousands who lined the route breaking out into spontaneous applause as the coffin went past

RIP Baroness Thatcher your place in history is assured.

[ChesterfieldJohn]

This funeral was organised long before this government came into power, it was designed in 2006 under the watch of the Blair government.
As Cameron explained to Dimbleby today, all his government has done is to make sure those arrangements have been carried out as arranged.
The Thatcher family have paid for the actual funeral, the government has paid for the ceremonial part, as I say arranged on Blair's watch.

The only person who crushed & trod the Miners union under foot was Arthur Scargill, by failing to hold a ballet. He was determined to bring the Thatcher government down, the same as the miners had done with the Heath government, had he had a ballot he may have succeeded.

Prior to Mrs Thatcher's premiership the Unions had brought this country to its knee's, just google and find out how many 1,000's of days were lost to strikes.

In my opinion Mrs Thatcher was the right person, in the right job at the right time, and today we honoured her, for dragging this country up from the gutter it was in, and put the great back into it.

It was great today to see her funeral service was above politics, it was about her as a woman, mother, grandmother and a world states person.

If was also great to see people there, who put their political believes to one side, and join together to honour her. 12 Serving prime ministers attending.

The thousands who lined the route breaking out into spontaneous applause as the coffin went past

RIP Baroness Thatcher your place in history is assured.

Were our greatest allies America represented by anyone in their present government?

[oldbluefox]

This funeral was organised long before this government came into power, it was designed in 2006 under the watch of the Blair government.
As Cameron explained to Dimbleby today, all his government has done is to make sure those arrangements have been carried out as arranged.
The Thatcher family have paid for the actual funeral, the government has paid for the ceremonial part, as I say arranged on Blair's watch.

The only person who crushed & trod the Miners union under foot was Arthur Scargill, by failing to hold a ballet. He was determined to bring the Thatcher government down, the same as the miners had done with the Heath government, had he had a ballot he may have succeeded.

Prior to Mrs Thatcher's premiership the Unions had brought this country to its knee's, just google and find out how many 1,000's of days were lost to strikes.

In my opinion Mrs Thatcher was the right person, in the right job at the right time, and today we honoured her, for dragging this country up from the gutter it was in, and put the great back into it.

It was great today to see her funeral service was above politics, it was about her as a woman, mother, grandmother and a world states person.

If was also great to see people there, who put their political believes to one side, and join together to honour her. 12 Serving prime ministers attending.

The thousands who lined the route breaking out into spontaneous applause as the coffin went past

RIP Baroness Thatcher your place in history is assured.

[gfwgfw]

Crocked Spire Man wrote thus :

"Were our greatest allies America represented by anyone in their present government"


No

Whats that got to do with the price of fish

Lubooo- just a little

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Crocked Spire Man wrote thus :

"Were our greatest allies America represented by anyone in their present government"


No

Whats that got to do with the price of fish

Lubooo- just a little

Proof of what they thought of thatcher.

[Dark Knight]

are there any of them left??

[Serendipity]

How ridiculous the USA thought a lot of Mrs Thatcher, Ronald Reagan said she was 'magnificent' Obama has made tributes to the great lady but it is not always possible to make oneself available at short notice.
The Canadian PM summed up what was great about Mrs T.

[Mo2013]

Re Arthur Scargill - does anyone know the up to date situation about him being sued for staying in the apartment in The Barbican by the NMU?

As to a funeral for Tony Blair - firstly I don't think he would opt for one like we saw today; and whilst I have far better things to do that be part of a protest about him, I might just treat myself to a wonderful and quiet celebratory cream tea.

Coming back down swiftly to reality - I'll be gone before him!

Em

'Celebratory cream tea ' ? I thought that the consensus on here was that it is all kinds of horrible low life scum who would celebrate someone's death ??

[Delboy]

If president Obama was to attend, he would have had to cancel or return to America in view of what has happened in Boston.

President Obama was represented by President Reagan’s Secretary of State George Shultz and his Chief of Staff James Baker. Perhaps America’s most famous Secretary of State Henry Kissinger also accepted an invitation, as has the former US Vice-President Cheney – who was Defence Secretary at the end of Lady Thatcher’s time as Prime Minister.

[ChesterfieldJohn]

How ridiculous the USA thought a lot of Mrs Thatcher, Ronald Reagan said she was 'magnificent' Obama has made tributes to the great lady but it is not always possible to make oneself available at short notice.
The Canadian PM summed up what was great about Mrs T.

Reagan thought a lot of Thatcher yes.

Obama said what he had to say.

They would have made someone available if they wanted to how ridiculous to say they wouldn't.
Have they missed any other 'important' funerals. No

If president Obama was to attend, he would have had to cancel or return to America in view of what has happened in Boston.
But he didn't accept did he. So totally irrelevant.

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Re Arthur Scargill - does anyone know the up to date situation about him being sued for staying in the apartment in The Barbican by the NMU?

As to a funeral for Tony Blair - firstly I don't think he would opt for one like we saw today; and whilst I have far better things to do that be part of a protest about him, I might just treat myself to a wonderful and quiet celebratory cream tea.

Coming back down swiftly to reality - I'll be gone before him!

Em

'Celebratory cream tea ' ? I thought that the consensus on here was that it is all kinds of horrible low life scum who would celebrate someone's death ??

No just the ones who don't praise Thatcher

[Mo2013]

Tony Blair may not opt for such a funeral but the fact that MT asked for what she wanted for her funeral shows me what a massive ego she had unlike the humble Harold Wilson. Today's spectacle spoke volumes about her. I really don't believe that if it were Tony Blair there would not be dissenting voices.

[Dark Knight]

the deceased equine is still being subjected to flagellation

[Dancing Queen]

.... I would be interested to read what people's opinions would be were it another politician - say Tony Blair - who was having a similar funeral. I think that would make very interesting reading indeed.

As an ex Prime Minister he will be honoured in a manner that is determined by Parliament ... and it won't bother me one jot cos life is far too short to worry about other people's funerals.

Exactly Moby, those of us that can detach ourselves from the "hatred" that many show towards Baroness |Thatcher would not deny any other Prime Minister the right to a state/ceremonial funeral ..it's called being "grown up"

WOW how self righteous

Self Righteous not at all John but I am realistic

[ChesterfieldJohn]

the deceased equine is still being subjected to flagellation

Flagellation or flogging is the act of methodically beating or whipping (Latin flagellum, "whip") the human body. Specialised implements for it include rods, switches, the cat o' nine tails and the sjambok. Typically, flogging is imposed on an unwilling subject as a punishment; however, it can also be submitted to willingly, or performed on oneself, in religious or sadomasochistic contexts.

I must have missed that although several Tory ministers haven't

[ChesterfieldJohn]

... Exactly Moby, those of us that can detach ourselves from the "hatred" that many show towards Baroness |Thatcher would not deny any other Prime Minister the right to a state/ceremonial funeral ..it's called being "grown up"

WOW how self righteous

Self Righteous not at all John but I am realistic

Sorry but what you are actually saying is that anyone who cannot detach themselves from their hatred towards Thatcher is not grown up.

Surely that is self righteous ?

[Boris+]

Oh well Mo, c'est la vie! It's quite simple and enitrely human really - and I am not ashamed to admit it: if I don't like something and it ceases to exist then it doesn't bother me anymore - and that suits me fine.

Criticise me if you wish - I don't care.

Em