The Current Events Thread

[[Citation Needed]]

Margaret Thatcher (the longest-serving (1979–1990) British Prime Minster of the 20th century, and the only woman to have held the post) died.

[TheStranger]

Margaret Thatcher (the longest-serving (1979–1990) British Prime Minster of the 20th century, and the only woman to have held the post) died.

...okay, I know it isnt really appropriate, but good

[Shad]

There is this thing called respect. You want to show some when someone dies. You are no better than the people who insulted Ebert when he passed away not too long ago. This is intolerable behaviour, TheStranger. You even know yourself that it is not the time nor the place. I wonder, why bother posting this, then? Do you enjoy being offensive? If that is the case, you are not welcome here. Please think about your behaviour.

[Kamak]

Man, I was just thinking about her the other day and wondering what she was up to.

I can say that I was too young to really remember much of her, and my schooling didn't talk to much about her though was largely positive (though I know there was some dissension for her because he of closeness with the US, I believe?).

I do remember, however, liking it when she was on TV speaking. She carried herself very well and I liked the way she worded things.

She will be missed.

[Lambeth]

There is this thing called respect. You want to show some when someone dies. You are no better than the people who insulted Ebert when he passed away not too long ago. This is intolerable behaviour, TheStranger. You even know yourself that it is not the time nor the place. I wonder, why bother posting this, then? Do you enjoy being offensive? If that is the case, you are not welcome here. Please think about your behaviour.

The difference is that Ebert reviewed movies and Thatcher stomped poor people into the dirt. I don't see why I should respect her in death when I never did so in life.

I just hope she doesn't get worshipped liked Reagan did after he died.

[Shad]

You should do so because behaving in a decent way is not hard at all.
She may have been the Iron Lady and her decisions may have been controversial, but she did change British politics forever and is still an inspiration for many.

[Lambeth]

Mourn her life and celebrate her death I say. Basically all of the UK erupted in parties the other day though, she's been universally reviled ever since she lost power.

[Dire]

Because there are actually politicians who made everyone pop flyin'.

No one expects you to wish her a good afterlife but being discourteous is unnecessary.

[Tammerath]

Respect for the dead, for all those who are not guilty of heinous crimes against humanity (e.g. Hitler, Mao Zedong), should still be worth something.

[TheStranger]

Tell that to the people who's lived she ruined. But no, she's dead now, so we caant possibly speak badly of her.

[Shad]

TheStranger, I don't know if you're trying to get banned but I've already asked you to stop. The point is, why would you need to point out how horrible you think someone is the very day that person died, when it's pretty much off-topic and very disrespectful towards the people who do respect that person and are mourning?
The news isn't "A person who ruined some people's lives died", it's "A person, an actual human that some people love and will miss, died". It's the least you can do to give these people some time to mourn by keeping your criticism to yourself for a little while.
People did the same thing for Michael Jackson, or for Steve Jobs, telling everyone that was sad about their deaths that they were awful human beings. There's simply no excuse to shitting on anyone's grave when the funeral is barely over.

[Wry Bread]

It's okay to disapprove of how someone led their life, but in that case, it's better to engage in a respectful discussion of the things they did and didn't do and how you felt about that than to jump in just long enough to say "good" or "they deserved it" or something like that. The same goes for people who are still alive. I heard someone say once that insults are just a noise people make to get attention or praise for feeling something negative or spiteful. I'm not saying that's what you were doing, but I will say I think it's an accurate statement; regardless of intent, insults usually don't serve any purpose but to breed dissent and fail to add much (if anything) to a conversation.

As for Thatcher, you'd have to admit that regardless of some of the things she did, she was definitely an important historical figure as the first and only female PM, and if she made decisions one can view as cruel or unacceptable, let them serve as an example of what not to do for the future.

[Lambeth]

Respect for the dead should be reserved for private individuals like your grandmother, not for Thatcher. Mourning her is like mourning Darth Vader.

[Lambeth]

Thatcher didn't even have that. Relevent: http://www.whydopeoplehatethatcher.com/

[Syobon]

It's a bit controversial I suppose. Compare it to if Putin would die, there would be people mourning and people cheering in the streets at the same time. People are intended to their opinion, and while it would incredibly disrespectful to harass family members or disgrace funeral or memorial services, I feel like pretending to agree with someone's political ideals because they died is disrespectful to those ideals that said person fought to defend. Still you shouldn't wish death on your worst enemy. I think it's ok to say you think Thatcher was an awful person, but to say it's a good thing she died is too much, especially considering she wasn't politically active any more.