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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To spend my morning watching the funeral of Maggie Thatcher (on BBC) ?

893 replies

JugglingFromHereToThere · 17/04/2013 09:34

She was our first woman prime-minister - a significant personal achievement, especially for the daughter of a grocer from Grantham, born in 1925 Shock

Also I agree with those that say these ceremonial occasions are something we do really well in Britain.

So AIBU to be watching this morning - in spite of disagreeing with many of her policies ? Will you be watching ?
And what do you make of both her personal achievement and her legacy ?

OP posts:
Jenny70 · 17/04/2013 12:22

All over, and Bargain Hunt is on next - slightly ironic given the cost of the "ceremonial funeral"

Horsemad · 17/04/2013 12:22

John Sargeant hand

chubbymomie2012 · 17/04/2013 12:22

Broken record time. why has simn weston no medals

Chockyeggpants · 17/04/2013 12:23

WTAF sky has just shown a shot of a funeral guest taking a pic of her DH at the funeral!!!!!

annoyednow · 17/04/2013 12:23

I do think the ceremony is very lovely to the senses. Horsies, flowers and fab colours all set in a 'sacred temple' ritual. And like hello magazine with the famous and the infamous. However, I know people have said she was principled. I don't know whether whether it was true principle and integrity or just sanctimonious. I was watching big questions on bbc and somebody said it was documented she colluded with the police in putting a certain picture of the casualties of Hillsborough among other things. If Pinochet was your friend and you're honest and principled, don't pretend you're against tyranny. Just admit your battling for your tyranny, not righteousness. Pr is everything though isn't it. Creating the perception that your side is 'good' and the others 'bad'.

Was interested to read her great granny was Irish, a Sullivan from Co. Cork. She certainly retained no affinity. Expected completely British from way back.

Barrosso giving thumbs-up to Blair!

Horsemad · 17/04/2013 12:23

Prob doesn't wear his medals.

teejwood · 17/04/2013 12:24

YY to Spitting Image.

skippedtheripeoldmango · 17/04/2013 12:25

Let's hope that the crowds will all go home peacefully...

EldritchCleavage · 17/04/2013 12:25

Was interested to read her great granny was Irish, a Sullivan from Co. Cork

Eek! Ditto-were MT and I related? Scary thought.

Lot of Sullivans in Cork, mind!

Original poster
JugglingFromHereToThere · 17/04/2013 12:25

Thought Dimbleby or his researchers could have been reading our thread in his summing up. Thanks to all for your company - was much more fun with you all !

OP posts:
Horsemad · 17/04/2013 12:25

I'm off for a wee now, thanks for your company meet you back here for the next one!

MsJupiterJones · 17/04/2013 12:26

Earlier in the week they were commenting that it was surprising she had requested Howe, Heseltine et al be invited but looking at them you could see why - her final way of pulling rank, getting all those grey old men to stand and watch her pass.

And yes they do all look like Spitting Image puppets!

chubbymomie2012 · 17/04/2013 12:27

im glad i joined the thread. always a pleasure never a chore. x

miemohrs · 17/04/2013 12:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

herethereandeverywhere · 17/04/2013 12:28

DontmindifIdo So the principle and conviction that people dying an horrific death decades before their time was not enough? Lovely.

teejwood · 17/04/2013 12:29

MsJones I do like that theory about her getting them all to do her bidding one last time Grin.

Thanks, all, for your company.

carabos · 17/04/2013 12:30

We've got some bloody beautiful buildings haven't we? Always look great when the roads are closed and the helicopters are swarming round for fab aerial shots.

DontmindifIdo · 17/04/2013 12:31

Herethere - sorry, I typed rather tongue in cheek - up thread there were lots of people saying she was a politician of principle, not like Tony Blair - the point being, yes she was, but her principle was more important than compassion and her cabinet knew it - so if they wanted to convince her of something it had to fit in with her principles. That's what a true politician of principle means. The fact it would save lives was not considered important.

herethereandeverywhere · 17/04/2013 12:32

Actually the Edwina Currie anecote would perfectly explain something like "care in the community". No point spending loads of cash looking after the seriously mentally ill properly, they're hardly going to get a job and pay income tax!

Well I was trying very hard to be respectful today. I think Edwina should have tried a bit harder to gloss over the truth to make it more palatable for us though.

bizzey · 17/04/2013 12:32

Well ..suppose I had better get back to the ironing now !!.This thread was moving so fast I did not get a chance to post anything!

Glad it all went well though.

skippedtheripeoldmango · 17/04/2013 12:32

London is fabulous - fully of great architecture. Always enjoy visiting.

EldritchCleavage · 17/04/2013 12:33

Well done those bearers, get them a drink and a jolly good lunch.

TomArchersSausage · 17/04/2013 12:33

Good send off!Smile

DontmindifIdo · 17/04/2013 12:35

Problem is Herethere - Edwina probably did think that was a nice story. Thatcher supported breast screening. Edwina probably didn't realise how heartless it made Thatcher sound to more modern ears.

Original poster
JugglingFromHereToThere · 17/04/2013 12:37

Good discussion now on Loose Women about it all

OP posts:
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