I suppose a lot of people will be posting Elvis Costello’s “Tramp The Dirt Down” today but not me. Even back in the 80s at the height of my Maggie hating I thought that was a stupid, over the top song. No matter how wrong, divisive, and damaging she was, and how many lives and communities she destroyed on the altar of her beliefs I could never take pleasure in her death. I wanted her gone, and maybe even locked up for crimes against the working class, but it was her ideology I wanted to die, and sadly “Thatcherism” is still very much alive today, even in the Labour Party.
So I’m not sure how I feel today. Very mindful of the passing years because such a major figure from my youth has now exited and gone into the history books, and a bit surprised that she actually died which proves she was human after all.
Take it away, Arthur.
Download: Strike – The Enemy Within (mp3)
cryingallthewaytothechipshop.wordpress.com 
Wise and very adult words. Whatever she done wrong in her life – no one have the right to wish someones death.
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Lee
Agreed, thank god she’s gone.
I have posted my own tribute to her on my blog if you fancy a look.
Steve
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I am overjoyed. Finally. But the bitterness will never go away. That’s her legacy. Bitterness.
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Lee – That’s much the same sentiments as mine. Instead of rejoicing at her death, I’ve preferred to reflect back on her era and remember just what it was that made her such an appalling human being.
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“There is absolutely nothing wrong with loathing Margaret Thatcher or any other person with political influence and power based upon perceived bad acts, and that doesn’t change simply because they die. If anything, it becomes more compelling to commemorate those bad acts upon death as the only antidote against a society erecting a false and jingoistically self-serving history.”
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“…it was her ideology I wanted to die, and sadly “Thatcherism” is still very much alive today, even in the Labour Party.”
Completely agree with that statement.
I would urge anyone to check out today’s Steve Bell cartoon. Despite ALL the bitter memories, it will raise a (possibly twisted) smil.
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Excellent piece.
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I read that article by Glenn Greenwald in the Guardian too Riverboat Captain….good quote.
Years ago back in England down the pub I told my friend Adam I would emigrate if Thatcher was re-elected. She was and I did. Ad was impressed, there no connection however.
I thought I would be happy when she finally died, but I felt nothing. I suppose the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference.
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My lovely bright school friend – Steve Nallon – was the voice of Maggie in Spittin’ Image .. and beyond.
I would have preferred him to be Prime Minister. She was a pain the fuckin arse.
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I would’ve preferred John Smith as Prime Minister. I reckon he’d have made a good job of it.
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“You privatise away what is ours.. we’ll take it back one day, mark my words, mark my words.” [B.Bragg]
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Good piece but that ‘Strike’ by The Enemy Within mp3 download ain’t working.
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I remember seeing a picture of Meryl Streep as Maggie Thatcher on the front page of Time from the movie Iron Lady at the check out stand and it came right back to me. Maggie! Maggie! Maggie! out! Out! OUT! Memories of Trafalgar Square and student loan protests.
I left the UK in ’91, for work, and now live state side although politics in the US aren’t any better.
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Jon, the files only stay up for a little while.
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