Celebrating Death....

[Straker]

With the recent death of Margaret Thatcher, 1000's of people up and down Britain have taken to the streets to celebrate her death, in a demonstration of their hatred of the woman and satisfacation at her death. For those that don't know, Thatcher is probably one of the most hated British political figures in modern British history, despite serving 12 years as our prime minister.

A few years back street scenes from New York were beamed around the world showing Americans partying in the streets at the news of Osama Bin Laden's death.

Personally I find something really tragic to this type of celebration. I fully understand why people might not mourn the passing of someone like Bin Laden and I think there's a quiet dignity to those who honored the memory of loved ones lost through 9/11, when hearing of Bin Ladens death, but champagne and singing in the street? All seems a little pathetic to me.

Same thing with Thatcher, she left behind a huge legacy, part of which was hate and resentment, but at the end of it all, we are talking about an 87 year old, mostly senile woman who had a massive stroke and died. Do we really want to be hitting the streets for a party over that?

So the question is, what do you all think about these type of 'death parties' and the idea of rejoycing over someone's death? Could be specifically these events or more personal. Maybe someone you had a personal rivalry with, or a boss you hated, drops down dead of a heart attack. Is it time to pop the champagne cork and start the celebrations?

[newb]

Was I happy when Bin Laden shuffled off this mortal coil?....damn straight I was...did I party...no

I'm not too familiar with the politics in the UK, but comparing Margret Thatcher to Bin Laden may be a bit extreme. I've never hated anybody enough in my personal life to wish death upon them.

[Straker]

I'm not too familiar with the politics in the UK, but comparing Margret Thatcher to Bin Laden may be a bit extreme.

Agreed. Wasn't trying to compare them directly, just using them to give an example of the type of thing I was talking about.

[neverending]

It shows a definite lack of class. Not that there's much class left in the world.

[MichaelMyers]

It shows a definite lack of class. Not that there's much class left in the world.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Lee!

[_____V_____]

Death is after all, death. It's no cause of celebration, however extreme the person was in their life.

[roshiq]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Lee!

Death is after all, death. It's no cause of celebration, however extreme the person was in their life.

Ditto.

This is sick & can be categorized as a kind of perversion for human nature and more or less sadly it exists almost everywhere in today's world.

[Elvis_Christ]

Humanity has always celebrated the death of tyrants.

To be honest these are the only sort of celebrations Thatcher's death deserved and I can understand completely why people did so.

[Sculpt]

With the recent death of Margaret Thatcher, 1000's of people up and down Britain have taken to the streets to celebrate her death, in a demonstration of their hatred of the woman and satisfacation at her death. For those that don't know, Thatcher is probably one of the most hated British political figures in modern British history, despite serving 12 years as our prime minister.
As a news buff, I lived through her international policies (which were larger instep with Regan's), but as a yank, I don't know about her domestic policies, except that she was a conservative. That label means a million different things, the vast majority which wouldn't apply to my views. So give us a little info. Why is she hated? What policies make her so hated?

To answer your question, I think it's shameful to hatefully celebrate someone's death. Of course many cultures have a celebration when a loved one dies, rather than a somber funeral, but we're talking about vengeful filled celebration.

I didn't celebrate Osama's termination. I didn't internally celebrate his death either, partially because I don't think he planned or executed 9/11. But I also wouldn't be surprised if he was apart of the same larger group that did. I am glad he's not around planning and supporting the murder of people. But that's neither here nor there.

[Straker]

So give us a little info. Why is she hated? What policies make her so hated?


I'd say the main thing she is hated for is the pressure she put on the Trade Union movement. She reduced the rights of workers and was involved in a long running and bitter dispute with the coal mining industry with workers striking for over a year and ending with the closure of the majority of British coal mines.

Some of her most famous/ infamous moments included:

Privatiation of government owned utility companies.

Allowing council tenants to buy their homes. ( basically gave people living in government owned rented property the right to buy at a discount with prior rent paid knocked off the house price).

The Falklands War.

Introduction of the Poll 'Tax'. (Effectively ment a flat government rates fee across the board regardless of income and probably the primary thing that ended her political career.)

Lots more stuff I'm forgetting too... Oh, she also stopped free milk in schools and was dubbed "Maggie Thatcher Milk Snatcher".

[Sculpt]

I'd say the main thing she is hated for is the pressure she put on the Trade Union movement. She reduced the rights of workers and was involved in a long running and bitter dispute with the coal mining industry with workers striking for over a year and ending with the closure of the majority of British coal mines.

Some of her most famous/ infamous moments included:

Privatiation of government owned utility companies.

Allowing council tenants to buy their homes. ( basically gave people living in government owned rented property the right to buy at a discount with prior rent paid knocked off the house price).

The Falklands War.

Introduction of the Poll 'Tax'. (Effectively ment a flat government rates fee across the board regardless of income and probably the primary thing that ended her political career.)

Lots more stuff I'm forgetting too... Oh, she also stopped free milk in schools and was dubbed "Maggie Thatcher Milk Snatcher".
Wow, her domestic policies were worse than I ever imagined. But we can like her without liking her policies.