Margaret Thatcher Passes away.

[freddie*rooster]

Not a bad innings at the age of 87yrs.

[polksaladallie]

 Even though Maggie was tough she was feminine,

:^O :^O

[katydidthat]

My Dad met Maggie in real life.  Now, Dad was an ex-member of the UK Communist Party (then he joined the Labour Party), he was active in politics for most of his life, always on the left.  After he met her for the first time, he said to me (somewhat embarrassed) that she was a "very attractive woman" in real life.  I don't think he ever told that to my mother, LOL.  I don't think I heard him say that about another woman either.  

[polksaladallie]

Being "attractive" has nothing to do with being feminine.

[katydidthat]

Allie, I think my Dad did see the feminine side of Thatcher ... :^O

I think we get such a skewed vision of our politicians ... I've known a few in real life and I look at them on Question Time and I laugh at how they appear there as opposed to other situations ... I wonder how much differently we'd see them if they were at home, feet up, eating popcorn and watching a silly movie?  We see them in parliament, on the media, giving press conferences ... but we rarely see their "human" side.  When we do, I think our opinions change, for example when they try to commit suicide ... and that's sad.  But, they hide so much of their real personalities when they become politicians - or political leaders.  

[polksaladallie]

Allie, I think my Dad did see the feminine side of Thatcher ... :^O

I think we get such a skewed vision of our politicians ... I've known a few in real life and I look at them on Question Time and I laugh at how they appear there as opposed to other situations ... I wonder how much differently we'd see them if they were at home, feet up, eating popcorn and watching a silly movie?  We see them in parliament, on the media, giving press conferences ... but we rarely see their "human" side.  When we do, I think our opinions change, for example when they try to commit suicide ... and that's sad.  But, they hide so much of their real personalities when they become politicians - or political leaders. 

I agree, Katy, I have met some state pollies, some of them are worse than they appear on television etc., some of them are nicer.  I have met one very prominent federal person who is adored by most now, but a lot of the adorers would have had very disparaging things to say about this person 30 years ago.

IMO the PM comes across as a very warm and loving human being, but because of the game, is not able to show that in parliament.

[katydidthat]

I think that leadership (sadly) imposes changes on the PM/leader.  I used to live in Kevin Rudd's electorate and he used to be a regular on the local (Brisbane) radio station ... he was a witty, clever, interesting person then.  I used to listen to Julia Gillard in parliament ... and she was a wonderful, intelligent speaker ... in leadership, I think they both changed for the worse.  I think both were put in a mold and told how to behave and speak ... I'm not sure if either person became more electable because of the changes.  

Bob Hawke and Paul Keating seemed able to retain their own personalities and styles.  

I think the same applies to the conservative side ... John Howard was himself (whatever you think of him), but Abbott is an amoeba ... "tell me what you want to be and I'll be it".  

I dunno ... we're all real people (well, mostly).  Why can't our pollies be so?  

[windrake]

John Howard was invited to the funeral on his own merit. Julia Gillard has now invited him to be her emissary at the funeral.

After that gender speech she gave on the demise of Baroness Thatcher I would think it insulting if she did go but her duty is to represent the Australian people not her left union base.

It's a sad day when we can't be represented by our PM on such an occasion, says much about Miss Gillard.

If another eminent Conservative dies will she refuse to attend their funeral.

This is far below what we expect from the top representative of our country.

Another day another embarrassing misstep from Miss Gillard.

[izabsmiling]

some people here go on and on about our economy being bad and complain about our Governmen'st spending.

The UK's really is bad and these same people seem to no issue with the cost of the funeral.. at  the expense of the UK tax payers ?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/margaret-thatcher-funeral-family-should-1823644

Margaret Thatcher funeral: Family should pay bill NOT taxpayers, say three out of five in poll11 Apr 2013 00:00

Our poll reflected the anger at the ceremonial send-off on the lavish scale of those the Queen Mother and Princess Diana were given

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/margaret-thatcher-funeral-family-should-1823644#ixzz2QIQFibGV 

here we have a former PM ....if you look at the statistic at the time it seems questionable as to how good a PM she actually was.

She didn't do much for women and hated women's lib.She married a wealthy man,could study and pay Nanny's (didn't need the child care other women may have needed.This need increased during her leadership as men lost jobs,marriages broke down,inequality increased )

Her she is a former leader of a financially stressed Country being given such an expensive fair well (at the cost of the tax payers)..

Why ? 

If she was a man would it be happening ? ...when you add  the figures I don't believe it would.

The feminist card is being played now..and it is costing 

Would she be OK to have so much spent on her when her Country is not so healthy ?

[izabsmiling]

and if people don't want to hear anyone talk about sexism....they should not bring being feminine or not into the equation.

[windrake]

I wonder what many will do with their hate now.