The Iron lady's detractors are delighted. After her death, they are trying to ensure that she suffers for eternity with their, “Rot in hell, Maggie” graffiti.
I wonder which Indian leader can expect this manner of honest hatred. We seem to idolise (literally) anyone who dies. Be it those who rioted in Mumbai or even those who raided investor money (and went on to become stock market daddies). When a good person dies, there is more more. There are temples, shrines and some have even been beatified.
To me, Margaret Thatcher is a real life, practical version of Ayn Rand. While Rand wrote about the virtue of selfishness, and insisted that companies should make profit, Thatcher actually made Maggie millionaires. Rand criticised government's social support, and Thatcher snatched away milk from school children. In her later days, Rand is known to have applied for social security, a system she despised in her writing. Maggie, however is known to have lived off her millionaire friends in her last days. Be merciful to the rich, and the rich shall be merciful to you. Amen
Rand created stoic, idealistic characters who live far away from public opinion, Thatcher lived a public life withstanding criticism. Rand's characters seemed enjoy public hatred, I wonder how Thacther felt. In the recent movie on Thatcher, Meryl Streep who played her role, famously responded to a question her doctor posed to her about how she feels. “It is all about how you feel these days. Ask me what I think. It is thoughts and ideals interest me.” She saucily adds to her weary doctor, “And, I think I am fine.”
Difficult people often possess qualities that are unique. I am not surprised that people disliked Maggie, that they even hated her. But I am shocked to see that people still remember her and her times.
Indian politicians who go by short public memory theory are in for a shock. In India, we remember to hate British rule only during Independence Day when they play Gandhi on HBO. I shall also note here, that British Prime Minister did apologise for the massacre of Jallianwalla Baug recently. Truly, Britan is not a country which either sweeps dirt under the carpet, or even forgets.
In spite of 'love for legacy', it is appalling to see that many Maggie death party organisers seem too young to be even one of those children who were denied milk in their schools. Then again, England is a country that lives in history, and often lives off it.
I wonder which Indian leader can expect this manner of honest hatred. We seem to idolise (literally) anyone who dies. Be it those who rioted in Mumbai or even those who raided investor money (and went on to become stock market daddies). When a good person dies, there is more more. There are temples, shrines and some have even been beatified.
To me, Margaret Thatcher is a real life, practical version of Ayn Rand. While Rand wrote about the virtue of selfishness, and insisted that companies should make profit, Thatcher actually made Maggie millionaires. Rand criticised government's social support, and Thatcher snatched away milk from school children. In her later days, Rand is known to have applied for social security, a system she despised in her writing. Maggie, however is known to have lived off her millionaire friends in her last days. Be merciful to the rich, and the rich shall be merciful to you. Amen
Rand created stoic, idealistic characters who live far away from public opinion, Thatcher lived a public life withstanding criticism. Rand's characters seemed enjoy public hatred, I wonder how Thacther felt. In the recent movie on Thatcher, Meryl Streep who played her role, famously responded to a question her doctor posed to her about how she feels. “It is all about how you feel these days. Ask me what I think. It is thoughts and ideals interest me.” She saucily adds to her weary doctor, “And, I think I am fine.”
Difficult people often possess qualities that are unique. I am not surprised that people disliked Maggie, that they even hated her. But I am shocked to see that people still remember her and her times.
Indian politicians who go by short public memory theory are in for a shock. In India, we remember to hate British rule only during Independence Day when they play Gandhi on HBO. I shall also note here, that British Prime Minister did apologise for the massacre of Jallianwalla Baug recently. Truly, Britan is not a country which either sweeps dirt under the carpet, or even forgets.
In spite of 'love for legacy', it is appalling to see that many Maggie death party organisers seem too young to be even one of those children who were denied milk in their schools. Then again, England is a country that lives in history, and often lives off it.