I'm saddened.

[mustangclaire]

Here, in good ol' Blighty, Margaret Thatcher has died. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Thatcher).

Now, I'm not saying I'm saddened greatly by this alone (personally I've mixed opinions, half of me admires her, well, quite a large part did, but this isn't what this is about).


What's shocked me to the core is Facebook. And the comments that are being posted. Downright glee. Utter glee. People (who are meant to be "friends") being abusive if you don't share the same opinion. Talking about her in the same way they'd talk about Hitler. Aiming direct, abusive comments at people who do not agree. I've never seen such a tide of hate. I think it's time to de-activate my account. For good. It's left me cold. Is this what we've come down too? The woman's been at deaths door for 10 years and they're dancing in the spotlight of social media? Way to go, way to go.

Sorry, had to get this off my chest. I think I'm going to stick to this place, and my car club site. I've no wish to associate with people like that anymore.

[Shasta]

This is why I hate FB and if it wasn't for Todash I would stay far away.

Don't be sad. People are dumb.

[mustangclaire]

I've de-activated it now. I'm sticking to here... I can't STAND it when people use facebook as a tool to be abusive to others. They're (forgive my Americanism, i hope i get this right) Asshats....

[nygene40]

Here, in good ol' Blighty, Margaret Thatcher has died. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Thatcher).

Now, I'm not saying I'm saddened greatly by this alone (personally I've mixed opinions, half of me admires her, well, quite a large part did, but this isn't what this is about).


What's shocked me to the core is Facebook. And the comments that are being posted. Downright glee. Utter glee. People (who are meant to be "friends") being abusive if you don't share the same opinion. Talking about her in the same way they'd talk about Hitler. Aiming direct, abusive comments at people who do not agree. I've never seen such a tide of hate. I think it's time to de-activate my account. For good. It's left me cold. Is this what we've come down too? The woman's been at deaths door for 10 years and they're dancing in the spotlight of social media? Way to go, way to go.

Sorry, had to get this off my chest. I think I'm going to stick to this place, and my car club site. I've no wish to associate with people like that anymore.

Depending on ones age, and ones economic class during the Thatcher years, ones reaction to the "Iron Lady" having shuffled off this mortal coil will most assuredly be varied.

[Sepia and Dust]

Depending on ones age, and ones economic class during the Thatcher years, ones reaction to the "Iron Lady" having shuffled off this mortal coil will most assuredly be varied.

Indeed. There are many people dead or bankrupt directly due to her policies. That's true of many politicians, of course, but it shouldn't be surprising that some would cheerfully dance on her grave.

[Autumn Gust]

Depending on ones age, and ones economic class during the Thatcher years, ones reaction to the "Iron Lady" having shuffled off this mortal coil will most assuredly be varied.

I agree. While I respect Mrs. Thatcher, I do associate her with Ronald Reagan, "trickle down economics", the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, the weakening (and breaking) of unions, etc... Still, I think it's just disgraceful for some to use her death as an opportunity to be mean, abusive, and gleeful. She was a world leader and, whether you agreed with her politics or not, was deeply dedicated to her ideals and to her country. She deserves dignity and respect as she is laid to rest.

[Sepia and Dust]

They're (forgive my Americanism, i hope i get this right) Asshats....

Asshats is perfectly cromulent.

[Sepia and Dust]

She was a world leader and, whether you agreed with her politics or not, was deeply dedicated to her ideals and to her country. She deserves dignity and respect as she is laid to rest.

So was Hitler, Pol Pot, and Kim Il-sung. Not to say that Thatcher was a despot or an evil human being like those three, but merely being a world leader dedicated to certain ideals does not make anybody worthy of dignity or respect.

I would, in fact, argue the opposite. Living in the spotlight is a choice. She took whatever good things being a public figure brought to her, so she'll take these bad ones, as well.

[Autumn Gust]

So was Hitler, Pol Pot, and Kim Il-sung. Not to say that Thatcher was a despot or an evil human being like those three, but merely being a world leader dedicated to certain ideals does not make anybody worthy of dignity or respect.

I would, in fact, argue the opposite. Living in the spotlight is a choice. She took whatever good things being a public figure brought to her, so she'll take these bad ones, as well.

I believe the office itself carries a certain amount of respect and dignity, regardless of the holder, in democratic and humane countries. I understand public figures are game for intense scrutiny and criticism. I also understand some people have negative opinions of Mrs. Thatcher and they definitely have the right to express them. It just seems to me like a total lack of class to be gleefully celebrating her death and saying vulgar, horrible things about her. Trust me, I was not her biggest fan but I believe it all boils down to human decency.

[FlakeNoir]

I think the words "human" and "decency" are becoming less and less able to stand together.