It must be a sign of the times, but when I heard about the demise of Margaret Thatcher today (in a text from a friend in Singapore, bizarrely), did I turn on the radio for the details? Nope. Did I switch on the TV to catch the headlines? Nay. Did I pick up a newspaper or access its website? No siree. I just rushed straight to my Twitter feed to see what the world had to say. The comments, by and large, were reasonably bland and respectful. There was the occasional idiot making an inappropriate joke or two but nothing like the bile I had been expecting. Still, it was a lesson in social media one-upmanship with Gerri Halliwell informing us that Maggie had been the original Spice Girl. Really? And bless little Harry Styles of One Direction who immediately tweeted an RIP to the former Prime Minister. Below are some of the hilarious comments that followed:-
Elsewhere it was rumoured that, in the USA, some folk thought Cher had popped her clogs due to the hashtag #nowthatchersdead.
Then I happened across this - also on Twitter, although I can't seem to find out who the originator was, so I can't credit it properly. Very accurate and made me laugh...
The internet is also awash with her finest quotes - especially the one which goes "if you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman", but I prefer this one: "Being powerful is like being a lady If you have to say you are, you aren't."
Oh yes, and I hope you appreciate my very restrained headline. Was tempted by "the lady's now for burning" but thought it might be a bit disrespectful under the circs.
Elsewhere it was rumoured that, in the USA, some folk thought Cher had popped her clogs due to the hashtag #nowthatchersdead.
Then I happened across this - also on Twitter, although I can't seem to find out who the originator was, so I can't credit it properly. Very accurate and made me laugh...
The internet is also awash with her finest quotes - especially the one which goes "if you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman", but I prefer this one: "Being powerful is like being a lady If you have to say you are, you aren't."
Oh yes, and I hope you appreciate my very restrained headline. Was tempted by "the lady's now for burning" but thought it might be a bit disrespectful under the circs.
'The Lady's Now For Burning'! Love it x
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you you ma'am!
DeleteI found yesterday's Twitter and Facebook status updates fascinating. My son is due to 'do' Thatcher next year in his exams (not sure if it's in his history or politics papers) so all this info is very useful source material for him!
ReplyDeleteI found it fascinating too -I have a habit of buying newspapers on the day that something of note happens and my kids are suddenly interested in the death of Diana, the fall of the Berlin Wall etc - makes really interesting reading a few years on.
DeleteBrilliant - straight to Twitter! That'll teach me not to pay attention all day - didn't discover it until the evening and would have loved to follow it. Am sad she is gone, glad you stayed respectful! Great piece.
ReplyDeleteIt was very interesting watching all the responses. TBH I think some of the less flattering reactions have been truly disgraceful. Whatever you think of a person's politics, there is no need to gloat over their death.
DeleteThe pie chart is amazingly accurate.
ReplyDeleteI heard the news from my French boss as I don't listen to the news at lunch time. I hadn't heard.
I caught some comments on the ITV late night news but decided to switch off as I didn't want to hear the idiots baying.
True there has been a fair amount of baying but some robust rebuttals of it too. All makes fascinating viewing and brings back many memories of the Thatcher years.
DeleteI clearly have a lot of left wing friends, my facebook was eye opening
ReplyDeletehmm - I have no objection to people holding an an opinion, but I do object to rudeness and spite...
Deletemmm....ding dong!!
ReplyDeleteI just read that it failed to reach number 1, so I wonder if the BBC played it as part of the chart run down or not? I didn't care enough to listen.
DeleteMy daughter works at The Times... I was busy doing some copywriting at home when a message from her popped up. "Mags Thatcher's been keeping us all busy." "Why, what's she been up to?" I replied (about six hours after even remote head-boiling tribes had heard the news). "Mum, she's not up to anything, she's dead", came the sensitive reposte. Good job I'm not Head Girl at Twitter.
ReplyDeleteHaha - I love the idea of being Head Girl at Twitter - what a fabulous job that would be - the power!!
DeleteI found the whole thing very interesting but I deliberately avoided posting any facebook or twitter comments - trying to stay respectful now she's gone.
ReplyDeleteIt sparked a few good conversations with number 1 son who is studying A level politics. His right wing teacher was tweeting all day and appeared distraught at Mrs T's passing. For me it brought back a lot of feelings I had during her "reign", I wasn't a fan I'm afraid.
I do wonder if, had Maggie Thatcher been a man, she would have come in for the same opprobrium? After all, Ted Heath before her did a very good job of sending the country to the dogs and I don't recall his passing being so vehemently welcomed....?
DeleteThat's a good point, maybe her "Spitting Image" portrayal had something to do with the way she was seen, superficial as that may seem?
ReplyDeleteYou could well be right Jay - even though it was superficial it was quite influential at the time.
Delete