Anger at Thatcher death T-shirts on sale at TUC

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/62824000/jpg/_62824911_thatchertshirt2.jpg

T-shirts celebrating the eventual death of Margaret Thatcher - on sale at the TUC conference - have been condemned.
Tory MPs called the garments "beyond the pale" and "sickening". TUC general secretary Brendan Barber called them "tasteless and inappropriate".
The T-shirts were proving "very popular" with trade unionists, stall holder Colin Hampton said.
Baroness Thatcher, 86, has been in declining health in recent years and has withdrawn from public life.
Mr Hampton defended the T-shirts as representing "many" people's view of the former PM.
Lady Thatcher is unpopular with many trade unionists, who blame her for the "erosion" of workers' rights during the 1980s and the decline of industries including mining and heavy manufacturing.
Lady Thatcher's supporters argue that she revitalised the economy and improved the UK's standing in the world by bringing in free market reforms and reducing the influence of powerful trade unions.

(BBC News)

Made me chuckle.

[Vanguard1917]

At least it didn't say piss.


pFl7f_Q3uKM

[brigadista]

i want one...;)

[Jimmie Higgins]

Does it come in a "Bill Clinton"?


...Damn, I guess that wouldn't make sense given the trade-union relationship to the Dems. But Regan is already dead and Bill deserves equal blame and hatred in my book.

[bricolage]

Finally the TUC actually does something worthwhile.

[brigadista]

Finally the TUC actually does something worthwhile.

that is the truth !!!

[ВАЛТЕР]

This is great! :laugh:

[brigadista]

been sick for the last few days - thanks for making me feel better!!

[Jazzratt]

Does it come in a "Bill Clinton"?


...Damn, I guess that wouldn't make sense given the trade-union relationship to the Dems. But Regan is already dead and Bill deserves equal blame and hatred in my book.
I'm kind of interested in what relationship British trade unions have had with the American Democrats.

[Blake's Baby]

Finally the TUC actually does something worthwhile.

The TUC condemned them. It was an example of good old Thatcherite private enterprise that provided them.

Y'all know about the plan for the Saturday after she dies? Big party in Trafalger Square.

[bricolage]

Yep.
It's going to be a sad day for Class War (or whatever remnants of it still exist in whatever way), they've spent the last twenty years flogging hurry up and die stickers and will be completely stumped for what to do the morning after that party.

[khad]

Dancing on Reagan's Grave and Pissing on Nixon's

http://www.wnd.com/images2/gravedancing1a.jpghttp://www.wnd.com/images2/nixongrave.jpg

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

Dancing on Reagan's Grave and Pissing on Nixon's

http://www.wnd.com/images2/gravedancing1a.jpghttp://www.wnd.com/images2/nixongrave.jpg

I for one think that's grotesque.

We're fighting the system, not the people.

My over-riding feeling when the ***** pops her clogs will be one of relief and closure, not one of joy. I think it's a bit pathetic that people have so little ability to focus on current struggles, that their little 'victories' involve looking forward to the death of a demented 80 something who doesn't know the difference anymore between a cat and a dog. Thatcher is dead to me already, that's enough.

[Ostrinski]

I for one think that's grotesque.

We're fighting the system, not the people.

My over-riding feeling when the ***** pops her clogs will be one of relief and closure, not one of joy. I think it's a bit pathetic that people have so little ability to focus on current struggles, that their little 'victories' involve looking forward to the death of a demented 80 something who doesn't know the difference anymore between a cat and a dog. Thatcher is dead to me already, that's enough.That is a mighty fine steed with which you arrived, though it is time for you to dismount.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

That is a mighty fine steed with which you arrived, though it is time for you to dismount.

meh. I just don't think shit like pissing on the graves of the dead achieves anything, it's a bit juvenile isn't it?

[khad]

meh. I just don't think shit like pissing on the graves of the dead achieves anything, it's a bit juvenile isn't it?
Your high horse would be a lot taller if you hadn't so callously called Thatcher a "*****."

Come roll in the mud with the rest of us. You'll be better for it.

P.S. You can take this as a verbal, blah blah.

[Blake's Baby]

meh. I just don't think shit like pissing on the graves of the dead achieves anything, it's a bit juvenile isn't it?

It doesn't acheive anything because they're dead. They probably didn't even notice.

My biggest problem is that it's a lone action. Unlike the mass action that will, I hope, occur when Thatcher dies.

[Lenina Rosenweg]

I bought a bottle of champagne when I heard Pinochet died, although I didn't drink it till sometime later. I didn't do anything special when Reagan died, just another day.In hindsight I probably should have celebrated somewhere. When the greengrocer's daughter kicks it hopefully It'll be when I'm with like minded friends and we can celebrate in style.

Yeah, naughty I know...

[Raúl Duke]

I wish I could show up for that Trafalgar party...

[Prometeo liberado]

If it came in an extra small mid-drift, then would be in bad taste.
http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=I.4728055329784022&pid=1.7&w=244&h=147&c=7&rs=1

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

The only thing I'm not looking forward to when that fucking hag dies are the eulogies and histrionics that are bound to come from the arse-licking mouths of tory-boy scum.

[Blake's Baby]

Oh, everyone will be fawning. The BBC, elder Labour statesmen (I bet Blair turns up to deliver a 'sincere' eulogy about how Thatcher's attempts to 'modernise' British industry were 'necessary'), and lots of economists and pundits. And celebrities... Geri Halliwell and Phil Collins, for instance. It's going to be fucking hideous. That's why I think the best place to be will be Trafalger Square, where at least we won't have to put up with the shit for a little while.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

if she gets a state funeral that'll just be fucking horrendous.

mind you, now that the economy is in the shit, there'll surely be no way they can eulogise her so greatly...it has become pretty clear the link between what she (and Callaghan before her) started and what has come to pass now.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

Your high horse would be a lot taller if you hadn't so callously called Thatcher a "*****."

Come roll in the mud with the rest of us. You'll be better for it.

P.S. You can take this as a verbal, blah blah.

Are you actually shitting me? :lol:

but yeah, i'm not defending her. I just think pissing on graves is particularly low. It's not political in any way, so it's just abusive and that's not cool.

[Jimmie Higgins]

I'm all for pissing or dancing on those graves. Or piss-dancing on them.

I got shamed by other tourists at the Nixon Library for asking one of the tour guides where I could find the archives of Nixon's anti-Semitic rants. Humans are humans and I wouldn't wish Nixon or Clinton some horrible disease or personal suffering of that kind (no, I only wish on them ruined and ineffective careers due to mass working-class opposition - you know short of being overthrown and removed from any ability to influence anyone). But graves of public figures and the popular myths about them are not human so piss on them all you want.


I just think pissing on graves is particularly low. It's not political in any way, so it's just abusive and that's not cool.No, not political. But abusive? Abusive to carved stone?

[khad]

Are you actually shitting me? :lol:

but yeah, i'm not defending her. I just think pissing on graves is particularly low. It's not political in any way, so it's just abusive and that's not cool.
Being a mod means pointing out the rules even in situations where you think it's ridiculous.

Yes, it's a verbal. Do it again and I'll infract you. Not because I want to but because those are the rules, and we can't make exceptions for one person being allowed to use words that would get others in trouble.

And if you still think I'm shitting you, you can take it up with the dear leader himself:


nope, i think we have an clear policy and tradition that we dont accept attacking women (we dont like) on being women.
for example one of the very few verbals i ever got on this board was for calling sarah palin a *****, and i deserved it.
like already explained in the thread, there are lots of reasons to attack the queen on, not the fact she has a vagina, let alone the vagina itself.
and the fact that thats always the thing women we dont like (queen, palin, thatcher etc etc) are being attacked on on this board it deserved an displinary action.
and since its far from the first time wolfy drops prejuidiced one-liners he got an infraction.

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

Oh, everyone will be fawning. The BBC, elder Labour statesmen (I bet Blair turns up to deliver a 'sincere' eulogy about how Thatcher's attempts to 'modernise' British industry were 'necessary'), and lots of economists and pundits. And celebrities... Geri Halliwell and Phil Collins, for instance. It's going to be fucking hideous. That's why I think the best place to be will be Trafalger Square, where at least we won't have to put up with the shit for a little while.

Agreed, the level of praise from all kinds of 'political and cultural figureheads' will be excruciating to witness. I'll have to arrange one round our way, as I wouldn't be able to make it to Trafalgar (shouldn't be hard round here, scousers generally dislike Thatcher).

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Oh, everyone will be fawning. The BBC, elder Labour statesmen (I bet Blair turns up to deliver a 'sincere' eulogy about how Thatcher's attempts to 'modernise' British industry were 'necessary'), and lots of economists and pundits. And celebrities... Geri Halliwell and Phil Collins, for instance. It's going to be fucking hideous. That's why I think the best place to be will be Trafalger Square, where at least we won't have to put up with the shit for a little while.

I'm feeling nauseous already. When it happens I think I might actually throw up at some point. I will definitely be doing my best to avoid mainstream media on that occasion. I might even stay away from the BBC website as I could end up actually breaking something.

[Hit The North]

Watching Channel 5's The Wright Stuff this morning when they were discussing the Thatcher's Gone Party Pack and a large amount of sanctimonious bullshit was already on display from a host and a panel that considers itself "left of centre", denouncing the pack, demanding the TUC denounce it; panellist, Sally Bercow (a woman so demented she actually married House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow) calling the makers "nutters"; and the host, Wright, actually insulting a caller, who phoned in defending the pack, a "care in the community caller". Even self-styled lefty and professional Northerner, Terry Christian duly copped out and said "hate the sin, don't hate the sinner."

So when the evil old hag does die there is going to be a ton of pressure placed on us by the media for us to honour and pay lip-service to her passing. So I think it will be important for the left to make some noise over it and maybe organise impromptu street parties in every city centre up and down the country, celebrating her demise.

If they're foolish enough to give her a state funeral, we should organise an impromptu counter demonstration as close to Westminster as possible.

[Blake's Baby]

Can't give her a 'state' funeral, she'd hate that, we should let the market sort it out and give her a 'private' funeral instead.

And I think we should all take a leaf out of our budding TUC capitalist's books and produce souvenirs for the occassion - I'm thinking, T-shirts with the slogan 'Ding! Dong! The Witch is dead!' - maybe mugs and scarves too.

Any other good ideas out there?

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

Could also barrage Labour, Tory and Lib Dem members via e-mail or leafleting along the lines of,
'She's dead, let her ideas die with her'
List her crimes and their parties' complicity in them or supporting them. Urge them to repent.

Maybe that's weak, I don't know.

[Vanguard1917]

My over-riding feeling when the ***** pops her clogs will be one of relief and closure

You sound like a traumatised assault victim.

-------

Thatcher was not some omnipotent phenomenon that single-handedly caused the defeat of the left and the trade unions. Sections of the left will celebrate her death, but that's because they themselves are dead and have long ceased to be part of any living, breathing social movement. They have little they can do in the present and, in reality, long for the struggles of the '80s, when everything seemed relatively so uncomplicated and clear. They have more nostalgia for the Thatcher years than they would care to admit. Indeed, everything in the present is 'Thatcherite' with them.

By all means call bullshit on the heaps of historically illiterate praise that's inevitably going to follow her death. But who really wants to be a sub-caricature of Class War - that absurd parody of leftwing politics?

[ed miliband]

Thatcher was not some omnipotent phenomenon that single-handedly caused the defeat of the left and the trade unions. Sections of the left will celebrate her death, but that's because they themselves are dead and have long ceased to be part of any living, breathing social movement. They have little they can do in the present and, in reality, long for the struggles of the '80s, when everything seemed relatively so uncomplicated and clear. They have more nostalgia for the Thatcher years than they would care to admit. Indeed, everything in the present is 'Thatcherite' with them.

By all means call bullshit on the heaps of historically illiterate praise that's inevitably going to follow her death. But who really wants to be a sub-caricature of Class War - that absurd parody of leftwing politics?

exactly, and as the boss points out 'thatcherism' didn't even really start with thatcher but with the callaghan government that preceded her. but then the issue isn't what individuals we should blame for the massive assault on our class that the 70s and 80s brought, but why it happened. i don't think all of that can be reduced to thatcher's "evilness", whether she was evil or not. bottom line is it all would have happened thatcher or not.

i was born during the (early) major years, so i obviously did not experience living under thatcher and perhaps i'd feel differently if i did, but i can honestly say i won't feel any emotion when she dies. i certainly won't be sad about it, but what pleasure can i take from a senile old bat dying? it's not going to improve my life or bring full communism any closer; i might pretend that it's really funny to irl troll people, but otherwise...

plus the t-shirt design sucks and if an ed miliband supporter can wear one...

https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCmYq_EIYeNwrY6bhoZeHG59YM1cVvd ka2dmFp5Tf63HugHN0wBg

... there's clearly something wrong with it.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

You sound like a traumatised assault victim.

Is that supposed to be a bad thing? You sound like a fuckhead.


Thatcher was not some omnipotent phenomenon that single-handedly caused the defeat of the left and the trade unions.

I don't recall anyone in this thread making any claims of that sort.


Sections of the left will celebrate her death, but that's because they themselves are dead and have long ceased to be part of any living, breathing social movement.

Speak for yourself, Vanguard1917. If you've got specific criticisms to make of contemporary leftists orgs in the UK then there is plenty of space on this forum to do so. It would be nice if you could dispense with the vague generalities, however.


Indeed, everything in the present is 'Thatcherite' with them.

Maybe that's because they actually recognise that it didn't all spring wholly-formed, like Botticelli's Venus, from a single reactionary politician, but was representative of a general change in UK politics.


By all means call bullshit on the heaps of historically illiterate praise that's inevitably going to follow her death. But who really wants to be a sub-caricature of Class War - that absurd parody of leftwing politics?

Throwing stones while living in a glass house, I see. Speaking of absurd parodies, do you still uncritically link to articles written by Brendan O'Neill?

[RedAnarchist]

As far as I'm concerned, they can throw her body in a landfill when she finally dies. They just better not even consider a state funeral for her or anyone involved in her government.

[Vanguard1917]

As far as I'm concerned, they can throw her body in a landfill when she finally dies. They just better not even consider a state funeral for her or anyone involved in her government.


Should they instead give state funerals to leaders we like?

Campaigning against Thatcher having a state funeral is solidly Labour-left territory, i.e. for the kind of people who don't want their beloved British state associated with 'evil'.

It's like getting annoyed when someone you don't like gets a knighthood. Implicit in that is the belief that state honours are 'good' and should be reserved for 'good people'.


Is that supposed to be a bad thing? You sound like a fuckhead.

Easy now, whippersnapper.

[RedAnarchist]

Should they instead give state funerals to leaders we like?

Campaigning against Thatcher having a state funeral is solidly Labour-left territory, i.e. for the kind of people who don't want their beloved British state associated with 'evil'.

It's like getting annoyed when someone you don't like gets a knighthood. Implicit in that is the belief that state honours are 'good' and should be reserved for 'good people'.

I don't think anyone should get a state funeral or a knighthood, personally. Both are archaic and irrelevant to modern times.

[Blake's Baby]

OK, I'm gonna say that, seriously, Vanguard1917 is right. Campaigns about state funerals, and individuals who are now in their 80s and very confused, are completely irrelevant. And yes, sometimes those of us who were political in the '80s act like trauma victims.

Still planning on turning up at Traf Square however.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Should they instead give state funerals to leaders we like?

Campaigning against Thatcher having a state funeral is solidly Labour-left territory, i.e. for the kind of people who don't want their beloved British state associated with 'evil'.

It's like getting annoyed when someone you don't like gets a knighthood. Implicit in that is the belief that state honours are 'good' and should be reserved for 'good people'.

State funeral means it comes out of my pocket. Why should I not fucking hate that?


Easy now, whippersnapper.

Maybe you wouldn't be quite so temperate if it was your arse at risk of being penniless for up to three years (http://www.revleft.com/vb/fucker-mps-demand-t174976/index.html). I'm quite capable of hating that fucking frightful harridan and realising that she is merely one of the ugliest pustules on a titanic boil that has been swelling up for decades, thank you so very much.

[Vanguard1917]

Maybe you wouldn't be quite so temperate if it was your arse at risk of being penniless for up to three years (http://www.revleft.com/vb/fucker-mps-demand-t174976/index.html). I'm quite capable of hating that fucking frightful harridan and realising that she is merely one of the ugliest pustules on a titanic boil that has been swelling up for decades, thank you so very much.

No matter what our individual circumstances, politics and society need to be considered and analysed soberly. Anger is no excuse for a lack of proper analysis.

[fug]

It's easy to dance on her grave, but why weren't they tougher back when Thatcher was alive and well and ruining people's welfare?
After all it was the unions that got defeated in the end.

[Blake's Baby]

I don't know what your question means. Why weren't 'they' tougher on her? Do you mean the unions? Do you mean revolutionaries? Do you mean the working class?

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

Being a mod means pointing out the rules even in situations where you think it's ridiculous.

Yes, it's a verbal. Do it again and I'll infract you. Not because I want to but because those are the rules, and we can't make exceptions for one person being allowed to use words that would get others in trouble.

And if you still think I'm shitting you, you can take it up with the dear leader himself:

There's something called common sense, clearly which is lacking in a thread where I can get a warning for hurling an insult that I have very clearly not loaded with sexist intent at the most hated figure - bar Hitler - of the 20th century for people like me, yet people can call for the pissing on the grave, dancing on the grave and other similarly ill-conceived ideas of the same person and get away with it?

Surely even you, as a mod, can see how ridiculous a state of affairs this is?

I don't go around liberally using n-words, c-words or b-words, but I would like to think it's very clear that if I do, I don't use them with even the slightest discriminatory intent, so what's the problem? Words are just a social construct. In another world, it could end up that the most sexist word around is 'affection' and that the c-word is the word for making love. It's just letters constructed by people. It's the meaning that counts.

[Rugged Collectivist]

I'm so sick of people whining about respect for the dead. If I didn't respect the person when they were alive, why the hell would I respect them when their heart stops?

The world will be a better place when Thatcher dies. I don't care if her family is upset. That doesn't place her above criticism.

[brigadista]

one thing is for sure - history won't absolve her

[Manic Impressive]

OK, I'm gonna say that, seriously, Vanguard1917 is right. Campaigns about state funerals, and individuals who are now in their 80s and very confused, are completely irrelevant. And yes, sometimes those of us who were political in the '80s act like trauma victims.

Still planning on turning up at Traf Square however.
This^^

Of course Vanguard1917, ed milliband and The Boss are right. They are looking at it rationally. But I submit that we can not do EVERYTHING rationally all the time. It would be great if we could but I allow myself some room to enjoy some petty symbolic vengeance. So I'll be celebrating but I won't be confusing it as a victory or celebrations as a class action. It's just what our American cousins call closure. Closure to a time where the working class were being put through hell and which fundamentally shaped the rest of our lives.

and yeah I think as a simile traumatized victim works quite well

[Q]

To be perfectly honest, I think pissing on her grave is a grand idea.

Yeah, it's not about the person, yadda yadda. But she personified the crackdown of a generation. So, that's my reasoning and I don't care about your moral high horse opinion.

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

I for one think that's grotesque.

We're fighting the system, not the people.


I find it suiting. All that lies beneath is a pile of decaying matter that wrought misery to innumerable working class peoples internationally. If you're head of an oppressive institution which is responsible for innumerable crimes and death, someone could ballroom dance with Reagan then feed his moldy old bones to the dogs and I wouldn't care. It totally is the person, the system would not function without people, again, if you're head of X organization that commits X many crimes and murders then hey, you're the problem, deal with it. I would induce vomiting for 5 hours on Hitler's grave if he had one.