Amsterhammer said:
Dude, WTF?
Seriously, what is your purpose with this ranting, semi-comprehensible, diatribe of generalized non sequiturs? If you want to debate the bankruptcy of today's Europe and drag Ozzie mortgages into the conversation, I suggest you move to the politics topic where, no doubt, many will be happy to disabuse you of some of your more bizarre misconceptions.
You're seriously suggesting that the Spanish, Italians, or posters from "little countries", shouldn't express their distaste for Thatcher and her legacy because things may not be all hunky dory in their own countries? While you, apparently writing from Oz, are entitled to an opinion?
FYI, wise guy, I am not Dutch, and the only other opinion expressed here by a Dutchman has been pro-Thatcher. I am an American who lived in Britain from 1968-1987. My personal critique of Thatcherism is therefore based on my direct personal experience, and on what I saw taking place all around me. What's your as s-kissing from the other side of the world based on? Did you live in Britain during her reign, are you an emigre from the UK, or just an opinionated Ozzie with a misleading handle and a big mouth?
As someone who sounds like one of ACF's political ilk, it's surprising that you don't even know his gender, considering how long you've been around here.
edit - Of course, anyone is entitled to an opinion about her place in history. I (and others) have been speaking specifically to the degree of social polarization she caused in Britain as a whole, but most dramatically in Scotland, Ireland, and the north of England. I would suggest that no one who did not experience the deep divisions and wounds she created in the fabric of British society first hand, can understand the bottomless loathing that so many, including me, feel for this woman. I have tried to explain this feeling to many Americans thus - you know how much you dislike Obama/Dubya? Triple that feeling, and then imagine carrying it around for the best part of 40 years. That'll give you some idea of why Thatcher is so widely and deeply hated by so many.
First off. ACF94...votes Coalition in Australia. That means Liberals and National party. There are moderate ring leaning. Our equivalent to the Tories but more so lately the UKIP.
Next, ACF94 has said to me personally, that he is a DUDE. Studying biology or bio-chemistry at I believe it was RMIT or Melbourne Uni. I can't remember which. I believe they would be finished now. So that makes them about 6-8 years younger than me.
The gender of ACF94 was a contentious topic before ACF94 stated he was in fact a dude. I simply believed his word. Could he be a she? Well I never had reason to question it till that post. It would explain the borderline obsessive Cadel crush being more than fanboyism. Think an Aussie Fleur, but trade Contador for Cadel. Hence the debate around the topic. FFS man, I never even thought Libertine was a chic until it got brought up in January. I simply did not give a darn. I thought it was a play on words. I'm a gamer. I know plenty of chics who've disguised themselves online simply to avoid abuse, cliches and hate simply for having their reproductive organs on the inside rather than outside.
Does that explain ACF94 for you from my perspective? The OP sounded to me like female admiration from another woman. The language mid post in particular. Blackcat for the record, still says ACF94 is a chic, very recently in fact, hence why it stuck out for me. I was simply asking a question.
Answering the national thing. I did that in other posts.
Answering the housing example. Was simply an example. Simple macro economics. Combination of monetary policy, supply and demand, interests rates, other govt policies and some external global forces. Very, very easy to understand. Yes it was a good example. Why? Well why did Ireland and Spain go kaplunk? Housing and building. Proof? Can I walk into either country and find brand spanking new housing estates that have not sold? Darn right I can. So drop the rhetoric on that issue it was simply the best example I could find.
Also regarding you being American. It's not the first time someone has taken offence at me assuming they share the nationality of the country they reside in. Your forum handle has 'Amster' in it and your location says 'Amsterdam.' Now that I do think about it I remember you mentioning such things way back in a US political thread. Was I singling you out. No. I apologise if you thought I was.
What I was doing was simply stating that historically nations can be looked at and stereotyped politically as more left, middle or right leaning in contrast to other nations. Thus I was saying given Thatcher in particular is categorised (you may definitely disagree with this) as being harder and more right wing than her contemporary countrymen, it is of no shock to me that the bulk of comments against her, which is what this thread is mostly made up, were from people whose locations (not necessarily nationality) is akin with lefter leaning politics. I was saying that is a guarantee. Add in the OP was made by a person (whose gender may be in doubt by me...but isn't important) who is staunchly right leaning (maybe a bit more than I am use to myself which is saying something) then the following posts were even more a foregone conclusion.
Confused? I'm not. I'd talk about economics all day and finance, accounting and business theories to back it all up, but my posts are way too long as it is. So hate on Thatcher all you want dude. But if I see a pattern or behaviour repeat itself, I'll probably call it out. As I stated, my example was the first one I thought up because it was relevant to the topic and context I was operating within. Was not personal. Unless your name is Gordon Brown (interchange with your nations equivalent of a Treasurer) and you did not previously or currently work high up for some failed financial conglomerate, it's unlikely I hold you responsible for any economic woes affecting multiple nations. But yes, I do hold nations responsible for WHO they elect. I also do not expect you to dislike whom your countrymen vote in. I don't like my nations government at all. I can make a strong case for them being the worst in history.
Sadly the following is true. 'People deserve whom they elect.' I have heard that one my entire life. Like ebandit said. Polls show Thatcher as both the most popular and hated politician in British history. Now I love stats and I could argue that all day as a cumulative measure such polls are skewed and flawed, but for this time I'll agree. It is very interesting and revealing that a person would be both. I cannot think of any leader in any major country who would top both. It certainly justifies the comments on this thread. Make not mistake people are emotional about her tenure as PM and based on your tone the name Thatcher certainly seems to bring out emotions in people. It also seems she reveled in it. Which is equally strange and disturbing.
Just don't be surprised when you play a card which behaviour wise is stereotypically one specific thing, that others notice it and comment. It's just calling a spade a spade dude. Nothing more. It's not personal or hating. If it were, I'd be name calling and getting shirty and nasty.