The Iron Lady

August1991 · January 28, 2012

Among the women that I have asked about this movie, they were generally positive (left or right opinion, saw the movie or only saw the trailer). If you're an older woman, American, Western or Eastern, this movie will not make you feel bad. This movie is safe. It's a Weinstein Hollywood production and this movie will make you walk away with a good feeling of life. In addition, it is also for young girls in Third World countries: in Iraq, Egypt, Indonesia. Women around the world should watch this movie.

As Margaret Thatcher would say: we in the West have basic values to defend. If they want to kill wives, we want to preserve life. I reckon that this movie makes plain to people around the world, whatever the Western style, that we Westerners - women and men alike - mean business.

Culture or otherwise, let's set aside this movie's polemics. Instead, think about Meryl Streep as a Polish refugee in Sophie's Choice, and now as a British PM. She makes the movie, and gets the accent.

To understand a life, is it good to bounce back and forth? I think so. Kurt Vonnegut Jnr wrote a book with such time travel. Having suffered briefly such a life, I too think that it's the only way to show to others true life.

sharkman · January 28, 2012

I was wondering if this would be a hatchet job of a politician not favoured by the Hollywood set. Sounds like it might be worth trying, as I admire both women.

WWWTT · January 28, 2012

I never watched this movie,nor will I ever!

Let me ask you August 1991,do they mention in this movie about how Tatcher supported the white supremist government of South Afrika in the 1980's?

How about supporting Pinochet,the fascist dictator from Chile responsible for the endless slaughter of thousands in his country?

Oh heres a good one,how about supporting Reagen and their support for Alkida/Taliban in Afganistan against the Soviets during the 80's?Which lead to one of the most anti women regimes in modern history?

Was the Soviet Union against womans rights?I guess womans rights were not of any relevance were they?

WWWTT

sharkman · January 28, 2012

Ah, now there's the hatchet job I was expecting...

fellowtraveller · January 28, 2012

I was wondering if this would be a hatchet job of a politician not favoured by the Hollywood set. Sounds like it might be worth trying, as I admire both women.

It was a hatchet job, though people unaware of the circumstances of the UK in the 70s through 90s would be unaware of how it is done.

Basically, the focus is split: Thatcher as a demented/senile loon and Thatcher as a politician. The first overshadows all in the movie, it is easy for the uninformed to be swayed to the point of view that the dementia began in the 70s and coloured her decsions.

It is particularly annoying that she is portrayed in this way when she is utterly unable to defend herself or her legacy. It is a savage cheap shot.

WWWTT · January 28, 2012

Ah, now there's the hatchet job I was expecting...

You are right to expect at least one person here to remind everyone about the facts!

However to use the word "hatchet" when someone reminds others of Thatchers real contribution to human rights shows that you share her respect for such!

WWWTT

sharkman · January 29, 2012

Well she kind of rocked, so that's why many liked her.

August1991 · January 31, 2012

Let me ask you August 1991,do they mention in this movie about how Tatcher supported the white supremist government of South Afrika in the 1980's?
How about supporting Pinochet,the fascist dictator from Chile responsible for the endless slaughter of thousands in his country?

It's a movie, WWWTT. In two hours, what can one say about a life? Or about anything? Well, I think that well done, a play or movie or novel can show us alot. Sophocles, Shakespeare and Molière managed to do it. IMHO, this movie shows Margaret Thatcher as a woman, determined and human.

Whatever you think of her opinions of South Africa or Pinochet (and if you gave it more thought, you may be surprised), this movie is good. It shows a woman with distinct beliefs who is not afraid to defend them in a democracy, in the marketplace of ideas.

Oh heres a good one,how about supporting Reagen and their support for Alkida/Taliban in Afganistan against the Soviets during the 80's?Which lead to one of the most anti women regimes in modern history?

At the time, we in the West were facing a far greater menace: Soviet/Maoist Marxist ideology. Nowadays, this threat only exists in western university faculties. Thatcher and Reagan were right to pursue this Cold War, and issue its final strikes.

Was the Soviet Union against womans rights?I guess womans rights were not of any relevance were they?

You tell me, WWWTT. Was there ever a Margaret Thatcher in the Soviet Union?

Heck, if the Soviet Union had survived, and had somehow chosen a Margaret Thatcher to lead its politburo, would it have ever made such a movie?

----

In hindsight, our freedoms and good life all seem so easy.

Edited January 31, 2012 by August1991

g_bambino · February 3, 2012

Ah, now there's the hatchet job I was expecting...

:lol:

WWWTT · February 4, 2012

At the time, we in the West were facing a far greater menace: Soviet/Maoist Marxist ideology. Nowadays, this threat only exists in western university faculties. Thatcher and Reagan were right to pursue this Cold War, and issue its final strikes.

Soviet/Maoist Marxist ideology threat?

How many planes did Stalin fly into the world trade centre?

Oh wait that was Alkaida!

Man who would ever support those guys?

Thanks Thatcher!Thanks for nothing!

WWWTT

August1991 · February 4, 2012

How many planes did Stalin fly into the world trade centre?

He did worse. Stalin, for example, encircled Berlin and imposed a blockade to starve people. The conservative West, in 1949, defended Berlin from the Leftists.

As a result, some 10 years later, a US president said famously in Berlin that "We Westerners are all Berliners."

Edited February 4, 2012 by August1991

WWWTT · February 4, 2012

He did worse. Stalin, for example, encircled Berlin and imposed a blockade to starve people. The conservative West, in 1949, defended Berlin from the Leftists.

As a result, some 10 years later, a US president said famously in Berlin that "We Westerners are all Berliners."

Thats a freekin load buddy and you know it!

Just a few years before that the west was trying to burn Germany to the ground!Berlin and all!

The fact remains that Thatcher supported US involvement in Afganistan,support for Osama bin Laden!

WWWTT

cybercoma · February 4, 2012

WWWTT, without even going that far down the line, she supported the Taliban. And there's not anything good to say about the Taliban. They destroyed Afghanistan.

sharkman · February 4, 2012

Yep, she did all that because she was a pretty sharp cookie after all. Too bad Osama went rabid. Such a kind face he has. Or had.

Edited February 4, 2012 by sharkman

WWWTT · February 4, 2012

Yep, she did all that because she was a pretty sharp cookie after all. Too bad Osama went rabid. Such a kind face he has. Or had.

Are you sure you want to keep supporting Thatcher?

She clearly supported the racist all/only white government of South Africa!

Are you in support of white supremecy?

WWWTT

sharkman · February 4, 2012

Are you in support of communism? You sure sound like it, but no neither I nor Thatcher supported White power or the KKK, etc.

WWWTT · February 5, 2012

Are you in support of communism? You sure sound like it, but no neither I nor Thatcher supported White power or the KKK, etc.

No sorry I am not part of any nor at any time in my life supported a communist party in Canada.Or any other country for that matter.Aswell in Canada comminism is not illegal,nor does the belief harm others civil liberties.

As far as Thatcher goes,she supported/was against sanctioning the South African racist government and publicly supported them with praise.

This makes her a racist!

Just a side note, Canadas second largest trading partner is communist China!

WWWTT

sharkman · February 5, 2012

To think that supporting South Africa at that time makes one a racist is just silly. But that's fine, you can hate whom you choose, just come up with better reasons if you want a defendable position.

WWWTT · February 5, 2012

To think that supporting South Africa at that time makes one a racist is just silly. But that's fine, you can hate whom you choose, just come up with better reasons if you want a defendable position.

I do not believe that anyone in any kind of prominent position would ever take your advise on public relations.

WWWTT

August1991 · February 11, 2012

WWWTT, without even going that far down the line, she supported the Taliban. And there's not anything good to say about the Taliban. They destroyed Afghanistan.

Did Margaret Thatcher support the Taliban? cybercoma, can you provide a link?

-----

Nevertheless, Thatcher rightly rid the world of the Soviet Union, and made Leftists a subject of derision. I too would have supported the Taliban to defeat the Soviets.

IMV, the Taliban, the Saudis and these backward Islamists are no threat to the West, if we hold true to our Enlightenment values.

IMHO, Bolsheviks were a far greater threat to Western values than Islam.

Edited February 11, 2012 by August1991

Bonam · February 11, 2012

As far as Thatcher goes,she supported/was against sanctioning the South African racist government and publicly supported them with praise.

This makes her a racist!

Kind of like how anyone who opposes sanctions against Iran is an Islamofascist and how anyone who supports trade with China is a communist, I suppose?

What a bunch of nonsense :lol:

bush_cheney2004 · February 11, 2012

Just a side note, Canadas second largest trading partner is communist China!

That's OK...Canada's largest trading partner was "racist" too. Does this mean all your PM's were racist?

August1991 · February 11, 2012

That's OK...Canada's largest trading partner was "racist" too. Does this mean all your PM's were racist?

WTF? The thread is about a British PM.

W/E.

For Canadians, the Second World War started in 1939. In America and Russia, it started in 1941.

Go figure.

Edited February 11, 2012 by August1991

bush_cheney2004 · February 11, 2012

WTF? The thread is about a British PM.

Correct....another member opines that PM Thatcher was a "racist" for supporting South Africa, another Commonwealth nation. Canadian PMs did the same for a "racist" USA. Ergo...

For Canadians, the Second World War started in 1939. In America and Russia, it started in 1941.

How many Canadians died in the war for 1939?

WWWTT · February 11, 2012

Nevertheless, Thatcher rightly rid the world of the Soviet Union, and made Leftists a subject of derision. I too would have supported the Taliban to defeat the Soviets.

IMV, the Taliban, the Saudis and these backward Islamists are no threat to the West, if we hold true to our Enlightenment values.

IMHO, Bolsheviks were a far greater threat to Western values than Islam.

Then what was 9/11 about?

And let me get this right,you support the ones who are responsible(or in part) for 9/11?

If you were an American I believe that would be treason!

I will ask you again,how many planes did the Soviets(or Stalin or communism for that matter) smash into American buildings?

Thatcher had a choice and she made serious errors and for those poor decisions and lack of respect for human rights.She will always be and remembered as one of the worst leaders in western civilization.Period!

WWWTT