Dear John,
I like your provocative approach, and perhaps there's now room for clearer discussion on Thatcher and her legacy.

1. I do not understand your first point on capitals; this is an Email arena, not for publication and obsessive scrutiny by proofreaders!

2. I think that the "thread" was beginning to offer opportunity for critical discussion but as with my previous message things got a bit personal and silly, in my view. I don't recall anyone blaming Thatcher for all the world's ills. It was a profound shift from a more state-led Keynesian-style economy to a Neo liberal 'monetarist' approach.

3. As far as I understand there was not any political party focus in the discussions, no overt love for Labour or Blair. I would imagine quite the opposite, especially in regard to the Iraq e.g. that you provide for us. No one suggested that the critical geography forum is necessarily "progressive", whatever that means. Did they? We could also ask ourselves how "right-wing" Thatcher was, in herself and in her policies.

4. How can you equate the State with "evil"? Perhaps we can have some references for where this analysis is made clear and justified. I quite like the state: looking after me and my kids, and moreover, I fear and have daily suspicion when it comes to the market (firms, businesses, companies and corporations). I=2 0think the more power a state has the better so long as it's in response to the demands of civil society and not the flippin market! Everyone's panicking now! Now that the North's inflation is beginning to catch-up with Zimbabwe's!

Nick

1. The whole point of public requests for removal was to express dissatisfaction with the unedifying nature of mocking someone's predicted death. A ten year old would have understood that and also would know how to use capitals (are you Gloria Watkins)?

2. I wonder just how "critical" this whole thread is? It is almost de rigeur and therefore mainstream to blame Thatcher for the world's ills.

3.When certain Labour party politicians are octogenarians, will there be the same criticism? We can all agree that Blair has done tremendous damage to this country especially regarding the Iraq War and civil liberties. Or is it only progressive to criticise the "right," not that Thatcher was especially right-wing.

4. The major perpetrator of evil is the State (taking a broad Gramscian definition). Surely anyone who reduces its power (however minimally) must be supported?

On Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 9:10 PM, Zaloznik, Maja <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Wow! I would have though you are all (i) intelligent and (ii) articulate people?! How wrong am I?

ad(i) as in if you were capable of signing up to a mailing list, you should probably also be able to unsubscribe (otherwise get a ten-year old to do it for you)

ad(ii) as in having the capacity to verbally engage with people and/or situations you dislike instead of folding (something i'm sure you're trying to teach that same ten-year old assuming he's yours to do so)

sincerely,

maja

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for critical and radical geographers on behalf of Lynn Saffery
Sent: Wed 16/07/2008 16:11
To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: Re: Guardian Poll on Thatcher State Funeral

Remove me from this mailing list.

On 7/16/08 1:35 AM, "Ant Ince" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Excellent suggestion! for those unable to afford that asking price,
> there is of course going to be a street party in Trafalgar Square, 6pm
> on the Saturday after her return to the fiery pits from whence she came...
>
> Ant
>
> Dr Hillary Shaw wrote:
>> We should contract it out, as she would want, - to Canada - to a place
>> called Erie Beach, which boasts the world'a largest outdoor dance floor
>> (funerals are usually out of doors, aren't they).
>>
>> Bury her under that, and charge £100 an hour to prospective dancers.
>> The queues might still be rather long at that price.
>>
>> Hillary Shaw, newport, Shropshire.