I mind whatever I want. Berlusconi, Merkel, Sarkozy are all part of the same picture. And it's you who brought current governments in the picture.
What exactly did you not understand?? I was obviously talking about the governments, not about the individuals. They all have the exact same ideology. Only difference is that some of them don't count shit (Italy), some of them run Europe.
I do agree that part of it is the British still feared the Germans. Losing your young men twice in a generation might do that, though given the changes to Germany, it was silly. Kohl was exactly the kind of guy you wanted in charge at a time like that -- fat, boring, conservative, satisfied -- not exactly someone to jump on a box, start shouting militaristic slogans and singing songs about sailing against England. The thing is that too often our political classes lack vision. Bush pere was not quite at the level as Thatcher (he was OK with German reunification). He did, however, try to get the old communist classes to change stripes and become "socialists." Apparently Bush pere tried to talk the Polish general in charge to run for president as a civilian and act as a stabilizing statesman. And let's not forget the infamous "Chicken Kiev" speech where Bush tried to convince the Ukranians not to declare independence. Or his sending a high level delegation to China soon after Tienamen Square. Mitterand also was negative on German reunification. The old political classes love "stablility", hence the support of the Saudis even today. I would hope that if Reagan was president when the wall fell, he might have been a bit more enthusiastic of the result. But who knows. That said, in the end, it all worked out quite well I would say. Maybe the fact that Western leaders were a bit reticent toward the events worked in everyone's favor. The hard liners and the security forces did not decide to fight till the end and things transitioned rather quickly to democracy.
Another interesting post from our new user who's screen name, I'm guessing, consists of his country followed by his IQ
Yeah, I always think of Thatcher the same way Ernest Bevin felt about Herbert Morrison, (Peter Mandleson's grandfather). Someone observed Morrison, "... was his own worst enemy". "Not while I'm alive he's not", boomed Bevin Mind you, I think the line was originally used by Dorothy Parker about someone, but I could be wrong.
Not wanting a state funeral for Margaret Thatcher is the equivalent of not wanting a state funeral for Tony Blair.
There was no war with Ireland, so that's a bit of a reach, and to suggest sending a task force to the falklands is a crime against humanity is a little lacking in objectivity. Not that she didn't champion some very unusual causes. She even went on Blue Peter to tell the children of the UK what a nice man Pol Pot was, and that the Khmer Rouge had changed, while offering them military aid.
There was no war with the Republic of Ireland, but she was occupying 6 counties of Ireland. And by sending a taskforce to the Malvinas, she is occupying another people's land and subjecting them to the rule of a power they do not wish to be ruled by.
A BIT? I despise Thatcher as much as the next man but this guy's a couple of pork pies short of a picnic.
You'll be hearing from my attorneys. That was so hilarious, I inhaled my Sprite Zero and nearly drowned.
I'm glad your enjoying it. So the concept of self-determination is funny to you? Nope, I'm not even Irish.
So people who support freedom for Palestinians are also idiots? Most US and UK politicians must be idiots too for supporting freedom for the Syrian people right?
No, the concept of murder being defined as "not giving somebody who is engaging in extreme emotional blackmail their way" is.