Posted on 04/04/2005 6:40:12 PM PDT by wagglebee
Former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher paid tribute to Pope John Paul II as the greatest pontiff of modern times and the "moral force" behind victory in the Cold War.
"We should remember Pope John Paul II not just as the greatest pope of modern times but also as a valiant fighter for the truth," she said. "His life was a long struggle against the lies employed to excuse evil. By combating the falsehoods of communism and proclaiming the true dignity of the individual, his was the moral force behind victory in the Cold War.
"Millions owe him their freedom and self-respect. The whole world is inspired by his example."
A fitting tribute by the last of the three brave Cold Warriors who destroyed the Iron Curtain.
Ditto!
Yeah, she's the last remaining isn't she?
Volumes could not say more.
JPII probably had an advantage, given his excellent staff support, still I can't help but wonder...
Just how things might be different if the Gipper and Old Iron Butt, (Lady Thatcher) were able to make daily commentary on recent events.
The same is true of the Iron Lady and President Reagan.
Iron Lady bump!
God bless her, strengthen and magnify her "voice" and her vital insights on what is happening in history. Her Nation would be a lot wiser to hear her than all the bilge they are taking in just now. She truly saved the economics of that Nation and I don't think she has been given credit for what she accomplished.
REagan would have done likewise but he was saddled with barnacles.
We are lucky to have lived in their days.
Yes, indeed.
Weird to think that a significant part of my life was lived before modern times, but I think you are right.
A little bit of Maggie trivia......
before becoming Prime Minister she served as Minister for Education and caused an uproar when, at a time of financial cutbacks, she canceled the supply of free milk to school children.
Her explanation was that it was the duty of parents to nourish their children. Her responsibility was to provide them with schools.
I think the way the British would understand modern times as from about 1870 (possibly even earlier) onwards.
I was making a joke about the inclination of people to view everything within their lifetimes as being the "greatest" or "best" or "most important", since, as we know, history begins when we are born.
But, even taking your timeframe of post-1870 seriously, there is one Pope that has been canonized (Saint Pius X (1903-14)) and two who are blessed (Bl. Pius IX (1846-78) and Bl. John XXIII (1958-63)). There is absolutley no way to rank JPII with St. Pius X.
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