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Margaret Thatcher: Thank God for strong men on the right side
The Australian ^ | 13/12/25 | Lady Thatcher

Posted on 12/12/2002 8:05:35 AM PST by Jakarta ex-pat

COMMUNISM was defeated in our lifetime – defeated above all through the efforts of that great American president, my friend Ronald Reagan. His name will be remembered for as long as there are men and women on this earth who value their liberty and honour those who secure it.

Ronnie's successor in the White House today, President George W. Bush, faces a different but no less mighty challenge. The success in Afghanistan demonstrated that the doubters were wrong: the war against terror can be won. But we still confront today a twin-headed monster of terrorism and of proliferating weapons of mass destruction. And both those heads must be removed, if the beast itself is to be destroyed.

Evil, it is true, has always been with us. But evil was never so technically sophisticated, never so elusive, never so devoid of scruple, and never so anxious to inflict civilian casualties. The West must prevail – or else concede a reign of global lawlessness and violence unparalleled in modern times.

I am glad that America's commander-in-chief is made of such stern stuff – glad too that he is assisted by Vice-President Dick Cheney. I am also proud that Britain stands where we must always stand as America's surest and staunchest ally. Prime Minister Tony Blair and I are, as is well known, political opponents. But in this matter I salute his strong, bold leadership.

Something more is required in politics than simple pragmatism. It is, of course, necessary to learn all the facts, to seek the best advice, to reflect on the options before you decide the course to take. But experience shows that if you lack a coherent set of beliefs and principles, you will flounder. You must know already what you want, and why, and broadly how best to attain it, if you are ever to deal effectively with the 1001 crises that face you in government.

It is always good to come to America. Whereas other countries remind you of problems, America teaches you possibilities.

America today is the only global super-power. Like it or not – and, on balance, I do like it – that is a fact. Only America has the reach and means to deal with Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein or the other wicked psychopaths who will sooner or later step into their shoes. The rest of the world can and should do more. But so often wealthy countries with much to offer and more to lose just cheer – or grumble – on the sidelines.

For those who love liberty, the fortunes of America are even more our preoccupation than in years gone by. So I make my own tonight the words of the poet Longfellow:

Sail on, O Ship of State!

Sail on, O Union, strong and great!

Humanity with all its fears,

With all the hopes of future years,

Is hanging breathless on thy fate


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS:
I have only one problem with Maggie's speech.

Communism was never defeated.

Its Kings, Lords, Squires, and serfs represent eighty percent of our "educators."

Otherwise, Maggie Keep smiling,

Philip.

1 posted on 12/12/2002 8:05:35 AM PST by Jakarta ex-pat
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To: Jakarta ex-pat
Communism will live as long as the Democrats remain a major political party.
2 posted on 12/12/2002 8:18:17 AM PST by Warren
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To: Jakarta ex-pat
Communism was never defeated. Its Kings, Lords, Squires, and serfs represent eighty percent of our "educators."

Excrement takes time to fully decompose.

3 posted on 12/12/2002 8:21:39 AM PST by jigsaw
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To: Jakarta ex-pat
Who will be America's Margaret Thatcher? Condi?
4 posted on 12/12/2002 8:29:16 AM PST by doug from upland
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To: doug from upland
Good question Doug.

As a Brit, I have no answers to your question.

Keep smiling,

Philip.

PS.

Even with a Thatcher government fo almost 12 years, we are still SCREWED.

5 posted on 12/12/2002 8:34:47 AM PST by Jakarta ex-pat
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: Mister Grey
I know I wasn't, but I doubt Maggie was even born then.

However, I will lay claim to the oldest ever post here unless repudiated :-)

7 posted on 12/12/2002 9:36:23 AM PST by Jakarta ex-pat
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To: Jakarta ex-pat
Thanks for the post. Lady Thatcher delivered these remarks over the weekend, on the occasion of her receiving the Claire Booth Luce award from the Heritage Foundation.

A great lady and a great leader. God bless her and President Reagan.
8 posted on 12/12/2002 9:55:22 AM PST by baseballmom
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Comment #9 Removed by Moderator

To: Jakarta ex-pat
Thank God for Maggie and Jeanne Kirkpatrick, too, wherever she is...

Like to see 'em tag-team M. Half-bright....

10 posted on 12/12/2002 1:46:44 PM PST by txhurl
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