Social media reaction to the passing of 'The Iron Lady'

I try to stay away from politics on Facebook (I leave that to my Twitter account), however some of the sentiments posted on Facebook and Twitter regarding Lady Thatcher's death are truly appalling. 

I can understand that opinions on Margaret Thatcher are very divided and that there are people who didn't like her politics or her as a person, however to mock the death of anyone is beyond the pale. Examples of these hateful comments include Derek Hatton, a former deputy leader of Liverpool city council, he wrote: "The issue isn't about whether she is now dead, I regret for the sake of millions of people that she was ever born." 

Mark Steel, the left wing Radio 4 comedian (I use the term loosely) tweeted: “What a terrible shame – that it wasn’t 87-years earlier.” However whilst many of her old adversaries appeared to revel in her passing, colleagues of Arthur Scargill, the former leader of the National Union on Mineworkers, said he was unlikely to make any public comment and that is how it should be. The Shadow International Development Secretary Ivan Lewis urged all Labour supporters to respond to her death with “dignity and respect”.

Irrespective of ones political persuasion, people should remember that an elderly statesman of this Country died today and our thoughts should be with her family. 

Although Lady Thatcher died of a stroke she also had dementia, this is a truly horrid disease that is distressing for the sufferer and for their family. Can you image not recognizing your loved ones and being scared because you are unfamiliar with your surroundings? I have worked with people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, I have seen the impact that these diseases have on the sufferer, their friends and family, I can quite honestly say that dementia is one of the cruelest diseases suffered by so many. 

The former Labour leader and Prime Minister James Callaghan passed away in 2005 and I don't recall people being so damn right rude. He was a Prime Minister who presided over a government that virtually bankrupted this Country. He had to ask the IMF for a bailout, gave us (with the unions) the "Winter of discontent" and was forced to call a general election in 1979 after losing a vote of no confidence in the House of Commons. Yet when he passed away people rightly paid their respects.

People on the left side of the political spectrum constantly preach about equality and diversity, and the need to respect others views (which I believe are a good set of principles), however this only appears to apply if you agree with their political leanings. So for crying out loud if you don't have anything respectful to say....don't say it. (Right then rant over)