Obama Refusing to Send WH Delegation to Thatcher's Funeral (fence, kids, issues)
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In regard to Thatcher's opposition to Commonwealth and EU sanctions against South Africa in the 1980s, I've just now read something rather interesting.
The memoirs of the British career diplomat Lord Gladwyn, published in 1972, contains this interesting passage, in connection with the League of Nations sanctions imposed on Italy after its attack on Abyssinia (Ethiopia):
Quote:
"My belief that the League could not by itself maintain the peace...was further strengthened by the evident failure of the 'sanctions' policy against Italy [in the 1930s]...I remember that when asked at the end of 1963 to associate myself with the International Conference on Economic Sanctions against South Africa (to consider measures in retaliation to 'apartheid'), I refused on the grounds stated. I had on that occasion a friendly letter from Harold Wilson who said that I was perfectly right" (Memoirs of Lord Gladwyn (Weybright and Talley: New York, 1972), p. 54)
This does not in my view necessarily excuse Lady Thatcher from a policy which, in hindsight, was clearly morally dubious if not incorrect on its merits. But it is interesting to note that apparently, within the British political establishment, including both a senior Foreign Office veteran and a future Labour Prime Minister (then Leader of the Opposition), the recollection of the futility of economic sanctions against the Fascist regime before the Second World War was shaping their views on sanctions after it.
In other words, placed into the context of the era during which Thatcher was forming her own views, her opposition to sanctions against South Africa looks much more like orthodoxy - on both sides of the political spectrum - than the blatant defiance of Western accepted moral standards it seemed in the 1980s.
And people stupidly say Obama 'sent them'. He 'sent' no one. Obama has no authority over Schultz and Baker. Like I said. Obama can claim to have 'sent them' but it's a lie. What if they said they did not want to go? Please.
Like GHW Bush and Nancy Reagan???? They were invited, but did not attend.
Oh, you with your facts and knowledge and stuff. Bideshi needs to be outraged, and you're not letting him!
i'd still love to know exactly who was sent to represent the US at callaghan's funeral in 2005. the few articles i can find have no mention of any US attendees.
with all the problems that the GOP is having "re-branding the message" i have to wonder if reince priebus screams "ST*U!!!" every time he sees a thread like this.
Of course he sent them. I've heard that he also asked President Bush Sr to go on the administration's behalf, but that request was refused because he is helping his son with W's Presidential library. So he requested Schultz and Baker to represent the United States at the funeral. If they hadn't wanted to go, he would have requested someone else. If the President requests that someone go there on his behalf, and they accept, then the President can be said to have sent them. Your quibble is ridiculous.
Really? How did he 'send them'? There is no quibble here. Obama wanted no part of the services in any way, shape or form. Otherwise he would have sent someone he had the authority to send.
i love that my belief that sending schultz and baker to represent the US at thatcher's funeral is a more appropriate selection than biden and michelle ( or others in the current administration ) makes me an "obamite" in your opinion.
You and others can claim he 'sent' Baker and Schultz all you want. It doesn't make it true. You can't 'send' what you can't control.
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