The LuLac Edition #2392, April 8th, 2013

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. (Photo: Telegraph.UK.com). 

MARGARET THATCHER 

If you were alive in the 80s and following the news, Margaret Thatcher was a key player in the formulation of Foreign Policy in the World. The significant thing about that was that not since WWII had Great Britain had a strong, leading voice in how events played out on the world stage. Thatcher was in power since 1959 when she was first elected to a seat in Parliament. But it wasn’t until her stint as Secretary of Education and Science under  Edward Heath's conservative government was when people took notice. 
Though Heath was an honorable man, his time in office was plagued by oil embargoes that threatened the British economy. Thatcher wrested control of the Conservative party from Heath and became the leader of the opposition in 1975 after Heath’s control fell to a coalition government that was primarily dominated by the Labour party. In 1979 Thatcher ran a savage race against the James Callaghan government and became the first female PM in British history. 
She became the middle part of the troika that dominated the world stage in the 1980s. Pope John Paul II’s election in 1978 and Ronald Reagan’s win in 1980 cemented a trio that held fast against Communism and totalitarianism throughout Europe and the world. Thatcher did not always agree or trust Reagan criticizing his foray into Grenada in 1983 but the two stood as staunch allies throughout. Thatcher’s claim to fame or infamy was the privatization of industries. Opponents said it was the death knell for labor, proponents said it increased productivity. Thatcher also opened up discussions with Northern Ireland giving that government a voice on the Anglo-Irish Inter-Governmental Council which at least opened up a dialogue. 
Like Reagan and John Paul II, she escaped an assassination attempt in the mid 8-0s and continued to forge ahead. Her relationship with the Monarchy was sometimes tenuous due to her outspoken opinions and while she had her supporters, at times her approval ratings hovered in the low 40s. Thatcher served until 1990. Like Reagan, her successor John Major was like minded in many of his opinions on Conservative rule. Major served until 1997 giving the Thatcher wing of the Conservative party 18 years in power. 
Congressman Lou Barletta offered this comment on the death of Margaret Thatcher, “The Iron Lady rose from humble beginnings and helped hoist Great Britain out of stagnant and discouraging economic doldrums. She also stood shoulder to shoulder with Ronald Reagan in the great struggle against the forces that denied personal and economic liberty to individuals in nearly every corner of the planet. With her assistance, great strides were made in spreading democracy, and even the Berlin Wall came down. “There can be no doubt that she loved her nation and the notion of freedom for people around the world. She truly earned her place among the giants of the 20th Century. She will be missed, but her memory and accomplishments will be cherished by millions for generations.” 
Barletta words ring true for everyone who followed events during her time in power.

The late Annette Funicello. (Photo:  CBS).

ANNETTE 

For people of a certain age in America today, their childhoods officially ended this afternoon. The passing of Annette Funicello is a benchmark in the lives of many baby boomers who grew up watching the Mickey Mouse Club as well as the all American girl with the big smile. Walt Disney signed her after seeing her perform in “Swan Lake” and she became the star on the Disney Mickey Mouse Club in 1955. She later starred in the Zorro series with Guy Williams and other Disney movies like "The Shaggy Dog" (1959), "Babes in Toyland" (1961), "The Misadventures of Merlin Jones" (1964) and "The Monkey's Uncle" (1965). She starred in a few beach movie venues with Frankie Avalon and carried her wholesome girl image throughout those appearances. 
She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1988 but kept that under wraps until 1992. She set up a foundation for research for the disease under her name. In 1995 CBS did a movie on Funicello’s life called A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story. At the start of the show, Annette appeared introducing the movie. She was seated in a chair but it was clear that the disease had taken its toll. I was in a room of people my age. To see her was a shock. But she was still there. But when this segment came on, we all lost it. She was more than America’s Sweetheart, she was an icon that never disappointed. The ideal on film stayed constant until the end. Which was today.