Wednesday: Live TV coverage of Margaret Thatcher funeral

Update: Lady Thatcher's funeral is being broadcast live on C-SPAN 2.

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I will be watching the funeral of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.  There is British television coverage and coverage in the U.S. begins at 6:00 a.m.  Or you can watch it live online on bbcnews.com at 4:55 a.m. eastern time, or on C-Span at 4:15 PM (not live).

Here's more information about tomorrow's coverage.

George W. Bush and Tony Blair could reunite at Margaret Thatcher's funeral

Margaret Thatcher's funeral in London on Wednesday could present the opportunity for former allies George W. Bush and Tony Blair to reunite. All former U.S. presidents were invited to the funeral.

Mrs. Thatcher's death last week prompted President Bush to praise the former Prime Minister as an inspiration leader who "stood on principle and guided er nation with confidence and clarity."

The war on terrorism brought President Bush and Prime Minister Blair together as they formed an alliance and friendship:

Blair and Bush formed a strong alliance over their decision to launch the invasion of Iraq ten years ago, much to the dismay of many on the left in Britain given the Republican president's conservative views.

On Monday, a pre-dawn rehearsal for the Wednesday funeral was held in the streets of London.

See previous post: Margaret Thatcher, 1925-2013: Ronald Reagan's ally and America's friend.

Governor McDonnell, former Governor Allen remember Margaret Thatcher's 1995 visit to Richmond

Virginia Governor George Allen with Great Britain's former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who addressed the General Assembly with a 20-minute speech.

February 1995

George Allen, who was Virginia Governor during the 1995 visit, remembered Margaret Thatcher today, writing, "Susan and I mourn the loss of one of the world's greatest leaders, Margaret Thatcher. Our meetings with the 'Iron Lady' were always informative and invigorating, and she projected an eternally optimistic view, as did her partner Ronald Reagan, in the advancement of freedom. Indeed, Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul and Margaret Thatcher were the essential, unified trio that lead to the fall of the Iron Curtain. We enjoyed learning from Lady Thatcher in England and when she came to Richmond for an historic address at our Virginia Capitol."

Governor Bob McDonnell also remembered that day in Richmond. He released a statement that noted, “With great sadness, I learned of the passing of Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Throughout her career, including 15 years as leader of the Conservative Party, Prime Minister Thatcher kept to her principles and used her remarkable talents to achieve positive results for the country she loved. As the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom she set an example for generations to come by leading with courage, grace, and unfaltering resolve.

"In my fourth year in the legislature in 1995, Baroness Thatcher addressed the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, saying ‘those unwilling to live the strenuous life of liberty; those who do not value freedom for its own sake, rather than its comforts, are unlikely to hold on to it… when I consider all that this place has given to democracy, I am moved to say that in spirit, I am a Virginian.’ Virginia stands with the people of Britain in mourning the passing of this pioneering leader and in reflecting on her life of service.”

Obama says he's carrying on the work of Margaret Thatcher ... really?

President Barack Obama says in a statement on the passing of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, "Michelle and I send our thoughts to the Thatcher family and all the British people as we carry on the work to which she dedicated her life—free peoples standing together, determined to write our own destiny.”

Maybe it's just me but I am thinking there is a world of difference between Margaret Thatcher's philosophy and leadership, and Barack Obama's. What do you think? Here is his entire statement:

With the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend. As a grocer’s daughter who rose to become Britain’s first female prime minister, she stands as an example to our daughters that there is no glass ceiling that can’t be shattered. As prime minister, she helped restore the confidence and pride that has always been the hallmark of Britain at its best. And as an unapologetic supporter of our transatlantic alliance, she knew that with strength and resolve we could win the Cold War and extend freedom’s promise.

Here in America, many of us will never forget her standing shoulder to shoulder with President Reagan, reminding the world that we are not simply carried along by the currents of history—we can shape them with moral conviction, unyielding courage and iron will. Michelle and I send our thoughts to the Thatcher family and all the British people as we carry on the work to which she dedicated her life—free peoples standing together, determined to write our own destiny.

George Will had some thoughts on her accomplishments. Harking back to 2007 is a four-part series from writer and businessman Conrad Black who even then was noting the vindication for this leader who was against the European Union, as he noted, "Her response to the proposal to reduce Britain to a local government in a federal Europe was, memorably: 'No, no, no, and never.' "

And then there's today's Business Insider that takes the European Union question a step further (and now it's six years after the Black article) with their post, "Margaret Thatcher Was Freakishly Correct About Why The Euro Would Be Such A Big Disaster."

She helped modernize Great Britain while loosening the death grip of the unions, privatizing the airlines and other losing businesses to turn a profit, cut taxes, faced the Cold War, and refused to compromise with terrorists. That's just the tip of the iceberg of her accomplishments during her eleven years of leadership.

Considering what Obama has done in his four years as president, I'm not convinced he is a believer in the same goals as Margaret Thatcher....

Margaret Thatcher, 1925-2013 ... Ronald Reagan's friend and America's ally

 Margaret Thatcher said goodbye in 2004 to her dear friend Ronald Reagan.

Margaret Thatcher died today. She was 87. It is the passing of an era ... Great Britain has lost a great leader, and the world has lost another of its guardians.

I can just imagine it now, in heaven, the reuniting of three powerful leaders who fought to keep the world safe from harm: Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, and Ronald Reagan.

In my mind is the image of the former British Prime Minister in 2004 at the Capitol of the United States of America after President Ronald Reagan passed away. His flag-draped casket was on view in the rotunda as thousands of citizens filed by to pay their respects. Then Lady Thatcher, not in good health herself, arrived to honor her old friend with these words:

"We have lost a great president, a great American, and a great man. And I have lost a dear friend."

It was a special relationship between the leader of America and the leader of Great Britain whose terms overlapped in the 1980s -- her leadership lasting from 1979-90 and his from 1981-89.

They have been called kindred spirits, political soul mates, the dynamic duo. Together they fought the "Cold War," a different kind of terrorism largely unknown to many of today's younger generation, as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder against the Soviet Union. Her leadership and tough demeanor were an inspiration to many young women who later carried those characteristics into politics and the business world.

If her life could be summed up in a nutshell, this is close:

Thatcher was the first — and still only — female prime minister in Britain's history. But she often found feminists tiresome and was not above using her handbag as a prop to underline her swagger and power. A grocer's daughter, she rose to the top of Britain's snobbish hierarchy the hard way, and envisioned a classless society that rewarded hard work and determination.

The Iron Lady, as she was nicknamed, will be honored with a state funeral at St. Paul's Cathedral where she will lie in state in Westminister Hall. It will be the time since former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who was her hero, died in 1965 and was honored as hundreds of thousands filed past his casket.

If Ronald Reagan was still alive, he would probably eulogize his dear friend and ally with words very similar to the ones that closed Lady Thatcher's tribute and remembrance of him when he died:

For the final years of his life, Ronnie's mind was clouded by illness. That cloud has now lifted. He is himself again - more himself than at any time on this earth. For we may be sure that the Big Fella Upstairs never forgets those who remember Him. And as the last journey of this faithful pilgrim took him beyond the sunset, and as heaven's morning broke, I like to think - in the words of Bunyan - that `all the trumpets sounded on the other side'.

We here still move in twilight. But we have one beacon to guide us that Ronald Reagan never had. We have his example. Let us give thanks today for a life that achieved so much for all of God's children."

Rest in peace, Lady Thatcher ... and thank you.

Michael Reagan, keynote speaker at RPV Reagan Dinner

 Michael Reagan, son of President Ronald Reagan, with RPV Chair Pat Mullins.

 Reagan received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks at Saturday's RPV Reagan dinner in Richmond commemorating the 100th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's birth.

At the conclusion of the program, a line quickly formed as dinner guests patiently waited to see Michael who greeted folks for an hour until every person in line had the opportunity to talk with him.

"It's morning in America." The famous 1984 Reagan for President ad played from the oversized screens at Saturday night's tribute in honor of President Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday as part of a video tribute at an event that featured his son, Michael Reagan, as the keynote speaker.

Close to 600 people watched the screen from the Grand Ballroom at the Marriott in downtown Richmond, some teary-eyed as scenes from throughout the life of this beloved president were shown and highlights from his life were featured: the "Morning in America" television ad, his remarks to a grieving nation after the space shuttle disaster, two presidential elections, his famous "Tear down this wall" speech ... his "long goodbye" to the nation with a "final word to the Reagan revolution" upon learning he had Alzheimer's ... Margaret Thatcher, unable to fly to Reagan's funeral but determined to honor him, sadly remembering him in a recorded eulogy by remarking, "I lost a dear friend."

After the video played, President Reagan's oldest son, Michael, was standing at the podium as every person in the room got to their feet and applauded his father and him. As they sat down, he looked at George Allen sitting at the table directly in front of him and asked, "How's it feel to be the son of an icon?" and added, "I want to thank my dear friends, the Allens."

He talked about Virginia's great leadership and the fact that we "get" it here as far as jobs and the economy and joked, "Want to come help us in California?"

He recalled his father's 1976 speech that few talk about when Gerald Ford received the GOP presidential nomination and, after completing his remarks, asked Reagan to come on the stage and give a few comments. While making their way there, Reagan asked Nancy, "What will I say?" and she replied, "Oh, honey, you'll think of something."

And, indeed, he thought of something to say. He talked about a letter he had been asked to write for a time capsule that was to be opened on America's 300th birthday. He had asked himself, "What do I write? Do I write about today's freedoms knowing those on the 300th birthday may not be able to read the letter if our freedoms are gone?" He shared that story with the 1976 delegates at the convention.

Michael talked about growing up in a privileged world. However, his dad taught him to be a fiscal conservative and he relayed the story of asking his dad for a raise to his allowance when he was nine years old. They were driving to the ranch and during the entire ride his dad explained all the reasons why he didn't need a raise in his allowance. Michael joked that by the time they arrived at the ranch, he was ready to give half his allowance back to his father.

President Reagan's favorite color? Yellow ... because it was the color of the morning sun. He believed in positive television ads and, thus, the "Morning in America" ad. It's time to get back to morning in America ... uplift Americans ... without America, the world would not be free. (My parents who lived through WW II were sitting with me ... my mom whose brother was killed in action and my step-dad who is a veteran.) President Reagan was a coalition builder with his famous 80/20 rule ... "If we agree 80% of the time, we can work together" ... he joked about the 1981 assassination attempt but the experience caused him to became an even deeper man of faith.

Michael introduced the audience to RightChange.com and an ad, "What Would Reagan Do?" dealing with Libya and the striking differences in the way President Reagan handled it and how President Obama handled it. Obama, Michael added, is trying to be a community organizer at a time when the world needs a leader.

When he wrapped up his remarks, the audience gave him another standing ovation as RPV Chairman Pat Mullins walked on stage and thanked him. The dinner concluded and Michael stood at the front of the room for an hour afterward shaking hands, posing for photos, and signing autographs, until every person in line had a chance to talk with him.

The evening was bittersweet as the VCU Final Four game played on large screens and we watched them lose but were proud of their accomplishments.

A pre-dinner message from Governor Bob McDonnell explaining that he was at the VCU game in Houston brought a chuckle from the crowd when he said, "Virginia is for lovers ... of elections."

It was a who's who of Republicans and community leaders and offered the opportunity for all to come together to honor a great President.

Previous posts:
- George & Susan Allen at RPV Reagan dinner
- Richmond, the Governor, and VCU Rams


Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
2 April 2011