'Thatcher's death' sparks diplomatic flurry in Canada

[BunkerHill24]

Thu Nov 12, 11:40 AM

OTTAWA (AFP) - "Thatcher has died," read the short text message that kicked off a brief diplomatic flurry among members of Canada's parliament and their advisors at a black tie dinner this week, said local media Thursday.

Upon learning the "news" via mobile or Blackberry at a soiree honoring Canadian military families Tuesday, some 2,000 shocked Conservatives, said to revere the Iron Lady of British politics, and their advisors reportedly huddled to discuss a reaction.

The prime minister's office called Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street to confirm that Margaret Thatcher had indeed passed away -- baffling British officials, CanWest News Service said.

It turned out the message was sent by Canadian Transport Minister John Baird from his home in Toronto to a person at the gala dinner to say his beloved 16-year-old gray tabby cat, named for Margaret Thatcher, 84, had died.

The recipient then forwarded it to others.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office was not immediately available for comment.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/091112/oddities/canada_britain_politics_thatcher_offbeat

[Me.]

1. Now That's...

:rofl:

[Warpy]

2. Poor kitty, cursed with such a terrible name

It's a good thing cats are generally unconcerned with such trivialities as human politics.

When the original dies, there won't be a diplomatic flurry. Working people will be partying all over the Commonwealth.

[Deja Q]

3. Does she take even one pence of UK taxpayer money?

Then she can retract her comments about there being no society... she's living off of their society.

[Tansy_Gold]

4. "pence" is a plural. You can't have "one pence"

[TheWraith]

6. The singular is "penny." nt

[PatrynXX]

10. should I copy Scrooge and say half a crown?

or is that outdated?? ;)

(provided one watches the Alister Sim version)

[formercia]

5. Conservatives mourn the loss of a Pussy.

Conservative females have either been hunted to extinction or fall into the "Coyote Ugly Witch" category.

[h9socialist]

9. Well . . .

. . . Thank you, Carrie Prejean!

[LeftishBrit]

7. RIP Thatcher (the cat). I am sure you were a much nicer character than your namesake!

[h9socialist]

8. You got me all excited for nothing . . .

I was ready to brush over the soundtrack to "The Wizard of Oz" and sing-along to "Ding-Dong The Witch is Dead."