Margaret Thatcher is someone who I wish to remember, although I disagreed with her vehemently over some issues. For me, she represented with Ronald Reagan the defense of Western civilization against perhaps its most disturbing disease – communism. She was a tireless crusader for conservative principles in opposition of ever expanding socialism. Her quips and “tirades” (as some media outlets describe them) along with her indomitable spirit earned her the sobriquet “Iron Lady.” For me, these traits are something to emulate.

Where I disagreed with her was on her policies in Northern Ireland. This is something not exclusive to her but is a function of my intense hatred of British interactions there. Do not mistake me, however, as I am completely opposed to the use of violence in creating a United Ireland. Sinn Féin’s socialist agenda has no great appeal to me either. Finally, as a conservative Thatcher represented the bulwark of the last vestige of European aristocracy which I find almost as abhorrent as communism. That is merely the egalitarian in me.

Despite whatever issues separating me and Thatcher, I admired her strength in the face of a movement with intentions to enslave and debase humanity. I give thanks to her memory and feel a great loss that a great conservative voice is no longer with us.