Margaret Thatcher Dies, Cher Fans Freak Out
So Margaret Thatcher, the former British prime minister, has died at age 87 of a stroke, and some people are not really in the mood to squeeze out a few crocodile tears for Britain’s first and only female PM. Perhaps it’s too soon to say anything, but she lived a full life, and, at the end of the day, the unpleasant Iron Lady wasn’t exactly known for being the milk of human kindness herself.
And Twitter isn’t always a gathering place for sensitive souls to hold hands and sing a sinner home to Jesus. When Roger Ebert died earlier this month, Ryan Dunn’s fans were quick to join forces to remind the world of Ebert’s tasteless tweet after Dunn’s 2011 fiery drunk-driving accident: “Friends don’t let jackasses drink and drive.”
Therefore, I wasn’t too startled to see that a number of people were tweeting around that they planned to celebrate with various “the wicked witch is dead” parties. If I was British, I’d probably do the same. Heh.
The problem is the hashtag suggested for people to share their news of such gatherings: #nowthatchersdead.
Are you starting to see the problem?
If you’re still not getting it, then MSN UK has spoken up to remind us of another hashtag for Susan Boyle: #susanalbumparty. It was used to promote the release of one of Boyle’s albums, not for some hooker Su’s, erm, party.
I’m not entirely sure that the alleged screw-up wasn’t at least partly intentional. I mean, if you can’t be all Mean Girls when you’re planning a “wicked witch is dead” party, when can you? But, as you can see, the hashtag doesn’t have to be read #NowThatchersDead. It could just as well break down as #NowThatChersDead.
Intentional or not, it gives some people a chance to wipe away those fake tears for Margaret Thatcher and giggle, if only at how superior they are to those panicked Cher fans who had a really bad moment.
Some people are in a frenzy over the hashtag #nowthatchersdead.It’s “Now Thatcher’s dead”. Not, “Now that Cher’s dead” JustSayin’
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) April 8, 2013
For the record, while she’s certainly no spring chicken at age 66, the immortal Cher has not died. She’s doing absolutely fine, and I doubt she wants anything to do with this tasteless (if hilarious) little jest.
“This lady’s not returning.”> isthatcherdeadyet.co.uk “How are you celebrating? Let us know using the #nowthatchersdead hashtag on Twitter”
— Damien MuÎley (@damienmulley) April 8, 2013
Margaret Thatcher is dead. How will you be celebrating, #nowthatchersdead? isthatcherdeadyet.co.uk via @thatcherdeadyet
— punksy (@Aph_Kay) April 8, 2013
#nowthatchersdead this hashtag is disgusting, who on earth would celebrate her death after everything she has done for us
— nadia (@nadsjerrari) April 8, 2013
I keep getting mixed up and thinking that the #nowthatchersdead says “Now That Chers Dead”
— Levi (@grayshonnn) April 8, 2013
Did Cher die?! #nowthatchersdead
— Nick Frost (@Nick_Frost) April 8, 2013
#nowthatchersdead Cher and Thatcher very dissimilar. Thatcher HATED Gypsies, Tramps AND Thieves.
— Joe Stallion (@Horse_Force) April 8, 2013
Hash tag fail. Do you believe in life after smarts? Thatcher hash tag confuses Cher fans blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013… #nowthatchersdead
— Maddy Perennity (@Madel_Schmadel) April 8, 2013
Cher, we love you and hope you live forever. Margaret Thatcher, meh.
Twitter, à la mort de Thatcher #nowthatchersdead twitter.com/FallenRider/st… (via @fallenrider)
— Boris Manenti (@manenti_boris) April 8, 2013
Nice-looking infographic, but I’m guessing that it overstates the percentage of people who are honestly mourning Margaret Thatcher. When Cher goes, then you’ll see some tears.
[Cher photo courtesy s_bukley / Shutterstock.com]
