In case you need a little schadenfreude to get through the day: Sarah Palin snub by Margaret Thatcher aides infuriates US rightwing

A firestorm on the US right has erupted after the Guardian reported that Sarah Palin will be denied a meeting with Lady Thatcher on the grounds that it would be "belittling" for her to meet the darling of the Tea Party movement.

Rush Limbaugh, the conservative radio host, devoted the opening section of his radio show to denouncing the "preposterous" Guardian report, as Palin supporters accused Thatcher's circle of disgracing the former prime minister.

The US conservative right reacted furiously after the Guardian reported that Thatcher's aides had decided it would be inappropriate for her to meet Palin, who is planning to visit London next month en route to Sudan. Palin has been touring US historical sites (an excursion that saw her slip up this week on the subject of Paul Revere, the American patriot who made a famous "midnight ride" to warn of approaching British forces).

One Thatcher ally told the Guardian: "Lady Thatcher will not be seeing Sarah Palin. That would be belittling for Margaret. Sarah Palin is nuts."

Has a great Andrew Sullivan quote at the end. He seems to be the go-to guy when it comes to anti-Palin stuff.

"What he doesn't understand is that Palin's nutsiness is not a partisan matter in Britain, or anywhere else in the world. It is an obvious truth marvelled at by all. Palin's emergence as a serious figure in American politics has made the country a laughing stock across the world. The idea that a stateswoman like Thatcher, in advanced dementia, would be used by such a crackpot is simply unseemly."

Not until there's an offer on the table, I'd say.

That's what I told her, but now she's waffling.

Jesse, what brenda said.

I had a cousin who was interviewing for an assistant manager job for a clothes store about 15 years ago, and she was floored when the guy actually asked her if she was planning on having any more kids during the interview. So against the rules, and really tacky to boot!!

Not until there's an offer on the table, I'd say.

Seconded. Don't give them an opportunity to set her apart from other interviewees.

As for Palin and Thatcher, it's probably worth noting that rumor has it Thatcher's completely addled by dementia. If it's true, she would likely have no idea who Palin was, and the whole occasion would just be stressful and unpleasant for her and everyone else.

That's what I told her, but now she's waffling.

There's nothing to waffle about it. It's a medical issue that's not their business.

Jesse,

thirded. this is what I told my student when she was interviewing. There is absolutely no reason for them to know unless/until she is hired. It is none of their business and helps fight discrimination.

I started this morning by making a literal "get offa my lawn" call to the private school around the corner. Three times a day, groups of kids walk from there to the part across the street, and cut directly across our lawn (we're right on the corner).

I'm officially a curmudgeon.

Amy, clearly you need to buy yourself a cane so you can shake it.

As for Palin and Thatcher, it's probably worth noting that rumor has it Thatcher's completely addled by dementia. She would likely have no idea who Palin was, and the whole occasion would just be stressful and unpleasant for her.

Surely so. I'd find the experience stressful and unpleasant, and I'm in full possession of my faculties.