[disco]

Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out in quite the way it did. Of course I sympathise and empathise with the family and friends of the Queen Mother, and hope they can grieve in whatever way they feel appropriate. My sentiments are similar to Feefs' in that her death is sad, like every other death is, but that we shouldn't feel compelled to grieve for her. Perhaps I put this more bluntly, but the essence was the same.

As with any ending, there is naturally a new beginning. She represents the end of an era, and my second post was mearly stating how I was looking forward to the next era. It wasn't in the slightest an attempt to score political points, however it may be interpreted.

Discolady's dismissal of what I posted as "crap" and that she said we should "either express your sympathies or shut up" angered me, and prompted an admitedly vitriolic response.

Likewise, blinkinlovely's assertation that we should supress views angered me. Regardless of your political persuasions, apathy is the greatest threat society faces. 'Politics' touches every aspect of our lives, and isn't limited to Whitehall deciding what to spend our money on. Deciding what to wear in the morning is a form of politics. Nothing is apolitical and EVERY discussion has an element of debate/slight disagreement to it, and thus has a political slant.

Janette's view that the QM "was a lovely lady" is a political point which did actually offended me. Rather than castrate her for making the point, I put my (alternative) views across. It is simply not possible to say something that everybody likes and agrees with.