Sorry, but I have to speak out on this subject. I know that a lot of you will be back at work today, and no doubt many of you are going to respond with `don`t get your knickers in a twist` replies. Well fire away, because, for once I intend saying my piece.

I was thoroughly disgusted with the tone of the Queen Mother thread.

Although the original posting was not one of condolence, I mistakenly thought it was an appropriate thread on which to post mine, as did others. We have had many `condolence` threads, and they seem to have been a welcome opportunity for people who wish to pass on sympathies to do so.

For the second time in a matter of weeks I was taken aback at the amount of bile and scorn hurled in the direction of the deceased and the bereaved, on this occasion within hours of her death, and with a total disregard for fellow bbsers who obviously wanted to express their condolences. Where was your sense of common decency?

I have to say Macbeth, if you felt the urge to debate the Monarchy perhaps it would have been prudent to start a new thread. Instead you implied that because some of us chose to express a degree of sympathy and empathy we are subservient, cap doffing, sycophants. I, for one, found that inappropriate and insulting.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

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-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

We have now had three threads touching on the the subject of the Queen Mum's death, four if you count the Minutes Silence thread. I think we've all said enough on this subject, me included. As Pit Bill said on one of the three threads, there's no half way on the subject of politics, religion or the monarchy. Personally I'm adding no more to the debate, I think it's got the potential to move away from opinion and on to vitriol directed at each other. I think I'll stick to footy, a subject on which I am the leading expert (in my house).

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

Don't worry Terry, your son will soon be challenging that status

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

As you know Galaxy, I agree with your sentiments.

A conversation, or debate, requires a speaker and at least one listener. On this matter there were very few listeners, and I suspect your stated discomfort will again find few listeners.

One thing I've learned over the last 2 years of posting on here (and suspect this is a feature of most, if not all, internet forums) is that it is primarily a forum for stating opinions, rather than one were true debate takes place. Within those limitations, there are always then a few people who seek through their statement of opinion to shock: you will never influence their opinion.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

Roz I am not a royalist in any stetch of the imagination hence i havent even read the QM is dead thread, but I do show respect . If i am at a footy match and a mins silence is requested - whatever the reason I will observe it. I have no time for any1 being disrespectfull. But where the royal familly are concerned I will do the Jonno recomendation and stay in the concourse untill the match begins.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

I think there are plenty of listeners, Clarky and I hope I would read all serious postings with an open mind. Where I am at fault is in replying to say that I agree even though I might read a post, nodding my head and muttering 'exactly' or words to that effect. Perhaps we think too much mutual back slapping might get a bit tedious and refrain from saying anything? In the end I suspect that there are always going to be more posts disagreeing than agreeing because people like stating their opinions and also to an extent playing devil's advocate to get debate going. I hope lack of recognition doesn't lead people to stop stating opinions, as there are some very knowledgable and sound things said on here that I believe do influenece people a lot.

Practising what I preach now, re Galaxy's post on the Queen Mother, I haven't read the thread so can't comment much. She deserves respect as do people who wish to mourn her. I do, however, sense some antagonsim about being told how to react to these matters. In the end I try an employ a very Royal approach of hiding my opinions and thoughts behind manners and common decency that is owed to all people.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

Agree with your views on this 100% Galaxy and was surprised at the lack of respect shown.

Personally I would welcome a debate on Monarchy and the alternatives thereto, in a separate thread. I know little about the alternatives and what advantages/disadvatages there would be in dismantling the monarchy. It would be interesting to read some constructive suggestions in this area rather than the bile we have read about the size of the civil list.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

I guess this is just going to keep bouncing back to the `royal` theme, and that really wasn`t my point. What I was really upset about was the fact that we could not manage, just for one short thread, to treat a fellow human being as just that and allow them a modicum of decency. The same applies to the bereaved. I think I shall just give up.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

I apolgise to everyone I have upset if you feel I hijacked a thread dedicated to mourning the lady. Threads have a life of their own, if there was a fresh thread for every variation on a theme we'd have a lot of one posting threads. Do we separate "Robert can't defend" threads from "Robert is brilliant at free kicks" threads.

Again apologies to those who I upset.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

Apology accepted Macbeth.

Incidentally, my complaint does not in anyway mean that I do not totally respect your right to hold an opinion and vehemently defend it.

My views on death, bereavement, respect for the recently deceased are admittedly very old-fashioned - and it`s one of the few subjects which could insense me enough to post a complaint.

I will be very happy to draw a line under this particular subject now.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

Amen!

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

Are you trying to be antagonistic Jim? Not everyone on here follows the Christian faith and find that word offensive.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002

Salom, Aerial Salom, or pink Salmon

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2002