Why is it that when someone dies, people who are asked to make public comments ALWAYS have glowing remarks to describe the deceased? I mean, do only decent people die?
Just once, I'd like to hear the neighbor being interviewed "live" on the local TV news say that the guy who got killed probably deserved it because he was a total A-hole.
Obit Man wrote:
Just once, I'd like to hear the neighbor being interviewed "live" on the local TV news say that the guy who got killed probably deserved it because he was a total A-hole.
We're saving that quote for your next door neighbor.
Don't be a dick.
Truth is people hate the living, love the dead. And people see it as an opportunity to show their compassion by saying nice things. Yes it's selfish and pathetic but it's part of the many complexities of the human mind.
Actually, I went to a wake once for a guy who had been curmudgeonly to say the least. One person after another got up to talk about how obnoxious the guy was. They sort of did it lightheartedly and jokingly...but they meant it.
I never understood the whole "respect for the dead thing" really.
But if you wanna see an example of not holding for that, read H.L. Mencken's eulogy for William Jennings Bryant.
http://www.peeniewallie.com/2005/06/h_l_menckens_ob.html
My favorite of that sort of thing though, is when studio boss Louie B. Mayer died and a huge crowd showed for his funeral, Red Skelton said "Well, it only proves what they always say -- give the people what they want, and they'll come out for it."
Don't expect much good praise for Bin Laden.
P.S....about that same funeral, Samuel Goldwyn said "The reason so many people showed up for his funeral was because they wanted to make sure he was dead."
WaHoooo wrote:
Don't expect much good praise for Bin Laden.
No praise from other terrorists, muslims, anti-amerikans?
Christopher Hitchens on Jerry Falwell:
"If you gave Falwell an enema, he could be buried in a matchbox"
Hitch actually has cancer from all those years of smoking so his funeral might be soon.
Yep, it's possible -- maybe even probable. and his unkindness (but honesty) on the death of Mother Teresa, Princess Di, Edward Said, etc., may make people less inclined to treat his own death with kid gloves. But as another writer said, "So it goes."
Okay, since no one else is willing to step up:
Although most folks would argue that the Dead were overrated, on a really good night they could be very entertaining. Jerry wasn't a great (okay, he had to stretch to be bad) singer, I did like his voice and phrasing. He could also be a very interesting guitar player when he wasn't in full-on wanker mode.
Interesting lyrics (thanks to Robert Hunter)...
They certainly had a loyal following.
kermit the neuron wrote:
Okay, since no one else is willing to step up:
Although most folks would argue that the Dead were overrated, on a really good night they could be very entertaining. Jerry wasn't a great (okay, he had to stretch to be bad) singer, I did like his voice and phrasing. He could also be a very interesting guitar player when he wasn't in full-on wanker mode.
Interesting lyrics (thanks to Robert Hunter)...
They certainly had a loyal following.
nice!
obvious answer wrote:
Obit Man wrote:Just once, I'd like to hear the neighbor being interviewed "live" on the local TV news say that the guy who got killed probably deserved it because he was a total A-hole.
We're saving that quote for your next door neighbor.
Don't worry; in the unlikely event that my 80-year-old busy-body neighbor outlives me, I am certain she'll say that about me. Heaven knows I'll say it about her when she kicks it.