I find these displays horrible.

**smr-nj** · 08-26-2002, 09:38 AM

When did this "carnival" atmosphere become a requirement when there's a death scene, or other tragedy on a particular site??
Or even worse, outside of the home of the dead family memeber.

Helium balloons??? Flowers??? Teddy Bears??
Huge crowds, with children......... all milling about.......... What the hell is this?

They say they're there to "pay respects" and "show support", but to me it's a horrible display of voyeurism.... I find it disgusting.

I abhor this display. I often think that if I were a family member and had to confront this outside of my door, people there to stare or get some "words of wisdom" or whatever the hell it is they're waiting for, I'd go insane.

These people baffle me.
What are they there for?
Go the F home, and pray for the victims there. Or go to church and pray for them there.
Stay out of the front yards. Stay away from the scenes.

**DetroitFolly** · 08-26-2002, 09:43 AM

Here here...

and another thing...I wish news people would stop putting the word "little" in front of every kids' name that something happens to....

**P. Elite** · 08-26-2002, 09:48 AM

I dunno, Sue....death is some spooky sh*t! For myself I like to keep death and me as far apart as possible. I've only been to one funeral in my life, and it creeped me out, with all the people cryin and stuff (the speeches are often way too much...). I don't mean any disrespect toward those who have passed on, but I know that I don't deal with that stuff all that well. I certainly don't want to be around a huge crowd hugging and crying and whatnot... However, I don't begrudge those that do, but I sure don't understand it.

**ToledoTigerFan** · 08-26-2002, 10:37 AM

Such displays have become almost a cliche' and have lost their emotional intent. If so-and-so had this display, then we must, too, otherwise we don't care as much. It's a way of soliciting grief from others not otherwise affiliated with the grieving family. It's copycat grief, but then again, so is a funeral, I guess.

**Oblong** · 08-26-2002, 11:27 AM

There was controversy in a western wayne county suburb over teh placement of flowers, signs, etc. The local authorities determined that it was a hazard and a distraction so they made them take it down. The people said they were being mean.

A bouqet of flowers is fine by me, anything more starts to get silly.

Whenever we visit the cementary and leave flowers, my dad asks upon our return "Did he reach up and grab them? What a waste of money, he don't care about s**t such as that".

**MelissaG915** · 08-26-2002, 11:58 AM

public display has taken precedence over quiet dignity. I think the whole Princess Diana grieving spectacle is still fresh on people's minds and that is the "in" way to mourn an untimely death. I don't remember seeing much of this at all before her accident, but now the balloons, teddy bears, poetry, candles, posters and flowers are par for the course.

If I meet an untimely death, please don't build me a shrine. Just send Fick to the funeral shouting "why God, why?!"

**DetroitFolly** · 08-26-2002, 12:35 PM

Mel, that's funny.

**smr-nj** · 08-26-2002, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by MelissaG915
public display has taken precedence over quiet dignity. I think the whole Princess Diana grieving spectacle is still fresh on people's minds and that is the "in" way to mourn an untimely death. I don't remember seeing much of this at all before her accident, but now the balloons, teddy bears, poetry, candles, posters and flowers are par for the course.

If I meet an untimely death, please don't build me a shrine. Just send Fick to the funeral shouting "why God, why?!"

I think you're about right on the timing of the appearance of all this "fluff"..... there was some of it before that, but it became the norm after.

BTW, Mel..... God forbid! But........I'll have Fick there if I have to drag him by his cute red ears. :D

**mgoblue1997** · 08-26-2002, 01:19 PM

What I don't get, and I don't mean to be cold or unfeeling, is why all of the sudden all of these child kidnappings, etc. are front page news? Hasn't this stuff been happening for quite a while?

It reminds me of the shark attacks that were commonplace in the news before 9/11 last year. We don't hear about those anymore.