Sadly, Elizabeth Edwards dies at 61

[Topaz]

The breast cancer she fought so hard to overcome has ended her life this morning. Her family was at her side and I'm sure she wil be remembered by many people. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

[August1991]

Topaz, did you ever meet Elizabeth Edwards? Do you know her personally?

Last year, about 250,000 people died in Canada. Statcan Link

IOW, about 750 people die everyday in Canada. Would you start a thread for each one of them?

-----

My point does not concern the notoriety of Elizabeth Edwards or her husband. I am not making a nationalistic reference to the fact that she's American.

I am simply saying that these glib references to "sadness" for the loss of a "loved one" are tiresome.

In a world where people live in villages and know one another well, it makes sense to express condolences. In a world where people communicate anonymously on the Internet about people who they have never met and don't know, the expressions become, sadly (as you phrase it), meaningless kitsch.

This new technology requires a different way to express genuine compassion and humanity.

Edited December 8, 2010 by August1991

[bush_cheney2004]

....My point does not concern the notoriety of Elizabeth Edwards or her husband. I am not making a nationalistic reference to the fact that she's American.

I am simply saying that these glib references to "sadness" for the loss of a "loved one" are tiresome....

Her "American-ness" aside, I'm going to support Topaz on this one. Ms. Edwards' ordeal would be compelling even if never raised to such a high profile because of her scoundrel husband. Methinks women in general can relate to this story at several levels in a very personal way, even without ever knowing Elizabeth Edwards in the flesh.

Yes, people die every day, but few die so painfully in the public eye. The least we can do is note the sad end of her story after gobbling up all the sordid details as Entertainment Tonight.

[August1991]

In village/medieval times, her death would pass unnoticed. In late 20th century newspaper times, I suppose her death is news. In the modern Internet world, is it news?

----

But BC, my genuine complaint concerns whether Elizabeth Edwards is any more deserving than the other 380 or so women who died in Canada the same day.

I am tired of these glib, public references to "sadness" and "loved ones" whenever someone dies. God knows if John Edwards has any close friends but if he does, I question whether they use such words when speaking to him about her death.

Edited December 8, 2010 by August1991

[bush_cheney2004]

...But BC, my genuine complaint concerns whether Elizabeth Edwards is any more deserving than the other 380 or so women who died in Canada the same day.

Depends....did the others have their lives on display to help sell high-fibre cereal, detergent, and a political candidate for the highest office in the land?

Was Leslie Neilsen's death also not noteworthy?

[BubberMiley]

I am simply saying that these glib references to "sadness" for the loss of a "loved one" are tiresome.

When you die, should people tell your family to suck it?

[August1991]

When you die, should people tell your family to suck it?

Bubbler, Topaz's reference to Elizabeth Edwards' death has nothing to do with what anyone will say of my death. I'm just some guy...

IMHO, Topaz is just being "Politically Correct". Someone dies and people such as Topaz say "I'm sad" for the "loved ones". In a small village where people know one another, Topaz's comment might have made sense. On the Internet, the comment is meaningless kitsch.

It demeans humanity.

Edited December 8, 2010 by August1991

[bush_cheney2004]

...It demeans humanity.

Such sentiments are routinely expressed as comments to CBC stories, from those killed in Afghanistan to Canadians murdered on vacation. The very human expression is from the writer, not humanity.

[August1991]

Such sentiments are routinely expressed as comments to CBC stories, from those killed in Afghanistan to Canadians murdered on vacation. The very human expression is from the writer, not humanity.

And about 750 people die every day in Canada. With the Internet, we can easily contact each of their families.

Are we all to express our heartfelt "sadness" to each of their "loved ones"?

----

Afghanistan is different. Those Canadians are taking risks for our long term benefit. I don't know about you but my heart reaches out to the families of soldiers who are killed or maimed in Afghanistan. I don't know the soldiers but I appreciate their willingness to take the risks on my behalf, and on behalf of my children.

But you make a good point, BC. Expressions of "support for our troops" are now sadly glib, routine and kitsch. They should not be, anymore than a true expression of condoleance.

Edited December 8, 2010 by August1991

[bush_cheney2004]

....Afghanistan is different. Those Canadians are taking risks for our long term benefit. I don't know about you but my heart reaches out to the family of soldiers who are killed or maimed in Afghanistan. I don't know the soldiers but I appreciate their willingness to take the risks.

OK...but I suspect you know more about Ms. Edwards than many Canadian Forces soldiers killed or maimed in Afghanistan. If the media trades in Ms. Edwards' life, it will also trade in her death.

If you liked this comment, vote [Yes}

[August1991]

OK...but I suspect you know more about Ms. Edwards than many Canadian Forces soldiers killed or maimed in Afghanistan. If the media trades in Ms. Edwards' life, it will also trade in her death.

That's a cynical remark and given some thought, probably false. In the world of the Internet, do I really care about Elizabeth Edwards?

That is, when I can learn about anyone anywhere, or talk to anyone anywhere, why would I care about Elizabeth Edwards?

----

As I say, this new technology requires a new way of expressing genuine humanity. Current expressions of humanity are obviously false.

For example, Topaz' false expression of concern in the OP for the death of Elizabeth Edwards. Topaz doesn't know Elizabeth Edwards and has no more concern for her death than the other 700 Canadians who died on the 7 December 2010.

Topaz, motivated by political correctness, created this OP to appear "nice" and "understanding" to posters here. This strategy doesn't work.

Edited December 8, 2010 by August1991

[M.Dancer]

OK...but I suspect you know more about Ms. Edwards than many Canadian Forces soldiers killed or maimed in Afghanistan. If the media trades in Ms. Edwards' life, it will also trade in her death.

If you liked this comment, vote [Yes}

I had to click the link to see who she was. Not that her death is any less sorrowful for her family and friends, but Mark Dailey's passing is closer to home for me...

[bush_cheney2004]

....As I say, this new technology requires a new way of expressing genuine humanity. Current expressions of humanity are obviously false.

...so are Hallmark cards, but they still sell millions each year. Don't need no steenkin' Internet for false expression.

[August1991]

...so are Hallmark cards, but they still sell millions each year. Don't need no steenkin' Internet for false expression.

BC, you get my point.

But we're beating a dead horse.

[bush_cheney2004]

BC, you get my point.

But we're beating a dead horse.

...I'm sorry the horse died.

[August1991]

I had to click the link to see who she was. Not that her death is any less sorrowful for her family and friends, but Mark Dailey's passing is closer to home for me...

Who is Mark Dailey?

[Moonlight Graham]

Topaz, did you ever meet Elizabeth Edwards? Do you know her personally?

Last year, about 250,000 people died in Canada. Statcan Link

IOW, about 750 people die everyday in Canada. Would you start a thread for each one of them?

I understand where you're coming from. That said, i'd rather have this on the news than which Hollywood celeb starting dating another Hollywood celeb, or Lindsay Lohan entered rehab blah blah.

[M.Dancer]

Who is Mark Dailey?

Newsman, the voice of City TV, everywhere. Died yesterday.

[bush_cheney2004]

Newsman, the voice of City TV, everywhere. Died yesterday.

...yea, like an American Peter Jennings, also a "sudden" death.

The only celebrity's death that ever got me choked up was another Elizabeth.....Montgomery.

Edited December 8, 2010 by bush_cheney2004

[bud]

The only celebrity's death that ever got me choked up was another Elizabeth.....Montgomery.

must have been her political views

"During Bewitched's run, she was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War. In the late 1980s and early 1990s she narrated a series of political documentaries, including Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair (1988) and the Academy Award winning The Panama Deception (1992).".

[Sir Bandelot]

Also, it's not wrong to use a celebrity's death to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Personally my first reaction was, too bad she died. I wonder if she ever forgave the old man for his transgressions, but in a way, I hope she didn't.

[BubberMiley]

Afghanistan is different. Those Canadians are taking risks for our long term benefit. I don't know about you but my heart reaches out to the families of soldiers who are killed or maimed in Afghanistan. I don't know the soldiers but I appreciate their willingness to take the risks on my behalf, and on behalf of my children.

I see. When you feel sadness, it's real and authentic. When Topaz feels sadness it's fake. Gotcha.

[bush_cheney2004]

must have been her political views

Nope...it was her strong stand against raw sewage from Vancouver!

[M.Dancer]

...yea, like an American Peter Jennings,

[Wilber]

I see. When you feel sadness, it's real and authentic. When Topaz feels sadness it's fake. Gotcha.

Well said, sadness is a personal thing. Acknowledging that different things make us sad, should we express it or keep it to ourselves?