[Watchman]

Murdoch TV rolls out the classy big guns for the occasion

Well Harry, the DNA tests are back………

[Bones McCoy]

A trail of bodies longer than the Krays.

[Andy McDandy]

Radio Four this morning is telling the audience about overseas coverage of the Queen's funeral...

Foreigners are either silly or sinister, and abroad is bloody. An exception can be made for the Americans and our colonial cousins, but they're more like energetic and hot headed teenage siblings. At least that's the undercurrent.

The truth is, as the comedian Doug Stanhope pointed out, that while foreigners (especially Americans) are fascinated by the royal family, it's not so much reverent awe and more gleeful fascination that we have princesses and castles and take it all seriously.

[davidjay]

Does anyone really believe that 5.1 billion people - almost two-thirds of the world's population - watched the funeral?

[kreuzberger]

The problem with the broadcasters' entirely false, nationalist prospectus (see everything from winning the war single-handedly to Wimbledon, too), is that it creates this superiority complex which leads the country down perilous paths.

That's the calamitous Brexit vote in a nutshell.

[Abernathy]

while foreigners (especially Americans) are fascinated by the royal family, it's not so much reverent awe and more gleeful fascination that we have princesses and castles and take it all seriously.

Not just foreigners. That approximates my view of ardent monarchism too. A kind of puzzled bewilderment. I will probably never understand it.

[Watchman]

The following is a summary of a post that appeared on our local "Neighbourhood Hub" page, unfortunately it will not let me cut and paste, but the general gist is;

A contributor has made this suggestion in remembrance of QE2. She has sent it to her local WI who like it, so she's now suggesting pubs, clubs, local groups, churches etc take up the idea. She has justified the following by stating that QE2 was very inspirational and did her best for us.
The suggestion is, because of times of economic hardship and foodbanks experiencing less donations. in lieu of buying flowers you could donate to a foodbank. adding your own personal message, and you group etc could publicly display the contributions before donating, the request ends with, and I quote "it would make such a difference to those in need, in memory of the Queen"

Now I 'm not one to knock such things, but just a few thoughts;
This country should not even have foodbanks
Have any of these groups donated in the past
The level of insensitivity in justifying helping people in need, in memory of a woman the vast majority had never met, who was worth billions (mainly our money), had advisers to ensure she didn't pay tax. who has led a privileged and protected life

[kreuzberger]

If you would like a reply that is just begging to be cut and pasted in to a blue-rinsed Faceboock group, just hit me a DM.

More than happy to muck in.

[Watchman]

Thanks Mr K, I’m still in biting my tongue mode

[Oboogie]

Does anyone really believe that 5.1 billion people - almost two-thirds of the world's population - watched the funeral?

Full Fact have already outed that as fake news. It stemmed from a Facebook post which falsely claimed that the figure came from the BBC.
https://fullfact.org/news/Queen-funeral ... UbPp6vE0lo

[mattomac]

Seen it all over twitter.

It will be well watched but I’d be surprised if it tops 500m.

[Andy McDandy]

Could be weasel words. "It reached 5.1 billion" (i.e. was available to watch on Indian and Chinese TV) doesn't mean everyone took the opportunity.