RIP Queen Elizabeth

[Petrichorwheels]

This is a bit controversial, I have no disrespect for the Queen, and her death is sad but I find all this (IMO) over the top reaction quite disturbing, 3 mile queues to file past a cofin, Paddington Bears and marmalade sandwiches placed in parks, endless questions from reporters asking people how they feel, (do they not interview people who don't feel any differently) the lack of other news, and don't get me started on BCF or Center Parks.
Am I alone in thinking like this, it's just too much.

tricky one I think - the big question about whether the beeb* is directing/pushing or reflecting the public mood,
The beeb definitely hasn't been dragooning folks into lines in my opinion.
If they are seen as not reflecting the public mood they will definitely get flack.
* and it's not just the beeb of course - channel4 news has been giving it mega mega coverage.
I personally think you just have to go with the flow, watch it from whatever distance you choose.
and be thankful of course that one or two wannabee queens from here didn't make the podium.

 

[Petrichorwheels]

Watch it long enough and you might start thinking the lid is moving

whatever drugs you like.enjoy.

 

[mjr]

Watch it long enough and you might start thinking the lid is moving

Nah, the coffin is lead-lined to stop that happening again.

 

[fossyant]

This is a bit controversial, I have no disrespect for the Queen, and her death is sad but I find all this (IMO) over the top reaction quite disturbing, 3 mile queues to file past a cofin, Paddington Bears and marmalade sandwiches placed in parks, endless questions from reporters asking people how they feel, (do they not interview people who don't feel any differently) the lack of other news, and don't get me started on BCF or Center Parks.
Am I alone in thinking like this, it's just too much.

As a sane person that has a job to do, yes you are right.

We've stopped watching live TV as it's insane - Watching all Thor Movies to catch up for the new one... it's got that bad. Not so sure as a dead person I want loading onto a transport plane, then shuttling about the place.. FFS

Son and wife have notied standard of driving has got really bad - son does loads of miles and it's been crash central. Me, not noticed, as I use traffic free routes to work, otherwise I'd use the bike as Thor's hammer on drivers.

 

[mikeIow]

This is a bit controversial, I have no disrespect for the Queen, and her death is sad but I find all this (IMO) over the top reaction quite disturbing, 3 mile queues to file past a cofin, Paddington Bears and marmalade sandwiches placed in parks, endless questions from reporters asking people how they feel, (do they not interview people who don't feel any differently) the lack of other news, and don't get me started on BCF or Center Parks.
Am I alone in thinking like this, it's just too much.

The good news is that you don’t *have* to watch it. Modern streaming techniques allow so much choice.
It is not exactly a weekly, monthly or even annual event, so will be over soon enough!

Clearly you aren’t alone in your thoughts….but given the queue snaking round London, there are also clearly a very large number of people who are extremely interested in an event of such historical significance.

I rather liked this take on things. An interesting read on what & why.

One part, especially for those who are staunchly anti-monarchy and more republican, is this:
“
There will be those who say, what is the point of all this frivolity, the expensive uniforms, the outlay on policing and security? The answer lies in what the republics of the world do elsewhere.
<snip>
If the United Kingdom were to do away with this, we would only end up reinventing it all over again, and at similar cost. The objections of the nay-sayers are more a reflection of their own petty-mindedness than the mood of a nation.
“
But everyone is of course entitled to their views. That is one of the beautiful things about living in modern day Britain, which she spent her entire lifetime helping shape.

The roads will no doubt be very quiet next Monday for those who prefer to enjoy a ride 🚴‍♂️👍

 

[Dogtrousers]

The queue is an interesting thing.

It runs along the South Bank from Bermondsey to Westminster. It's largely a straight -ish line, and it's not wide, from what I've seen just one or two people wide.

But why? Wouldn't it be better to use the space in, say Green Park and The Mall and thereabouts and make a snakey switchback queue. You could concentrate facilities like portaloos and avoid disruption.

There's probably a good reason, people have thought about this. Just wondering why have a queue like that. Security perhaps?

 

[Time Waster]

Isn't it the Diana factor. Uk has gone celebrity mad and pointless shows of devotion. Everyone is a saint perfect when they die and reach the public awareness. No they're not! Everyone is their own kind of ahole as perfection isn't possible.

 

[mikeIow]

You’re not wrong with a broad obsession with “celebrities” these days - the world is going somewhat nuts on that….
…but I do feel that equating the Queen with Diana is quite a stretch 🤣

I’d never have considered joining the line for the latter, but were I closer to London, I’d be happy to pay my respects and nod to her coffin.
I just feel she spend her entire life working pretty hard for the UK. Right to the end. Someone who never abused her privilege. Who always thought about those she met - a frequent refrain from those who spoke with her was how comfortable and important she made them feel. Not perfect - I bet she wished she handled Diana’s death better….but one who tried very hard for her lifetime to do the right thing.

As to why a line and not a park….well, why not: we are British. The undisputed world leading experts in queuing 🤪

 

[Bollo]

Has to be done.
Lots of people there (you must surely have noticed andy)
Lots of world leaders.
including i gather a german one.
I was cycling round central London on Monday evening and there was already mega police presence, plus lots of contracted private security for crowd/barrier control.
Just off Parliament Square I saw a Lancashire Constabulary Van - lots of police are being brought in from around the country.
(including some overzealous ones from Norfolk).

I’m dreading Saturday when I have to drop off Bolletta at her Uni accommodation, which is about 10 minutes walk from the Buckingham Palace tax haven and close enough to Monday’s action for the Feds to be out and about in force.

Apart from the possibility of silly traffic as people try to drive up to the coffin and the need to dodge all the giddy TV crews on voxpops duty, I worry that I’ll have to explain a car full of student crap to some tooled-up Met officer. We did look at taking the train with me loaded like a pack-horse, but they’re predicted to be insanely busy.

 

[Dogtrousers]

This is really bugging me. The queue is 5km long. If there are 4 people per metre (that's probably an over estimate) there would be 20k people in it. That's actually not all that many. Most big sports stadiums load and unload that with ease. Although it's true that unlike a stadium this queue has one bottleneck turnstile.

 

[Venod]

The objections of the nay-sayers are more a reflection of their own petty-mindedness than the mood of a nation.

Not wishing to start an argument, but if you are including me in this sweeping statement I strongly object to been labeled petty minded because I don't follow the crowd.

 

[slowmotion]

Watch it long enough and you might start thinking the lid is moving

NACA is that way >>>>>>>>>>>
EDIT: actually this...
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

 

[Alex321]

Not wishing to start an argument, but if you are including me in this sweeping statement I strongly object to be labeled petty minded because I don't follow the crowd.

It was those objecting he was labelling as petty-minded, not those who are just not following the crowd.

I'm in that latter camp too, I'm really not interested in the funeral, and have no intention of watching it. But I know many people do, and I don't object to that at all.

 

[vickster]

The queue is an interesting thing.

It runs along the South Bank from Bermondsey to Westminster. It's largely a straight -ish line, and it's not wide, from what I've seen just one or two people wide.

But why? Wouldn't it be better to use the space in, say Green Park and The Mall and thereabouts and make a snakey switchback queue. You could concentrate facilities like portaloos and avoid disruption.

There's probably a good reason, people have thought about this. Just wondering why have a queue like that. Security perhaps?

Around the Palace including Green Park is already being used for people wishing to lay/see the flowers and other tributes.
And she’s lying in state at Westminster Hall not the Palace isn’t she, hence the queuing route along the river? The queue is part pavement wide presumably?

 

[T4tomo]

Around the Palace including Green Park is already being used for people wishing to lay/see the flowers and other tributes.
And she’s lying in state at Westminster Hall not the Palace isn’t she, hence the queuing route along the river? The queue is part pavement wide presumably?

Correct, and there is snaky line thing in Victoria Tower Gardens with portaloo's - you can see that on the Beeb news coverage.