in eternum+

Now, I know I'm a bit new at this business (though am proud to note that I have achieved the status of 'Hatchetman' - good times!) but I'm convinced that the 2006 list would be improved by the inclusion of one of the great TV detectives from the 70s and/or 80s. I've already suggested Dick van Dyke, who I reckon is a good candidate. I'm not sure that Angela Lansbury is a suitable candidate as she's definitely still in her prime. So what about Andy Griffiths? Any other suggestions?

What a thoroughly enjoyable thread! Windsor - although your evening was ruined by it, mine was definitely improved! The whole debate is absolutely fabulous - bring on the random ranters!! Haven't giggled this much all day! Of course, I think that if the random ranters really meant what they said, and were as passionate about helping to fight cancer as their morally superior arguments would lead us to believe, they wouldn't be wasting their time posting bollocks, and would be out fundraising for Cancer Research UK or some such. Unfotunately, I must admit that I have no idea who Jane Tomlinson is, but if I were her I'd probably be a bit pissed off that all of my running about was resulting in loads of people saying how great I am but not in people actually getting off their butts, turning off the computer, and doing something about the cause themselves.

One could argue - NB that's "one", not necessarily "me" - that the two are very similar: neither are actively contributing to society, neither are taken particularly seriously, and more often than not both are dependent on others for support. In fact, "one" could argue that we as a society lose more by the death of the elder than the death of the youth, as with them die knowledge and (some might argue) wisdom.

I'm sorry, but I really don't get how these are comparable. I've actually tried to understand your point, and I just don't get it. The list you've provided all involve the ability on the part of the individual to make informed decisions. How does it support your position? They're not even related to what is being discussed. Are you suggesting that if someone isn't old enough to vote they aren't old enough to die? What you seem to be implying is that an individual who is not in a position to make an informed decision about whether or not to appear on the Death List (i.e. a child), shouldn't. But since when are any of the Death List candidates approached for their permission, given time to weigh the pros and cons, and then allowed to decide whether or not they want to appear before their name is added?

Without committing myself to any stance on this issue, I DO wonder why children and death is worse than adults and death. Like when there's a news story and they say "52 people died, among them women and children." Apparently, guys, your lives (or deaths) don't matter as much as ours. Surely if it's tasteless to have threads about dying children, it's just as tasteless to have threads about dying adults, in which case this website should be shut down. After all, just because someone's in their 80s doesn't NECESSARILY mean that we as the public have the right to appropriate their deaths. They still have families who could find this website distasteful etc. At the end of the day, kids die. And it wasn't so long ago that kids dying was a normal part of life.

Okay okay, a state-like funeral. Would thousands line the streets for Jule Andrews? She's a Dame, so that's somewhat state... With regards to Mo, the fact is that there are serious pros and cons to any politician. The point is whether the former outweighs the latter or not. I think in her case it does. The fact that she "consistently attacked the Royal Family" surely puts her in line for a sainthood?

I may be biased, but I think it would be quite an honour to appear on the Death List. It's a select crowd. There aren't many other places where you get debated about by people all over the world. Of course, I'm not dying of a terminal illness. At least, not that I know of.

Hello all! Don't know if Mo is a 'big' enough political figure, but I think this country needs a good state funeral. The US recently had Regan, after which I believe national sentiment and support got a lot stronger, at least briefly. As our rather idealistic guest suggests, Mo is a well-like and popular figure, although I suppose her death won't send the entire country into a state of mourning. We need another Diana-type.

Fordham has his own thread including a poll here. Whether or not he merits it is another question. Fine astute remark from Fordham in that interview which deathlisters would do well to remember: Ah yes, missed that thread. Howeever, can I add that Fordham owns a pub, so even if he himself doesn't smoke (not sure if he does or not), the amount of second-hard smoke he must inhale is probably very high, and of course second-hand smoke is worse for you than first-hand smoke. PLUS - don't know how he did on Celebrity Fit Club, but if he lost weight, chances are he'll just put it back on again. Fluxuations in weight can put a lot of strain on a person's body. Promising? I think the Viking is fabulous, and brings to the darts stage qualities that not many other players do. Being a successful DL candidate would only raise him further in my estimation.

I know he's only 43, but has Andy "The Viking" Fordham worth considering? If this is anything to go by, he's practically begging to be included next year.

It seems that by implication what you're saying is that only really old, clumsy, or unfortunate people are likely to die. There are myriad reasons why someone might kick the bucket; isn't it a bit narrow-minded to close the field to everyone bar those in the most obvious categories?

A long time ago someone told me that Angela Lansbury doesn't sleep through the night as most people do. Apparently it isn't natural for our bodies to sleep for such a long period of time all at once; following the rhythm of our body, what is more natural is to take little 'catnaps' throughout the day, ever four to six hours. This is, alledgely, much better for our bodies, gives us more energy, and is all the sleep we actually need. Anyway, I heard that this is what she does. Perhaps this is why she maintains such a youthful and energetic glow, and why she should not be considered for the DeathList quite yet. Of course, if it's true maybe it was unwise to post, lest current DL candidates cotton on and start practising it themselves...

Following this thread from last year, I'm all for adding Dick to next year's list. He's now in his 80s, which isn't necesssarily a good enough reason, except that he did go through a phase where he was lovin' the bottle. Who knows what state his liver might be in.

I think Homolka should be on the 2006 list. I know that she was just released and there are still a few months left in 2005 in which she can be bumped off, but I reckon that security around her'll be pretty tight for those first few months that she's out. Perhaps if nothing happens to her for those months, both she and the security around her will relax a bit, then voila! The success of the 2006 list will grow by one. With regards to the pacifist apathy of Canadians, I think it depends what part of Canada you go to. I haven't been following Homolka's released details, but if she by chance ends up in Alberta, she may well stand less chance of survival as there is a much higher percentage of gun-toting, ultra right-wing, take-matters-into-your-own-hands, shoot-first-ask-questions-later types there.

Must be my feminie wiles. Your avatar speaks both loudly and clearly. Of course, what is it they say? - the best way to remain hidden is to be as blatant as possible. You might be a bald woman, like the woman off Gimme Gimme Gimme. When she has her wig off and her bald-head-thing on, she could be either gender, really.

This being the first forum I've ever joined, it's only now that I've considered my cyberspace identity. The avatar seemed to be a quite important part of this - a face in a faceless universe and all that. There is an image similar to the one I chose, but it is of a male. I prefer it, but somehow the idea that I would be assumed to be male as a result was a strange sensation. Not that I'm not in touch with my masculine side; I like a good car chase film as much as the next guy. BTW - boats always featured quite prominently in the Price is Right, as well. I think it was just an excuse to have the prize models wear bikinis.

Speaking of Quebec, this joke is a little dated but when I heard it several years ago I laughed my socks off: Why did Lucien Bouchard have a map of Canada tattooed onto his ass? So that every time he bends over, Quebec separates. For all you Canadians out there...

Like this perhaps? ie+ defeated me for a good couple of years until I figured you can go into this box, and intentionally use the word "bestest", so Nice. Hurrah! It works!! Thanks guys... Hello CKH!

*Thanks!*

Hello to everyone from your newest member! There are a number of death books which I hold in very high regard, but my faves are as follows: 'Rest in Peace' by Gary Laderman is an excellent history of the funeral trade in the US in the 20th century 'The Hollywood Book of Death: The Bizarre, Often Sordid, Passings of More than 125 American Movie and TV Idols' does exactly what it says on the tin and Heather Pringle's 'The Mummy Congress' is a really well-written and interesting account of, well, mummies. But my very VERY favourite has got to be the Gashleycrumb Tinies.

Cheers for the advice, Ron. Now if I can only figure out how this whole quoting thing works...

Thanks! I've never been a 'lurker' before (at least, not that I would admit to publicly ). Perhaps if I also become a 'ranter', then I'll be a 'lurking ranter'. Lofty aspirations...

A friend of mine told me about the site, which she'd discovered whilst being extremely bored at work. I've been checking the lists over the past few years, and have just decided to become a member. This is the first forum I've ever joined - be gentle!