Well, Will and peregrina, I think there's a difference. There's a connection with the New Hampshire singer, especially for those of us who are singers and those who have visited New Hampshire or know Allison (Animaterra), who apparently knew the singer and reported the death.

Most of us have no connection with the body found on the Queen's estate. It's just a news item. Millions of people die every day, and most of us aren't able to conjure up enough sincere sympathy to be concerned about every one. Human nature guides us to be sympathetic to those we know, those we feel a connection to. Most of us just can't be sincerely sympathetic toward every dead body that turns up, anywhere in the world. And I gotta say, I question the sincerity of those who ooze with sympathy for total strangers. When I'm dead, I don't care to have any strangers grieving for me. Let them go on with their lives and grieve for the loss of the people they really love.

Sorry, but that's the way it is. I intend no disrespect; but to me, Alisa Dmitrijeva is just a news item and a name I can't pronounce. I hope that she has family and friends who will grieve her loss - that's the grieving that makes a difference.

-Joe-