Topic 21 of 42: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (00:03) |
Paul Terry Walhus (terry)
Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, died tonight at age 36 in a terrible car accident. She was being
pursued by the "papparizi", press photgraphers on motorcycles. I first heard the news while watching
Satureday Night Live, which was, of course, disconnected as NBC News kicked in their coverage.
67 responses total.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 1 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (01:35) * 23 lines
DIANA: I still to this day find the interest daunting and phenomenal,
because I actually don't like being the centre of attention.
When I have my public duties, I understand that when I get out the car
I'm being photographed, but actually it's now when I go out of my door,
my front door, I'm being photographed.
I never know where a lens is going to be.
A normal day would be followed by four cars; a normal day would come back
to my car and find six freelance photographers jumping around me.
Some people would say, Well, if you had a policeman it would make it
easier. It doesn't at all.
They've decided that I'm still a product, after 15, 16 years, that sells
well, and they all shout at me, telling me that: `Oh, come on, Di, look
up. If you give us a picture I can get my children to a better school.'
And, you know, you can laugh it off. But you get that the whole time.
It's quite difficult.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 2 of 67: kili1 (kili1) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (04:27) * 2 lines
The invasion of Princess Diana's personal life by the relentlessness of the paparazzi is appalling. It is with deep regret that the world has lost one of its brightest stars as a direct result of the greed of the "media".
Isn't it a a shame that only after such a tragedy, laws will be enacted to curtail this type of "stalking". God Bless the Princess of Wales and her family, especially her two sons William & Harry.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 3 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (04:53) * 3 lines
One story relating to this is that the crowd beat up one of the photographers taking pictures without offering help. What a tragedy if gruesome pictures of a sticken Di reach the tabloids.
Hard to say what was going on inside that Mercedes, that one report says was speeding at 120 mph. But it seems likely they were trying to shake off these relentless paparatzi. Laws should be passed to restrict this kind of media stalking, kili1.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 4 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (08:25) * 6 lines
Apparently, four of the papparrazi are going to be charged with
manslaughter. Possibly one of the flashes from cameras may have blined
the driver. The car hit a pillar in the middle of the road.
Diana's brother said that every news media person pursuing here has
"blood on his hands today."
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 5 of 67: RM (RMVOLTESV) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (10:52) * 1 lines
PAPPARAZI SHOULD BE PROSUCUTED AND PUT TO DEATH
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 6 of 67: Memorial.Net (MemorialNet) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (11:09) * 6 lines
[WWW, Aug 31, 1997] - Memorial.Net opens a permanent public memorial for Princess Diana.
By visting the web site: http://www.memorial.net/diana you can view, and POST a memorial
for the late Princess Diana. The site is designed to be a lasting reminder of someone who has
effected the world, and became "the world's most photographed woman" (in addition to other titles!).
There is no charge to post or vist the site, and the site is not transitory, it will remain active forever.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 7 of 67: Rob Cioe (robc) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (11:13) * 16 lines
The Los Angeles Times has put together a comprehensive package of
information composed of staff reports, wire services and other information
on the life and death of Princess Diana. Point your browser to http://www.latimes.com to see our overall Diana package. We will have our continual
coverage on our site over the next week.
Thank you for your consideration.
--Rob.
Rob Cioe
Electronic Editor
Los Angeles Times
rob.cioe@latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com
213-237-7002
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 8 of 67: Jose Arthur Latache (arthur) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (11:23) * 3 lines
SUCH A LOSS FOR SO MANY PEOPLE. WE SHALL MISS HER. SHE DESERVED TO BE HAPPY.
IT'S A SHEME!
PRESS'S WRIGTHS HAS LIMITS!
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 9 of 67: Jose Arthur Latache (arthur) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (11:23) * 3 lines
SUCH A LOSS FOR SO MANY PEOPLE. WE SHALL MISS HER. SHE DESERVED TO BE HAPPY.
IT'S A SHAME!
PRESS'S WRIGTHS HAS LIMITS!
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 10 of 67: Brian McIntyre (watcher) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (11:59) * 1 lines
Has anyone reading this ever tried to take a picture in a tunnel at night while driving a motorcycle moving at 120 mph??? Who would believe that there were 7 people doing this? I wonder how accidental this accident was.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 11 of 67: Moon Child (Moonchild) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (12:26) * 1 lines
Diana's grace, kindness and compassion will not soon be forgotten. The world will be in a state of mourning. Her life was a tragic one, and she deserved far more than she got. the only possible comfort in this whole trsgic situation is that perhaps she has found peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to her children and to her family. I hope that the Royal family will contine the work that Diana started and to honor to her memory.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 12 of 67: Max Morrison (Nurun) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (13:02) * 1 lines
Diana's life and work gave joy to millions. Her death, sadness to more. Her spirit will live forever.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 13 of 67: rbp (perk) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (14:31) * 1 lines
I am sorry to see such a beautiful and caring person taken from us. Now she will have the peace she deserves. Rest in peace Diana, the people will miss you.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 14 of 67: ClarissaM (Clarissa) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (15:20) * 3 lines
I will admit that I don't know much about Princess Diana. I was only 2 years old when she married Prince Charles and recieved the title in 1981. However, from what I know about her, I view her as a caring, loving, and beautiful woman. She
had a soul of a savior by helping people in need. Princess Di was a well known woman to everyone of various age groups world wide. I view some of the paparazi as sick individuals with no moral respect whatsoever. Especially the individual who attempted to take photos of the accident, and got mobbed by people mourning the scene. Aren't these reporters feeling guilty at all of what they've caused already? Without them chasing the mercedes, all in the vehicle would be alive and well. We should all give suppo
t to her family, especially her two young sons William and Harry. I hope that paparazi will learn from this accident that Enough is Enough. Princess Di's loving soul will live forever in the hearts of people everywhere. I have hope for the future that with all of Diana's help with charities, people will follow her and help those in need. A tradgity...though a loving soul that will never be forgotten.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 15 of 67: LeAnne Hart-Wilbanks (LeAnne) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (16:17) * 2 lines
I was very saddened by the death of Princess Diana, the paparazzi who stalked her should be punished by the most severe means available. Diana was a public
figure but she was also a human being who deserved to be treated with the same respect as "normal" people. The world has suffered a tragic loss and my prayers are with her sons. GOD BLESS THE CHILDREN!!
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 16 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (16:45) * 4 lines
I just caught an NBC bulletin that the Publisher of the Inquirer is
asking for a world wide ban on buying the crash scene pictures. They're
already on the market for sale. There were pictures taken before the
police arrive and the crowd beat up the papparazi taking them.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 17 of 67: Thomas Kroll (tkroll) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (16:58) * 3 lines
My personal opinion is that any of the paparazi whom would endanger the lives of others like they did in this high-speed chase, should recieve the same kind of punishment that the party they were chasing recieved as a result of just trying to evade the press. For instance, when Princess Diana (may she rest in peace was killed in that auto accident, the paparazi that were in pursuit of a quick buck should also be put to death. They should be put to death by stoning by the public.
Just my thoughts. May Princess Diana rest in peace.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 18 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (20:53) * 37 lines
Five photographers were taken into custody by French police for their
involvement. One guy was taking pictures with a commercial camera
15 seconds after the accident happened, according to the BBC.
Diana single handedly gave a measure of respect to the dysfunctional
royal family. She carried on a mission to help people with AIDS, homeless
people and her travels highlighted trouble spots around the world. Her
presence lent credence and sustained these causes.
Do you feel, like I do, that these good qualities of hers came to the
fore in her untimely death. I find myself feeling a true kinship with her
now that I never realized while she was alive. I was most profoundly
affected by seeing the pictures of her with Mother Theresa, who I greatly
admire.
The Royal Palace set up an official condolences website at
http://www.Royal.gov.uk The Red Cross has declared that the recent advances in the campaign
against landmines were largely the result of Diana's public visits to Angola
and Bosnia. AIDS charities say she is irreplaceable.
She broke Royal tradition by touching and coming in to close contract
with people stricken with AIDS and deadly diseases. Unlike the Quen and
Prince, who lead insular lives.
Someone said that had she lived she would have become a mix of Audrey
Hepburn and Eleanor Roosevelt, I agree. Perhaps through a little of Mother
Theresa and Jackie Onassis into the mix.
The dysfunctioning Royal family owes her a Royal Funeral with a week
of resting in State for the dignity and grace she has brought to them. Hopefully,
Charles can take up a cause or two on her behalf instead of carrying on with a
life of polo and weekend excursions and affairs out of his marriage. Hopefully,
Diana has brought the kids to a state where he can't mess them up too much.
If you have to cry over this, let it rip. Diana is deserving of our
tears and our respect.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 19 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (21:22) * 17 lines
A very good exposition on the paparzzi is on Robert Aldridge's site:
http://webflier.com/WebPilot/Articles/diana.shtml
Amond other things, he states:
"the children of this very nice woman are now going to have to live the
rest of their lives not seeking the advice of their mother. They will not
have her there to scold them when they do something wrong, or to kiss
them good night, ever again. They will not see their mother's joy when
they are at the altar getting married, or for her grand children. They
will not have a mother to fuss over them before the prom. And all of this
was caused by some idiots' greed for that one photo that could turn the
heads of the world and put big bucks in their pockets."
And he has created a Ban paparazzi logo that he encourages folks to use
on his website.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 20 of 67: Quiet Storm (QuietStorm) * Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (22:48) * 9 lines
I know others have touched on this topic, and I mean in no way to trivialise Diana's death, but, really, what about the children? Robert Aldridge said it beautifully and that is the main focus of my thoughts in these times.
Diana was a generous, kind, dedicated person, living a life to help the lives of the less fortunate. Yes, the media has become a rampaging bull who, as an infant, was controllable, but now has matured into a greedy, ruthless and near unstoppable force.
But for William and Harry, none of this means anything to them. They have prematurely lost a mother. *Their* mother. By whatever circumstances, by whoever is to blame, it is a tragic and always terrible loss. They have barely begun to live, and they have suffered more, have been put through more, and *will* suffer more, then many other people together.
Age wise, I confess to being barely older than William, and maybe that is why I feel so strongly about this. By birthright, they are robbed of their personal dreams, their youth, their anonymity, their margin of human error, normal friendships, relationships and life. And now, their mother.
So whatever they are going through now, especially William who holds a greater weight on his shoulders than most of us could imagine, my thoughts and consolations are with them. May they one day, like their mother, find true happiness before they die.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 21 of 67: Ben Neumann (1400) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (01:17) * 3 lines
We have also created an interesting message and discussion board.
Please feel free to use it at your convenience. It's at
href="http://www.icom.com/diana/">http://www.icom.com/diana/.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 22 of 67: Rivoli (rivoli) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (01:18) * 4 lines
It is being suggested that the bodt meeting in Ottawa in two weeks adopt
a unilateral ban on land-mines, and name the treaty after Diana.
I propose a petition to that effect.
Let her not have died in vain.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 23 of 67: Bret Heider (Shringer) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (01:29) * 2 lines
I want to give the families of all the people involved in the car carsh on France my deepest sympathies. I pray for the families of both the driver and Princess Di's boyfriend. It seems that they have not been given much attention. We have to remember that there were two other people besides Princess Di that perished in the accident. Iam also apalled at the fact that the press is treating the situation as a criminal act. This is something her family does not need especially her two sons. May she and her f
mily and the other families be in "peace"!!!
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 24 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (08:04) * 37 lines
These other victims deserve our prayers and thoughts as well. And one of the victims, who is
still alive, may live to tell the story of what happened in that tunnel that night.
She outwitted the Royal family of England and raised her kids with compassion and caring.
Against the royal families advice, she put them in a less staid school and took them to visit
AIDS patients. She was a loving mother who cared about her children.
The royal family doesn't show emotion. They don't touch other people. Diana broke with
tradition and reached out to folks.
Her lineage goes back to King James and King Charles I. She was chosen at 19 years old to
become Charles wife to insure succession.
If you look at the videos of her going through hospitals and AIDS clinics you got the feeling
that she wasn't just doing a photo op, you got the feeling that she was truly involved with
these people. I just saw a video of her in a childrens hospital and she stopped and looked at
the board, noticed a piece was missing and reached down to the floor to replace it. The little
boy was beaming with joy and she bent over to hug him.
As far as the paparrazi, some laws need to be made to protect celebreties and
they also need to exercise caution in evading and countering them.
Perhaps, at this point, Charles should tell the Archbishop of Canterbury to take a hike, his
faith has faded in to obscurity. After a number of years and Diana has received her due
respect, he should be free to remarry. It's possible that Charles decieved Diana into marrying
without know about Camilla, but we don't know all the facts in this do we?
And, as a man, I can't hide the fact that she was one of the most desireable women in the world,
she was someone you would die to meet and to get to know. She was tall, slim and had this
demure mystique about her. She appeared to be someone who would be easy to get along with.
Boycott the sale of tabloids. When you go through the checkout line at the supermarket, give a
letter to the checkout person that says you object to the sale of publications that support lies
and stalking of people.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 25 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (08:25) * 29 lines
I heard from Robert Aldridge today, one of the people organizing the tabloid ban.
A few posts back I quoted him but when I copied and pasted it, the credit line dropped out, and
there is a nice link and a link back to http://www.webflier.com along with the
quote that I didn't include. Apologies Robert for my hastiness and sloppiness in that post.
Also. the use of the ban paparazzi logo was intended to be used by
others and we intend to use it in some context here on the Spring, perhaps on our main page.
Folks should feel free to copy the GIF off of Roberts site, or link
directly to the GIF on his server. Either way. If you link directly to
the GIF on Roberts server, please use the GIF at
http://www.webflier.com/cgi-bin/diana.pl
Please link the GIF either to http://www.webflier.com or
http://www.webflier.com/WebPilot/Articles/diana.shtml .
You may choose which. Robert will probably expand on this topic further and such, and linking
will give people a place to go to view the various different things/protests,
etc. not to mention share their feelings and read others.
Robert says he may be adjusting the GIF to read "Can the Paparazzi" or
something like this. He would like to make it more specific to Paparazzi and not
make it sound as broad as applying to all media.
At any rate, we gladly join with you Robert Aldridge in your tabloid ban. We'll keep watching
your site.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 26 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (09:29) * 2 lines
This just in from CNN. Now we have a drunk limo driver. And passengers not wearing seatbelts.
I wonder what the guy who is in the hospital's saying, he had to be in the front seat.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 27 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (09:56) * 25 lines
To add to the above, apparently the driver was a former Air Force pilot and was trained by
Mercedes Benz, according the an ABC news flash. He knew how to drive. But his alcohol level
may have been very high.
There was a duplicate topic created and only one response was posted, so I am moving it here
Item 22 entered Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (17:48) by L de Sousa (lies)
PRINCESS DI MURDERED!
PRINCESS DI WAS MURDERED BY THE ROYAL GOON SQUAD!
WHAT A CONVENIENT AND BELIEVABLE WAY TO GET RID OF HER. WHO WERE
THESE SO-CALLED PAPARAZZI/HIT MEN, AND WHAT POWERS THAT BE WERE
BEHIND THIS? ACCIDENT? I DON'T THINK SO.
COMMENTS ANYONE?
My comment, this is highly speculative. As are the websites saying that they "guaranteed" that
Princess Diana would die several weeks ago. And this goes for all the conspiracy theories. All
this stuff seems groundless and highly speculative. Show me some hard evidence.
The paparazzi are definitely not off the hook. There's going to be an annoucement by the French Police in an hour
about whether they will be released or charged within an hour.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 28 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (10:10) * 8 lines
Dave Bailey recommends these newsgroups for more news:
alt.journalism.criticism
alt.politics.media
alt.activism
Those paparazzi will be charged with failure to aid at the scene of an accident, unconfirmed.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 29 of 67: Jennifer Hass (rhass) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (11:00) * 1 lines
What do you think will happen to the royal family? Respond by E-mailing me at rhass@ix.netcom.com
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 30 of 67: john paul (leungs) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (11:20) * 3 lines
I know the truth!! Princes Di was taken by Alien to the fifth dimension of our solar system!!!!!!!!She now lives with Elive and and very happy........
Does anyone know where I could get a good second hand Mercedes ????
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 31 of 67: Omar Azimi (azimi) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (12:20) * 1 lines
Princess Diana was not taken by aliens
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 32 of 67: John Smith (Luminator) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (12:30) * 5 lines
This is all a conspiracy. Princess Diana did not die but decided that if she
was dead then no one would bug her anymore. She is living a new life and
with a new identity. The reason she spent a while at the Hospital is that she was changing her whole identity, just like Face-Off.
PS. She should have driven a SAAB or Volvo instead.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 33 of 67: Yolanda Stobaugh (XTABLOID) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (12:41) * 3 lines
I urge a national boycott against the sale of tabloids in honor of Princess Diana beginning the day of her funeral . I am looking for help in distributing flyers as well as picketing at the airport against the sale of tabloids. If anyone would be interested in helping, please e-mail me at: XTABLOID @AOL.com. or call 512-288-4596.
Thank You,
Yolanda Stobaugh
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 34 of 67: Walter H. Hopgood (WalterH) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (13:30) * 4 lines
Four of the main pages regarding the death of Princess Diana are coming together and joining forces. Together, we will be an awesome force in our crusade to stop the paparazzi. You can visit the site by clicking on the "Stop the paparazzi" button in the main screen of www.spring.com, or go directly to the page by going to http://www.meer.net/~walterh/privacy.html
Thank you!
Walter H. Hopgood, walterh@squidge.org
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 35 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (14:22) * 4 lines
We'll actually be setting up a permanent Diana page where you can find the 'stop papparzzi'
button at http://www.spring.com/dian.a.html
And it's good to see a hometown effort! Good work.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 36 of 67: Tony Findbeanie (findbeanie) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (14:23) * 8 lines
All kids can send condolences directly to Buckingham Palace, or just Chat about Diana by clicking here.
This site offers a chance for children to deal with the untimely death psychologically. This site was voted the hottest childrens shopping site on the internet last week by Starting Point. Thousands of kids monthly come to this site!!
We'll give reciprocal links to other sites of this kind!!
Email me, FINDBEANIE@AOL.COM for more information!
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 37 of 67: carlisle (carlisle) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (16:36) * 36 lines
PAVANNE
Play Ravel. The princess now has died.
We've always wondered who she was, and now
We know and know not still. We have no way
Of knowing whom to mourn. How do you grieve
The stuff of tabloids and the TV news?
I've fathered daughters and I think I know
A princess when I see one. That she was.
And sons I have too, little princes once.
The mother now has died. I know that grief--
To lose the only one who understands.
I am a husband, too, and have a woman
Who has borne sons and has borne again.
Whom does he grieve when her he's thrust away?
How does he sorrow for her that he shamed?
And now that she is dead, is he a man?
The paparazzi told us who she was,
Will tell us who she was again, again,
Again. Can we believe them now that they
Have killed the goose that laid their golden eggs?
Or can we ever trust their words again?
It was our voyeurism killed the princess,
Killed we know not whom, deprived her children
Of their mother. God forgive our greed.
Jesus was right, "Father, forgive them, for
They know not what they do. He died; she died.
...................................
Arthur B. Devlin
August 31, 1997
[adevlin@blomand.net]
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 38 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (18:23) * 176 lines
I asked Susan Sweeney for permission to reprint the following story.
On this visit, Diana stopped and touched each little child with
cerebral palsy and only gave a nod to the wealthy and titled
visitors at the program.
Discovering New Hope
http://www.ieway.com/~ssweeney/article.html
By Jamie Tobias Neely Staffwriter
Mother and daughter want more children to have the option to try
Conductive Education The story of 11-year-old Susanna
Sweeney-Martini's trip to England to meet the princess begins
like a fairy tale.
There was the moment Princess Di's green Jaguar turned through
the gate of the National Institute of Conductive Education in
Birmingham and roared onto the grounds. There was the moment the
princess wafted into the room "like a piece of paper floating in
the air " There was the instant that Di hoisted a baby from the
crowd to her shoulder and didn't flinch a royal eyelash when he
drooled all over her designer suit.
But in the unexpected moment when Princess Diana walked right
over and sat down to talk with Susanna and her mother, Susan
Sweeney of Spokane, real life and controversy intervened.
Princess Diana asked why one of her pet projects, Conductive
Education, for children such as Susanna with cerebral palsy, was
having such a difficult time taking off in the United States.
The answers point to a global dispute over the proper treatment
for children with cerebral palsy and, at the same time,
illuminate the struggle of one determined mother from Spokane.
It all began in 1991 when Susan Sweeney, a Spokane special
education teacher and lawyer, took her daughter to Hungary for
Conductive Education. Doctors had predicted Susanna would never
sit, stand or walk. She had been strapped in a wheelchair from
age 2.
Finally, in Hungary, Susanna and her mother found hard work, and
a miracle. At the Peto Institute in Budapest Susanna learned to
sit, stand and take a few steps alone. When she returned, her
pediatrician, Dr. Peter Holden, pronounced the results
"dramatic."
Susan Sweeney struggled to find ways to continue Susanna's
treatment in the United States. Most doctors, physical
therapists and contacts at the national cerebral palsy
organization weren't interested. When Susan said, Can I have
more? the world said, " No" Susan does not take "no for an
answer," says Thomas Martini, Susanna's father and Sweeney's
ex-husband.
In the years since Susanna's trip to Hungary, Susan Sweeney has
fought a lack of money and information to start the Association
for Conductive Education. She has opened a private school
modeled after the Hungarian institute here in Spokane. "If she
couldn't bring Susanna to the mountain, she's bringing the
mountain to Spokane, rock by rock," Martini said.
Today, blue-eyed, blond Susanna is as bright and articulate as
her lawyer mother. The two have appeared on national television,
and are among America's leading advocates of conductive
education. That's why, when the National Institute of Conductive
Education dedicated a new building in Birmingham, England, this
fall, Susanna was invited to speak.
Susanna's parents and brother flew with her to England where, on
Oct. 31, she spoke in front of Princess Di and other gathered
dignitaries. Susanna said, "I hope in the future children in
America will be able to have conductive education like children
in England have."
Conductive education was developed hidden behind the Iron
Curtain in post-war Hungary. Americans tend to accept the
limitations of cerebral palsy and have developed high-tech
wheelchairs and computers to help children adapt. But the
cash-poor Hungarians could not afford this approach. Instead
they trained teachers, called conductors, to actually teach
children to walk.
They used small wooden furniture, stories and songs to cue the
children's bodies to move properly. Children with cerebral palsy
in the United States might see a physical therapist once a week.
The therapist manipulates their bodies to prevent them from
becoming stiff. But in Hungary, the children spend six hours a
day learning to move their arms and legs themselves. It wasn't
until the 1980s that the outside world began to hear of the
Hungarian approach. It's now available in England, Ireland,
Scotland, Wales, Israel, Austria, New Zealand and Canada. But
it's nearly impossible to find in the United States.
One of the few American schools is Sweeney's, located in a
daylight basement on Spokane's North Side. For five summers,
Sweeney has flown a Hungarian teacher to Spokane to duplicate
the training Susanna received in Budapest. The children made
progress during the summer, but as with any fitness regimen,
they lost ground through inactivity during the school year. This
fall, Sweeney began an after-school program for eight children
that will continue their gains through the school year. It's
been a remarkable accomplishment, given the typically American
indifference to education and health care developed outside of
this country.
Sweeney has been particularly frustrated by the lack of interest
from the United Cerebral Palsy Associations in the United
States. The group has provided neither research nor advocacy for
Conductive Education. When she discovered that a New York City
affiliate of the organization is planning to give Princess Diana
a humanitarian award in New York this month, primarily for her
support of Conductive Education in England, Sweeney was stunned
by the irony.
After the dedication ceremony in Birmingham, Sweeney talked to a
reporter from The Birmingham Post. The newspaper ran a story
headlined, "Di urged to boycott award in wrangle over U.S.
charity." The story quoted Sweeney on Princess Diana: "She
seemed really interested in what we were doing in the USA and
surprised it (Conductive Education) is not really established in
the country. "I think she has no idea what is going on. I am
sure it is a big award and she is a wonderful person. But the
situation is ironical, to say the least."
Back in Spokane, Sweeney laughs over the furor caused by the few
remarks she made to the British reporter. But her exasperation
with the United Cerebral Palsy Associations continues. Susanna
was born 4 months premature, weighing 1 pound 3 ounces. She
couldn't breathe on her own, and the loss of oxygen damaged the
motor center in her brain. She has both athetoid and spastic
cerebral palsy. Her nerve cells send garbled messages from her
brain to her arms, legs and feet, causing them to move randomly.
Now, thanks to Conductive Education, she can sit in a regular
chair, touch her feet to the ground and hold her trunk much
straighter. She wears splints to help her stand, and she can
walk holding her mother's hands. When the syndicated television
news magazine "The Crusaders" filmed a piece about Conductive
Education a year ago, Susanna was the star. "I'm going to do
whatever I want, however I want to do it. Period," she announced
firmly to the camera.
Susanna serves on the Principal's Cabinet at Jefferson School
and recently won a spot on the school drill team. She loves to
swim and hopes one day to join the Para- Olympics racing team.
She's still amazed that she managed to meet the princess. After
the program, the princess surprised Susanna and her mother by
sitting down to chat. "You must be very proud," Princess Diana
told Susannas mother. Sweeney remembers fumbling through her
answers to the princess's questions and listening to her
daughter chat as though she converses with royalty every day.
Sweeney also met Countess llona Esterhazy, one of the last of
the Hapsburgs of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. The countess was
surprised to hear that Conductive Education was not widely
available in the United States and offered to help.
Sweeney has mortgaged her house to the hilt and spent $70,000 on
Conductive Education and Susannas special needs. She was tempted
to ask the countess to help pay for their plane tickets to
England. after five years of flying in teachers from Hungary and
paying their salaries, Sweeney is nearly broke. But she
perseveres because she believes that relying on American
treatments will only limit Susanna' future.
As she finds alternatives, she shares what she's learned with
other parents. She knows they share the same drive. "We're not
crazy, we're not looking for miracles, we're not nuts. We're
just chugging along looking for what works," Sweeney says.
And so she has written a letter to the Princess of Wales at
Kensington Palace in London. "Your Royal Highness," it begins "I
am writing to ask if you might intercede with the United
Cerebral Palsy group when you are in the United States...."
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 39 of 67: joanne clough (weetbix) * Tue, Sep 2, 1997 (01:09) * 3 lines
While I am extremely upset at the death of Diana I can only wonder, and have said ever since the accident, that while the papparazzi have to accept a large part of the blame for Dianas unhappiness in life and for her death, the fact remains that the driver of the car should not have endangered his employers by driving in such a manner, regardless of their wishes. His profession ( and mine, I am an australian cab driver ) is reliant on being able to perform our duties without endangering ourselves or other
and as it has now come out, he should not have even been in the drivers seat. I hate to say it but both Diana and Dodi did contribute to their own deaths by allowing him to drive them at all. From reports of his B.A.C. his drunkeness should have been obvious and personally I will not let anyone drive with me in the car if they have had even one drink let alone the amount he musrt have consumed, so their decision to get in that car was, without hindsight even, was stupid. My sympathies lie with her belove
sons who now have to face a life without the most important person to them, their doting mother,
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 40 of 67: john kennell (shalom) * Tue, Sep 2, 1997 (03:32) * 4 lines
It is always sad when a kind, generous and warm hearted mum dies and leaves behind children. It is even more of a saddness when the parents are no longer in unison through divorce separation on even a previous death of one of the parents.
Every day such occurrences are happening to unfamed mothers..., every day hundreds of children are dying because of an uncaring world. Does the media spend days and days on the sadness !! and draw out attention to the sorrow ???
A true reflection of peoples feelings, those who want to share their sympathy and saddness would not to have spent the thousands of dollars on flowers(much to the pleasure of the florist) but to give it as a donation in the memory of Diana to one of the many charities she sponsored.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 41 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Sep 2, 1997 (04:49) * 8 lines
Diana's funeral will be like none other in British royal history.
There may be an outpouring of sentiment from people with AIDS, homeless people,
and others. It will be an unprecedented event.
The first tabloid pictures of Diana at the crash scene have been published by
http://www.bild.de. Write to der bild, a German tabloid, and tell them you
no longer support their publication.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 42 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Sep 2, 1997 (15:55) * 24 lines
To quote airman (airman@well.com):
That is it. We are covering old ground. It's time to do this by the
numbers....
In the future we can simply refer to a number to assign blame.
So we have the following list of suspects to blame as cited in various
sources on the WELL, in the media and on the street
1. The Paparazzi who chased her
2. The Editors who buy Paparazzi pictures
3. The People who buy the tabloids
4. The Driver who was drunk and speeding
5. Her Boyfriend who was famous and infamous
6. Di, for using the press and not using seatbelts
7. The Media who is saintly invoking the Free Speech mantra
8. The Royal Family for wrecking her life
9. Mercedes for building a tank that could go 120 mph
10. The Motorcycles for really being annoying
11. Dino Delaurentis for inventing the Paparazzo
12. The Masses of People behaving like "Day of the LOcust"
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 43 of 67: BobbyJr (BobbyJr) * Tue, Sep 2, 1997 (18:31) * 1 lines
We are all to blame for this and similar tragedies. We are blood thirsty animals parading around in the guise of humanity. If the people were not interested in filth and tragedy others would not serve it to us thus the need for vampirous photographers (loose term) would not exist.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 44 of 67: A Friend (friend) * Wed, Sep 3, 1997 (00:28) * 3 lines
For Those who Loved Diana,
Please visit www.deliveryking.com
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 45 of 67: Stefen Reilly (Stefen) * Wed, Sep 3, 1997 (08:54) * 22 lines
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with a muffled drum,
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplances circle moaning overhead,
Scribbling on the sky the message "She is Dead",
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
She was our North, our South, our East and West,
Our working week and our Sunday rest,
Our noon, our midnight, our talk, our song;
We thought that love would last forever: We were wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
W.H. Auden
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 46 of 67: Loving Friend (friend) * Wed, Sep 3, 1997 (21:02) * 4 lines
Just a little something to remember Lady Diana, Princess of Wales. Queen of
Hearts.
http://www.deliveryking.com
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 47 of 67: Amy Wolf (amy2) * Thu, Sep 4, 1997 (15:59) * 2 lines
I am also very sorry about Diana's tragic death. It seems there were several factors involved -- not just the paparazzi, but the limo driver going way too fast & being legally drunk. Before we leap all over the press, let's remember that what we know of Diana -- the reason she is in fact so popular -- was brought to us courtesy of journalists & photographers. Not the sleazy supermarket stuff, but the coverage of her charitable trips abroad, etc. In any case, she will be greatly missed, & Prince Willia
has some very big shoes to fill.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 48 of 67: BobbyJr (BobbyJr) * Thu, Sep 4, 1997 (17:48) * 1 lines
I saw a small story yesterday about a white buffalo calf being born and the indian myth surrounding such an event. The story is interesting to me in that from the buffalo comes a princess to usher in 600 years of unprecidented world peace. Would it not be a great tribute to Diana if the world could see the loss we have all suffered and allow her to become that peace bearing princess we all so need.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 49 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Thu, Sep 4, 1997 (18:50) * 4 lines
Sometimes in our rush to lay blame we forget that Diana was, as Amy said,
a creation of her photographs. The blame is multifaceted and includes so
many factors. And William does have a major burden to bear, hopefully he
will carry Diana's charitable, selfless spirit into his kingship some day.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 50 of 67: Tom Edwards (thomas5) * Thu, Sep 4, 1997 (18:50) * 10 lines
You can tell a lot about society by the people it respects, and the current obsession with Diana death shows a society that is clearly uneasy with itself.
Diana was no JFK, Luther King or Ghandi. She was never elected to anything, and never made one memorable speech. If holding few charity balls or selling some glad rags (that she never paid for in the first place) is all it takes to make you a 'great humanitarian' then people must have little respect for humanity.
In any other time Diana would be seen as a rather pathetic creature who could not handle the stresses of private and public life. Yet today. 'admitting' that we can't cope is what we are told we should aspire to and 'what made Diana so great'.
Well I'm sorry, but I can't imagine Elizabeth the First saying "oh its just too much pressure" when the Spanish Armada was about to destroy her Kingdom, and Queen Victoria never seemed to develop any eating disorders despite having the largest empire in the world and the loss of her 'beloved Alfred'.
It seems the days of expecting great things from our leaders are over, and if people expect nothing of their leaders then they must expect even less of themselves.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 51 of 67: http://www.deliveryking.com (friend) * Thu, Sep 4, 1997 (18:50) * 2 lines
A site at http://www.deliveryking.com is offering an elegant and stylish black silk screen cotton tee shirt in remembrance of Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, Queen of Hearts.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 52 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Sep 6, 1997 (15:43) * 3 lines
Diana's brothers eulogy was stark and revealing about the conditions of Diana's life and her place in history. He put a lot of things in their place, including the assembled royal family. I think this should be the lead story in tonights evening news.
By the way, thanks to everyone posting here for the overwhelming response.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 53 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Sep 6, 1997 (18:14) * 18 lines
Spring's headline today:
"like a candle in the wind"
Earl Spencer told the world his views of the press, the way her sons
would be raised by his side of the family, and about Diana's insecurities
and eating disorders. In front of the Queen and Queen Mother he described
how she wanted to bid farewell to England. He told of the irony that Diana
the name of the huntress in mythology was the most hunted person in the
word (by the ravenous media). He laid it on the line like only a brother
could and the ripples of applause and shock that reverberated throughout
England and the world and made their way back through the staid, royal
audience in the church.
The Elton John phrase is pretty much in line with (jonl) 's comments.
She's to be buried on an island in the middle of a lake. Kind of reminds me
of the place where I lived in Dogtown, California years ago.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 54 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Sep 6, 1997 (18:19) * 112 lines
The full text of Earl Spencer's eulogy to Princess Diana:
I STAND BEFORE YOU today the representative of a family in grief, in
a country in mourning before a world in shock.
We are all united not only in our desire to pay our respects to
Diana but rather in our need to do so.
For such was her extraordinary appeal that the tens of millions of
people taking part in this service all over the world via television and
radio who never actually met her, feel that they, too, lost someone close
to them in the early hours of Sunday morning. It is a more remarkable
tribute to Diana than I can ever hope to offer her today.
Diana was the very essence of compassion, of duty, of style, of
beauty. All over the world she was a symbol of selfless humanity, a
standard-bearer for the rights of the truly downtrodden, a truly British
girl who transcended nationality, someone with a natural nobility who was
classless, who proved in the last year that she needed no royal title to
continue to generate her particular brand of magic.
Today is our chance to say thank you for the way you brightened
our lives, even though God granted you but half a life. We will all feel
cheated that you were taken from us so young and yet we must learn to be
grateful that you came along at all.
Only now you are gone do we truly appreciate what we are now
without and we want you to know that life without you is very, very
difficult.
We have all despaired at our loss over the past week and only the
strength of the message you gave us through your years of giving has
afforded us the strength to move forward.
There is a temptation to rush to canonize your memory. There is no
need to do so. You stand tall enough as a human being of unique qualities
not to need to be seen as a saint. Indeed to sanctify your memory would
be to miss out on the very core of your being, your wonderfully
mischievous sense of humor with the laugh that bent you double, your joy
for life transmitted wherever you took your smile, and the sparkle in
those unforgettable eyes, your boundless energy which you could barely
contain.
But your greatest gift was your intuition, and it was a gift you
used wisely. This is what underpinned all your wonderful attributes. And
if we look to analyze what it was about you that had such a wide appeal,
we find it in your instinctive feel for what was really important in all
our lives.
Without your God-given sensitivity, we would be immersed in
greater ignorance at the anguish of AIDS and HIV sufferers, the plight of
the homeless, the isolation of lepers, the random destruction of land
mines. Diana explained to me once that it was her innermost feelings of
suffering that made it possible for her to connect with her constituency
of the rejected.
And here we come to another truth about her. For all the status,
the glamour, the applause, Diana remained throughout a very insecure
person at heart, almost childlike in her desire to do good for others so
she could release herself from deep feelings of unworthiness of which her
eating disorders were merely a symptom.
The world sensed this part of her character and cherished her for
her vulnerability, whilst admiring her for her honesty. The last time I
saw Diana was on July the first, her birthday, in London, when typically
she was not taking time to celebrate her special day with friends but was
guest of honor at a charity fund-raising evening.
She sparkled of course, but I would rather cherish the days I
spent with her in March when she came to visit me and my children in our
home in South Africa. I am proud of the fact that apart from when she was
on public display meeting President Mandela, we managed to contrive to
stop the ever-resent paparazzi from getting a single picture of her.
That meant a lot to her.
These are days I will always treasure. It was as if wed been
transported back to our childhood, when we spent such an enormous amount
of time together, the two youngest in the family.
Fundamentally she hadnt changed at all from the big sister who
mothered me as a baby, fought with me at school and endured those long
train journeys between our parents homes with me at weekends. It is a
tribute to her level-headedness and strength that despite the most
bizarre life imaginable after her childhood, she remained intact, true to
herself. I dont think she ever understood why her genuinely good
intentions were sneered at by the media. ... My own ... explanation is
that genuine goodness is threatening to those at the opposite end of the
moral spectrum.
EARL SPENCER
There is no doubt that she was looking for a new direction in her
life at this time. She talked endlessly of getting away from England,
mainly because of the treatment she received at the hands of the newspapers.
I dont think she ever understood why her genuinely good intentions
were sneered at by the media, why there appeared to be a permanent quest
on their behalf to bring her down. It is baffling. My own, and only,
explanation is that genuine goodness is threatening to those at the
opposite end of the moral spectrum.
It is a point to remember that of all the ironies about Diana,
perhaps the greatest is this; that a girl given the name of the ancient
goddess of hunting was, in the end, the most hunted person of the modern age.
She would want us today to pledge ourselves to protecting her
beloved boys William and Harry from a similar fate. And I do this here,
Diana, on your behalf. We will not allow them to suffer the anguish that
used regularly to drive you to tearful despair.
Beyond that, on behalf of your mother and sisters, I pledge that
we, your blood family, will do all we can to continue the imaginative and
loving way in which you were steering these two exceptional young men, so
that their souls are not simply immersed by duty and tradition but can
sing openly as you planned.
We fully respect the heritage into which they have both been born,
and will always respect and encourage them in their royal role. But we,
like you, recognize the need for them to experience as many different
aspects of life as possible, to arm them spiritually and emotionally for
the years ahead. I know you would have expected nothing less from us.
William and Harry, we all care desperately for you today. We are
all chewed up with sadness at the loss of a woman who wasnt even our
mother. How great your suffering is we cannot even imagine.
I would like to end by thanking God for the small mercies he has
shown us at this dreadful time; for taking Diana at her most beautiful
and radiant and when she had so much joy in her private life.
Above all, we give thanks for the life of a woman I am so proud to
be able to call my sister: the unique the complex, the extraordinary and
irreplaceable Diana, whose beauty, both internal and external, will never
be extinguished from our minds.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 55 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Sep 6, 1997 (23:14) * 24 lines
Mother Teresa and Princess Diana met in Rome five years ago and then in
New York in June. Mother Teresa said, just before she died Friday, that
Princess Diana was a good friend "in love with the poor, a very good wife,
a very good mother."
"She was very concerned for the poor. She was very anxious to do
something for them," Mother Teresa said. "This is why she was close to me."
I was first exposed to Mother Teresa on the Farm in Tennessee, where Stephen
and the Farm folks idolized her and spoke of her often.
Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity to help Calcutta's sick
and destitute. A 1969 BBC documentary detailing her mission brought her international fame.
By 1975, she was in Time magazine in a story entitled, "Living Saints,
Messengers of Hope in Our time." In 1979, she won the Nobel Peace Prize,
using the $192,000 award to further her work.
It was a contrast and an alliance of anomalies: the tall, stunning Princess
and the short hunched over Catholic nun. The $50,000 Dior outfit and the $1
sari. Yet they complemented each other and the photographs of them together
said more to help the poor and the disenfranchised than volumes of words.
It is fitting that they both died within days of each other.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 56 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Sep 7, 1997 (00:20) * 19 lines
The death of Mother Theresa is an immense loss for humanity. She was a
living example of the human capacity to generate infinite love,
compassion and altruism. Her work and life embodied these noble and
universal human values for people all over the world across the barriers
of race, nationality, culture and religion.
Today's world requires us to realise and accept the oneness of humanity
and develop a sense of universal responsibility and caring. Although
mordern science and technology had made greate contributions in solving
many of mankind's problems, it is obvious that the challenges and issues
faced by the global community today require us to cultivate not only the
rational mind but also the other faculties of the human spirit; the
power of love, compassion and solidarity. Mother Theresa was a towering
embodiment of this human spirit and her great compassion an inspiring
example of the true essence and potential of spiritual life.
The Dalai Lama
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 57 of 67: Doug Larue (doug) * Sun, Sep 7, 1997 (03:36) * 9 lines
All of this has an air of incredibility, its hard to believe that the world has lost to completely special people. As for the paparazzi, they should be publically humiliated so everyone knows exactly who they are, so they can be chastised by there own industry. I heard a report from a I witness that they saw flashes from cameras as the car was crashing! The same witness said the wreck was caused by a motorcycle that cut in front of the car forcing the car into the pillars in the middle of the tunnel. T
e two riders on that bike should be hung from a tree in the middle of Pickadilly Square!
One of my writers was so moved by the death of Diana that she was compelled to write an editorial from a mothers point of view. Please come by to read it, over 500 people have read it since the 3rd. http://www.capitol-city.com
Another writer sent ma a pointed editorial as well it can also be found at Capitol-city A&E Magazine.
Stop the Paparazzi!!!!!
It gives us real photographersa real bad name!
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 58 of 67: Doug Larue (doug) * Sun, Sep 7, 1997 (03:38) * 1 lines
Is there any trees in Pickadilly Square?
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 59 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Sep 8, 1997 (19:29) * 4 lines
I got an incredible letter from Earl Spencer's neighbor in South Africa today.
I hope he allows me to reprint it. I have written him for permission. It is
very profound.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 60 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Sep 8, 1997 (22:55) * 47 lines
Received from Grant Pollard, Earl Spencers neighbor in S Africa
You seem to have made quite a considerable contribution to this site. I
am in South Africa and live just down the road from Princess Diana's
brother. I happened to catch the CNN and BBC news flash that Diana had
been involved in an accident and stayed up the whole night awaiting
developments as they happened. It was a devastating experience for reasons
beyond the obvious that even I cannot explain. I was as shattered by
Diana's passing as I was by my own Mother's death by suicide when I was 15.
My empathy with the young princes was natural. I phoned relatives in
London who were amongst the first to deliver flowers to Diana's home and
delivered a boquet of flowers from my own garden very early on Sunday
morning to Earl Spencer's home. Here I was unfortunately accosted by the
world's media and extensively reported upon in both local and international
papers and TV.
A few remarks:
Have there been any paint marks found on either the car-wreck or a motor
cycle to indicated any contact?
The Paris road engineers ought to be hung for not providing any crash
barriers along the concrete columns.........they are natural death traps
and this would have been foreseen in any other country!
8 glasses of wine for a Frenchman is not "drunk". It's normal! Had he not
been distracted or otherwise diverted the party would have gotten home
120mph in a Merc 600 on an empty double carriage way is not fast!
Photographers should be governed by similar rules to sex. If the subject
says "NO" it means no and any further advances become criminal.
Given the tragedy as a fait accomplis, it could not have turned out
better! Diana would not have wanted to survive with all the others dead.
Dodi would certainly not have enjoyed surviving Diana and all the
accusations that would have been levelled at him. The driver would
certainly not have enjoyed surviving. But the body-gaurd has lived as a
wittness. I hope the powers that be realise the danger he is in as the
only real wittness and also ensure that his testimony is not influenced
by being allowed to be exposed to any of the speculation that has been
going on. His testimony HAS to be fresh and un-influenced to be worh a damn.
God rest your blessed soul Diana and God help you Prince William!
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 61 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Sep 10, 1997 (18:21) * 41 lines
More from Grant Pollard, Earl's nighbor in South Africa.
> Thanks for your reply Terry. Yes you may quote me.
I'll offer a little something extra for an inteligent mind to take for a
little walk. Each may draw their own conclusions according to their
personal persuasions but why did Princess Diana die at exactly the right
moment in time?
As it is, Diana died without a single adverse comment about her personally
or her work emerging from any paper, person or country. (Brave the
person who tried right now!)
The work Diana was possibly sent to do was done! The many wheels she set
in motion are not going to stop simply because she is gone, in fact her
work will quite possibly continue gathering momentum BECAUSE she is gone.
Diana's children are both old enough to have formed the characters and
attributes she wished for them to have.
Had Diana survived even another day the speculation about her spending the
night in Dodi's house alone would have gone mad. This would have alienated
all the holders of moral high ground, a very large chunk of the world!
Had she survived a few more months she was quite probably going to marry
Dodi. This would have caused a catastrophic rift between Moslem and
Christian, a rift she had up until then managed to bridge and a rift that
is bad enough without being exasserbated!
Had she survived a little longer we might have seen Moslem children forming
part of the Royal Family which would have been an enormous technical hitch
causing yet more fragmentation amongst her people.
The disintigration of Diana's quite extraordinary mission to all the
peoples who now so sincerely mourn her being taken from us would have
continued at every turn in this dreadful world of prejudice and tradition.
Sad as it may seem (for us) Diana died at just the moment she was supposed
to, happy and preserved in our minds for ever just as she was!
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 62 of 67: Lorie Scafaro (LorieS) * Thu, Sep 11, 1997 (16:08) * 4 lines
Thanks for the info, Terry. It is true that Diana's life and death could have been viewed quite differently had she died earlier or later. I suppose that "higher powers" have their plans and that what appears to most of us as a life cut tragicly short can be the full life the person was intended to live.
My mother-in-law, who is a shut-in, has been living by her television since this happened and seems to be taking Diana's death harder than she might that of a close friend or relative. How much of the public grief expressed over Diana's death do you think was media-made? In other words, if the television wasn't showing us lines of mourners waiting to offer flowers and sign condolence books, do you think the public outpouring of grief would have been as large? Particularly in this country (I can underst
nd it among the British)?
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 63 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Thu, Sep 11, 1997 (20:12) * 5 lines
As this event starts to fade in this country, I hear that in France and Britain this is still very much in the forefront. Thanks to all the folks who have posted in this topic and those who have granted reprint permission is in order.
Many lonely people need events like these to fill their lives, the OJ trial did this for many people for months on end. It is good that many of Diana's charities will be much better off now because of the interest she created and the efforts to support them now in her memory.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 64 of 67: BobbyJr (BobbyJr) * Mon, Sep 15, 1997 (18:32) * 1 lines
I know that it is idealistic to expect people to become more than they are because of the loss of Diana, whether paparazzi or intoxicated driver. But would'nt it be great if we could all show each other as much love as she showed us.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 65 of 67: George Frimpter (legaffe) * Tue, Oct 7, 1997 (22:00) * 1 lines
What is the address of your new Diana page?
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 66 of 67: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (17:39) * 3 lines
So now Prince Charles is taking Prince Harry to see the Spice Girls
in concert in S Africa, looks like he's trying to pick up for Diana.
Topic 21 of 42 [media]: Princess Diana dies in car crash at age 36
Response 67 of 67: George Frimpter (legaffe) * Sat, Nov 8, 1997 (17:45) * 1 lines
Looks like it.
media conference 
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