Thursday 2 January 2014

Goodbyes of 2013


                                         

I suppose the most notable death of 2013 (and still fresh in our minds), must be that of the Lawyer/Terrorist/Politician, Nelson Mandela; a man who changed history, even if some of his methods are best not over-analysed.

Another great politician who died last year was, of course, Margaret Thatcher. She will be remembered as the Prime Minister who almost single-handedly saved the UK from financial ruin.

In the wider world of The Arts we lost Sculptor Anthony Caro, Composer John Tavener, Poet Seamus Heaney, TV man David Frost, Writer Doris Lessing, and Actors Peter O'Toole and the rootin' tootin' cowboy Dale Robertson.

Not all notable deaths are of people known for their good deeds. Two perfect examples are those of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs, and the inventor of the AK 47 Mikhail Kalashnikov.

One 'almost' overlooked departure of 2013, was that of singer Noel Harrison; who could ever forget his rendition of 'The Windmills of your Mind'.

All deaths are important, and I'm sure I've omitted to mention many other notables, but these were the few that I noted in my diary. RIP to all.

10 comments:

  1. Sadly our short human lives are still a fact of life. Hopefully our grandchildren will see the end of human mortality as we know it.

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  2. When one considers the amount of harm some individuals do. Then it is just as well our lives are short.

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  3. Seeing a list of people who have passed away brings home to me that life is short and to enjoy it while I can.

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  4. The second person on my small list (Mrs T) has just been voted 'Best post-war Prime Minister'. The poll taken with all members of Parliament seems to show that more Labour MP's voted for her than Conservatives. It's a strange world.

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  5. The AK-47 was a brilliant rifle, you could even train monkeys to use them:

    http://hippo-on-the-lawn.blogspot.com/2011/08/potential-peacekeeping-recruit.html

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    1. My god.... was that genuine, or just an added sound track?

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    2. Genuine. And very funny, just a pity he was a lousy shot!

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  6. How transitory memories become Cro - I had forgotten half of these already

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  7. It's interesting that Margaret Thatcher is remembered as a saviour of the economy. I see how attitudes changed during the Thatcher years, not for the better in some ways.
    The film about her was fascinating, well worth watching.

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  8. Ah, Seamus Heaney. One of my favorite poets. Sigh.

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