Yes it does

Trotter, did you sneakily delete my cheaky post? (And remove some of your quesion marks?)

BH

Anyone of course has the right to be offended by something or not approve of something. My point was about the human tendency to make presumptions regarding what the dead might think (if they weren't dead). IMHO, this process involves attributing our own opinions to the dead in order to bolster the validity of said opinions. Surely it is enough to say "*I* do not approve", rather than "Tolkien would not have approved" and let that opinion stand on its own merit.

In the case of this bridge, given the utter and total crap that his been (willingly) licensed in Tolkien's name, I hardly think a bridge (which is presumably a useful thing to those who will cross it) is worth getting too worried about. I imagine the estate would weigh in and kill their party anyway.

Just my two-cents (or pennies) - it isn't my intent to offend any of the living

Stu

>My point was about the human tendency to make presumptions regarding what the dead might think (if they weren't dead). IMHO, this process involves attributing our own opinions to the dead in order to bolster the validity of said opinions. Surely it is enough to say "*I* do not approve", rather than "Tolkien would not have approved" and let that opinion stand on its own merit.<

I totally agree - I find a lot of folk say things like 'Tolkien would have _loved_ the movies; this sentiment is usually expressed by movies fans who haven't read LotR, let alone anything about the man.

Lately, I find myself more and more wanting to say on certain websites that I disapprove of one thing or another (eg the use of Tolkien's letters without permission), but I've always held back because I expect I'd get back a gale of protest along the lines of 'Who are You, to 'disapprove' of something which I hold dear'?

Time was when I'd relish defending my position, but lately I find the attitudes on many websites to be so intimidating - with the word 'purist' being bandied about with venom, as if a purist were against God, apple pie and PJ) - that usually, I can't be bothered with the aggravation.

Still, that's straying from the point. Sorry. And it goes without saying that I find none of these nrgative attitudes here on this site.

Bloody purist! Imagine not liking apple pie, or pyjamas...

BH