If Radio 1 do play that wretched song.....

In other words, you are thinking only of yourselves.

In other words, you are thinking only of yourselves.

Well the same could be said of people who want the song censoring.

Just because you don't like something doesn't mean you can ban it. I hate gambling and drinking but I accept that people do it even though, in my opinion, they're damaging to the well being of young people

And the people who want the song banned are putting feelings above the health of a nation. I think the song, as used, is revolting too. It offends my feelings. But censorship is worse. That's what people don't understand. The price of freedom is that society (i.e. its individuals, or some of them at any particular point) have to put up with some uncomfortable feelings. Tough, yes, but even tougher to have no freedom.

I suppose it's because you've never experienced real repression that you don't understand how awful it is. Far worse than just feeling disgusted by some people's behaviour some of the time.

So yes, I am saying that feelings are less important than the principle that's at stake.

If all 51 seconds of the song are played and no comment is made, it pales into insignificance. If it's banned, it becomes part of a much more major issue about censorship and the rights of the BBC. If, as I understand is going to happen, 5 seconds are played and then several minutes of explanation given, it acquires importance. Seems self-defeating and daft to me.

I agree, absent. It also means the BBC is sending a mixed message – essentially one that is only a half-message. The only clear signal they are giving is one of pussyfootedness.

Which is disconcerting to say the least. It would be nice to think our state broadcaster could be based on sound principles. Fat chance by the look of it.

Hey ho though; it's not as if I didn't know this already before Thatcher died.

Disgusted of Argyll.

If the media hadn't made so much fuss and publicised the song very few people would have heard about it, it wouldn't have sold so many and wouldn't be at number 1.

Through their need to express their disgust, tell their reader/listeners how vile it was and raise their hackles they actually gave the song a level of publicity which the campaigners could never have afforded.

This song is at number 1 courtesy of the Daily Mail and the rest of the right wing section of the press.

Exactly. Bunch of eejits.

I wondered how long it would be before the DM got dragged into this. Just soooo predictable.

As is the outrage and as are the "what about my feelings!" comments.

I'm a DM reader....it's always good for a laugh. Unfortunately other readers believe what it says.

I agree VQ I often dip into the mail online. I take everything it says with a pinch of salt though.

I was not a fan of Mrs Thatcher's politics, I'm neither happy nor sad that she is dead, but have to confess to being mildly amused when I first saw,on twitter, the reference to the song in that context. I only know from this thread that it has reached number one and that there are people who are outraged by that. I'm more outraged by the fact that it may be censored by the BBC. It seems to me to be a ridiculous thing to do, just play the song without comment and let the whole thing die a natural death.

Given that there were a couple of very vitriolic songs written specifically about Mrs Thatcher when she was Prime Minister, this is a fairly tame effort. Presumably the young people who are enjoying downloading Ding Dong don't know about the earlier offerings.

That so sad that yobs behave in such fashion pity they cant occupy themselves working!and I believe the song should be banned it is disgraceful how old you feel if it was your mother vampire queen?

Bbc have banned far less distasteful songs.

Ignorance prevails I am afraid.

But the song itself is not distasteful. By saying that it should be banned are you suggesting that the film should be censored whenever it is shown at family viewing times on the television? After all, that would be logical. It's just a short chant – not even a proper song – from a 1939 movie that a few people have temporarily taken over for a political – or in most cases, quasi political I suspect – purpose. Given what is going on in Syria and North Korea, to name but two places of conflict, Ding Dong the witch is dead on BBC radio rates pretty low in the scale of things that matter.

Am I the only one to see that the words of the song in context to the film, which is about fantsy characters, and the words of the song in context to a human being having just died, do not equate and are being used in a way to condone hatred.

Ding done the witch is dead, the witch is dead, the Wicked Old Witch is dead.

She's gone to where the Goblins go. Below. Below Below

Yo ho let's open up and sing and ring the bells out.

.As coroner I must ever, I thoroughly examined her.

Yes let joyous news be spread the Wicked Old Witch is dead.

No Absent. You know quite well it's the context.

In the context of the show, the song is jolly and very enjoyable.

OK, it's the context, as I have agreed before now. I dislike the way it is being used too. BUT censorship is an even worse thing than a few idiots singing a nasty song about someone who has just died. And the BBC should not be engaging in censorship or it is just as bad as broadcasters in authoritarian regimes who do not allow their viewers to see or hear what is really going on.

So:
Yes, it's the context.
Yes, it's horrid (in the context).
But so is censorship, in most contexts, certainly this one which represents no danger to national security, nor to anyone's safety.

Two wrongs don't make a right, nor does the second wrong expunge the first one. In fact, you'll probably make more people buy the song.

Daft. Counterproductive. Useless.

And no amount of whining about the horridness of it changes any of that.

I notice that media voices who are most opposed to Leveson are the most vocal in wishing to ban the song.

Banning things is easy. Tolerating a view that is fundamentally opposed to ones own is a mark of a democratic and free society.

And indeed, whatever ones views of Mrs Thatcher she was certainly in favour of freedom.

Have they played or not played or partially played the bloody thing by now?

They did it rather well in the event.

Absent, if you don't like my stuffing threads don't fucking read 'em!

Thank goodness. Now they can wash the remains of the storm out of the teacup.