Get a GRIP. . .

I have a very dark sense of humor. Being raised in a house where everyone's chops were busted every hour, on the hour, had something to do with it (not to mention being a life-long fan of Don Rickles and the more "nastier" comedians). I sometimes forget the majority of the world can dish it out, but simply can't take it. I was reminded of this old addage today in the wake of Elizabeth Taylor's passing.
Let me explain:
For starters, I was never a fan of Liz Taylor, who passed away today at the age of 79. Was she a good (even legendary) actress? Sure. Was she a real beauty in her younger years? Without a doubt. But for whatever reason, I was never a fan. Sue me. To each their own. I always preferred scream queens and underground actresses over the popular Hollywood starlets. Again, just my preference.
On every social networking site I belong to, as well as three message boards I frequent, there were tributes to Liz Taylor--everything from simple "R.I.P. Liz" status' to lengthy pieces on how she'll be missed and what a legend the world has lost, blah blah blah (oops, there I go again).
So, in an attempt to make people laugh, I brought up some of the darker things in Liz's life on these threads: the families she helped to destroy, her horrendous parenting skills, her coke and alcohol use, her narcissism--you know, basically the stuff that's been printed in the tabloids since she became a star. And within an hour's time, I ended up removing my attempt at humor from three threads on Facebook (although I left one on a thread that remained civilized), and also from three message boards (boards that are frequented by some of the most liberal, free-thinking friends I have). You'd think these fine folks (some who know me for a while now) would understand I was just breaking chops. I'm indifferent to Liz Taylor; I could have done this to anyone (and in fact, have on several occasions). But for whatever individual reasons some people had (five who even wrote to me on the side asking if I even owned a heart and/or a conscience) it seems they took my comments as hard as if I were insulting their own dead mother.
I asked some of these people if they were related to Liz, and no one was. I mentioned that I brought these things up to try and lighten everyone's mood, and show that (despite) her iconic level of popularity, she was just a human being like you and me.
But again, my seldom-understood sense of humor went over a lot of people's heads and I pissed a lot of them off.
So, I question those who may be reading this who may have been offended by my comments today, which were nothing more than reminding people about some facts of Liz's life: why have I seen some of you laugh at some of the crudest, nastiest jokes allowed by law, yet my lame sarcastic fact-posting has you up in arms? Why do you laugh at insults aimed at other deceased celebrities (and politicians) and never blink an eye? And most of all, why did so many of you take this so personally?
I'm stumped. I understand some people grow close to their idols, but for so many people to feel personally offended that I ragged LIZ TAYLOR simply baffles me.
I'm asking all my friends and colleges who may be reading this to please, please, please GET A GRIP ON REALITY. Elizabeth Taylor was a movie star who made some bad decisions--decisions that on a simple whim I pointed out in an attempt to get a laugh (you know, like almost every single comedian on the planet does on a daily basis?). Taylor also did a lot of good things--things I didn't mention because in the world of comedy, the good things are rarely as funny as the bad. I understand that some may have been offended due to the fact Liz is now deceased--but again, I didn't say anything nasty or that wasn't true, and it wasn't my intention to "insult" a dead person. (On a side note--I'm completely blown away that some of the offended, who are fans of gore films, death metal, and other "extreme" forms of entertainment, could actually have their feathers ruffled over my comment about a mainstream movie star. Un-freaking-believable.).
Let me end this note by (again) stating that I'm still in semi-shock over how many people ripped me a new one today and how many fans of extreme entertainment claimed my comment upset them. I'm not apologizing because no apology is necessary. I can only imagine what would have happened if I aimed a joke in their direction(!). I guess it's safe to assume there aren't as many fans of dark humor out there that I thought there were. Oh well; their loss. And to everyone I say one more time: GET A GRIP. . .