Pity evokes a tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow or empathy for people, a person, or an animal in misery, pain, or distress. People who have previously experienced the pain or misfortune in question may feel greater pity.
Last week, the lovely little man, Andy Hamilton (who appears to have no neck, but an impressive beard), made a very poignant comment on Britain's Political situation when he said
"Basically, what he[Cameron] is doing is he's using the Lib Dems as a human shield. That's what you're looking at -it's not a coalition, it's a hostage situation."