Pixie, I will try to keep my cynicism under
control here
but to me this is all about
Simon Cowell making money ~ whether it be
from good publicity or bad. Susan just happens to be the vehicle for that.
To address your main point, people are mean
spirited (especially where reality/talent shows are concerned). I'm not a mean spirited person
at all but when BB comes on I get vitriolic. I can't figure that one out.
I feel sorry for the woman because nothing
was done to prepare her for the madness going
on around her at the moment. But then maybe
they didn't forsee her being globally popular.
However, Simon Cowell Inc should take some responsibility
and protect her from the red top hounds.
.
I actually think that the BGT pr people have turned the public against Susan, too much exposure (which is a very real shame. They should have just let her get on with it, have her moments in the sun and probably go on to win the show) Personally I don't think folk are jealous but thats only my opinion.(Dermantoid put it very well when she said the whole hype started with her plain appearance and ability to sing) However, I think that Susan will have to be monitored carefully beacause it could all go so terribly wrong for her and that for me would be the real shame in this whole drama. 
Thanks everyone. See ya later 
I know someone with your name in real life 