Why do people get so worked up when someone they knew OF but never really knew dies? I’m talking about Wacko Jacko and the outpouring of grief over his death.
Is there something wrong with me because I’m not emotionally affected by someone’s passing just because they’re famous? I used to love MJ when Thriller hit it big – listened to the record all the time. But I didn’t know the weirdo and I’m an adult now. I remember enjoying his music as a child and right now I think, “Oh, that’s a pity,” but gimme a break. Some of the drama I’m seeing written about him on the net by random people….. “I am in utter shock…. A piece of my childhood is gone forever….. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now….. The world has lost one of the most talented, wonderful individuals it’s ever seen…..”
The guy was a great entertainer and had enormous hits in the 80s, but it would be an understatement to say he’s been less than prolific since then. He had a downright strange, possibly criminal affinity for children, exemplified the meaning of vanity and narcissism with his countless cosmetic surgeries and larger-than-life statues of himself on his world tours, and caused concern about the well-being of his children through his odd behavior and lifestyle. Put all those things together, and you’ve got a character for the ages, but….
The point is, I would jump for joy if someone assured me that the media wouldn’t turn this whole thing into a circus and inundate us all with endless commentary on this guy’s life for the next several weeks. The people who made his life a living hell for the better part of the last two decades are now going to feed the crocodile tear machine and the public will eat it up because some entertainer they knew a bunch of stuff about but never really knew is dead.
Dare I say – get a life, and get over the drama. You didn’t know him, and life goes on.
—Off the Wall
This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 1, 2009.
While I do not feel the need to call him Wacko Jacko, could be b/ of his horrible child hood and was forever injured…..
I so agree..I was watching news last night and the very people who made fun of him, attacked him, are the people now claiming to be oh so sad about how his child abuse played such a role in who he was as an adult and possibly his death via drugs, anorexia etc….what a bunch of sharks…..
I hope he finally has rest and maybe NOW his family will come to grips with how dang pathological they really are because they were all abused by a man who has yet to be held accountable….I have no doubt MJ was exposed to things that forever damaged him and sad that he may only have known peace in death…..this is on Joe Jackson and his passive mother…wear it well….
Rest in peace MJ! FINALLY!
Sad that for all his money and fame he never had one real pal to help him…..
Just remember that were talking about somebody who touched children. Indeed, life goes on. Take advantage of a child and you die at 50 a different colour than you were born.
Child molesters belong in prison. Legally, he ALLEGEDLY touched children…. although I think it could have been possible given his own psych issues…..no one story convinced me….and I looked….
The world has lost a sick pervert. No tears shed here.
You were witness to the rise of an innovating star. Show some respect. A Michael Jackson doesn’t come along very often. Those of us who recognize his contribution to art, music, culture, dance… is there an aspect of culture/life Michael Jackson didn’t touch with his music?
shithawk, go shit on the living
I was shocked as well- I can’t say I am unsure ‘what to do now’ like someone you were talking about, but we’ve definitely lost a music icon. And that is regardless of his extracurricular activities. No, I don’t defend child molestors (nor should I, as I was victim to two growing up), but there were other things he did in his life, good things that I believe shaped music of that time, and even still today I’m sure, thought to a lesser extent. I’m finding the “thank god he’s dead” comments hard to swallow.
Oh please. If it isn’t people talking about the shock of him passing, it’s people talking about the people talking about his passing. Either way you spin it, it’s all drama. I think most people aren’t devistated, they’re just shocked. His death was sudden, and noone really saw it coming. He was such a signifigant icon, and we will never see another entertainer like him in this lifetime. Sure, he had a lot of speculation surrounding him over the years (more in recent years), and it’s all a matter of personal opinion. But personal opinion aside, the man made at least ONE song that you have danced to.
The hype will die down eventually. Let it sink in for a few days before calling bullshit drama on everyone’s reactions, OK?
oops, I mean “though”, not “thought”.
I didn’t read that whole thing, but I beg to disagree. Although I didn’t personally know MJ and Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon (who all coincidentally died this week) it is not wrong to feel sympathy and anguish because one feels compassionately towards their life. You don’t need to know someone to feel upset that they died; life is life and death is death, no matter who dies and who hears about it. I’m shocked that the OP is so desensitized to that. No matter what their sins were in the past, the deceased ought to be granted respect and celebration of their works on the planet when they were living, and deserve to rest in peace. Dino out.
Mcgayle, if he wasn’t a baby toucher, why did allegations keep surfacing for years and years and years. He got away with it because of his money and fame. Although you were never convinced, I ask you this; would you have let him babysit a loved one, given your very tiny shadow of doubt?bobby33, agreed. Kay, interesting choice of words, micheal Jackson indeed touched alot of lives, but Also children. As for shitting on the living, I do, but I have a hard time understanding how death always changes the way we think about horrible people. He was a shitty human being when he was alive, and he should be remembered the same way. Justsayin, just to be clear, I don’t think anyone said, “thank god he’s dead”, it’s simply been pointed out that your mourning a child molester. When I think of micheal Jackson, all I can picture is a lunatic holding a baby out of a high rise balcony. That should have been Enough evidence right there to be publicly shunned and thrown in jail for a long, long time. Don’t get me wrong, I feel very sorry for his family, thier loss, and the BS they’re going to endure, but the man was sick, and that’s how I remember him.
Look people it is simple. People are sad because when a Guy like Michael Jackson dies it causes us to pause and remember certain times in our lives, both happy and sad, that he and his music were part of. But Cripes there are people dying daily on our streets, in our hospitals etc. Ordinary people who have worked hard all their lives and scraped by. People who have voluteered their time to help others etc. No one blinks an eye. Yet when someone like this, someone who has made billions of dollars off their fame, passes away,. the world is supposed to stop and mourn? Really, I could not care less.
I agree with shithawk, although my point partially contradicts his statement. I agree with the positive things MJ did in his life, such as create the worlds #1 best selling album and unite people around the world with his music. What I am disgusted with is his choices prior to that when he ruined his image and his life. I thoroughly believe he molested children. Anyone that commits that kind of crime deserves to burn in hell in my book. However, I celebrate the person he USED to be, not the person he became. It also furthers the point that MJ was severly abused in his childhood by his father, which I believe severly put him off kilter and shattered his world. (I recommend you read up on it). Either way, it’s debateable, but I think the important thing is to put it aside and respect the person for the good they’ve done in their life.
Amen, Dino.
MJ was a pop ICON, not a volunteer. Music evokes emotion and his music MOVED more people than any other ON THE PLANET.
The songwriter is a success when their emotions are effectively articulated. The performing artist is a success when that same emotion is transferred on to the fan. MJ wrote many of his own tunes. From a certain perspective, you and ALL other fans (there may be more MJ fans than Christians on the planet at the moment) who recognize the music for what it is (feel it) have ALL felt the Michael wanted us to feel…. like him. Say thank you.
I don’t have to condone his lifestyle. I don’t even have to understand it. If anything, the great ones are always fucking crazy. If they were anything less they’d be apt volunteers.
If he wasn’t famous, everyone would be jumping for joy that an alleged child molestor died, whether he was guilty or not.
OJ Simpson was an amazing athlete in his day, but there were no tears shed when he got sent to prison. Everyone said he finally got what he deserved. Even though he was exonerated of the murder charges against him.
shithawk- i should have specified that what I said about people saying “thank god he’s dead”, in pretty much those words, came from a friend’s fb status and not here.
That’s an excellent point, nevermind…it’s just too much of a double standard right now, I think, because a lot of people remember him as an adorable little boy from the Jackson Five. PS, thanks Hammer.
Love him or hate him everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The circus that will ensue, and it will, is going to be unfortunate. Without a doubt, even before yesterday, MJ was the biggest tradgedy in pop culture. Nobody on this forum can relate to the life he lived.
The music is inescapable. His contribution to pop culture is undeniable. I will choose to remember the music because it will live forever.
I miss Farrah.
MJ’s dead…good.
1 less child molester to worry about. I don’t care what you do , or what you’ve done, how ‘famous’ or ‘great you supposedly are…you molest a child & that’s all you are as far as I’m concerned.
This is the best thing that could happen to this, or any other pedophile !
I don’t know how any one can call him a child molester. He was aquitted of all the charges against him. I personally think that he didn’t do damn think and that people were out just to get an easy buck from him. They took his love for childern and his child like ways and used them against him.
“is there an aspect of culture/life Michael Jackson didn’t touch with his music?”…must…refrain…from…”touching” joke….
I agree that he was found not guilty of kiddie diddling, but does an innocent person give another family $20M out of the goodness of their heart?
I think he will be answering to a higher authority and they cannot be bought off.
Talented, most definitely, screwed up, most definitely, why? – who will ever know. A whole new industry has just spawned, the MJ conspiracy kooks and tabloid trash will be in twitter heaven – the King is dead, bring on the carrion.
Dino first of all you lost all my respect on any issue about sexual inappropriate behaviour …….women like you make it harder for other women who really do have issues at work…..
As for allegations of child sexual abuse…as I stated in my post or I thought I did..it is quite possible given what I think he was exposed to that no one talks about……..I watched these matters/ belonging to a crime board seen some documents…I followed these cases to the letter even the crucifixion of Tom Sneddon……… so while I do agree it is possible…the victim fams were less than credible for various reasons ….
I really get suspicious when anyone only goes through the civil courts and avoids the criminal courts just to fill pockets….. the first fam chose not to bring this into the crim courts and by doing so chose to keep it quiet and let MJ ‘abuse’ other kids…. this just does not ring true to me
Was it inappropriate to hang out with kids being his age…hell to the yeah…….. but what age is he?
His behaviour revealed how damaged he really was…but did he sexually abuse anyone….not sure…did he act in a way that could be construed as suspect….for sure……Caulkin, Cory et al spoke about hanging out with MJ and had no issues…..are they too part of the cover up……. are his 3 kids part of the cover up too… only time will tell…but in this moment….. I am neither 100% he is guilty or innocent …..all I know as in Scotland courts…it was not proven….that does not = innocent either……
But for now……he is dead…. what does that mean to me…..I am shocked but not shocked….I just wish some got him help years ago……it only takes 1 person to care enough….I just seen a lot of pimps and parasites….. the fams that knew of a previous matter spoke highly of MJ and said they did not fear for their kids….then changed their minds the one fam that was the main case was proven to be faugazie and had a history of extortion………..
CREDIBILITY is a corner stone in our justice system…..
It is weird that 3 knowns died within 48 hours: Ed M, Farah and MJ…… sadly the media will pimp them all I just hope they are no longer suffering
and..if there is anyone I do not feel badly for is his parents and older siblings who allowed all this to happen…I hope it haunts them for awhile….
Also like Anna Nicole Smith the Cali courts are looking into this new enabler behaviour and I HOPE some charges come down the pike in this case too….they should have for Elvis…
I feel badly for the 3 kids who will now be used as pawns……
I know a million people will say this with hindsight, but I’ll say it anyway.
I am not shocked.
The guy was a trainwreck. A walking skeleton known to have some pretty serious health issues and possible substance abuse problems.
That’s all.
I agree…I am shocked and not shocked…he was waiting to happen for a long time..he even said himself he wont live past 40….. he was dying right in front of all of us for years….. starting with that first plastic surgery job….
I’d rather pay homage to Michael Jackson as a Canadian citizen who never met the legend himself. But, if Canadians can have Obama parties for the the American President’s inauguration – while also not knowing the prez personally – then I can join in the collective behaviour of mourning the King of Pop.
Actually, when Princess Diana died, I asked what the big deal was.
Did somebody mention something about a dead princess?
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songI…
Mourn on
Fat, you and I have more in common than I like to admit
WE agree on the Diana thing…. also
I found it pathetic the way NS gave her gifts when she visited, gifts she cannot ever have…. These people chose to give to her kids things and they do not know her, they chose not to give to local hospitals, CAS, group homes, foster care…..
……..ahhhhhh the selective kindness of Nova Scotians
I think it’s something to do with the death of an icon like Michael Jackson being like the death of our past.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve just had Thriller stuck in my head all day, and I can’t wait to get home and play it at full blast. MJ was pure quality.
Despite being overly eccentric, and his many legal woes, Michael was a great musician and performer, which shouldn’t be overlooked. Lots of great people had a few screws loose, if you think of it.
With the exception of the Holocaust and WWII, Hitler was a great leader. So what is it you’re trying to say?
And as for all of us, we judge people everyday and anyone who says they don’t is a liar. We judge people as being good enough or not to be a friend, co-workers on their abilities, clothing/appearance of people on the street.
Michaels was talented, I’ll give you that. As for the other, well OJ was found not guilty (wink wink), but that didn’t mean he was innocent.
I heard the cause of death was that he ate a 12 year old wiener.
Did anyone hear that the cause of death could have been murder? Allegedly his doctor gave him a large amount of a kind of painkiller that in any body, would cause irregular heartbeat patterns and ultimately force cardiac arrest; now said doctor has fled and is nowhere to be found. Coincidence?
Sounds like typical drama the queer bois at Reflections go through ever Saturday night when when a straight dude turns them down. wah wah wah….
The child molestation accusations, we’ll never know what really happened.. I can see why a lot of people would believe that they are true.. I’m not sure myself. But if you suddenly died tomorrow, or a loved one, or your favorite icon of all time (as MJ was to many people around the world), would you rather have that person or yourself be remembered for the terrible things they/you were ACCUSED of? Or for the great things that you brought to the world?
It’s a very touchy subject, and the general population of the world is truely sadden we have lost the King Of Pop, it’d be nice if everyone could just respect that.
If you’re sick of hearing about it, then maybe you should reconsider before blogging about it yourself, OP.
Michael Jackson’s life was truely tragic, regardless of what may or may not of happened. So much talent, which for many years he showcased brialliantly..
If you don’t feel any sympathy for him and are happy he’s gone, that’s your choice. But he had many people who loved him, family, friends and millions of fans. If you don’t have respect for Michael, have some respect for all the people that loved him.
Hey, in the words of one of my co-workers this evening: “Farrah’s last words were: ‘God protect the children’. So he did, he took Michael.”
Its funny how the death of one celebrity can bring out the hatefulness in a person. But yet you never hear of such hatred towards ordinary people that do these things and are actually charged with it.
SW, I hear you…selective moral outrage…. I am new here and learning all kinds…such as the fake victimology of posters who keep reading and complaining about what they read then there are the ones who bash MJ but make a huge mockery of sexual harassment with their double standards then back pedal….I do not even believe her now…
This is real life folks…..it is not a spectator sport
Hey mcgayle, back off. This is real life, like you say, and I have to deal with the way things are going for me. Take it or leave it, I don’t really need your opinion.
Are you lost Dino other than the obvious..BACK OFF is your thread and I choose not to expose myself to your fake victimology ……..
Fake victimology, huh? Whatever you say, mctroll. I’ll say it again: take it or leave it. You can’t convince anyone anything, so why even try.
Dino,stop harassing me… you are posting to me on a few threads now…stop harassing me…… or do you have crush on me …..sorry I am not attracted to fibbers…
Let’s shag mcgayle, as long as you’re not old. I’m too afraid you might rape me instead.
Dino as not to incite one of your many symptoms I will no longer reply to your outrageous mockery of sexual abuse or assaults.. you are truly pathetic
@BroTim: “With the exception of the Holocaust and WWII, Hitler was a great leader”
I would argue BECAUSE of the holocaust and WWII, Hitler was a BAD leader.
Michael’s scandals don’t really have anything to do with his music. Saying “with the exception of the molestation charges, Mike was a good role model” would be the equivalent analogy, I think. Anton’s comment was about his musical and artistic talent, which is not diminished by his questionable behaviour.
Thanks Miles. Yes, that was what I was saying, I was trying to respond something in that vein but I couldn’t seem to remember my password….
McGayle – you are one annoying Scottish tossbag, shove a hand grenade up your fucking sporran
I also agree about the princess diana thing, Fat. I mean wtf?
Thing about MJ though is, he was an incredible talent. Sure his recent-er stuff sucked a huge cock-with-the-clap, but the motherfucker had some GOOOOD shit.
I think more than anything with me, i’m bummed that someone with his talent had such a tragic life. He obviously had issues (the plastic surgery itself is an indication that he had some issues, nevermind the fact he gave his two sons the same name and called one ‘blanket’), but you can’t deny the talent. Just listen to his first two solo albums. Genius.
in high school i had a friend tell me that he would beat the living schmitz out of me if i was ‘making fun of that song’. i had just been humming ‘candle in the wind’ to myself and he just went off on me.
Basil, I do not recall ever reading any of you posts before now…your emotionality toward my posting is most clinical and disturbing….. the fact that you seem to be promoting hate crimes against women would place you in the category of mysogynist…..
Can’t have enough of them in NS for sure… as I have posted before and I think I may change my name to Polly….. if my posts are so powerful to illicit such hate from LCD like yourself….then you either need serious therapy for your displace anger, a ban on my posts or a colonic or two….
stop being my victim….
mcgayle, “fake victimology” Pretending to study victims of crime? Stop being your “victim”? I think you should change your username to Ginger
Mcgayle, you’re a douche.
mcgayle – did you inhale a fucking dictionary? – If you think I’m an idiot or worse then just say it – enough already with the big words.
i’m waiting for mcgayle to start rapping and/or dancing….
THIS is the real Michael Jackson
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xoybd_mic…