L.A. braces for Michael Jackson's final act

So what are you doing still up reading about it and more importantly commenting? Wouldn't time be better spent elsewhere?

What if, just what if (and please bare with me for a moment of sheer speculation), this is a case of "Paul is Dead" type of marketing?

Would it be terribly shocking? Would it be the most stupendous marketing stunt in the history of entertainment?

I'd say we should be prepared for pretty much anything today.

There you go Mia. Take your pitance elsewhere. This is pathetic. He was just a man. Too many people put too much of themselves into others. Take our fascination with superstars. Try redirecting some of that penchant to your own life, and make yoruself better.

Get a life people.

The news media should leave this to the entertainment networks and start reporting on the much more important events that are happening in the world.

I'm tired of seeing this plastered on every station, website and newspaper...

Get over this joke of a person, he is no comparison to real heroes.

A real hero, 1st Lt. Brian M. Bradshaw of Steilacoom, Washington. Lt. Bradshaw died in Afghanistan defending his country and comrades in arms, unfortunately he died on the same day. We should celebrate the life of a true American Hero.

Just my opinion

Most of this country has very little to do with their time....they (we?) are all looking for concrete heroes/heroines like in days of yore. There are none to be had, so far, and we continue to drift aimlessly from day to day. Our culture is now a Hollwywood type cult that is served up via the almighty media in a vicarious fashion. America has entered a period of her "Dark Ages" socially, economically, politically and religiously.

Unfortunately, tomorrow comes all too soon and we are back where we started....still looking for another support system.

Farewell Michael, may your eternal journey be among God's brightest stars.

This is truly a sick society!!!

I have the day off today. One of my plans today is to check out all the flowers and messages at the Jackson family home.

Today is the day we are mourning the passing of a GREAT AMERICAN LEGEND.

Michael Jackson may have been born in Gary, Indiana, but southern California was his home.

Just watching his last rehearsal got me so upset again. He WAS BRILLIANT - a shining star - shining bright to see - what you can truly be (Earth, Wind and Fire).

tired of the left

WHY DON'T YOU GET A LIFE? You're the one reading these posts. If you have such a challenge honoring a dead person - move to another thread.

I agree, Mia.........if everyone is SO over this MJ thing.......WHY DO THEY KEEP READING/COMMENTING ABOUT IT??????

Go read about the families who have litters of children and want everyone else to pay for them..........or what Spencer and Heidi are doing right now......sheeeesh.

i'm with u bubba. enough is enough. he is not a god. geez. he was great but enough is enough. bury him already and lets move on.

"I wasnt aware that america was under attack...If anyone dies in the middle east thats what they get because they shouldnt have been there to begin with..."

Wow, Jamie. That is quite the attitude. Nevermind that our soldiers don't ask where to be sent. Nevermind that they are just doing what their country tells them to do. I guess it's their fault. They were just asking for it, weren't they? Get a grip on reality, will you?

I cannot believe someone out there was not aware America is under attack. I guess the missed 9-11

I understand LA putting on a show for MJ. They have allways been tollerant of the Weird and Child Molesters but the rest of the world??

I guess my thoughts that there is a whole lot of Dumb out there is true.

taking the body by the public memorial? sick, weird, but I'm sure this whole thing will say nothing but dignity and class... sarcasm there. maybe they'll prop him up and play thriller.

Sad, sad, sad. What else can you say? This country is in bad shape to say the least.

This is truly a sick society!!!

Totally - people that have no interest in a story, come and make rude and mean comments about a person who died and about people who morn him and enjoyed his talent and music. Yes, this is truly a sick society where people stick their noses where they don't belong just for a chance to be mean.

R.I.P. Michael.

Where is the news of how much this circus side show funeral is costing the taxpayer of the state of California?

THIS IS INSANE!!!

This is costing the city $2,000,000.00! For a state that is in such financial trouble, I think that money could have spent in a few other places. Yes he was a great musician but give me a break!

Karen in LA -- MJ would not have peed on you if you were on fire.

If there wasn't a huge memorial service, there would be people also screaming that the media didn't cover MJ enough because of....well, any number of reasons so I won't get started.

It's a lose lose situation for the media. Derned if you do cover it, derned if you don't.

Might as well cover it, makes a great story anyway.

Karen in LA, I'd be joining you and everyone else if I lived in LA and had the day off, that's for sure, and I was never really a huge MJ fan.

I totally agree with you! We don't even treat our fallen soldiers this way. <_<

*I didn't read the article...The headline said it all.*

Hey Jamie

What sort of clown are you!!! Or are you to young to remember 9/11. I remember, I lost friends and coworkers, and spent many long hours working because nobody from the middle east attacked us.

As for Michael Jackson he was a music legend, not a god

It's a sad day in America when pedophile freaks like Michael Jackson are celebrated.

enough is enough this is ridiclous, he was a damn performer and a child molester, I just read these to see what other people have to say, but i am tired of the whole MJ thing, I change the channel whenever it comes on, its getting old.

Only in America !!!

This extravaganza is nothing more than the largest "free" advertising campaign in history...to sell records and videos to the masses. Nothing more.

The bankrupt State of California is already being told to expect a $4,000,000 tab for the 'public works' and 'public safety' part of the bill....expect that figure to rise by the end of the day.

The loonie mainstream press is parading out all their top anchors to provide "free" all day network coverage...in other words...free advertising, to help promote record sales from a now-deceased recording "artist" who hasn't offered a single half-way decent song in about 20 years.

And of course, not to be barely mentioned during all the hoopla are any references to the drug issue, the $20+ million paid to the families of his little boy "friends", or Mr. Jackson's obvious addiction to erasing any possible connection between the black race and his being a member of it.

And for all the hype about his musical "genius"...I have yet to get a single complete response from anyone to the simple question: " Can you name 10 great Michael Jackson songs? ".

His business managers and agents as well as his family should be commended for arranging the biggest "free" marketing plan in history. I hope they all live in California so the state can tax their newly found wealth to help pay the costs that will be initially covered by the suffering taxpayers of that financial mess of a state.

Only in America...and more is the pity.

He's not really dead. It is obvious.

The "Hollywood" world thinks he is a god of some kind. They forget the child porn, the drugs that he willing took that ruined his life. The mistreratment of his own children, and the fantasy world he so much adored and lived in. He is Hollywood per-sons, this is what LA is all about, just glammor, thrills, make believe, drugs, porn, and the worst of our society. Need to bury him and forget him, it contributed nothing to this world.....I have a feeling, he isnt resting in peace.

Because of the ongoing autopsy, the family chose to have the corpse buried without a brain. Ironically, the Staples Center is now completely full of bodies without brains.

I don't know about you but Mariah Carey singing "I'll Be There" is killing me...! She is truly awful!

I wonder if all of these entertainers are lip-syncing?

Michael Jackson is probably wanting to Moonwalk the fck out of there!

Get use to it people..... we'll be hearing about this for a long, long time.

MJ is certainly NOT the greatest entertainer. Yuckie.

Mia, the idiocy of people's hero worship never ceases to amuse me. I pay attention to to be entertained. I comment because is nice to vent my frustrations.

I wonder how may American military members have died since Mr. Jackson bit it?

Who is memorializing them. These patriots did something meaningful for America. Mr. Jackson, not so much I think.

To YOU Bev Michael wasn't the greatest entertainer but the majority of the rule disagrees with you. Michael tried to teach love, acceptance and end bigotry and hate through his music and it's obvious by many of the comments on this board that we lost him far too soon as he still had so much more to do to stop this very kinc of hatred. RIP MIchael.

Dreams...

is a dreamer.

I see so many angry people. So many saying 'He deserved to die...' 'If you mourn him you are sick...' 'He deserves to rot in hell...' I understand the accusations against him. I understand the anger over a human being who would do such things. But in the end, we do not know. If he did hurt those children and is burning somewhere for it, then so be it, he deserves it.

But lambasting people who do not believe that he did such things, and trying to hurt them for mourning what they saw as a creative and talented man, or even their hero, seems to me to be a sign of a sick and damaged society as well.

If he was so sick, I hope he is punished for it. If he was not, I sincerely hope that he has found the peace that he deserves.

Regardless, I do feel that we have lost a great creative talent in that man. I would mourn for that loss alone, separate from that which we can only speculate about.

awesome post, Morgan S.

It's never proper to speak ill of the dead. That's just not right.

Just one word to everyone:

Karma.

I wonder how may American military members have died since Mr. Jackson bit it?

Who is memorializing them. These patriots did something meaningful for America. Mr. Jackson, not so much I think.

I was on the MSN homepage and saw articles about the deaths of our service people. You talk all of this stuff but can you name any of the men or women who have died in Iraq whether before or after MJ's death since you seem so dedicated to their memories?

agree

USMC...

How did the little boy at the trial describe Mr. Jackson's 'privates' in detail ???

Why did Mr. Jackson pay tens of millions of dollars to the families of little boys in '94 ???

Was Mr. Jackson lying when he did an interview during the last trial and was quite open about having pajama parties in his bed with little boys...making them cocoa & cookies...watching TV together...tucking them in ???

Would you have sent your own nine or ten year old son over to spend the night in Mr. Jackson's bedroom ???

Would you have sent your own nine or ten year old son over to spend the night in Mr. Jackson's bedroom ???

Yes I would! And not to receive a good pay day at his expense but because the man generally loved children.

It's OVER let's get drunk and move on!

1st Tony i watched that trial, & i remember that being said. But yet again nothing came of that and he did not from what i can remember describe his privates in detail. The prosecutor could not prove that. Also as far as him paying millions of dollars to families of little boys in 94, is B.S. If that was the case he would have been put on trial then by the state regaurdless of the parents wishes. I also seen in that interview that he sleeps on the floor with a sleeping bag, not in the bed. The people who blamed MJ for these false allegations was just jumping on the bandwagon. All out for $$$ thats it. MJ was a great humanitarian. Who had done a lot for people and the world. To answer your last question yes i would have let my Kid sleep over MJ's house, & for the record the 1st kid who is now is in his 20's came out and said he lied about MJ & his parents put him up 2 it. This man could not harm a fly. Don't believe everything you hear on tv or read in the news papers and get the true facts.

I find it humorous how many people here, thinking all this about Michael Jackson is a waste of time, are wasting their time here on Newsvine writing about it.

You are typing more about it than the fans are - you are obviously fixated on him or more likely fixated on any mention of pedophilia. I'm sure there are many sites on the Internet where you can really get your dose of pedophilia and leave the Michael Jackson fans alone.

Or why don't you make your own club: I'm fixated on Michael Jackson and pretend I hate him - fan club.

I'm really, really tired of hearing about Michael Jackson and Sarah Palin.

I bet the State of California will just send out IOU's to pay for the memorial!!!

USMC...

Respect to your service to this country in huge quantities...but that doesn't mean when you say something, it must be "true fact".

Also...there were never ever "civil" or "criminal" charges in the mid-90's...so why were there payoffs to families of little boys?? Humanitarianism??? Or fear????

The enormity of this event is still shocking to me. If somebody had told me a week ago that the funeral for Michael Jackson would be this big of a deal, I would never have believed it. I have been thinking about it the past few days. I'm still trying to work out why.

I imagine he was the last music star that everyone could get behind. In fact, his album Thriller was perhaps the pinnacle of American cultural influence on an international level. We all listened to the Thriller album. We all owned it. There was not an album before or since that was as huge as that one. What did Michael Jackson do with that album that was never done before or since? Why was his album the one that did it and not any other?

Thriller broke at the same time MTV was starting on a national level. He was the first to add a plot to music videos. He was the first to add theatrical backup dancers to his videos. Both ideas continue to this day. Was Thriller the first album marketed internationally on a large scale? I don't know. I know no other album or artist was marketed to the same extent. Michael was the first to expand his brand to large scale merchandising. He was in commercials, had a doll and a clothing line. He did it all long before the other MJ. The other thing I suspect was important to justify the claim "he was the most well-known man in the world" was that he used his fame for charity. He was one of the first to use his celebrity to help alleviate international problems with We Are The World.

He also did all this right at the height of American power internationally. Timing never hurt anyone. Prior to the fall of the Soviet Union, the U.S. was by far the most credible beacon of freedom for the world and Michael Jackson was the primary spokesperson for our culture. He did all this right at the very beginning of the fracturing of American pop music into its various niches that we find today. Every sub-culture has its own form of music that bears no resemblance to any other genre. I could not imagine another R&B/pop album selling 30 million copies let alone 100+. It is just impossible to do today, which is startling in and of itself since we have about 70 million more people in this country and a couple billion more in the world.

There is no doubt he was one of the most gifted artist and entertainers of all time who benefited enormously from impeccable timing. American pop music was forever changed by Michael Jackson and we will never see that happen again. Nobody, no matter how much you hate him, can deny his place in our culture. For that, he should be remembered.

Tony the only payoff i know of was to Jordan Chandler who has admitted he lied about MJ. Also MJ's attorney told him 2 just settle and get it over with. If you remember MJ even came on TV and did a national press conference saying that the charges were false ad he is innocent. Like i said before if this were true the state would have took over the case. Took it 2 trial and then the families could settle in civil court. The media took this all 2 another level. The 2nd case again a bunch of lies from a family who was used 2 using people and a mother who taught her kids how 2 lie and steal. The prosecutor Tom Sneddon always had a vendetta on MJ because after the 1st case Mj made a song about him calling him a cold man. That my friend in fact. If any1 wants they can accuse you of something and if the prosecutor wanted 2 he or che could charge you with the allegation even if it is false. They have 2 prove it and in MJ's case the couldn't on all 14 B.S. accounts. Let me ask you a question if your son was truly molested would you just take the money & run or would want 2 see that person in jail. I tell you what if that was my kid and if it was true i would kill that person "F" the money.

Remember him if you must, as long as you remember the pedophilia, the drug addiction, the broken contracts, etc.

This was an article that you chose to read at your own free will. You didn't have to stop or even comment if you had nothing to say pertaining to this man. Michael is the greatest entertainer that we will see. Yes, better than Elvis or Sinatra and that kills all of you supremacists out there. I will say from my own free will that all of you negative freaks can kiss where the good Lord split ya! You aren't worthy of breathing air. I will watch and read whatever I see on Michael simply because I want to. Believe me I have life you idiots. I work 12 hours a day but I also have heart which several of you are lacking. If you didn't like the man then make your own post and keep the BS there.

The greatest entertainer ever? I think not. Michael Jackson needs to get in line behind Elvis and James Brown.

USMC -- The Marines must be proud of the language you use. You must want to be a wanna be Marine.

Skeeter what do you know about the Marines, i supect nothing. We all swear sometimes. Wanna be Marine i don't think so. "Semper Fi" Mac.

Tiger, you said: Michael is the greatest entertainer that we will see. Yes, better than Elvis or Sinatra and that kills all of you supremacists out there.

I beg to differ. He did some good stuff, but he will NEVER reach the level of James Brown, Solomon Burke, Barry White, and a few others. THOSE are/were the greatest, hands down.

Well, USMC28 -- My fiance was one of the 241 Marines that was killed in the 1983 suicide attack in Beirut, Lebanon. He was a true hero and did not have to use foul language to make his point.

He sacrificed his life so you could say stupid stuff. You are a wanna be. You will never live up to him. Ever. Don't tell me I don't know a thing or two about the Marines.

He was the best entertainer ever based on the only objective measure you can use, sheer number of people entertained. Any other measure is, by definition, subjective. I have my own subjective list and MJ isn't on it. But the numbers don't lie. Elvis could never have sold out a venue in India as MJ did. James Brown could never have sold out a stadium in Moscow as MJ did at least twice, let alone stadiums in Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Brazil.....etc...etc...etc.... ad infinitum.

My apologies to you for your loss. But for you to say im a wanna be Marine is just wrong. I have been in the Corps now for 14yrs stationed in 29 palms. Now if i want 2 use foul language to make a point so be it. Marines swear more than you think i don't make a habbit of it & i don't have to explain myself to you. Again i am sorry for your loss im sure he was a great hard core Marine.

(he's bad )the best entertainer in the world.

Love these people who say "Why do you watch the media coverage if you're sick of it"? As IF we had a choice!!!...it's been MJ.. 24/7, all channels, all "specials", all news, all interviews. We have as much right to complain about the constant coverage, as you all have to gripe because we are saying so. Back at ya...if you don't like to read our comments, go watch TV!!!

Today's memorial service was very touching. I found myself tearing up with Jermaine, Marlon, and Paris. No matter how you feel about Michael he was an incredible performer and an ambassador of goodwill to the world. My heart goes out to his family, especially his mom and children.

Being found not guilty..is not the same as being innocent....

Michael Jackson was a freaking child molester any one with half a brain knows this.

He paid 20 million in hush money...to keep family quiet.....

All you MJ loves been drinking too much JESUS JUICE..

Aggie-

As IF we had a choice!!!...

There is always a choice. Maybe you could go read a book...?

Well, USMC28 -- My fiance was one of the 241 Marines that was killed in the 1983 suicide attack in Beirut, Lebanon. He was a true hero and did not have to use foul language to make his point.

Well Skeeter, you don't know sh*t from shinola if you're claiming that Marines don't curse to make a point. I remember that being one of the primary ways we made a point both in boot camp and the Fleet. With that said and since you opened the door, do you think your fiancee gave his life so you could call out others and call them wannabe's since they don't fit your perception of what a Marine should or shouldn't say?

Is the michael jackson 24/7 show finally over? open your eyes folks there is much more happening in the world. ~G

Charger guy if took the time 2 read my post. You would have seen that i said if was true that case would have been taken 2 trial & the family would have settled in civil court. The kid who accused MJ of this have since come out recently and said he lied about it. You my friend are another knucklehead without the true facts. MJ's lawyer told him just forgett it and settle and move on. Look it up if you don't believe me the kids name is Jordan Chandler.

Brown > Jackson > hundreds of people > Elvis.

Tyler...here is where it gets interesting....I'm in my early 50's and Elvis was extremely popular and if I'm not mistaken was referred to as "The King". I remember when Elvis passed the public reaction at that time was one of the biggest in modern history and everyone talked about Elvis and his music being timeless. At the time I agreed, yet I find myself agreeing with your comment. Do you think in 30 years they'll be saying the same thing about MJ as you are about Elvis now, in terms of the relevance of his music? Is it really a case of "what have you done for me lately"?

Being found not guilty..is not the same as being innocent....

Well then what does it mean??

tyler,

Thanks man for posting that George Carlin sound-bite. He explained why Michael is the best ever perfectly!

Sorry, Tyler, I do think "Why is this news?" IS a useful comment. It allows those of us who can't understand why so much time and so many tears are being spent on someone whose music didn't impress us and whose antics on and off stage disgusted us a chance to say what we think. I'm not sure why a piece that reports on what happened at a funeral requires discussion in the first place, but I think anyone with a reasonable opinion should have the chance to comment, even if their point is that they think this attention to a celebrity is overboard.

Michael Jackson was the Elvis of our time. For those that were around when Elvis was performing, they might have a different opinion. Musical taste is subjective. But just go to YouTube, watch Michael Jackson performing live, there is no denying that MJ was a greater entertainer than Elvis. MJ put on musicals on the stage. His videos were movies. His albums were all concept albums. His messages were transcendental. Yes, MJ was a strange man. Yes, there were all kinds of accusations against him. Once again, back to Elvis. Rock and Roll was called "the Devil's music" by some. Some people burned Elvis records in bonfires, in church parking lots. That's the way it is with innovation. Some people just don't get it.

Thank you, Michael, for decades of music and entertainment. Rest in Peace.

BenCT: How can you say that "musical taste [is] subjective" and then say that "there is no denying that MJ was a greater entertainer than Elvis"? Please define entertainer. I think this is subjective as well, since I personally was not a fan of either of them.

BenCT: How can you say that "musical taste is subjective" but then go on to say that "there is no denying that MJ was a greater entertainer than Elvis"? That would seem fairly subjective as well. I, for one, could do without either of them.

Wow 1.6 million people wanted tickets for this. The media spends hours exhaulting MJ, really what for? So he sang and danced. Where is the recognition for people like Ed Mcmahon who also died? He spent years and years doing things for the military not to mention years and years of service assisting as MC along with Jerry Lewis for the MDA telethon.

It seems to me that society has really lost it when they hold this man in higher regard than our military boys and people who actually contributed something more than a song and a dance to society.

I feel sorry for his children with all they have and will be forced to endure because society has nothing better to do. What were all these same media companies doing just a few years back.........they were calling him a freak, a child molestor and a pedophile and now that he is dead they are tauting him as the greatest entertainer? Talk about fickle........make up your mind media folks he is either a freak or he isn't just because he has passed away doesn't mean you get to take back all those things you said before..........just a bit too late.

This is agreat celebration of a super star! I love this & the way this celebration allowed the people do so; also. Michael Joseph Jackson you are loved as you knew & missed as you will see,while you are helping God. Thank God you were born,as I thank god for all!!

USMC28: I too am a Marine (Marine Force Recon) three tours to the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region and I'm sure that I have seen more action than you could ever imagine.

I must say that "IF" you are really are a Marine you certainly missed the discipline part of the Corps.

After reading your posts, I personally think you need a gut check.

USMC28,

I have looked and can find no reputable news source that states the kid admitted he lied about MJ. I hoped I would, but nothing except for fake news sites and bloggers with headlines and speculation that he recanted.

That in mind, you are either not a Marine, or the dumbest mother @!$%#er they ever let in.

Link to a reputable news site, or admit you are a sucker. And as such not a Marine.

So much fuss over someone who sang and danced. Where are our priorities?

Michael Jackson - Billy Jean (live)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEYzwW0BMes

Jackson 5 - Can You Feel It

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW1fXL3s7bk&feature=related

Dedicated to all the Haters

Michael Jackson - They don't care about us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97nAvTVeR6o

It disgusts me. Practically a national day of mourning for a pedophile. I can't wait till Charley Manson and OJ die....bet they get parades!

Well, I guess due process & the law isn't big in your range of influence. You compare Charles Manson to M. Jackson?

MICHAEL JACKSON: His death very sad to me and more than a billion,I wander why?

The #1 best selling record of all time: Proof

Music that covered 4 decades & 2 generations: Proof

Could not break away from the media and their vulgarity: Proof

Accused of chil molestation: No proof

Changed his looks: Proof, so FN what!

Is named in the Guinness book of world records for giving more to charities than any other performer: Proof

Fought against racism across the world with more impact than anyone else: Proof

Acquired a few unappreciative people along the way (could be a cult) that are not just morons but their lack of knowledge and their spewing antics makes them a waste of skin: Proof

Will have a plaque placed in the white house honoring his humanitarian effort: Proof

Will continue to give now that he's gone: Proof

There was the King: There was the King of pop.....God bless

Okay, so bear with me here. No one seems to know where MJ was burried, right? Apparently there were no longer helecopters in the air to follow the hearst after the memorial - which I find odd. But my thought is that he was actually burried after the private memorial service for the family this morning and that an empty casket was taken to the Staples Center for a diversion. Any thoughts on this?

Uh.....Karen in Los Angeles - you frighten me on a level I can't even begin to process.

Jonas Salk was a Great American Legend. There is no Comparison between a freak, the magnitude of Jackson....and an American Legend.

orbust - I just now finally figured out what your name means.. I think I've seen it on the back of your covered wagon: "Logic Orbust".

Apparently - bust.

It just so happened that I had a hair appointment at the same time as Michael Jackson's Memorial Service to which I DID NOT HAVE A TICKET (boo hoo).

We listened to the service on the radio (TV is now digital so portable did not work). All of my stylist's clients and she were pretty much quiet except for our occasional comments about the Memorial Service. Young and old, we are all fans of Michael Jackson.

I don't know why outsiders say we Los Angelenos "BRACED" for Michael Jackson's final act.

We EMBRACED his final act. I was not inconvenienced.

While driving to my hair appointment, I did notice a solid line of two deep police cars blocking the I-5 ramp. I thought it was for Michael Jackson which I just confirmed while watching my tv recording of his memorial news coverage.

CNN just called I-5 a "street." Pretty comical considering that it's an interstate highway with 10 lanes (counting exit ramps to other highways), 5 in each direction.

I-5 was apparently closed while Michael Jackson's hearse traveled to Staples Center. I could not have gotten on to the I-5 at my normal exit.

The crowds that did show up in downtown Los Angeles without a ticket were probably out of towners who did not get the news that - without a ticket - you were not getting anywhere close to the Memorial. LA cops DO NOT mess around.

LAPD was so geared up that many officers were re-deployed before the service was over.

LA and the world needed a public Memorial for Michael Jackson. Please send donations to LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Thank you.

Mr. Miller

By the way, I am not the only American who called Michael Jackson an American Legend. CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE of TEXAS is sponsoring a bill in Congress to honor Michael Jackson.

The next email I send will be to my Congressman to urge him to support her legislation.

Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Showin' How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn't Matter Who's Wrong Or Right--- Michael Jackson

BY THE WAY, I AGREE that SALK is a LEGEND TOO. Jackson and Salk each contributed to the public's well being. Jackson is not a freak.

Today I learned that Michael Jackson is the Guinness Book of World Records as the pop entertainer who contributed to the most charities. The other record Jackson holds is the first entertainer to ever be paid over $100 million per year.

You can call him a freak all you want. Most of the rest of us could care less how you feel about Jackson if what you feel is negative.

: |

Once again the news media demonstrates its hubris in covering this story wall to wall, 24/7 and beyond - despite polls that show approx. 78% of Americans are not interested or have been forced to avoid it by choosing other outlets for entertainment until this thing subsides. If it ever does. What this means for the average person is that the news media selects what it wants John Q Public to think, feel, vote on, and be exposed to. The sheeple will just go along.

Miller: I won't call you Mr. cause your Puss! It doesn't matter anymore neither do you: Proof

You would have thought a person like Gandhi just died. Give me a break. He was a brilliant entertainer (that hadn't done anything of serious artistic value in over fifteen years) who did some really good things like famine relief for Africa. He was also a junky who had "art books" of naked children in his house when police searched it. He doesn't deserve a Congressional commendation and (I say this as a registered Democrat) Sheila Jackson Lee should be voted out of office for wasting time with her stupid bill- which isn't going to pass easily and isn't worth the debate. Congress needs to worry about more important things right now and resolutions like that are a waste of time and taxpayer dollars over a person with a mixed legacy at best.

Unfortunately this pathetic story is going to drag out for years to come as the media first engages in a pornographic feeding frenzy and then- when that has run its course- engage in a ridiculous, self-obsessed analysis about whether their obsession with the story was justified. Then they'll go back to feed on that story a few more times. And people will watch it and buy the tabloids even as they complain about how the story won't go away.

You would have thought a person like Gandhi just died.

SGB

A person like Gandhi just died - Michael Jackson. Apparently you closed your ears to his message but that is your problem.

Most of the world does not agree with your negative opinion. Michael Jackson contributed more money to charity than any other pop entertainer - it's in the Guinness Book of Records.

Did you ever listen to the words to his songs? The answer is obviously no.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change - Michael Jackson

Jonas Salk was a Great American Legend.

Who?

Well then.. if Sheila Jackson Lee thinks he's ok.. then who am I to oppose such brilliance... other than the fact that Ms. Lee was hired by us to manage LEGITIMATE FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT. Using the power of the Imperial Federal Government to take money from me, by force, to fund ILLEGITIMATE waste, in the middle of the deepest recession in many, many years tells me all I need to know about Ms Lee's state of mind and where here priorities lie - as well as how completely out of touch she is with the voters.

And yes, we've heard the words of his songs. Apparently, by sheer virtue of what was found in his house (NOT by me, but by law enforcement officers with legally issued warrants) during those searches, those words were just that.. words to him. I'm much more interested in Actions, Karen. He could sing of change all he wanted, but even the simplest mind can tell you that Whistles Don't Pull Trains.

Ginger - lol.. you made my day .. I laughed hard. We'd probably have some interesting chats over a beer. I know you were joking, but just in case others don't know:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Salk

SGB

A person like Gandhi just died - Michael Jackson. Apparently you closed your ears to his message but that is your problem.

I listened to his music and his message- he was a truly gifted entertainer. I wouldn't exactly call his lyrics profound or particulary powerful- they were pretty thin and generic...he was a far greater singer, composer and dancer than lyricist.

But give me a break. He wasn't Gandhi. He never put his own life or his freedom on the line (well- he put his freedom on the line, but not for something noble like nonviolent resistance against a brutal imperial power...just for his unhealthy fixation on little boys- particularly vulnerable ones recovering from a life-threatening illness). He made music for which he was more than compensated. He did great things- breaking racial barriers, doing a lot of charity work. He also did horrible things- ruthlessly screwing over Paul McCartney for the Beatles catalog, having books of naked children in his house, paying over $20 million in hush money to an accuser, etc. Let's not get carried away. He shouldn't be deified. He deserves his place with Elvis and the Beatles in history, but he's no Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. His legacy is tainted, and that's sort of sad.

And your Man in the Mirror quote was nice, except for one problem. He didn't change his ways, did he? He didn't get his addiction under control, he got himself into trouble again with the child molestation stuff after paying out $20 million for the first kid (and I believe the second kid's mother did have him fabricate those charges...but Jackson should never have put himself in that position after the first situation nearly wrecked his career). That's why he's no Gandhi- Gandhi preached something but then he did the hard part and actually lived it- and didn't make millions in the process.

Miller: To you and others alike as much as you hold in your perverted minds I believe your actually the perverts, no one talks about it that much without being one! Is there a mirror in your closet.

Most of the rest of us could care less how you feel about Jackson if what you feel is negative.

Karen - what,,,, did you just have a birthday and turn stupid?? You are either not very bright, or simply haven't lived very long.

"Most of the rest of us could care less"??? Do you have any idea how many people are laughing at you right now, and shaking their heads?? Apparently the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of the posters here are in agreement with me, you sworn enemy of rational thought.

And as for orbust... you make perfectly good sense: The Only person truly qualified to determine that a child molester is in the wrong is, of course, another child molester. So let's just shut down all the courtrooms now.. send the judges and every jury member home.. cause they would have to be child molesters as well, in order to reach that kind of decision.

Wow, orbust.... If delusional were money, I would HATE to pay your taxes.

I think I hit somthing "HA"

I think I hit something "HA"

Yes, , , clearly your head.

Indeed! I shake my head at the 1.6 MILLION who registered to get tickets to attend this circus memorial....

circus is putting it mildly. morons

JW: Agreed. I don't understand this kind of cmotional attachment to a pedophile.

This is what LA and the Hollywood crowd thinks is god like. Do we have to wonder why this nation is in such bad shape?

Well there WERE elephants, so that makes it a circus.

No one did this for my family, Are we any less????

Must be.

Less talent, less charity work, less love for you in this world. Get out there you still have a chance to make a difference in this world.

Don't get mad, make change.

No one cares about you though

Debbie Tesoriero, you're a riot. This is like the 4th or 5th time you've posted to a Jackson story...who is the moron? LOL

So very true ...

Michael Jackson WAS a talented young man - singer, songwriter and entertainer.

Sadly, he was just a young man who was pushed far too much - by his father and by the industry - he became totally overwhelmed by the demands and by all the celebrity - he could barely even function as a HUMAN BEING in the 2nd half of his very strange and twisted life.

That smiling young man became a strange recluse - he just NEVER GREW UP and still preferred the company of children to those his own age

WHY did he arrange to have children by in-vitro - and yet not even use his OWN DNA to accomplish it ??

Michael Jackson was STILL just basically that 10-year old boy ... and he was STILL looking for acceptance and a family to love him ... for all the years of his life ...

What a sad commentary on morals in society today... Governor Sanford the Latin lover... Sarah Palin the inciting demagogue, on the run from investigation... Jim Baker the embezzling televangelist... Rush Limbaugh the drug addict... Elvis the drug addict... should I continue? The Right wing is running out of heroes... so they attack and divert attention. White suburban culture is completely bankrupt, but old fogies never get it. Listen closely, Bobby Joe and Tammy Sue... your son wants to be a gangsta rapper... your daughter admires Beyonce more than she does Brittney Spears... and they both are crying over Michael Jackson. You all are so out of touch, might as well retire to the bomb shelter, your world is dead. Give it up. Old folks have nothing more to contribute to society - all you have to offer is scorn, condescension, and hatred. Everyone under 50 years of age is done with you. Go away quietly, or you will be shipped to a low-budget retirement home... somewhere without internet service...

Tennessee Whiskey...I was thinking the same thing about the elephants. And you are right...Big Al will have some reason to claim racism! I wonder who is funding his expenses to the this circus...I mean funeral!

I might watch it in the hopes one of the elephants goes crazy and wrecks everything. I'd stick around long enough to watch Sharpton's news conference afterwards where he spins it that the particular elephant was racist. It'd all be a good laugh.

LOL...or maybe they could get Fat Al to pull the wagon instead of the elephant...I wonder if anyone would notice the difference....

Oh, you can bet there will be some entertainment today, and I don't mean inside the Staples Center or the Nokia Theater.

I wonder if Vegas is taking odds?

Tennessee Whiskey: Try putting on PBS and watch "NATURE". The animals always entertain me along with my K9 sheps. They tell the truth and give love and friendship.

Al is having the time of his life...and there will be Jessie and... Marthin Luther King III? what does this guy have to do with the circus?

Only if they are white elephants and not African elephants....

This man's only talent was writing and dancing.

And what is your talent?

But, all he did was the weird things that all pediphiles do.

Are you implying that you have first hand (no pun intended) knowledge of what peds do?

He was a black guy trying to be white--I wonder why the black community embraces such a freak and one who turned his back on the black community--and why would this freak want three white children and not black--

There was something wrong with him--it does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out..

There are many books out there that talk about pediphiles--

two whites do not make a wong

Mia...I can't believe that you are actually defending this freak! Anyone who watched him through his career and all the body/face changes knows that he was weird. And I guess you are going to defend his comment about sleeping with the kids! Where there is smoke there is fire! Unless you are actually a member of his entire freakish family I can't for the life of me understand how you can defend this pervert! He was talented but so were so many other performers. He doesn't deserve this kind of send-off...especially with the state of California paying for it.

I heard that Jackson died of a massive heart attack when he found out Boyz to Men wasn't a delivery service.

They closed off the 101 today for the funeral procession. What a joke.

Can you sing or dance? Have you sold over 750 million albums? Have you changed the face of popular music? If yes, then you should be celebrated too. If not, then you should give respect where it's due. Blacks have and always will be underdogs in this white run amerikkkan society so any accomplishment that a black person achieves will always be celebrated. We love each other because it's in our blood and we understand our struggle.

From a black man to a white woman....

Neg...I know you are right about the Bailout money. Most everyone on these posts thinks it is just the state of California that will be stuck with this circus of a funeral. NOT SO! We all are going to get hit with paying for it. What a joke MJ was, what a joke the government of California is, and what a joke that NOBAMA is as president.

Mia

and what talent do you have besides of course, being an mJ apologist?

Mia was on last week using another moniker and was banned. She doesn't deserve yourm time, b dune. She was real defensive of MJ then.

Whether or not Michael Jackson had musical/writing/dancing talent is all a matter of opinion. I personally don't think rubbing your crotch is an example of amazing dancing, but apparently many people do.

He definitely was weird. That's one of the few aspects of Michael Jackson I find interesting. What happened in his psychological development that made him never like his looks, want to look white, be shy but love to perform, etc.? The fact that a lot of other people liked his music doesn't mean I have to be impressed with it.

Mia...I can't believe that you are actually defending this freak! Anyone who watched him through his career and all the body/face changes knows that he was weird. And I guess you are going to defend his comment about sleeping with the kids!

Don't know about Mia. But I for one do not feel the need to defend, since the man did nothing wrong.

Informedreader

You are very enlightened!

Some guy died and what the hell are you talking about?

And you think Michael's a weirdo... go look at the man in the mirror...

To the people on here who want to know why those of us who are not interested in MJ continue to post our opinions, it is because these posts are hilarious, amusing, and some very witty. More fun than the news articles themselves.

To another poster who said California would (probably) bill the taxpayers to pay for the cost of this event, I certainly hope they elect to bill the estate of Michael Jackson since that would be the proper entity to foot the bill. Interesting that the Jackson family would think it's ok to use govt. services and public buildings, etc. for their private use.

I guess it must be the "Moral Majority" online on this thread. Too bad they are the Immoral Minority. Judgemental Christians, have you ever heard of the Valley of Jehosaphat? Yahu-Shafat=God will judge. God will judge all of us. Don't place yourself above God, and then claim to worship Him. You are all mortal, and your immortal souls will be judged one day. Until then, leave people alone to make their own moral decisions!

There has to be actual news happening somewhere,although the media and their teenage puppy love for POTUS wouldn't report on any of it unless it favors BO! Enough!!!!

Bury this pervert and move on MSNBC !!

Exuse me, maybe you should get a hobby.

Trillions of people loved Michael and they responded. As for the City of LA. They just panic and thought they needed to pay for more security. Our people do know how to be civil and pay respect for the dead. Michael and Company paid for the Staple Center and did not need security. MJ funeral did not get LA in the predictment they are in today, Bush did.

RIP Michael

Trillions of people loved Michael

Neat trick since the earth's population is somewhere in the 7 BILLION range.

I take issue with your post. Empty lives? Really? So not only are you in a position, up on some moral high horse, to pass judgment on Michael Jackson... you are also in a position to pass judgment on those of us who are mourning his life and celebrating his music, his legacy and his contributions to this world???

The only information YOU have about Michael Jackson comes from the media. I, on the other hand, have friends and associates who KNEW Michael, who WORKED WITH Michael, and who LOVED Michael. What, do you believe EVERYthing the media spoon-feeds you? Or, perhaps, do you have a mind of your own, and the capacity to step outside your judgmental self for one millisecond to acknowledge that... YOU MIGHT BE WRONG!

And you had to throw Obama into this, didn't you? What a raging opportunist. Today, a lot of people are in mourning. Show some respect- if you are capable of doing so. Oh yeah, and "news" channels cannot force things down anyone's throats. It requires the consent of the person watching said news channels. Don't like it? Watch a movie.

Sounds like you belive everything MSNBC spoon foods you better self check yourself after the side show today!

OK HM, now, go back to work...you do have a job, don't you?

veegee-

HATEEEEER!! He seems to be a good entertainer huh?! The reality (as u stated) is that he is one of the most popular people on the planet because of his status as an entertainer! You know this yourself unless you've been living in a cave your whole life. You probably have at least one of his albums in your collection but you wouldn't want the world to know your a fan of black music now would you? The man had #1 records in 21 COUNTRIES, several times throughout his career. Who else has accomplished that NO ONE..Not the Beatles, John Lennon, Aerosmith, Curt Cobain, or Jim Morrison. It sounds like your upset that your culture stealing counterpart Elvis Presley wasn't talented enough to reach that status..LOL Have you ever heard Butterflies? Probably not since you think he hasn't recorded anything in 20 yrs. Check the resume before you make yourself publicly look like an ass. It's funny how people are commenting on the negativity that surrounded his life and the majority of it is SPECULATED UPON. Barbara Walters doesn't know what his financial situation is/was, just like I don't know what yours is, why; none of us know each other PERSONALLY!! Use your thinker, do you tell everyone what's in your bank account? NO. So if I said you were 60k in debt it would be a lie and here you are contributing to the lies and speculation of the media. Nobody knows (not heard) if he was a pedophile, no one knows anything for sure and you dumb asses take CNN's word as the law...WOW! That's the same reason slavery lasted as long as it did in this country, some white boy saying that blacks were beneath everyone else. You probably believe black people descended from monkeys too don't you? Let's talk about the Millions he's GIVEN away to countless charities while alive and the 20% of 500 million he's donating after death. You don't want to talk about the time he spent in hospital rooms across the country brightening children's days with his presence do you? Regardless to what he may or may not have done, he was someone's son, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend and he deserves to be respected as a HUMAN BEING if nothing else. Keep me posted when one of your relatives die, you know, the same type of relative that we all have in our family; the thief, liar, pervert, alcoholic, drug addict, or all around general dick head and I'll be sure to disrespect him/her publicly and see if it's o.k. with you. Do yourself a favor and try not to be a dumbass your whole life o.k.?

A.Dot Black...

Any credibility you claim for yourself goes out the window when you put Mr. Jackson on any level in the same universe as The Beatles......please !!!

Empty lives? Really? So not only are you in a position, up on some moral high horse, to pass judgment on Michael Jackson... you are also in a position to pass judgment on those of us who are mourning his life and celebrating his music, his legacy and his contributions to this world???

Haven't you heard that the best defense is a good offense....meaning if you have nothing relevant to contribute to the conversation then just tear apart anyone who does.

The only information YOU have about Michael Jackson comes from the media

The haters never let the facts get in the way of their rant. As I remember it, the only person who actually faced punishment from the travesty some refer to as a trial was the prosecutor for misconduct. As far as I know MJ doesn't have a criminal record.

Or, perhaps, do you have a mind of your own, and the capacity to step outside your judgmental self for one millisecond to acknowledge that... YOU MIGHT BE WRONG!

Be very careful, ask them to think for themselves and formulate their own opinion risks giving Rush, Billo, Sean and the other talk radio whackjobs overtime so they can retrain these fools.

And you had to throw Obama into this, didn't you?

What exactly did you think these haters were going to do. This is ALL they have left

A.Dot Black -- I don't think MJ was a "great entertainer" either. This is a matter of _opinion_, not fact.

A.Dot Black:

Excellent post! You are right...... there was none better! The Beatles, the Stones, Areosmith were groups.... Solo acts..... NAH! Never happen!

Michael Jackson is by far the best solo artist in the history of music, until someone surpasses his record sales (which By the way, are skyrocketing as we speak), number one hits around the world and his sell-out concerts around the world, there will never be solo entertainer like him.

R.I.P. Michael.....

Michael Jackson - Thriller (live)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYrUQItmW4s&feature=related

A.DotBlack. MJ cannot hold a candle to the Beatles. Here's some more news in that regard concerning MJ's underhanded ways. MJ and Paul McCartney were once friends, even made some recordings together. MJ knew that Paul McCcartney planned to bid on the Beatles songbook (original scores and words to the songs written by the Beatles). He knew how much Paul planned to bid. Then MJ deliberately outbid him and took possession of the songbook. That was the end of that friendship. The songbook belonged with one of the surviving Beatles - they wrote the songs, Paul McCartney himself having written many of them. MJ had no right to do this mean spirited thing to a "friend." Paul McCartney had this to say about this underhanded maneuvering by MJ: "How do you think I feel every time I perform one of my songs and I have to pay a royalty on a song I wrote myself?"

What ever happened to all the Patriotic true Red, White and Blue I always hear from some Americans. You rather revere British has beens then an American legend?

12345....

You are absolutely correct about the Beatle's music catalog being stolen by a supposed friend.

Brooklyn Boxer....

Mr. Jackson is a "solo act" ???? How about the huge band playing the actual music...the backup singers...the lightshows...the dancers....the electronics...the costumes...the choreographers, directors, etc.

If you can't sit at a piano or with a guitar and play your own songs, it really doesn't amount to much as actual "music".

"Solo act"......please.

A. Dot...

Have a Coke & A Smile, Dude....gotta de-stress a bit on that last comment !!!

Tyler must have been sleeping A.Dot Black's comment 11.2 was posted.

Sounds like some real serious name calling in that comment.

Way beyond the routine unpleasant name or expression.

Where is the standard line "comment was deleted and you are suspended for violation of COH rule #___?"

Tyler Regarding Comment 11.5

I am not certain what your game is. I did report this as inflammatory as I often do. In my recent letter to Newsvine Management wherein I accused you of bias I offered to provide examples of you singling out my comments for deletion and me for suspension while ignoring other comments, which are unquestionably in violation of the COH. In those cases I also reported them as inflammatory and no action was taken.

In this instance I chose to additionally make a comment about your inactivity in taking action on the comment and “presto” action was taken.

More interesting however was your willingness to immediately criticize me, almost as soundly as those who committed a COH violation. So now we have a situation where you find problems with both my comments and what you perceive as a lack of proper procedures on my part. I saw no purpose whatsoever in the content nor tone of your gratuitous remarks to me.

Although I did report the comment as inflammatory, I am still very surprised by your actions. It had never previously come to my attention that being perceived to not follow a Newsvine voluntary reporting procedure was at same level of moral depravity as a Newsviner writing “Your the exact kind of racist bastard I would love to see beat to a pulp and have his dick cut off and shoved in his mouth.”

Again, I am not certain where to go from here. It puts me in an awkward position regarding commenting on anything other than food articles. So far I have not had anything deleted from that area. I continue to contend that you appear to remain biased. I will however stop short of saying racist or making any anti-Semitic accusations. That is for others to decide and form their own opinions.

My primary interest is equal treatment and consideration of my comments.

How many clicks does it take to get a comment deleted anyway? I often flag posts that are derrogatory of other users, etc., but rarely does this seem to have any effect.

Laura -

I've done the same, and I agree ... nothing happens. I've reported when remarks are clearly racist. I've also reported those that were attacks on the opinions of others and the poster was within CoH. In fact, the opposite has happened; I was the one to be collapsed. Writing to Newsvine doesn't help. I wrote a detailed letter several days ago, and I haven't even gotten a form letter back yet.

WOW!!!! Tyler by the looks of things you have a rather large baby-sitting job here on this thread. Whay a bunch of babies.

After three tours to Afghanistan/Pakistan border (Marine Force Recon) I will be a DI (Drill Instructor) in Paris Island S.C. I can only wish that some of you people would come along as I'm sure that we can break your spirit..... rather easy!

SEMPER FI TO MY BROTHER MARINES....!!!!!!

Brooklyn Boxer,

You should order some of the recruits to moon-walk! Then show them how it's really done... That would show them who is the boss!

Brooklyn Boxer Regarding your comment 11.9

Interesting how some folks think the entire world functions around their personal military experiences or views based on that. When I came home from Vietnam and was discharged from the Army in 1969, I could have cared less to talk about my time in the military or to focus my every perception of life and people based on that. I feel sad when I still encounter guys my age (60) who dwell on and talk of their times and experiences, be it Army, Navy Marines or Air Force. They want to talk about it, use it as perspective and tell and retell stories.

It seems that their stories become more and more embellished as time goes on. One tour becomes two or three. A truck driver becomes a tanker and a clerk becomes a “grunt,” etc. And of course they were all drill sergeants at one time or another. I guess they need that sense of self-importance.

Regardless of your situation Brooklyn Boxer, don’t let it affect you perspective on other people’s outlook on things. No one really cares what spin your military perspective adds to it. If you want to sound like a tough guy post your bio or a resume in Soldier of Fortune Magazine. In the meantime remember there are many of us veterans out here who have served proudly who do not post it everywhere and are also entitled to our opinions.

Additionally there is a world full of people with no military history who have excellent and valid ideas that my not correspond with yours, but also are entitled to speak their mind. Take you filter off and listen to some fresh views and thoughts

Thank you for your service.

Brooklyn Boxer Regarding your comment 11.9

Interesting how some folks think the entire world functions around their personal military experiences or views based on that. When I came home from Vietnam and was discharged from the Army in 1969, I could have cared less to talk about my time in the military or to focus my every perception of life and people based on that. I feel sad when I still encounter guys my age (60) who dwell on and talk of their times and experiences, be it Army, Navy Marines or Air Force. They want to talk about it, use it as perspective and tell and retell stories.

It seems that their stories become more and more embellished as time goes on. One tour becomes two or three. A truck driver becomes a tanker and a clerk becomes a “grunt,” etc. And of course they were all drill sergeants at one time or another. I guess they need that sense of self-importance.

Regardless of your situation Brooklyn Boxer, don’t let it affect you perspective on other people’s outlook on things. No one really cares what spin your military perspective adds to it. If you want to sound like a tough guy post your bio or a resume in Soldier of Fortune Magazine. In the meantime remember there are many of us veterans out here who have served proudly who do not post it everywhere and are also entitled to our opinions.

Additionally there is a world full of people with no military history who have excellent and valid ideas that my not correspond with yours, but also are entitled to speak their mind. Take you filter off and listen to some fresh views and thoughts

Thank you for your service.

Except... news flash... he was acquitted by a jury of his peers in a court of law. Let it go already.

HM77NJ - Agreed, but reality and facts don't apply to those who think they can judge like God.

I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now. His so called "peers" didn't convict him because he was Michael Jackson....it is that simple. No one wanted to be KILLED by his fans for convicting him.

HM77NJ....

O.J. Simpson was "acquitted by a jury of his peers in a court of law" also....does that mean that you believe O.J. didn't commit those murders ???

Being "acquitted" doesn't always mean being innocent in this country...especially when you have someone with wealth and fame being judged by a dozen of this sappy country's typical jurors.

Tony-268769.

Amen to that. BS talks, but, money let's them walk. O.J. got away with murder, see what money can buy?

"'acquitted' doesn't always mean being innocent in this country...”

True. And being accused doesn't mean one is guilty.

In our society, however, so many judge on the first inference of impropriety and, especially when some sort of sexual misconduct may be involved, judge with extraordinary ferocity, even in the absence of evidence or fact. Many people who are not as famous as Michael Jackson have had their lives ruined by mere accusation. It is truly sad.

I believe that many people who have posted hateful comments here have dark and twisted hearts and minds. They have filled in the blanks with their own imaginations, which are apparently filled with thoughts of deviancy. Again, how very sad I am for this world to be filled with so many people consumed with so much hate and assumptions of depravity.

Enjoy your fantasy while you can -- I'm sure additional sexual abuse victims will who up in the next 2 or 3 months.

You mean you been waiting on us to mourn so you can get on with your life? Ok, when we're done with the funeral permission is granted to you to start your life again.

It's a sad commentary on our society that people that aren't interested in this story spend so much time and attention on it to type out reasons why they aren't interested in it.

Washed out???? He sold out 50 concerts in less than 5 minutes just this year. If that's washed out....

There is not one other entertainer out there that could do that in one venue except maybe Elton John.

He was not washed out.

Lynne-111.
Yeah, Lynee: I wonder how many of those tickets were bought by the rest of the chester molder's in this world?

Lynne...

When's the last time this wacko had a decent song released ??? Please.

Tyler, since when are you a music critic? That said, yeah, Invincible was good...

why couldn't t they have taught"Bubbles" sign language like they have with some other monkeys .....

then at the trial "Bubbles" could have given us the true stories of what happened with the young boys...

I could see Jackson being hauled of court yelling in his best Charlton Heston voice - "You stinking Ape"

That's harsh. Charlton Heston doesn't deserve to have his work mocked that way.

Otherwise, very funny.:D

no.

No, because the courts will probably be tied up for years regarding MJ's affairs.

Mary, Agreed it is a circus, but MJ was an icon...If you don't want to watch then simply change the channel...

"icon" of what ???

tony-268769 and all the haters.

I reckon you didn't watch the memorial and thus didn't hear one astounding stat: Michael Jackson is in the Guiness Book of World Records for the most chartiable contributions by a pop star. I think that ALONE makes him relevant to millions of people he has personally helped e.g FED or CLOTHED! (What have you done lately?)

Did he commit a crime? Maybe he did, courts said he didn't, that's good enough for me. Either way he has done more good than any one of you or ALL of you put together will ever be able to do.

His music, his story has inspired hundreds of millions of people and enriched their lives. How many people have you made feel better in your lifetime?

He is the reason for NUMEROUS other artists and entertainers even becoming artists and/or entertainers and themselves touching hundreds of millions of people.

There's this quote I have memorized:" I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel"...and he made A LOT of people feel damn good.

For that he deserves all the praise he gets and loads more.

Feel free to contact Representative Peter King and tell him how you really feel.

http://peteking.house.gov/

Decurion 505. My sentiments exactly. Enough of this.......its now becoming a fiasco, its so over reported. So repetitive and so sickening.

I am a teacher. Thanks for the compliment.

Thank God for one intelligent post!

And then there are those that need to go back to school to learn how to spell.. Use spellcheck, if you know how!!!!

These types of remarks sound a little better coming from an educated person!!!

Nice expression of Christian words and values , Jr!

MJ did not admit to giving kids wine. If he did, he would be in jail, period.

No, he called it "Jesus Juice"...probably the same line used by some priests - most of them were never found "guilty" either. The one thing the priests and Jackson had in common - they both knew how to write a check.

guess you don't read much - accusations against Jackson were in main stream media.....

and I wouldn't use the phrase "blown waaaaaay out of proportions" when defending a child molestor.

as for "Oh wait Big Foot is still Alive"....and Jackson was quoted as saying it was living at Neverland.

Rot in hell child molesting freak...

HEY, CHARGER GUY

Jealous, Much?

Oh, such a sad story you give in defense of chester the child molester. Let's see would you have placed your child in that situation, and then in turn when your child discusses what occurred, you will blame it on how you as a parent reacted to protect your child from people like that poor sick-o MJ. Hmmmmmmmmmm, sounds like you wouldn't believe your child.

Yes, I am sure his father abused him, but that is not enough of an excuse for you to defend the man for molesting children.

Kathryn..jealous of what? really thats all you got ....

1. he was a freak who bleached himself white.....

2. things being said about him being"first entertainer" embraced by both white and blacks are lies.

NAT KING COLE was the first big african american star embraced by both whites and blacks....over 50 years ago...so Big he had his own prime time TV SHOW that was a huge hit back when there was 3 channels.

3. He paid hush money to a family to keep quiet about charges of child molestation.. 20 million in fact...

4. He was drug addict

5. His children are so not even his white kids from white mother with white father..

6. all of you can participate in the LIE and media circus..those of us who think for our selves choose not to...

Fine member of the african american community..drug addicted child abuser....

next your going to tell me Marion Berry is a great man

Kathryn-610638 HEY, CHARGER GUY Jealous, Much?

That question ALWAYS amuses me. What was there to be jealous of? His talent? Every one has a talent, some not as famous as others, but talented nonetheless. Money? It doesn't seem to have made him happy. In case you are not aware of it, money cannot buy true happiness. Family? His family was like every other one out there. Some good, some bad. Fame? I would not want fame, look what it did to him. Made a recluse out of him. I love my privacy more than I love the idea of fame. So, you tell me, please. What is there about him to be jealous of? I see more to be pitied than to cause jealousy.

The only thing I have in my living quarters that is new is a freezer. Everything else is lovingly worn or second hand. In any case, I believe I am far happier with what I have than Mr. Jackson was. So, no, jealousy does not enter into the fray. However, I would still appreciate what you think there is to be jealous of.

jealous of what? really thats all you got ....

Hmmm let me see

1. he was a freak who bleached himself white.....

Wonder how many people tan their skin at tanning salons, buy tanning lotion which makes them turn orange, and risk cancer laying in the sun.Can we say collagen anyone.

2. things being said about him being"first entertainer" embraced by both white and blacks are lies.

NAT KING COLE was the first big african american star embraced by both whites and blacks....over 50 years ago...so Big he had his own prime time TV SHOW that was a huge hit back when there was 3 channels.

Well alot of us 80's babies don't remember Nat Cole, but I do remember watching Thriller and Bad for the first time. You're comparing apples and oranges. Nat Cole career lasted about say 20 years. Michael's lasted 40. Let's do a survey of people young and old around the world how many know Michael Jackson or Nat King Cole and we will marvel at the results.

3. He paid hush money to a family to keep quiet about charges of child molestation.. 20 million in fact...

The way I see it a family took 20 million dollars instead of prosecuting a person they alleged molested their child. Don't think I would have let the person who I thought touched my son get away with that.

4. He was drug addict

So is most Americans. How many Tylenols have you popped today.

5. His children are so not even his white kids from white mother with white father..

Are you as outraged to the White people who adopts Black kids or Asians or etc..

6. all of you can participate in the LIE and media circus..those of us who think for our selves choose not to...

You can choose to read a book or look at TBS. I do think Family Guy is on.

Fine member of the african american community..drug addicted child abuser....

Just like the many fine examples of White people that grace our presence. I do believe there was a governor who cheated on his wife who went AWOL recently.

next your going to tell me Marion Berry is a great man

Hmm let me think...I think the people of DC sees a man who has done the most for the people. Yes he had his demons and problems (drug addiction is an illness) but he brought employment to youths, and kept them off the streets. Watch what you say..maybe the person you most revere isn't perfect.

Nat King Cole did cross racial barriers to an extent as did several other African American entertainers (Flip Wilson had his own show, Sammy Davis Jr., etc.) but they didn't have the international impact that Michael did.

Also, Nat King Cole was restricted to a certain type of music in order to appeal to both audiences and finally, when he went to certain areas right here in America he could go into establishments to entertain the whites, but oftentimes Blacks and other minorities could not patronize those same businesses and if they could they were relegated to the back or the balcony. He and the other entertainers I mentioned were often not allowed to lodge in the same hotels as the white members of their entourage/bands.

Michael Jackson truly did break down the barriers universally!!!

Why are you being disrespectful to dogs and ponies?

yes, and now the PETA group is going to have a large number of sore PETARS.

LOL--ok.. both of you punked me!

The city of LA is not charging the family, they consider it their duty to protect the people, but someone ? thought of another way to make money: they are asking for donations that will be TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!! This country is going to the dogs.....

Of course, FYI, during the news coverage before the memorial someone (can't remember if it was a City or State official) admitted that the influx of dollars into the area due to sold out hotels, people eating in the local restaurants, renting cars, shopping, etc., will probably offset the cost.