Michael Jackson... your thoughts?

[Papa Deuce]

Now it seems that Michael Jackson't fingerprints and the fingerprints of his accuser have been found on the same pornographic magazine. If true, this definitely puts Jackson in a very negative light.

I know that everybody is innocent til proven guilty, but is does seem that this guy gets himself involved in things that he shouldn't.

Personally, I believe that he is guilty of what he is accused of.

I do wonder though, how we can time and again, see video of his fans, who seem like they would worship him even if they KNEW he did this.

Interesting aside: Right after that nasty NBA brawl between the Pacers and the Pistons, Ron Artest's Jersey sales spiked for the next week, becoming the best selling jersey in the league for the following week.

What does that say about us, that we are willing to worship and support --- even with our wallets --- celebrities, regardless of how vile their actions may be?

 

[1stNoel]

In no way do I want to make excuses for Michael Jackson. The interview where he said, "Sharing your bed is the most loving thing you can do." in response to sleeping with his underage visitors is one of the creepiest things ever! I do not find it unbelievable that a young boy with access to Jackson's house would possibly find and look through this magazine himself though. Wouldn't that be pretty normal for a kid his age? Michael Jackson, in some twisted fashion, considers himself the same age as these children and tries to relate to them in that way. I can honestly see him looking through these magazines with the boys, just as a group of boys would steal a Playboy and curiously scan through it behind the store.

I also do not like to blame the "victim" and I do feel genuinely sorry for this boy, but I feel he has possibly been more victimized by his mother. She has a long documented history of questionable personal injury lawsuits and mental issues. It's very sad.

 

[chesirekate]

I find the entire situation bizarre. How stupid are these parents that let their kids hang out or have sleepovers with MJ? I'm reserving judgement at the moment as I haven't heard all of the details from the case, but if what you say is true, that fingerprints of both MJ and the boy were found on a porn mag at MJ's house, then yeah, I can't think of any way he could possibly be innocent.

Obviously, MJ has some serious mental problems. Just watching him in interviews you can tell he's just not...right. What he's done to his face is truly frightening. Normal people do not do that to themselves. I am hardly an expert, but based on what I've seen and read over the years, it sounds like he is self-loathing, with stunted emotional growth possibly brought on my his unusual childhood. I don't know, but you won't see my child anywhere near him. Of course, she's female so I probably wouldn't have anything to worry about.

And the point you make about the delirious fans who seem to love celebrities all the more when they have become controversial or repugnant characters is well taken. It reminds me of those women who write to serial killers for romantic purposes. I can't begin to understand people like that.

 

[poohandwendy]

Wouldn't that be pretty normal for a kid his age? Michael Jackson, in some twisted fashion, considers himself the same age as these children and tries to relate to them in that way. I can honestly see him looking through these magazines with the boys, just as a group of boys would steal a Playboy and curiously scan through it behind the store.

Sorry, he is an adult. Would you be ok with your neighbor using that as an excuse? I know you are not trying to make excuses for him, but that is exactly what you are doing when you say that he 'doesn't understand' right from wrong. This is a man who paid millions to a family before hand for accusations of molestation. He may be twisted, but he obviously knows what is and is not acceptable or he would not have paid to stay out of trouble the first time this happened.

If these accusations are true, he is a predator, nothing less. Period.

 

[poohandwendy]

What does that say about us, that we are willing to worship and support --- even with our wallets --- celebrities, regardless of how vile their actions may be?

Please do not count me in with 'us'. I would not and will not support or worship any person, celebrity or not, who commits child molestation. I would not pay for anything regarding MJ at this point.

 

[1stNoel]

Sorry, he is an adult. Would you be ok with your neighbor using that as an excuse? I know you are not trying to make excuses for him, but that is exactly what you are doing when you say that he 'doesn't understand' right from wrong. This is a man who paid millions to a family before hand for accusations of molestation. He may be twisted, but he obviously knows what is and is not acceptable or he would not have paid to stay out of trouble.

If these accusations are true, he is a predator, nothing less. Period.

That's exactly what I am saying. I don't think he knows right from wrong. I'm pretty sure that if it was up to Michael Jackson himself, the former suit would never have been settled out of court. That decision was made by his lawyers and managers. He obviously does not understand where the boundries lie and doesn't know he's done anything wrong. None of us really know if the molestation occurred. IMO what we do know from his TV interviews is probably enough to warrant an mandatory stay in treatment facility though. Someone in his family/entourage really needs to step up to the plate to get him some help.

People (fans) will support him no matter what the outcome of this though. Like his family, this is a hard thing to accept about someone that you love.

 

[poohandwendy]

That's exactly what I am saying. I don't think he knows right from wrong. I'm pretty sure that if it was up to Michael Jackson himself, the former suit would never have been settled out of court. That decision was made by his lawyers and managers. He obviously does not understand where the boundries lie and doesn't know he's done anything wrong. None of us really know if the molestation occurred. IMO what we do know from his TV interviews is probably enough to warrant an mandatory stay in treatment facility though. Someone in his family/entourage really needs to step up to the plate to get him some help.

I disagree that he does not know right from wrong. I believe his statement about there being nothing wrong with having children in his bed was made because he knew he couldn't deny it happening, has to make it sound innocent and knows he gets a pass because he is 'different/eccentric'. I think he is using his 'celebrity' as a shield. And I disagree that the decision was made by his managers and attys. Just because he is wierd and eccentric does not mean that he is ill and not in control of his actions.

If a person who molested children really didn't think there was anything 'wrong' with it, they would be doing it publicly, instead of in secret.

I'm pretty sure that if it was up to Michael Jackson himself, the former suit would never have been settled out of court.

Um, hello? You are 'pretty sure'? It WAS up to Micheal Jackson. He made that decision. He signed an agreement and gave huge money to make it go away.

Now I understand what the OP was getting at....people put celebrities on a pedestal. No responsibility, everyone else makes decisions for them...give me a break.

Btw, the reason this one will not be settled out of court is because in 1997 the California Legislature amended the law that allowed criminals to avoid prosecution through 'civil compromises' (aka 'hush money'). I other words, he isn't 'facing' this one to 'save his reputation' or because of some valiant effort to take a stand against 'false accusations', he just does not have a choice.

That legal ruling was made BECAUSE of Micheal Jacksons previous settlement. It was made to protect children from unscrupulous parents and people who have enough hush money to make it go away.

IMO what we do know from his TV interviews is probably enough to warrant an mandatory stay in treatment facility though. Someone in his family/entourage really needs to step up to the plate to get him some help.

LOL, actually no we do not know enough from his intervews to warrant a mandatory stay anywhere. All we see is the image he 'projects' in front of the camera nothing spontaneous or unscripted, after all, he is a professional performer.

 

[kasar]

Michael Jackson knows exactly what he's doing. He's a habitual molester, plain and simple. The only difference between him and the guy in jail right now is the fact that people keep making excuses for him and turning him into this harmless eunuch that is incapable of being an adult. Sorry, I don't buy it.

I would never buy one of his products (even though the last MJ album I bought was Thriller!). I do not support felons.

 

[poohandwendy]

Michael Jackson knows exactly what he's doing. He's a habitual molester, plain and simple. The only difference between him and the guy in jail right now is the fact that people keep making excuses for him and turning him into this harmless eunuch that is incapable of being an adult. Sorry, I don't buy it.

Yep, and there has been absolutely no evidence that suggests he does not know what is doing. I think people just assume it because he is bizarre and people do not want to think that someone they may admire (for their talent or whatever) could be a pedophile. I think it shakes our illusion that we could somehow recognize a predator.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Please do not count me in with 'us'. I would not and will not support or worship any person, celebrity or not, who commits child molestation. I would not pay for anything regarding MJ at this point.

Well "us" was just a generalization to be sure. And I actually didn't want to focus on Michael Jackson; I just used him because he was the most well known celebrity I can think of.

This adoration and / or attachment to "bad", "repugnant", or evil people is what fascinates me.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

I think I compare Micheal Jackson to the post I read earlier. Do you feel sorry for Pedophiles? Maybe this is why Micheal is allowed to take children into his home and parents see know problem with it. He is rich and famous so he must be good. Wake up, is what I say to parents. Protecting your children should be your daily job. Too many kids are abused in this country. We have more sympathy for animals then children. Had Micheal neglected an animal I think he would have been prosecuted and sentenced by now. I just keep thinking how crazy this world is getting. One last thing. Shame on all those parents that so easily entrusted their children to that weirdo. If he wasen't famous I wonder how many parents would let their children visit and sleep in his bed? I'm guessing not many.

 

[denisenh]

I don't know if Jackson is guilty or not but I don't see how fingerprints on a magazine proves anything, other than that Jackson and the boy touched the magazine at some point.
Maybe Jackson picked it up because some house staff had left it around, he tossed it in the trash and then the boy saw it and picked it up too. Or maybe the boys mom gave it to the boy and he then gave it to Jackson.

As far as Jackson settling the prior case against him, I can see where the publicity and stress of fighting an accusation would encourage an accused individual to pay whatever to get out of it.
The justice system is not perfect and even if one is innocent, there is always the risk of being found guilty. I personally have seen some fiction talking, fact twisting prosecutors and police. I now have that experience and I see things quite differently.
The wise innocent and accused person would exercise his or her right to have an attorney present right off the bat. As soon as the potential accused is taken in or questioned by the police, the case building has likely begun.

 

[totalia]

It saddens me to say this since I loved Michael Jackson growing up and adored him as a teen. I always wanted to think the best of the man and regardless, he's still one of the greatest entertainers in the world BUT he's a psychotic. There is something really wrong with him. I don't know whether he molested those kids (it certainly looks like he did) but if he did, he needs to be put in prison for a long long time.

 

[Beth76]

Well, I am a fan of Michael Jackson, the musician. I think "Thriller" is one of the best albums ever. I do think that Michael Jackson the person is just weird. I don't know if he's guilty of everything, but I do know that he is weird. Maybe he's sick or maybe he knows exactly what's going on--I don't know. I also don't know why these parents let their children go to his house. That just screams of negligence and child endangerment. It's really sad--for everyone involved.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Michael Jackson is a freak. Don't know what he is capable of, but I wouldn't trust him with a wooden doll nevermind a child.

 

[Cyndiu]

My thoughts on Michael Jackson?

Ick, yuck, sick, ick again, gross, scary and sad...

 

[Papa Deuce]

My thoughts on Michael Jackson?

Ick, yuck, sick, ick again, gross, scary and sad...

Agian, we're missing the deeper issue, why do people idolize the evil, repugnant, and /or sick people?

 

[dcentity2000]

I would withold judgement until he has undergone a psychiatric evaluation.

Abusers in this field do typically "groom" their victims and indeed, if he has abused anyone it is more than probably that this was how he accomplished it - Neverland is a pretty strong argument on it's own.

I don't know if he's guilty. On balance, it seems to we the public that he is; but we only have the press to thank for our knowledge.

Personally I think that he suffers from a personality disorder or possibly an atypical form of schizobehavioral disorder - but this is simply based on hear-say. I also would not be too shocked if at least some of the allegations emerged as true - but then again, people who suffer from even the most mild forms of psychosis tend to be placid as opposed to malicious.

Bottom line, I just don't know. I'm waiting for the court's decision.



Rich::

 

[dcentity2000]

Agian, we're missing the deeper issue, why do people idolize the evil, repugnant, and /or sick people?

Music ties deeply into our emotional state and should his music make a connection, past, present or future, that person will be inclined to protect Michael Jackson and to err on the side of support and hope in these matters.

Sometimes, this connection can be very strong indeed - many Elvis fans still think that he is alive and have manifested many of the current theories as to his current location.



Rich::

 

[poohandwendy]

I don't know if Jackson is guilty or not but I don't see how fingerprints on a magazine proves anything, other than that Jackson and the boy touched the magazine at some point.
Maybe Jackson picked it up because some house staff had left it around, he tossed it in the trash and then the boy saw it and picked it up too. Or maybe the boys mom gave it to the boy and he then gave it to Jackson.

It all depends on the credibility of the boy involved. That is pretty much what any molestation case is based on. It is going to take some swift talking from MJs attys to explain away though.

As far as Jackson settling the prior case against him, I can see where the publicity and stress of fighting an accusation would encourage an accused individual to pay whatever to get out of it.
The justice system is not perfect and even if one is innocent, there is always the risk of being found guilty. I personally have seen some fiction talking, fact twisting prosecutors and police. I now have that experience and I see things quite differently.
The wise innocent and accused person would exercise his or her right to have an attorney present right off the bat. As soon as the potential accused is taken in or questioned by the police, the case building has likely begun.

I don't ever recall MJ being questioned by anyone wihout his attys present.

I think the bigger issue, than his settling the previous case, is that he continued to have unchaperoned children sleeping over at his house after that.