What Are Your Thoughts About the Life and Death of Michael Jackson?

[amandamims1]

Personally, and this may sound cruel, but I'm really sick of hearing about him.

People die everyday, some far more extraordinary than him, and they don't even get one word. This guy? They had an online lottery for his memorial! If that's not a publicity tactic, I don't know what is. It's actually quite pathetic. And his father? Not the greatest of men and has used his sons death to fill his own pockets.


I've always felt extremely bad for his children because their father was obviously very ill mentally. I sincerely hope the best for his children and they are taken care of.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

truthfully I could care less he is dead. His death has the same effect on me as any other random person I don't know, pretty much no effect.
Most people could have cared less about MJ the day before his death, but now that he's dead, suddenly everyone is his biggest fan and no other news exists in the world. I'm sorry, but there have been much more important things going on than some washed up pop star having died.

 

[bettyann29]

Sadly, no matter how talented a person is, appearance still seems to dictate acceptance. Michael, for whatever reason, was uncomfortable with his appearance. In his attempt to find himself, he lost many people who could not accept someone who looked so different than the norm.

Inside, I think he was a beautiful person with a lost soul. He wanted nothing more than to give happiness to others and to be accepted. He achieved the first, but not the second. I believe he is in a place now where he will achieve both goals.

I completely agree..

Ive been a fan of his since the 80's and I think the music world has lost a truly talented individual.. His music paved the way for so many and things would definitely be different if it werent for him..

I just hope his family will be able to find some peace..

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

Wow

 

[spacemermaid]

Sure, he was "different"; one has to be "different" in some way to make an impression as an entertainer. Sure, he had some problems. He had a terrible childhood, but instead of being angry at the world because of it, he chose instead to share his talent with the world. And he did this without resorting to writing/pertforming hateful, obscenity laced diatribes, as many musicians who've had a rough way to go do; he did this with total class.

Rest well, MJ. The world was brighter for having you in it, even though you left the world too soon.

 

[Macca1111]

Where were these people when MJ really needed them? MJ lived among sharks that wanted every little piece of him and his money. Heck even his own father was on the red carpet at the BET awards 2 days after Michael died promoting his own music.

I've been watching his videos on BET right now, and I keep thinking the same thing. It seems like being a celebrity and being a little-off balance go hand in hand, but watching his face get more and more disorted makes me wish that he had some strong sane people around him to help him through. When I think of all the yes men that must have kept looking the other way with every surgery, every narcotic...I wish life could have been easier for him, because he was truely gifted and changed music for the better. I was really suprised that he was only 50, because he honestly did so much in a short time. I wished he could have shared more with us, although I assume all the money grubbers will work hard to release everything they can in the next few years.

Most people could have cared less about MJ the day before his death, but now that he's dead, suddenly everyone is his biggest fan and no other news exists in the world.

I think you understimate most people. Sure, a lot of the celebrities who have been crawling out of the woodwork probably couldn't have cared less a month ago, but I believe most of his fans have continued to follow him, and have been eagerly awaiting his potential comeback. If nothing else, people felt a true personal connection to him - music touches more people than movies or tv, or probably anything else in popular culture, and most people who were alive when he was the King of Pop have some sort of emotional reaction to his music and therefore to his untimely passing. It's also a sad reminder of what the pressures of celebrity can do to someone, and so it's morbidly fascinating to the media too.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

I think you understimate most people. Sure, a lot of the celebrities who have been crawling out of the woodwork probably couldn't have cared less a month ago, but I believe most of his fans have continued to follow him, and have been eagerly awaiting his potential comeback. If nothing else, people felt a true personal connection to him - music touches more people than movies or tv, or probably anything else in popular culture, and most people who were alive when he was the King of Pop have some sort of emotional reaction to his music and therefore to his untimely passing. It's also a sad reminder of what the pressures of celebrity can do to someone, and so it's morbidly fascinating to the media too.

I understand the connection to music...I"m very passionate about my music that I like...I just personally dont' understand the connection to his music. I mean I was growing up when he was huge as a solo artist..the first record I ever owned was a MJ record, but then I got a little older and realized I didn't think his music was very good at all...I guess my thing I just don't understand the love people have for his particular music Just as I'm sure people may not understand certain things I love. It also doesn't help that I don't don't know one person who really cares that he is dead...so I"m just not around people at all who liked him in any way or cared...

 

[sms]

I think we are finally learning more about MJ. Since his death, we see him more of a father, friend, brother, son...a real person! I think he was unhappy a lot, but I'm starting to see that he had joy in his life too and hopefully he wasn't as sad as we thought he was. Everyone keeps wondering why someone didn't do something to help him with his drug problem. Well, maybe they have tried. There isn't a lot you can do for a 50 year old that is use to getting what he wants. Maybe his family and friends thought things were getting better since he was starting a new tour. Jermaine was just saying in an interview that they had a family get together about a month ago and MJ was there with his children. They talked, laughed and sang together. Maybe things seemed better or hopeful for him. MJ was happy to be touring again. Things were looking up!! We have no idea what has gone on in that family. Maybe instead of criticizing someone we really didn't know, we should pray for his family and hope for the best in their lives. Maybe we can learn from all this and "make a change" in our own.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I feel so sad for him and his family. I think fame and money eventually destroyed an extremely sensitive and talented individual. And what about the extreme plastic surgery he had, which most doctors would never allow, shows what money and fame can do. I believe it probably had some kind of effect on his health also and broke down his system. What kind of ethical doctor would give someone that kind of plastic surgery, it must have affected his health adversely. And who knows what else they were giving him, drugs he didn't need, etc.? Very sad.

 

[bookgirl]

I prefer to remember him as he was when I was growing up. A talented boy who could dance and sing like nobody else. A songwriter and muscian who broke ground in a changing musical landscape. I will not ever buy any thing about MJ, I will not support any efforts to idolize the man he became and I will not ever let his talent overshadow, those choices he made that I felt crossed the line.

MJ was seriously messed up. He had a rotten childhood, he was hounded by the media, he was eccentric if you want to be nice weird, if you want to be blunt. I could live with all that and still admire the man musically.

But the truth is that even if he never crossed the line sexually he admitted to having underage minors sleep in his bed. He had a housefull of drugs with children in those rooms, he had alcholic beverages that he drank and that children may have also drank. It is, was, and always will be inappropriate. Being dead doesn't change that. That will always taint my thoughts on him. And while I do think we need to just let it fade away, I have no respect for those who now want to ignore all that and make him out to be a saint and ghandi, and the most wonderful human being in the world. People were using the words sweet and pure and role model....I don't think so, there are not enough shiney coffins and revisionist preachers in the world that will change who he was.

 

[ford family]

One less pedophile in the world. Good riddance!



Sorry, but you asked for our thoughts.

You missed out the word "alleged" but then you knew doing so would be offensive which is why you apologised.
Apology accepted.

ford family

 

[momrek06]

I always loved MJ! He was absolutely a musical genius! I believe he had a troubled childhood, a childhood of all work and no play. I was overcome with emotion watching the Memorial yesterday. AND then to hear Paris speak of her "Daddy"....I never thought of MJ as a "Daddy"...yes, I knew he was a "Father of 3" but I just never gave it any thought that he sure enough was someone's "Daddy". I knew he was a brother, uncle, son BUT when Paris ever said the word "Daddy"...it just got to me.

Forget about the musical world, yes they have lost him BUT those three beautiful children we all saw yesterday for the first time have lost SO MUCH MORE. My heart just aches for them.

 

[moburg]

You missed out the word "alleged" but then you knew doing so would be offensive which is why you apologised.
Apology accepted.

ford family

I was apologising for my bluntness. In my opinion, there is nothing alleged about it. Based on his own statements and actions, I have no doubts he was a pedophile.

 

[RNtheRN]

Personally, it doesn't effect me one way or the other.

 

[PaulaSB12]

He was surrounded by people who gave him the answers he wanted not needed. He needed to be helped off the drugs he was taking but he wasn't, he needed to be told that a 40+ year old having sleepovers was wrong but wasn't. He needed to be helped to be healthy so he could be there for his children and he wasn't. Those around him who gave him everything but what he needed contributed to his death.

 

[stewy88]

Regardless of what people thought of Michael Jackson, he was the kind of personality that will probably never grace this earth again. His eternal, childlike nature was a special gift he shared with the world. His music was a collection of ground-breaking genius that helped shape and affect so many peoples lives, regardless of colour or creed.

So, I salute you Michael. I know I have my special MJ moments in my heart, rest in peace.

 

[brunette8706]

I was apologising for my bluntness. In my opinion, there is nothing alleged about it. Based on his own statements and actions, I have no doubts he was a pedophile.

***

Hi Moburg-

I know he did admit to "sleeping" with children. Something that me or you would never do. A true child molester would NOT have admitted to sleeping with children, he did because he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. It doesn't mean he molested those kids. When he was first indicted back in 1993 he pleaded that he was not guilty of those horrible crimes. The kicker is the kid now came forth and admitted it was all a LIE! Now keep in mind the same kid's mother was caught on welfare fraud also. Sounds to me like another "cash" cow! I find it appalling. I also, believe he didn't molest any child. IN 2003 he was indicted on the same type of crime and he was found not guilty. There are so many blood hounds that wanted a little piece of the action, a little chunk of the cash, and boy they got! This includes his own father, Al Sharpton and Jessee "extortionist" Jackson. Those two are pathetic.

Brunette

 

[PaulaSB12]

***

Hi Moburg-

I know he did admit to "sleeping" with children. Something that me or you would never do. A true child molester would NOT have admitted to sleeping with children, he did because he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. It doesn't mean he molested those kids. When he was first indicted back in 1993 he pleaded that he was not guilty of those horrible crimes. The kicker is the kid now came forth and admitted it was all a LIE! Now keep in mind the same kid's mother was caught on welfare fraud also. Sounds to me like another "cash" cow! I find it appalling. I also, believe he didn't molest any child. IN 2003 he was indicted on the same type of crime and he was found not guilty. There are so many blood hounds that wanted a little piece of the action, a little chunk of the cash, and boy they got! This includes his own father, Al Sharpton and Jessee "extortionist" Jackson. Those two are pathetic.

Brunette

I bolded the first part because you are wrong about that one. Garry Glitter said that he shared a bed with an 11 year old girl but denied sexually abusing her and he was found guilty of that and several other cases.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-371068/Glitter-admits-sharing-bed-girl-11.html

 

[honugirl]

Honestly, I know I liked some of his songs, but I was never a big fan. I'll admit he had a lot of talent in the singing and dancing department.

As someone who's dealing with a rare disease, it breaks my heart to see someone who was that talented throw it all away. I didn't have a choice, I lost the use of my skills through no fault of my own. He destroyed his own life through the choices he made.

I think what's also really getting to me is that another celebrity died the same day and she was brushed aside. Maybe her star didn't shine as bright as his, but her life still had meaning and to me, her death was honorable. She went down swinging. She wanted to live.

I also think it's reprehensible that the media spent so much time honoring MJ when there are so many more important topics out there. 7 of our armed forces died in Afghanistan protecting us the other day and barely a mention of it.

 

[RadioNate]

***

Hi Moburg-

I know he did admit to "sleeping" with children. Something that me or you would never do. A true child molester would NOT have admitted to sleeping with children, he did because he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. It doesn't mean he molested those kids. When he was first indicted back in 1993 he pleaded that he was not guilty of those horrible crimes. The kicker is the kid now came forth and admitted it was all a LIE! Now keep in mind the same kid's mother was caught on welfare fraud also. Sounds to me like another "cash" cow! I find it appalling. I also, believe he didn't molest any child. IN 2003 he was indicted on the same type of crime and he was found not guilty. There are so many blood hounds that wanted a little piece of the action, a little chunk of the cash, and boy they got! This includes his own father, Al Sharpton and Jessee "extortionist" Jackson. Those two are pathetic.

Brunette

Neither Jordan Chandler or Gavin Arvizo have come forward and said they lied. That story is an internet rumor that was fueled by the British Tabloids.

I don't care if you think Jackson was innocent. But no one came forward and admitted lies. Check your sources.