Michael Jackson

[David8]

I just posted this in response to yet another awful Michael Jackson joke, which to be fair was in the category where it belonged, and beyond censorship. I'm just so tired of people bashing MJ this way. I'm sure this kind of public stoning of a wounded celebrity contributed to his untimely demise.

Since no one has posted anything else about his death yet though, I thought I'd offer it here as well:

Michael Jackson was without a doubt one of the worlds great artists and performers, whose music, though often just spectacularly well rendered pop, also included very moving and instantly memorable songs with great spiritual messages like "We are the world" and "I'll be there" which reached huge numbers of people and made a real difference in this world. He had an extremely traumatic, abusive, and public childhood, and we've all seen the effects of the lasting damage this had on him in his adult life (if it can be called that) amplified by his wealth and constant over-exposure.

We don't know the truth about the claims of molestation, but the courts have cleared him on this. Now that the tabloids have had their say though, we'll all remember about this. Things are often not what they seen, and this child-man with a hefty dose of naivete has always been attacked by leeches with the hope to extort or steal a living off his great wealth, which he earned with great skill and dedication by bringing joy to millions. If it's true, I would never have minimized the need for treatment and measures to protect others (though I don't see how "punishment", moralizing condemnations, or cruel jokes ever help anyone)

Steven Spielberg said "Jackson's world of fantasy is easier to dismiss with malicious gossip than understand with sympathy. He's like a fawn in a burning forest." and "It’s a nice place Michael comes from, I wish we could all spend some time in his world." Whatever you think of him (or Spielberg) I believe he really meant well, and acted on it in big ways, to the best of his ability which was sometimes considerable. More than can be said of most.

I was never a big fan of his, and the only album of his I ever actually owned was the J5's greatest hits on vinyl from 30 years ago. But of course I know scores of his songs, and some of them are truly great. I went back to youtube this week and watched a few videos - I recommend it, I have a new appreciation for how overwhelmingly talented he was. Check out "I want you back" on soul train YouTube - Michael Jackson with The Jackson 5 on Soul Train "I Want You Back" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8Qko5m8oAw) - I can see why he knocked everyone's socks off.

Blessings and Love to this strange, wounded, childlike genius; who touched all our lives, and who was both a light and a lesson to us.

[Dionysos]

Is this a serious post, or a joke? When people celebrate Michael Jackson, what exactly are they celebrating?

[Tars]

NO MORE MICHAEL JACKSON
PLEASE HAVE MERCY


And while I'm at it, can we PLEASE get beyond Mark Sanford and Sarah Palin. There are so many genuinely important things happening in the world right now, people with things to say to us,that aren't even being covered, because of the National Enquirer mentality that focuses on these celebrity "issues".

OK, Mike died, tragic. He made some good music years ago, thanks Mike. Now, can we move on?

[Barry]

Let me remind you, Tars, and everybody else, that you can use the Unsubscribe from Thread option on your individual emails or the digest to stop further emails or to have it removed from your digest, or you can just not click on a thread on the website.

That said, there has certainly been alot of coverage of Michael's life and death, although not much here on WaccoBB.net, aside from David8's thoughtful and compassionate post earlier is this thread.

I might add Michael was an extraordinarily gifted artist and performer despite his bizarre life. He touched millions of hearts and his tragic passing again touched millions of hearts, this time in unison. And this globally shared community experience/bonding is profound.



NO MORE MICHAEL JACKSON
PLEASE HAVE MERCY


And while I'm at it, can we PLEASE get beyond Mark Sanford and Sarah Palin. There are so many genuinely important things happening in the world right now, people with things to say to us,that aren't even being covered, because of the National Enquirer mentality that focuses on these celebrity "issues".

OK, Mike died, tragic. He made some good music years ago, thanks Mike. Now, can we move on?

[notsomuch]

For those who have been fed up with personal drama, I feel your pain. Actually I don't, I just kind of ignore things I don't find important - you can always tell people to Beat It if their topic of conversations are not welcome.

Of course, a public topical post is not exactly the same if it was directed at you personally. I don't think the point is these specific people, it's that things become personalized and the actual issue isn't discussed for what it is. I mean if we wanted to do that, there's always reality shows.