For the record: I thought the younger Michael Jackson was GREAT! Before he discovered his crotch, I enjoyed watching the older Michael Jackson dance. He had some moves … very James Brown-ish. Someone told me JBrown was MJs mentor … I don’t know.
But some where along the way, MJ “evolved” into something that simply defies human logic.
As does (in my opinion) the reaction to his death. For crying out loud, did everyone forget the guy is a pedophile? Okay, okay … he was never convicted, but I think the world is a bit safer place for children as of that Thursday afternoon. With all due respect to my attorney friends, that means nothing in a Los Angeles jury. (O. J. / Robert Blake) The collective intelligence of any given LA jury is approximately equal to that of a garden slug. Just listen to any given juror interviewed after a trial … I rest my case.
The fact that the taxpayers of Los Angeles county are saddled with a $4 million funeral expense is another layer of this whole weird world of celebrities. And this at a time when the city of LA and the state of CA are experiencing the worst financial crises in decades!
And finally … we heard time and again how MJ “changed the world.” Would someone out there kindly tell me exactly how he changed the world?
Honestly, my heart does go out to his family, as it does to anyone processing the journey of grief. My gripe is not about his family. It’s about the public reaction to a guy who had become a no-body up until his death. Then we suddenly experienced collective communal amnesia and forgot the real MJ as he had evolved. My gripe is the media circus and the talking heads in the local media who have about the same group intelligence as a given LA jury.
I feel better. Sort of. Okay, I lied. I’m just tired of it all, but you have to live out here in CelebrityLand where we put up with this insanity year-round. There is no news. There are no stories to challenge you. There is absolutely nothing said about the numerous military heroes who are protecting our freedoms. It’s just a 24-hour diet of Hollywood and moronic “stories” they pass off as news. That and the media worship of our president who can do no wrong though had any president of another party done what this guy’s done, this same media would have crucified him. Or her.
I caught a bit of a story from ”Today Show” about the presidential family overseas. Apparently the Russian news agency simply has little to no interest in that family nor their visit. I have a newfound respect for TASS! I’ve also noticed when any reporter has a story about the president, regardless of the content (or lack thereof), they are smiling ear to ear just to be speaking his name. I don’t know that I ever saw that when reporting about the former president. It was always a sullen talking face. But our media assures us they are completely objective.
There are times I envy the dead.
Finally, someone who thinks like me about this whole stupid freak-show!!
Thanks Greg!
Well, I tried to post a comment, but I had a word in it that wasn’t allowed. Basically, in fewer words, all I’m saying is this country is far too enamored with hero worship of the wrong kind.
Gee, Greg – why don’t you tell us what you really think?!
I agree with you. 100%. The ones I feel the saddest about are the three sweet children. I heard and saw what his little 11 year old daughter spontaneously said at the memorial and was very saddened for her and her two brothers, who we now know (since MJ’s death) are not his biological children. (Surprise, surprise.)
It’s all been such a circus. I had the TV on in the background yesterday while the memorial was going on and I kept thinking that it sounded like a worship service to Michael, like he was the messiah who changed the world for good, or whatever. Revolting.
BTW – where can I get one of those gold caskets? (And, how much, do you suppose?) I heard somewhere he wanted to be cremated. Would they cremate the casket, as well? Just wondering.
Gotta run sit in traction, then off to see the retinologist about my eyes.
Many blessings to you all today!! Dee
[Dee, since I avoided the coverage of the funeral, I am not sure which casket he had. We did speak to our casket rep on Monday and he said it was a Batesville casket. Earlier I'd heard he had a solid bronze with gold trim. I can get you one of those for about $25,000. They would not cremate a metal casket, but there is a line of cremation caskets that start at about $300 and go up to thousands of dollars. Just let me know when you're ready. I'll give you a 10% discount to cover the shipping / handling!]
Thank you for saying this, Greg. And thank you for mentioning our military heroes, some of whom died unnoticed, not lauded, and unmentioned by the press.
I didn’t turn on the news or listen to the radio yesterday. I’d had enough of the worship of the bizarre that passed as “news.” Last night, I couldn’t watch network TV because three networks ran a special about what I’d avoided during the day. So… Detroit Tigers baseball!
I too agree with you completely. The coverage has been as disgusting as the man, and I use the term loosely. I feel sadness for his family and I especially feel sad that he has no more chances. His fate is sealed….eternally. Now that is tragic!
Thanks for putting your thoughts out there, I think many are in complete agreement with you.
Aren’t you glad you didn’t have to handle that funeral?
[I would like to have sold that casket!]
So…I guess I’m going to be the only dissenting voice out there today. While I agree with you on the vastly overblown hoopla over MJ, you have to admit that his music did reach people worldwide, therefore making his death at least, of worldwide interest. Remember Elvis’ death? That was a big deal too, only just not in “Celebrity Land.”
As for LA juries….since I’ve been a member of several of them, I must say that you’re being, in my opinion, unduly critical. One thing I’ve learned about while serving on a jury is that it’s tough to bring back a decision that you truly believe is “just”, when the “law” gets in the way. Let’s blame the legislature for passing so many laws that protect the guilty before we castigate the poor jurors.
Since some of your best friends live in this crazy place, and you’ve chosen to stay (at least in the vicinity), I guess you’re going to have to come to terms with the reality that you are a Southern Californian, and join a march or two, get out your autograph book, wear sparkles on your shirt and watch BBC for the real news.
Ain’t life wonderful???
[Touche on the jury comment! I stand corrected ... at least in part. You know how much I love you and would never intentionally offend you.]
No offense taken!! Just trying to do my part to keep you balanced between your Alabama leanings and your California reality! Hah!
Anyway……I think you’d look great wearing sparkles on your shirt…..or at least wearing sparkles on your sunglasses.
[For 16 years you've tried to accomplish that! But you have tried to make me a better person and I appreciate that.]
I too am tired of all the media coverage regarding Michael Jackson’s death, as if he were a head of state, but I also think that the ad nauseum media coverage says as much about our society as it does about the Jacksons, Elvis, Princess Diana, Mr. Obama (his personality, not his office), or any of the other celebrities and quasi-celebrities we seem to be so fascinated with. For those who are in the community of faith, it should be indiciting about how much time and attention we pay to ultimately superficial and temporal things. No matter how much it is played out in the public, we seem to refuse to believe that talent, money and fame actually don’t bring happiness, joy, or fulfillment. We really need to remember that we were never designed to find our purpose and being in those things. I guess after watching all the coverage I just feel sorry for that little boy who grew up to be a sad, lonely, toxic and ultimately pathetic human being. Who needed Jesus more than him? What would it have been like if he had lived for Christ?
From what I heard it sounds like MJ died a long time ago.
I agree with Wallysdad.
As the Body of Christ, I’d rather celebrate the life of the janitor who faithfully cleaned and lived his live well than most of the celebrities the majority of people seem to idolize.
I’ve met people like that above way too many times and have both been inspired and shamed by them.
Awesome way to put all of that. Sometimes it takes someone else wording things for me to be able to express how I feel. You said it brother!! And I agree!!
Good to be back reading some blogs again. I’ve also updated my site. Thanks for your encouragement over the past few weeks.