Michael Jackson, King of Pop: 1958 - 2009

sputnik 99

Wow.

I am a spawn of the 80's, of Generation X, if you will. Michael Jackson was the greatest performer of my childhood. His incredible skill led to his unbearable popularity, IMO, and lead to his strange personal habits. It happens to a lot of performers. If they get too popular, they kind of go cuckoo, if you you know what I mean. Can you think of one Mega-Superstar that hasn't? The Beatles? Madonna? Brittany Spears? Godhood is not meant for man.

I will not bad-mouth Michael Jackson. I cannot understand everything that he did, nor do I like it all. But I know I really like his music. And that will never change.

Rest in Peace, Michael. It is finally yours to have.

Jun 26 - 10:16 AM

Jake Almond

BTW, if some of you on here think that RT posters are ignorant or legally retarded with their BS comments and judgments, you should go to the buzz up section of any given Yahoo article, especially anything to do with Obama, religion, or race issues. It is like hanging out with the most racist, arrogant, and stupid *******s you could possibly think of. If you read 95% of the comments on there you will get angry, and even though it doesn't do any good to post back to them it just makes you mad that there are people in the world that choose to be that dumb.

Jun 26 - 10:18 AM

Tony M

May he Rest in Peace :'(

Jun 26 - 11:04 AM

Jason Wilkerson

I still hold to the idea that he was innocent. In that first case he had promised the family to pay the boy's doctor bills because he was suffering from cancer. He had the family flown to shows, the ranch, and to many other functions but that was not enough for them. They threatened to blackmail for more money but he withdrew his initial offer to pay for the hospital and doctor bills. They screamed pedophile and made a public circus of it to get more money, because they knew they could win with a frail boy with terminal cancer. And I do remember hearing the story of vitiligo back in the 80's prior to any of this happening, and describing a man's penis and scrotum isn't that hard to do. All other pedophile claims from other parents after this were just more ploys to get money.

Michael Jackson had a lot of issues that needed to get cleared up (a lot of his eccentricities were fabricated by Michael and even phoned in to the tabloids by him in an effort to make sure that he always remained in the press) but I still don't believe that pedophilia was one of his problems.

Jun 26 - 01:08 PM

Angel Valdenegro

I didn't know him much (neither did the rest of the modern generation [kids]) but after seeing his videos I hope that people remember him as the great artist of his time and not a "scary rapist." RIP

Jun 26 - 01:28 PM

Greg Guro

The public may learn something by not ignoring Jackson's problems. At age 50, etc., it seemed to me immediately and now to others that drugs likely played a role in all of this.

and, yes, he admitted being addicted to pain killers.

Jun 26 - 01:29 PM

Devon Barnett

Dave J.

First of all "you stated the most dumbest line I had ever heard" is actually one of the 'dumbest' examples of grammar I have ever seen posted here on RT...

To quote another favorite movie of mine, let me just start by saying Dave that "At no point in your rambling, incoherent response[s] were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this forum is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."

But seriously dude, you need to read more closely..because the analogy to MJ and OJ had nothing to do with the crimes committed but with the $$$ that prosecutions in both cases pressed for on behalf of their clients, Mr. Chandler and Mr. Goldman. Can you understand the difference? I never said Michael was violent or a murderer. You may want to re-read what I posted...it sounds like it flew about 50,000 feet over your head.

And it's clear that you are not the only one posting here that has NOT read the official legal transcripts related to the 1993 case...they were widely available on several sites including The Smoking Gun.

The 'gag' order from the 1993 settlement was rescinded when Jackson went to trial for the same thing from a different accuser in 2004. The legal statements (previously sealed for almost 11 years) became public. I have read them. They are extensive. You have not read them. You are therefore ignorant of what those documents contain.

And this is not a witch-hunt against Michael. It's a continual pursuit for the truth...and, with Michael's untimely death, the whole truth may never be known.

Sure, his music was his true legacy and I count myself a lifelong fan, but this continual canonization of his character, this revision of 'who' he was is ridiculous. No one's perfect. People make mistakes. Perhaps the first and most important step to correct those mistakes made in the past is to understand that anyone, ANYONE is capable of making 'big' mistakes. Even Michael Jackson.

Jun 26 - 04:56 PM

Aaron Dean

You know, I notice a lot of people criticizing the media for turning around so quickly and praising him. Well, here's why, the media (and most of the general public) have spent the past 17 years or so analyzing every single part of his personal life. Now, incase you haven't noticed, they're for the most part analyzing his music and influence all across the world, and I think that's what we should be doing. Now is the time to reflect on the effect his music had on you and the people around you, not debate whether he was a pedophile or not.

Let the man rest in peace, god knows he needs it.

Jun 26 - 05:32 PM

frank ford

You racist *** crackers going to hell! RIP!

Jun 26 - 09:33 PM

Jason Wilkerson

frank F.: While I'm defending Michael, do you really think anyone has problems with Michael because he's black? If you think that you are quite ignorant.

Jun 26 - 09:47 PM

Teagan Sommer

All those who dislike Michael for those allegations should take the time to separate the art from the artist. His music and moves were inspirational and brought together millions around the world, truly no boundaries. You may dislike the artist, but at least respect him for his art.

Jun 27 - 12:47 AM

Jodi kaufman

alrighty i don't know if i should really bother saying anything else because really.....why?

OK Teagan: its so ironic that according to you, it's the "dislikers" that can't separate the artist from the art...? they are the ones that are! all the die hard fans who claim MJ as a saint and hope he finds his peace and they will miss him yatta yatta yatta are not separating the person from the art. They are letting the art effect there judgment call on who the heck the person is and whether or not they could harm someone. Good song=good memories=MJ is great and can do no wrong(and if he did i don't wanna know about it and it should not be mentioned). If I couldn't separate MJ from his art I wouldn't be able to fathom him doing the vulgar acts that are included in the descriptions of a pedophile...

and Rex I'm so glad you know the motivation behind everyone who disagrees with you...WOW and by the way what u say doesn't even make sense....people that are disgusted with the potential pedophilia that took place somehow worship criminals,liars,murderers,and religious figures? what?! And i would think the people that don't care to look into the accusations/trials and question his innocence care far less about child molestation in comparison to the people who wont let go of the strong possibility that the accusations were true. I don't know how you could possibly make a case that they do not care about child molestation...silly silly silly "person"


and BTW when people are acquitted, it is NOT a declaration of their innocence; it is a verdict that a Prosecutor failed to prove them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Let me run that by you again DOES NOT PROVE INNOCENCE.


and I forgot who the person was that keeps saying "oh well if it was my kid then I would do ___blank___ therefore it proves they are just after the money"....YES maybe the parents are rotten people that want money but yeah that is very likely considering they let their kid hang out with Michael. Frickin. Jackson. on good ol overnight trips. Just because you would fight for your kids doesn't mean there isn't a billion terrible parents out there that would settle..don't believe me? ask a social worker.

Or maybe they knew that they could lose(its kinda hard to defeat a rich famous person)and it would be a looooong strung out court battle and they just wanted it to be OVER so that there kid can forget about MJ and all the magic things that took place in Neverland!

picture this. your kid was abused. by a rich famous man that everyone adores. you go to trial and publicly accuse him. Paparazzi chase you. your case is all over the news. Fans hate you and violently make their feelings known by the millions. THEN you go home to your little boy or girl who is now not only a victim of sexual abuse, but now is a victim of hatred and slander. Is it so easy to say "hey WE are gonna fight this till the end!" no I wouldn't think it'd be an easy decision. maybe taking a larger amount of money then any of them have ever seen in their lives and moving on (as they would have to do regardless) seemed like a wise idea. Imagine being the kid that sent MJ to prison. Not pretty.

Jun 27 - 02:57 AM

Duncan Cole

@Devon B
A few points:
La Toya Jackson is not in any way a credible witness. Her claims kept getting crazier, cluminating with an acusation that MJ attempted to kidnap and murder her, until eventually she retracted everthing and said she was forced to make all those allegations by her spouse for financial gain. Now that may or may not be made of as much bull**** as the rest of her allegations but it certainly throws anything she says into question.

As mentioned in the Taraborrelli book you referenced, the strip search of MJ noted that, while there were similarities, there was no exact match. Not saying that that is definitive proof of MJ's innocence but merely correcting your claim of an exact match to the child's description.

That MJ choose to settle, note it was Evan who intiated negotiations, out of court is not an admission of guilt anymore than it is an admission of Evan Chandler's part that his son was never molested since he didn't choose to press charges against the man who allegedly molested his son. That's the most puzzling part of the whole thing to me. It should be noted that post-settlement the state choose to close the case due to a lack of evidence.

It should also be noted that the mother of the child never believed he was molested.

Jun 27 - 02:59 AM

Jodi kaufman

well said. I agree brent.

Jun 27 - 03:35 AM

Jodi kaufman

ok here's a funny one....i will lose all credibility as far as being serious but who cares....for all you people that are SO SURE he was a loving gentle soul....would you have let your kids spend the night with him?..... LOL LOL LOL LOL

NO! NO you would not! and that people, is your gut feeling and your gut feeling is so very right! congratulations!

ON A SIDE NOTE: I think the nasty jokes flying around about pedophilia and his "plastic parts" are disgusting and don't help either side...that's just nasty people being nasty. I heard one today by someone i am a bit sad to call a friend "Given the fact that MJ was 99.9% plastic, his body has been melted into toys so kids can play with him for a change!" i keep hearing "jokes" like that and its revolting. not only does it make the idea that he fondled kids funny but it shows that the people who feel this to be at least a half truth don't really care that he possibly did ! and then the plastic surgery jokes WHOA ok that has nothing to do with their character or morals, that's making fun of a dead person because they struggled with their body image their entire life....really? really? is that so laughable?

Jun 27 - 04:05 AM

Devon Barnett

That 'leap' Tase is unfortunately part of a pattern of behavior that saw Jackson (as Brent L. excellently argued) despite the embarrassing debacle of 1993, turn around and continue to have children stay at his home, in his bed. That's not in dispute, he openly admitted as much to Martin Bashir's blindsiding interview.

Most people agree that offending pedo's are statistically capable of repeating their offenses. Whether Jackson 'groomed' and abused the kids or not is between Jackson and (for those who 'believe') God.

What's missing in this forum is the testimony from Jackson's former security guard who alleges that he witnessed Jackson in 1993 with Chandler performing 'acts' that are corroborated with Chandler's original legal statement (a statement that was 'sealed' as part of the settlement deal in 1993.) Michael's former security guard gave this testimony in 2004/5...

What's disturbing is the coincidence of Chandler's graphic statement and the security guard's statement 11 years later. They are disturbingly similar, and exactly similar in other parts. And there was no corroboration from Chandler or the security guard prior.

Part of the problem with taking the first case to trial is that, despite Chandler's statement, he refused to testify on the stand if the case were to go to trial. That was a key part of the prosecution's case. Without it, there was little more to go on than the two contrasting testimonies.

The boy's description of Jackson's 'area' was substantial, but I doubt the state prosecution were interested in spending millions of taxpayer money to get Jackson on an 'indecent exposure' charge, a minor felony that probably would not have got him much jailtime at all. I mean, how much jail-time did Pee Wee Herman and George Michael get for their indecent exposure charges?

It's also important to be aware that yes, Chandler's father did initiate settlement negotiations, but that Jackson (instead of automatically refusing then and there in order to go to trail to clear his name) did not refuse negotiating...and engaged in several counter-offers before Evan Chandler got greedy and threatened to go to trial unless Jackson upped the settlement offer.

Then there's the boy's daily diary during his 'alleged' sexual encounters with Michael. This diary was detailed in journalist Victor M. Gutierrez's in 1996 where the young Chandler confirms the abuse in his own words.

But the case was already settled and therefore inadmissible since no charges were filed.

Jun 27 - 04:13 AM

Devon Barnett

Typo:

Victor M. Gutierrez's 1996 book taken from the diaries of Jordan Chandler is titled "Michael Jackson was my lover: the secret diary of Jordy Chandler".

It is available on Amazon.com...for an astounding $250.00 (probably out of print with limited copies...)

Jun 27 - 04:20 AM

Ed Mitchell

He was an entertainment powerhouse who's career spanned 4 decades - and he made some fantastic music - especially the very early work (Jackson 5, Off the Wall, Thriller). He made a huge impact on the music world. Like him or not, everyone knows/knew him - he was just that big/iconic. Unfortunately, to say that his private life was in shambles is a gross understatement. He lived in a strange reality/fantasy world & his behavior was often nothing short of bizarre (marriage to LMP, Bubbles, Neverland, Elephant Man, Hyobaric Chamber, etc). Not really publicity stunts - just a warped understanding of the world. The criminal trials and civil suits were a spectacle & marked the beginning of his downfall. Why are the rich so eccentric? Because they can afford to be I guess. Part amazing story, part disturbing & tragic...

Jun 27 - 10:27 AM

krookedlegs Eagle Tail

its a shame he died. doesnt suprise me a cardiac arrest caused his death. just imagine the weight of all the problems he carried on his shoulders. nobody can argue that he was a very strange man. R.I.P mike.

Jun 27 - 01:47 PM

Theresa Lee

Some of these views are hilarious. I also wondered about the Latoya instead of Michael thing!!!

Having been a kid during Thriller, it was one of the most exciting videos and songs around at the time - Glasgow wasn't the most happening of places then.
Anyway, it is a bit sad that he's dead but let's be truthful and say that he will be most remembered for the negative things and the awful facial changes.
It doesn't take away from the fact that he was musically very gifted and a great entertainer. It would have been interesting to see whether his up-coming concerts could have lived up to the past and current hype... but we'll now never know.
RIP MJ.

Jun 27 - 01:49 PM