RIP in 2009

[Morrigoon]

Dphile: I guess the major difference was that, with MJ being alive, admiration and patronization of their works led to money in their pocket. We can enjoy the works of Van Gogh without being concerned that purchasing prints of his work help fund him stalking his exes.

With MJ, until today, enjoying his works, or works he owned the rights to, meant indirectly putting money in his pocket that he could use to lure little boys (ala Neverland Ranch).

Jackson made some great freaking music, especially in his early days before he "got too weird" (to quote my dad's friend who used to be his interior designer). And now that he is no longer a danger to anyone, we can once again appreciate his works without the spectre of who he is overshadowing our enjoyment.

And before you get on my case about this, remember how you are more than happy to revile Michael Vick, even though he was a good football player. Surely you can agree that the crimes can affect appreciation of the talent.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

And before you get on my case about this, remember how you are more than happy to revile Michael Vick, even though he was a good football player. Surely you can agree that the crimes can affect appreciation of the talent.

Simple difference - Michael Vick was convicted of his crimes.

And, how do you know that MJ was a "danger" to people and used his money to "lure little boys" to his ranch? Were you there? Did you see the evidence firsthand? Media hype is quite convincing, isn't it?

What about people who state, "I can't wait for so-and-so to be legal age"? I'm sure most of us here have seen/heard that very statement on here. If people were to see that and weren't familiar with this board or its members, they'd probably start thinking, "What a sick pedophile!" too.

I knew this would happen, so I'll shut my mouth now. But, I'm certainly not alone in how I feel, and thankfully, I know that.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

I knew this would happen, so I'll shut my mouth now. But, I'm certainly not alone in how I feel, and thankfully, I know that.

No you're not alone. I am also sick of people calling him a pedophile when he was acquitted- fer goodness sake- innocent until proven guilty unless your convicted in the court of public opinion by people who need something- ANYTHING-to explain to themselves why someone who is different and a little odd must have something sick and wrong with them-

Maybe it makes them feel better to condemn him in their own minds for something that a legal court could not-

Whatever-

[Morrigoon]

Whoa hey, don't get me wrong... I'll still give him credit for the work he's done. But I can't say that my enjoyment of his works wasn't sullied by my belief in his wrongdoing.

[Kevy Baby]

Got an email tonight from a friend of mine (very much a straight shooter). Slightly edited to protect privacy.

As some of you know, I was working on the rehearsals for the Michael Jackson
comeback tour/show at the Staples Center the last couple of weeks. It looked
like I might go to London for a couple of weeks to install the XXX
part of the show.

Well, you all know what has happened.

I just want to mention how very surreal it is to be this close to something
like this. I've seen on TV when a star passes, just not when I was waiting
for him to show up. At the Staples Center we watched reports today on CNN,
saw reporters, then turned around to look out the window and could see the
report going on outside. New experience for me.

Last night he looked vibrant and healthy, and went until midnight. We were
all kind of stunned. Again, just very weird being on the inside of this.

[Alex]

The TV journalist's template for the Significant Celebrity Death:

Spoiler:

[innerSpaceman]

DP, I don't necessarily want to get into it with you, because you're obviously a bit touchy about it ... and someone you cared for and admired just died, so that's perfectly cool.

But need I remind you OJ was never convicted of a thing. The justice system is not so perfect that we need rely on it completely. I guess people in California really DO have the right to take away my civil rights, huh? The Court says so.

I hope you'll at least grant dispensation to Jazzman, whose own grandmother relayed to him testimony she heard as a juror in court. Conviction not necessary for her particular convictions.


I know it's in poor taste to speak ill of the dead, and I don't want to belabor this point. But in MJ's case, his "legacy" is indeed mixed ... and every news outlet in the world concurs. I don't think we must shy away from that on the LoT.


I'll certainly grant talent often travels side-by-side with eccentricity. But Michael inspired quite a debate over his character while he was alive, and I don't see how that's going to be stifled upon his shocking and untimely death.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

But need I remind you OJ was never convicted of a thing.

He was found responsible for their deaths in a civil case-but not the criminal case.

So yea, he was convicted-he was made by the courts to pay for their deaths.

MJ was not- at all.

[Alex]

MJ paid a reported $25 million to keep a civil case from actually going to trial after which the paid off family refused to participate in the criminal trial, forcing it to be abandoned (this is the accusation from the early '90s).

I don't really have strong feelings on the issue but the perception that Michael Jackson did some bad things to young boys is not without some justification.

[scaeagles]

Curious - In your opinion Nephy, why did MJ make the huge payoff he did to the family of that one young boy?

Do you find it inappropriate for a man who isn't the father of young boys (admittedly) having cookies and milk in bed with them?