Michael Jackson

[Wingates_Hellsing]

Even if he did do something inappropriate, the parents are just as bad for being so naive/downright neglectful. I for one take the serious lack of real evidence and the sensationalism around the whole thing as more important than the comparatively baseless allegations.

If that's true, that he didn't do anything, I don't really care if he was a pedophile. That's not illegal and it's not hurting anyone just by liking something disgusting. It's whether or not he actually hurt someone that is important and we don't have nearly enough to prove that even a bit.

That said, he was an innovative and skilled performer who suffered if anything from being too popular, too soon. There are plenty of nuts out there and I respect everyone's right to do what they wish with whatever amount of money they had ( I personally would blow a lot of it on a private Airsoft MOUT facility and a huge armory, something most people would think of as equally if not the same type of weird as a private amusement park.)

And so it is that I, as in so many places including the debate over possible negative values in being homosexual, the claim that making all firearms illegal would decrease crime, and the belief that PETA isn't crazy ask that we prove things before we hate people over them.

[McDreidel09]

I was being sarcastic.

Oh! Couldn't tell what the tone was, it being text and all.

[McDreidel09]

Why I think MJ is getting so much attention is this:

He influenced music of all genres, whether or not any of us want to admit it. Many musicians get their inspiration from him. He not only defined the industry in one decade, but throughout his musical career, starting as a young boy.

As I was saying to a friend of mine, who wonders why Farrah did not get the same attention, she was 1) expected to die and 2) did not impact as much as Jacko did. Sure, she was America's Sweetheart and became a symbol, but for only the 70's. After making a few made for tv movies, she went into hiding until she came out about her cancer. Then she became a humanitarian for colon cancer.

That's just something I thought about.

[AFPheonix]

If there's a god, we won't hear as much about MJ because all the news will be covering Billy Mays kicking it.

[Flyndaran]

Oh! Couldn't tell what the tone was, it being text and all.

No problem. Oddly enough I have the opposite problem in person. Everyone thinks I'm being sarcastic all the time.

[Flyndaran]

If there's a god, we won't hear as much about MJ because all the news will be covering Billy Mays kicking it.

Well his was a bit more unexpected. No cancer, history of drug abuse, or insanity.
Really blows for the co-host of his discovery channel program just as it goes into its second season.

[AFPheonix]

RIP Billy Mays

[Flyndaran]

RIP Billy Mays

Shouldn't he have his own thread?

As to pedophilia, a rational one would never put themself in a situation where temptations "arise".

Back when I had a sex drive, I wouldn't want to sleep next to someone I consider super attractive... Not that I didn't do just that when I went away for the weekend with my girlfriend back in highschool. Talk about uncomfortable. I still don't know why her parents allowed us to sleep in the same bed.

[AFPheonix]

Well, he could have his own thread, but I don't know how well it would work on a debate forum, as I suspect he is unanimously considered awesome.

[hecubus]

Even if he did do something inappropriate, the parents are just as bad for being so naive/downright neglectful. I for one take the serious lack of real evidence and the sensationalism around the whole thing as more important than the comparatively baseless allegations.

In the case that Jackson settled, I really think that the parents came off the worst. They dropped their accusations about Michael when he agreed to pay the how ever many millions of dollars.

Now, if Michael did not do anything inappropriate with the boy, then the parents were basically saying, "Give us money, or we'll tell the world that you're a pedophile." That's blackmail in my book.

If he did do something inappropriate with the boy, the what the parent would essentially be saying, "As long as we get some money, it's okay that you had sex with our son."

So, to put it in more simple terms, no matter what did or did not happen, the parents were either extortionists or pimps.

[Flyndaran]

...
So, to put it in more simple terms, no matter what did or did not happen, the parents were either extortionists or pimps.

Every parent that lets their small child sleep in the same bed as an unrelated whacko rich adult is a pimp, whether or not the adult is a rapist.

[BroomJockey]

Every parent that lets their small child sleep in the same bed as an unrelated whacko rich adult is a pimp

So if they're related that's fine?

Or if they're poor, that's fine?

Or if they're not a "whacko?" And who gets to define "whacko?"

[Flyndaran]

So if they're related that's fine?

Or if they're poor, that's fine?

Or if they're not a "whacko?" And who gets to define "whacko?"

It seems obvious to me that the parents were hoping something would happen that could turn into money for them.

Not just related, but legitimate custodians may have a reason to share a bed with their small children. Strangers certainly don't.

As to whacko, how obvious should potential injury be to negate the benefit of the doubt given to parents? With the case of MJ, I refuse to believe the we had no idea something bad could happen BS.

[daleduke17]

The funeral is over, media, now shut up and not mention Michael Jackson again.

[Kalli]

Personally, I was horrified by how readily people accepted that Michael Jackson was a pedophile, especially when there is in fact quite a bit of evidence to the contrary (although nobody ever seems to point this out, or point out the countless good deeds he did in his life, because let's face it, good news is boring).

I just couldn't believe how many people of the same species as me were capable of being so cruel and heartless to someone, then point and laugh when that someone becomes strange and withdrawn.

Now, after his death, once again people are demonstrating how horrible people really are capable of treating another human being, even in their death.

Those of you who call Michael Jackson a pedophile or a horrible person of some other distinction, let me just ask you to do one thing quickly. Imagine you are wrong, that MJ never did anything to any children, and that in reality he was very kind and generous and innocent.

Just imagine that for a sec, that someone simply targeted for money. Now, think about the cruel things you and others have said about him, and how much that would hurt. Now multiply that by twenty million or more.

Not only do I completely not understand how anyone (let alone millions of people) could be so heartless, but I ESPECIALLY don't understand what the fuck everybody gets out of it. I mean seriously? What do you have to gain by telling those who loved him that we shouldn't?