Jackson Death: How do you feel about it?

[Hoof Hearted]

I voted 'other'.

I appreciated his talent in the 80s. He was fabulous, both with his songs and dancing however his extreme antics (child sleepovers, molestation rumors/accusations, perpetual-childhood, physical appearance changes, dangling babies) really made me question his mental state. I cannot imagine what his life must have been like, and how (I feel) he snapped and decided he'd be a child forever, in addition to trying to change his appearance to be something other than how he was born. What mental anguish he must have gone through. It just wasn't normal.
I hope he is finally at peace.

[Undertoad]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

We'll know very soon: the coroner's report is due tomorrow 12 noon pacific time, or 15 hours from now.

Oh now I get it: the initial autopsy report doesn't include toxicology lab work that takes a few weeks to happen.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by Hoof Hearted

he snapped and decided he'd be a child forever,

If you've ever listened to the radio program Lovelines, Dr. Drew has said specifically that psychological maturation stops at the age the child was molested. I've heard him take calls and predict with frightening accuracy A.) that the caller was molested, and B.) at precisely what age.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I guess we'll never get to see his tit at the Superbowl, now.

[lumberjim]

I was surprised. had a really busy day today, and heard about it at around 6pm.

i am NOT a fan....but still.....it IS a bummer. it's like ......it's like, in my memory, he represents a period of my childhood.....but not one i identified with....one i loathed. as a Jr High kid, I HATED him. all the sycophantic minions that adored him made me ill. the height of his fame coincided with my darkest Black Sabbath/Ozzy/Metal Phase.

I grew out of that, and have recently developed a certain appreciation for the talent that he surely possessed....

And now he's gone. It's like some one else defeated your former worst enemy. Like somebody dumped your ex wife.

and yet....eh, fuck it.

[Griff]

I went with other. I understand his music's draw but there wasn't anything he did after childhood that particularly resonated with me. My gut reaction was one less abuser in the world. I see the effects of child abuse every day at work but as noted he was a victim as well. Bottom line it was an early end to a sad life, unfortunately the abuse doesn't stop with him. Lil' Pete had the best line, "Good riddance, God rest his soul."

[Shawnee123]

I know a large portion of folks think he was guilty. I don't know. I really don't. For one thing, I've always wondered about the parents who allowed sleepovers when his urges, for want of a better word, were in question. That seems suspicious to me, not because of that starstruck mentality, but were there almost hopes for unpleasantries which could later bring large cash settlements? More specifically, did abuses actually occur? Signs point to yes, but I don't convict in my head based on what I hear in my little corner of the world.

Regardless, when I see old video of Michael when he was a little kid, belting out I'll Be There, I am just floored at his talent. Thriller was released in late 82, and during my freshman year of college in 83, you couldn't go anywhere without hearing it. He was an amazing entertainer, with the pop music and his dancing.

I think it's always sad when a pop culture icon dies. No, I didn't know him, it's not the same as losing a loved one, but part of them was part of our lives.

As was pointed out, I think he had a miserable existence too. It's just sad.

[Beestie]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

For one thing, I've always wondered about the parents who allowed sleepovers when his urges, for want of a better word, were in question.

Good question. Not unlike other institutional cases of suspected or documented child abuse, the parents either aren't aware or unable to acknowledge the potential for abuse. Some of the parents might themselves be abusers or past victims who, never having come to terms with their own victimization, just don't see what's plain as day to the rest of us. Some of the parents were so in awe of MJ that I don't think they could even conceive what might happen not to mention that he was very generous with many of the parents some of whom were of modest means.

Its as unfortunate as it is inevitable that those who seek to prey on the defenseless will always be able to find an innocent victim.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by Beestie

Good question. Not unlike other institutional cases of suspected or documented child abuse, the parents either aren't aware or unable to acknowledge the potential for abuse. Some of the parents might themselves be abusers or past victims who, never having come to terms with their own victimization, just don't see what's plain as day to the rest of us. Some of the parents were so in awe of MJ that I don't think they could even conceive what might happen not to mention that he was very generous with many of the parents some of whom were of modest means.

Its as unfortunate as it is inevitable that those who seek to prey on the defenseless will always be able to find an innocent victim.

All of this is true. However, I still see another angle. Not all parents are good ones. I believe the potential existed for the down the road accusations, whether anything untoward occurred or not. I believe it's easy to say one didn't know or were jaded by their past experiences. There are people who play victim, and who use their children to get attention and perhaps payoff in retribution for their past victimization.

This is, of course, as much speculation as is those who are sure it happened. I don't know that it did or didn't, but I think we need to look seriously at all sides of possibility.

End result is same: if abuse did indeed happen, the children were victims...this is the sad bottom line. Adults, regardless of their past or their financial situation or aspirations or even stupidity, are charged with making their children safe. It is their choice to not do so, and in my opinion, allowing sleepovers in this situation is a choice to throw the safety of their children to the wind in exchange for whatever they thought might be afforded them.

[DanaC]

I wasn't into his music either, and can't say his death has exactly rocke dmy world, but ... yeah, it is always sad when an icon dies. There are one or two fond childhood memories that I woldnt have had he not been around: I'm thinking in particular of staying up late the night they aired the Thriller video for the first time over here. That kind of thing stays with you.

Sad chap all in all. A walking tragedy.

[glatt]

I was shocked, SHOCKED!, when I turned on the tv at like 8:30 and they had a teaser about an upcoming special for Farrah, which I knew about, and Michael Jackson. Then they came back to the live coverage at the hospital.

I never owned any of his music, except the duets he did on McCartney's Pipes of Peace album. I wasn't a fan, but his music was everywhere and was catchy. So I know most of it note for note. He had a hell of a lot of talent. When I hear his more popular stuff now on the radio, or wherever, I like it.

The dude was a freak. I never really thought he was guilty of being an abuser. None of the charges ever stuck, and his civil payoffs were probably just to make the accusations go away. But it's very possible I'm wrong.

I don't care that he's dead. It's just shocking.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Hoof Hearted

trying to change his appearance to be something other than how he was born.

It was reported (FWIW) that he may have been trying to change his appearance from looking more like his father whom he despised. Does the reason someone has 500000000 facial plastic surgeries really matter? Guess not, but I just thought I'd throw it out there.

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

I've always wondered about the parents who allowed sleepovers. That seems suspicious to me, ~snip~ but were there almost hopes for unpleasantries which could later bring large cash settlements?

I am just floored at his talent. He was an amazing entertainer.
It's just sad.

Spot on! great post.

Originally Posted by glatt

his civil payoffs were probably just to make the accusations go away. But it's very possible I'm wrong.

Thats about where I am with this. I was glued to the tv for about an hour switching channels ... then I realized he was just another torn soul who, hopefully, is finally at peace.

[dar512]

I think it's sad that he didn't get help when he needed it. I wonder if his siblings did anything to get him some counseling.

[classicman]

The guy said that the Anna Nicole Smith situation was nothing compared to this. I was shocked that someone from MJ's "inner circle" came out with this the very same day he died.

[TheMercenary]

I grew up listening to his music. He went from icon to traggic circus clown. I am quite surprised he lasted this long. It has been a long time coming.