Friday, June 26, 2009

Warning this Post is not for the faint of heart...or for any die hard Michael Jackson fans....

I logged on to yahoo REEEAAALLLLLLLLLLLy hoping someone had written something other than the glowing emotional tributes that have been flooding the social networks, news stations and radio bulletins. Hoping that someone instead of playing a musical tribute to a fallen star would stand up and take a stand against honoring someone who deserves nothing of the sort. That someone would write, more eloquently than me, how sad it is how this country idolizes all kinds of people, the wrong people and puts people with money, fame and a reasonable amount of talent up on a pedestal despite how they act in private. How sad that despite all the facts, allegations and even just plain old creepy creepo factor, millions of people were in the street crying over a aging rock star that gave us some good memories over a tape deck 20 years ago. These were probably the same people who were wearing Free Michael t-shirts back five years ago when he was accused Again of inappropriate behavior toward little kids. I wonder, where were the millions of people that came to the children's defense? Even IF the extreme case wasn't true, wasn't proven, was trumped up to extort money, just the simple fact that he himself admitted to having "sleepovers" with children, with giving them "Jesus Juice" and a host of other ungodly stupidity, should make us as smart intelligent Americans say a small thank you yesterday.

Shame on the parents of those boys for being silenced for so long. In shutting their mouths while they opened their bank accounts. They let him believe even more that he was untouchable even more invincible and all the more powerful because he had money. That the thrill of sending their kids to the Neverland Ranch overrode their child's safety. Sickening. Giving him the free pass to do what he choose to do and play dumb that no one ever told him touching little kids and letting them sleep in a bed next to you at night without clothes on is Wrong.

I. Call. Bullshit.

How his fame overshadowed his misdeeds saddens and disgusts me. How people are saying "Well if it weren't for the last 5 years or so he was great" No listen, that's not how it works. He wasn't great. He was a performer who used his influence, power and excuses to do harm to children and the people who trusted him.

Just because I heard Ted Bundy had a big cock doesn't mean I want to fuck him anytime soon.

(Pardon my French)

Yes I am sorry for his children...but you know what? I felt sorry for his children when he was dangling babies over hotel balconies and having them wear towels over their faces and costumes in public. No one ever did anything though did they? No authorities stepped in, their own mother even gave the responsibility over to this sick to raise them because of what?? Of course, money is why.  I would rather my children eat fried shoelaces and live in a box next to a power plant than give my rights over to a man who sat on television and held hands with a 13 year old boy. Where are their voices? Who spoke up for them? Where were the tshirts that read "Free Michael's Children"? This wasn't Winona Ryder being accused of shoplifting this was Michael Jackson being accused of the most heinous crime I can think of... He dies and the world is morning? What may I ask are we so sorry about? That his life as a child was shitty? That his parents were strict and cruel? Yeah well too bad. Life sucks sometimes. He was wealthy he was surrounded by seemingly intelligent people that could have helped that could have stepped up to get him the help he needed long before. That could have prevented him from being in the presence of children.

If the local sex predator who lives around the corner from you suddenly kicks the bucket playing racquetball...does the fact that he was an amazing artictecht, or well known politician overshawdow the fact that he raped a seven year old little girl in a parking lot? God I fucking hope not.

I think what makes me sad is that no one is remembering anything more than "Oh I cleaned my room to Thriller", or "I had my first kiss to Billy Jean." That that memeory makes it okay what he did later in his life. I remember reading articles about the inhumane way Mother Teresa treated her volunteers in Calcutta and how she just really wasn't a nice person...but she wore a nun's habit and gave money to charities so that excused her for being an asshat. Sorry no. Just like I don't think Mother Teresa was "moody" or just had a couple of bad outbursts, neither do I believe that Michael Jackson was a great man but he just happened to molest little boys.His hand just slipped once or twice down their pants, but hey remember Man in the Mirror? Damn that was a good song so all is forgiven. I'll pass on the warm fuszzy memories of a sicko's recording career. Thanks.

Don't care about the music he gave us because for fucking once we need to remember what truly makes us a good person. Not by the material things we do or because we can sell a hit single, or decorate the White House, or even be the god damn President and live in the White House, those things don't make us who we are. And I hope that he was ashamed of the things he did, or god forbid were still doing, and realized that World tours and Hall of Fames and Gold Records do not a good man make.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah you are right Sarah, it is all just so wrong, thankfully we have you to tell us all the error of our ways.

Here is an idea - if you want to make the world a better place take a look at YOURSELF and make a change.

Sarah's Blogtastic Adventures said...

Ahh just what I was hoping for...anonymous comments. I can look at myself in the mirro every day and know I have never hurt a child. Thanks

Unknown said...

I think you hit the nail on the head, Sarah, and anonymous is in denial!

As the mother of three grown sons and three little grandsons, I share your perspective!

robin said...

Welcome back Sarah! We've missed you!
My career has been all about covering celebrities to one extent or another and it's really amazing what we'll overlook and who we'll elevate to godlike standards. Our tabloid culture not only feeds on this stuff but has been encouraging it to rabid proportions in the last decade or so. It's definitely made me wonder what I am doing with my life. But anyway!
I agree with this post. It really was tragic that he wasn't found guilty... in fact several jurors came forward later and said they felt he was 100% guilty. Which makes you wonder why the eff they didn't convict him in the first place. So pathetic. My guess is that they were so swayed by his celebrity, they couldn't do it.
If only we didn't buy into this kind of adoration, this sort of sick celebrity culture would cease to exist.
Glad to see your post and hope you're here more often!
:)

Emerge Peoria said...

Good post Sarah.

It would only be right to hear this side of the Michael Jackson story. There were/are some victims in all his glory.

Catering to the narcissism of "celebrities" is over the top in our society. This needs to change.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I've always been a bit disturbed about how distraught most (it seems) people are when a celebrity dies, ala Anna Nicole Smith. Where's the distress when a soldier dies?

Anyway, don't take this as a defense of Michael because I do NOT approve of his behavior... But seriously, what parent would allow their child to sleep-over at an adult male's home? I don't care who he is!!! A preacher a teacher a cop a celebrity! It is an adult man hosting a sleepover for your child!

I was always outraged that such parents (especially AFTER that male had already been accused of molestation) never got charged with child endangerment, neglect, etc.

Anyway, great blog and great perspective!

J.J. in L.A. said...

A-frickin-MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What I find sad is that they're all over the news here with him but Farrah Fawcett (a nice, normal, law-abiding citizen) has been all but forgotten. Pfft!

Vic said...

People try not to say anything "bad" about the deceased, and yes, MJ did have a big impact on music, and subsequently, on a lot of people's lives.

That being said, I have to agree with you Sarah. All I hear in the press are vague "later controversies" when alluding to the whole child molestation issue.

It contains to send the message that it's okay to victimize children if you're rich enough, or popular enough.

It makes me sad, and it makes me angry that we don't do enough to protect our children. And that our priorities are so screwed up as a society.

Thanks for writing from your heart, Sarah, and for saying what needs to be said.

Twenty Four At Heart said...

Our society deifies celebrities regardless of their character. Does anyone but me see Kobe Bryant playing brilliant basketball and think "rapist?" I tweeted about losing a pedophile yesterday and got hate tweets in return. We live in a pathetic world. Michael Jackson was a gifted musician and performer and a PEDOPHILE.

Jen said...

Right on, Sarah. I think it is sickening how so many people get so emotional and carry-on about MJ!! To top in all he is/was over $ 50 MILLION in debt.....well he had a good nickname WACKO-JACKO !~!!!!!

Raising my kids RIGHT said...

I won't miss him. He was a musical genius to be sure, but so what.
Ted Kaczinsky was a brilliant mathematician...are we gonna worship him when he dies?

Eskimo Bob said...

Welcome Back Sarah!

*Anonymous; I don't think there is anything wrong with what you're saying - I just wish you had the maturity to OWN them.

Sarah -

You bring about very good points. The sad fact of the matter is that when someone dies - the bad dies with them and we typically remember them for the good stuff. Except for Hitler - he just can't get a break. He, too was such a wonderful musician.

Today on my blog I posted a MJ song for Rock'n Roll Friday - but that post is just for music appreciation to get you hyped up for the weekend.

He was a nut-job for sure, and a lot. A LOT. Can and will be said about him - however MJ was never convicted for child sexual abuse and sadly no one but he and the children really know what happened. I do know that I'd never leave my kids with him - or even hang around him -

Thanks though for bringing back some of the realities. It's not too soon to point out the whole story.

HipKat said...

It's a tough spot.
Person issues? Oh yeah, he had buckets full, BUT, and I think that the media has done a good job of doing this, we can focus on the guy's contribution to the music world, which IS undeniable.

Even when he didn't seem relevant, he was always relevant.

HipKat said...

Ahh, and one other thing.
We feel more about a celebrity dying than a soldier because we're so exposed to the celebrity, it's almost like we know them.

said...

Sarah-
Great return post - glad to see you here, and kudos for speaking your mind.

The deaths of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson immediately made me think of the impact they had on me as a child/teenager/young adult, and then sadness - for him in particular. The shine was rubbed off our collective appreciation for his talent by his actions in his personal life.

Chris said...

Well Jackson, Billy Mays, and Farah may be dead but at least you're still alive! Where the hell have you been? ha ha

LMAO at Anonymous. I'm thinking it was someone just yanking your change with the corny "man in the mirror" quote.

It wasn't me though.

Jenni said...

glad someone said it sister. the blogosphere misses you.

Petra a.k.a The Wise (*Young*) Mommy said...

Although I agree with some of the things you said, I don't agree with all of them. And I do think he deserves the respect he gained for his contribution to the music industry and I was one of those that was touched by his death. However, I am also one of those in the minority that I don't think he molested children, I just think he was a VERY troubled man who did things that were NOT SMART and the parents of those children enabled him to do something that was inappropriate and would cause scandal. Do I know that for sure? No. Do I agree that he was a freakish whackjob? Yes. But I also adored him as a kid and he was a part of my childhood that I can't just dismiss.

But that's just my two cents, and I understand those, like you, who feel strongly in the other direction.

Raven said...

What a refreshing post. I'm so tired of all the MJ worshipers out there. I agree with every word you've written. The man does not deserve to be honored in any way. Anytime anyone brings up MJ to me I say the same thing, "He was a pedophile, stick him in the ground and forget about him."

I've had a few people say that since he wasn't convicted he wasn't a pedophile. Yeah, OJ wasn't convicted either but I don't believe for one minute that he didn't kill Nicole and Ronald Goldman. The only reason MJ and OJ weren't convicted was money and fame. That's it.

Great post!

Jennifer said...

I totally agree Sarah. The whole think has been pretty sickening.

Shangrila said...
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Shangrila said...

A) Omigawd I am so GLAD TO "SEE" YOU!!! Please don't be a stranger!

B) You're preachin' to the choir here, sister!

C) If any fool dared to even THINK about touching my kids -conviction would be a non-issue (because they'd be DEAD.) I would cheerfully spend my life in jail knowing one less pedophile was walking the planet.

(Sorry-posted this and then realized I hadn't typed some key words! Had to delete and re-submit the comment.)

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