Rest In Peace, Weird One
I know, I know; you’re sayin’ “GTL — what in the hey does this have to do with politics?” and my answer would have to be “Very little.” On the other hand, perhaps, it does. Slightly at least. The guy is officially dead at the ripe young age of 50 (TMZ — RIP, Farah Fawcett as well — I had your swimsuit poster on my wall when I was a teenie-bopper — you’ll be missed).
Yeah, I’m well aware “Wacko Jacko” wasn’t a typical musician -slash- political activist like so many others in his career field, which exhonnerates his “legacy” to some degree. On the other hand, I’ve been appalled somewhat by the “word on the street” I’ve been getting from friends and acquaintences today — i.e., “Good riddance, the world’s a better place with one less child molester.” Let’s be clear though — Michael Jackson was never ONCE proven by a court of his peers to have been another “Chester The Molester” — just lots of evidence pointing toward the strong possibility.
Remember, we’re still living in America where a man (or woman) is SUPPOSED to be presumed “innocent” until proven guilty. With that in mind, and as hard as it may be to do, let us remember the man as not the oftentime accused child molester but for the musical genious he was. I know, I know, probably just like yourselves, I’m still struggling with the “But he was a child molester” thing but it’s simply not a FACT — it’s an assumption and nothing more. So, let’s focus on a couple of facts and then I’ll be happy to end this column and leave it up for your own discussion in the comments section below…
Rest in peace, my fellow INNOCENT American musician. Should truths to the contrary ever be unearthed (save for the tabloids), I might just change my mind about the tone of today’s eulogy. On the other hand, they must be TRUTHS and not just a bunch of “This looks bads“. The Constitution, the courts (Judicial Branch), the Bill Of Rights and the man’s Civil Liberties warrant this much from each and every one of us who could also potentially be wrongfully accused.
***
Other bloggers from all sides of the political divide weigh in on this significant tragedy: Andrew Sullivan of The Daily Dish predicts this news will put a quick halt upon the media coverage of the Iranian revolution in the streets of Tehran (he’s probably correct); Wonkette is bitter (to say the very least); My great friend Jay of Stop The ACLU has more information; Drudge Retort has opinions from all sides; Our friend Pamela Leavey of The Democratic Daily also expresses sympathy for his passing; ALLAHPUNDIT of Hot Air is no less respectful; Michelle Malkin prefers to remember Mr. Jackson for his genius rather than for his controversy; Ron Chusid of Liberal Values predicts draft-dodger Rush Limbaugh will blame Fawcett’s and Jackson’s deaths on Barack Obama…
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11:06 pm on June 25th, 2009 1
Someone on another forum commented “What a sad, tormented, talented man.” That pretty well sums it up.
So, DAvid Carradine, Bob Bogle of The VEntures, Ed McMahon, Farrah, and now Michael. In about two weeks.
11:29 pm on June 25th, 2009 2
I was too old to be a die hard MJ fan but I did enjoy his music and I would have given six months off my life to be able to do his Moon Walk just once. But maybe being older it was easy to see just how sad this manchild was. He not only seemed to be desperately seeking an identity but also seeking a childhood that he never had.
Elizabeth Taylor was his best friend and she held his back to the end. She was also an abused child star who has led a tormented adult life. I was willing to give Jackson the benefit of the doubt when I watched the parents be so easily bought off.
And Farrah Fawcett, I can’t remember not being jealous of her. She was a beautiful lady with a beautiful spirit.
May they both find their heaven.
2:52 am on June 26th, 2009 3
I’m not a subscriber to the “circle of life” theory. Some years ago I use to work as a nurse aid with elderly, I know some of them, because of failing health, were ready, if not happy to go. But that being said, I believe God never intended for humans or animals to ever die, but more important than even life, God valued freedom. God gave his creation freedom and sadly, that freedom was used to bring pain and death into this world. I’ll admit that when I heard that marines had plugged those Somali pirates, I was thrilled, I’m no pacifist, but ultimately, regardless of how well deserved some people’s deaths are or undeserved of others, death is a sad thing.
5:04 am on June 26th, 2009 4
Hey, have you seen this news article?
New details about Michael Jackson’s Death Emerge
I was wondering if you were going to blog about this…
9:54 am on June 26th, 2009 5
Wow, what a sense of Deja Vu. Thirty or so years ago we had a clueless Democratic president ( who followed an extremely unpopular faux conservative Republican President), an Iranian revolution, and the sad shadow of a formerly great performer known as “the King” passed away. Throw in a crappy economy, high gas prices and a Democratic Congress full of idiots and we have a perfect match for the Carter years.
The great news for us conservatives is that we got President Reagan out of that mess.
9:55 am on June 26th, 2009 6
Oh yeah, as an pre-emptive strike…..
DEATH TO DISCO
11:00 am on June 26th, 2009 7
Thank you for your considerate blog. Far too many Americans have little understanding of what it means to be “innocent until proven guilty” – until THEY are the ones being falsely accused. If you’re a man, it’s more likely than one might think. Women are not immune – look what the pedophile hysteria did to that Kelly Michaels in New Jersey. A jury found Jackson innocent. I agree, that’s good enough for me until such time – if ever – we learn facts to the contrary.
Rest in peace, Michael.
11:31 am on June 26th, 2009 8
The Beatles and Elvis are over 1 billion records sold. I’m sure MJ will surpass Bing Crosby and join the King and the kings in the 1 billion land soon.
3:10 pm on June 26th, 2009 9
“I know, I know, probably just like yourselves, I’m still struggling with the “But he was a child molester” thing but it’s simply not a FACT — it’s an assumption and nothing more.”
It is one of those things that will never go away. There is enough circumstancial evidence, enough weirdness, too many pay offs, too many stories for most people to say the King of Weird wasn’t a hebephile.
Just like technically Ken Lay was innocent – a judge threw out his conviction.
And OJ is looking for the real killer.
9:31 pm on June 27th, 2009 10
Good for you GTL.. RIP, Mikey..
11:21 pm on June 27th, 2009 11
It is such a great loss that a man with great talent like Michael Jackson dies. RIP King of POP.
2:23 am on June 28th, 2009 12
I’m glad the child molesting bastard is gone.
He ended up in debt because he paid off government officials.
Prove me wrong!!
Check his income to tax records.
Check what he has bought over the years.
Add it all up and he should have billions.
But he paid people off everytime he did something to a child.
2:24 am on June 28th, 2009 13
He was the king of nothing and you homedetoxgirl are a moron.
Maybe the king of getting away with child rape.