Michael Jackson - disgusting freak or tragic character?

[Hortlund]

Uh...so exactly how is "society" responsible for Michael Jackson being a sick f/%#% perverted child molester?

[SirLoin]

Sorry,couldn't resist...


http://www.kicken.com/funnyfiles/WackoJacko.swf

[Leslie]

Beethoven's father treated the young Beethoven in much the same way as you describe Dowding.  Not sure about Beethoven's sexual preference, but either way, he didn't turn out to be a freak, and is highly respected because of his accomplishments.

Michael Jackson phenomenon is pathetic...seems to me like vanity is the main culprit, exacerbated by the corrupting powers of unlimited amounts of money, choosing the wrong mentors in the music industry, and probably drug usage.

The guy seems to be mentally ill, that's for sure.  A casuality of fame and fortune?  Might not have turned out that way otherwise.  Who knows.

This is a good example of why humility is so important to the long term well being of artists, musicians, etc...  Though I'm not a fan of MJ, he does have a lot of talent.  Ultimately, he is the one responsible for how he'll be remembered.

I suppose if blame has to be directed away from the personal actions of any individual who is highly successful in the music industry, it should be remembered the mafia often becomes a factor where lots of money is involved.  Perhaps not so much nowadays, but in MJ's formative years they were alive and well, no doubt demanding more and more outrageous performance from the agents and business managers to give the audience what they want, to sell tickets and make more money.

Of course, this is just a theory, but it seems plausible to me.  Can't say I have sympathy for the likes of Michael Jackson.  If he has broken any laws concerning children, he should be arrested by the Police.


Les

[CyranoAH]

Both

[Dowding]

Don't get me wrong, Leslie. I'm not defending Jackson's involvement with kids - that's inexcusable. The way he talked on that interview, he sounded like a paedophile trying to justify his actions.

But Beethoven grew up in a very different time, you have to admit. I'm sure he wasn't hounded by paparazzi and adoring fans or had his image displayed on every medium going. I honestly believe that his upbringing and exposure to the world at such an early age had something to do with the way he has turned out. I believe he is a victim of his own early success in that regard - none of his brothers have had these problems - because they were older at the time?

I think he has a lot of talent and ability, but I'll never be able to see past the extremely ill person he is. He even denies the cosmetic surgery and maintains that he has had only two nose jobs. Sad.

I watched that program and saw him wondering around a shop buying pretty awful looking bits of expensive furniture and I kind of got a glimpse of what it must be like to be ultra rich, like him. Billions in the bank and nothing is unreachable. It seems to me none of it would mean anything - you wouldn't value anything and life would be very empty feeling.

I could handle being wealthy, but not famous and ultra-rich. I'd crack up, I think. I'm amazed Jacko is still alive, to be honest.

[Holden McGroin]

Originally posted by Dowding
...But Beethoven grew up in a very different time, you have to admit. I'm sure he wasn't hounded by paparazzi and adoring fans or had his image displayed on every medium going....I could handle being wealthy, but not famous and ultra-rich. I'd crack up, I think. I'm amazed Jacko is still alive, to be honest.

Near the end of his life, Beethoven was asked what he thought about his considerable celebrity.  

He responded "What?"

[Animal]

Originally posted by Toad
Oh... it's the fault of SOCIETY.

Ah, thanks for clearing that up.

Thank Cod there was no Michael Jackson personal responsibility and accountability involved.

Whew. I'm relieved.

Its also arguable that society is the cause for your dumb annoying sarcasm, but I'm sure we can blame your lack of wit.

Parents and siblings and other money-grabbers who pushed him further than even adults can manage (look at Maraia Carey and other adults who break down at that point), and being famous in a time when the status quo was white = right its not hard to visualize how a troubled, confused kid with no identity will end up being the freak we see today.  He had no real childhood, so hes trying to spend his adult years making up for it. Trouble is, no adult can act like a true child around children, thats the perfect recipee for scandal.

Yeah, I can safely blame society.

If you dont agree with this arguement, ironically, you can blame society. We dont hold mental patients and insane people accountable for their actions in this society, and that is exactly what he is. He is clearly out of his mind.

[Toad]

Sure, I'd say his parents have to take some of the blame.

But your contention that parents are somehow "society" is twaddle. IMO.

They're parents.

Beyond that, after he was off on his own, he most certainly became "the Captain of his ship and the Captain of his soul."

He's old enough to know right from wrong with respect to the children aspect.

There are plenty of people that had as tough or tougher time coming up that aren't pedophiles.

That's the aspect of the present accusations where his own personal responsibility and accountability come into focus.

His plastic surgery is merely a choice he made that affects no one else.

[ra]

and being famous in a time when the status quo was white = right

I knew it was only a matter of time....

[Animal]

Oh come on, now you are gonna argue that there was no racial tension in those days?
I'm not talking about now, I'm talking about then.

[28sweep]

Go play with some Coconuts...

[Animal]

Yeah!

[ra]

Oh come on, now you are gonna argue that there was no racial tension in those days?

No I'm not, but playing the race card is just a lame way of trying to prove a point without proving anything.  If social tensions were a cause of psychiatric disorders every human being would be a psychopath.

I'm not talking about now, I'm talking about then.

So there's no racial tension now?


ra

[Animal]

WTF with the race card?
It was a point in an arguement, combined with many other problems.

Anything you say about racism is a race card? you dont know what you are talking about.

A guy does his best to whiten his body, straighten his hair and mutilate his face in an effort to look white, and you want to ignore racial problems as part of the result of what he is?

Race card my ass, thats a real issue.

If social tensions were a cause of psychiatric disorders every human being would be a psychopath.

We are individuals, everyone reacts differently to stimulus, THATS why we have psychopats. The constant prying eyes of the whole society looking and judging every action can act as a magnifying effect. Who wouldnt break under the pressure of having a whole nation analazing your every move 24/7. Of course he ends up being a freak. Most of those celebrities ARE.

So there's no racial tension now?

Its relative harmony now compared to then. At least that you can see in the media and showbusiness.

[Toad]

Yeah, there is no personal responsibility.

Mysterious forces acting from outer space are responsible for all troubles on planet Earth.