Michael--Maybe we knew too much about ye
What felt the most shocking, as the first reports of Michael Jackson's death rolled out, was how expected the news was. Maybe not today exactly, but if there was ever a Greek tragedy that seemed to be forming in the very first years of a man's life, this was it.
The adorable and preternaturally talented boy who could sing his heart out. The engaging cartoon that made the Jackson 5 a household presence Saturday mornings. The dancing skill that evoked praise from a marveling Fred Astaire. Then came "Thriller." The album exploded on the music scene like a super nova and the creepy/funky video changed the genre forever. But it also changed Jackson. He too burned white hot, and the flames revealed an unknown dark side: the ambitious, and as Jackson described it, abusive father. The stunted childhood. The career so fully engulfed in glitz and money -- and so removed from anything resembling normal life -- that there was little opportunity for the singer to learn a few home truths: that we don't get everything the way we want it, that we have to take responsibility, that sleeping in bed with young boys isn't OK, that dangling babies over balconies and draping their faces, or breezing through expensive tchotchke shops pointing at the million-dollars' worth of goods we'll buy, reflect an inability to reckon with what life is about. The successive plastic surgery that ultimately made his face look like a badly sculpted clay mask.
We saw him dazzle with individuality and originality in "Thriller," then saw him wither away to the frail middle-aged man who was dragged to court in his pajamas. Ultimately there would be no comeback.
Photo: Michael Jackson thanks the audience during the Radio Music Awards in 2003. Credit: AP Photo / Joe Cavaretta
Farrah Fawcett died and went to Heaven…
St. Peter met her at the gates, interviewed her and
asked if she had one wish…
Farrah replied that she wanted all the little children to be safe.
The rest is history…
RIP Michael Jackson
Posted by: Dr.M Maxx | June 27, 2009 at 02:22 PM
This one 65-year old, white woman who enjoyed his music for many years and I thank him for that. I don't know what demons haunted him, but I hope his children will know that he was loved and will be missed.
Posted by: annetta | June 26, 2009 at 06:20 PM
Klara,are you jesus christ and who are you to judge.An article in very poor taste ?MJ was great.
Posted by: Kumara | June 26, 2009 at 05:16 AM
Michael Jackson's childhood was ripped forcefully away from him. Anyone in the psych field are well aware how damaging physical, verbal and emotional abuse is. He endured these apparantly to an extreme extent. I have compassion for Michael Jackson and think he did the best he could in life. I suspect life was very difficult for him. I suspect he did a lot of things to try and get away from the mental demons he suffered from and goodness knows he had plenty of reason for these demons. Respect the dead and avoid insensitivity. May he rest in peace and I hope for the best for his children.
Posted by: lexington | June 25, 2009 at 10:20 PM
This is a grotesque, opportunistic infection of a blog post by someone deluded enough to believe anyone at all will know or remember her name or give a rip about her opinion. Michael Jackson was a fantastically gifted musician, showman and superstar. He was also a human being who had to live out his life under the media microscope through which so many people live their vicarious lives by projecting all their fear, hope, envy and disappointment onto stars like MJ. He has made a huge mark in this world and on many hearts, and now he has left us all too soon. May he rest in peace.
Posted by: John Andriote | June 25, 2009 at 08:25 PM
What a freak.
Posted by: E. ESTRADA | June 25, 2009 at 08:05 PM
The dude was a freak show that I wouldn't let near my kids..nice that he could sing and dance.
Posted by: kcir1959 | June 25, 2009 at 06:23 PM
God says we are not to be happy when an enemy suffers, and that we are to pray for our enemies. Because he admitted on TV to "sharing his bed with a child", I have considered him to be an enemy. I must confess that I do not think I have ever prayed for him.
At times, when I have considered Jackson, I have mourned the innocent little boy inside Michael that died the day older MJ chose to molest a child.
We Christians must hope that MJ accepted Christ and repented before his death, because God "is not willing that any should perish."
I do confess, though, that I am relieved to hear that he passed because it means that one less very powerful child molestor is roaming our planet.
Whether or not he had a mental illness or great talent is irrelevant to his morals: molesting a child is a terrible thing.
Then again, God's Word states that our best actions are as "filthy rags" in God's sight because we are soooo unholy. Our hearts are so full of evil as human beings, myself included.
When I say I am a Christian, I am not saying that I am perfect, better than anybody else, or even good; I am saying that I know I am lost, sinful, and need Christ's forgiveness, redemption, and salvation.
Posted by: Survivor of Molestation, Living with Bipolar Disorder | June 25, 2009 at 06:18 PM
MJ was a genius trapped in a sad and lonely life.
History will remember him as the magnificent performer and King of Pop.
Posted by: Frank T. | June 25, 2009 at 06:12 PM
To clarify the point about Jackson sleeping with boys, he was never convicted of molestation. He did settle a civil suit alleging molestation, but that is not an admission of guilt.
In Martin Bashir's documentary on Jackson, the singer openly said he slept with young boys in his bed but that there was no sexual contact.
Posted by: Karin Klein | June 25, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Right now, I think Michael's "spirit" and the sorrows of his family are reflected in his video tribute to Liz Taylor --- "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE ! "
Amen.
Posted by: Peter | June 25, 2009 at 05:59 PM
When someone passes you dont trash them: Its a cowards path to say bad things at such a time. Someone once said "dont equate the artist with their art". Whatever issues MJ might have had all you really need to do is listen to his recordings to appreciate him - all the way from ABC to Off the Wall toThriller and Beyond, his recordings and collaborations were great. I think the way i prefer to remember him was the old MJ from off the wall. Whatever happened after that he still made some great music. Thats how his kids should remember him as well....
Posted by: Jack C | June 25, 2009 at 05:55 PM
the fact the LAT posted this opinion not even an hour after he is pronounced dead is sickening. settling a lawsuit if you are Michael Jackson doesnt mean you are guilty it means you are sick of being on tv and on trial for something you didnt do every day.
Stop judging, i think you will be much happier with your life.
Posted by: ace | June 25, 2009 at 05:54 PM
The opinion is well written and is probably as close to reality as we will get before the media circus surrounding his death tilts it one way or the other.
I'm from Anaheim and will always remember Captain Eo fondly...but I agree that since the early 90's this has been looming. A very sad end to a very sad life.
Posted by: Cynthia B | June 25, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Thank you Michael for the rythmn and the rhyme, for the tireless performances. Noone could moonwalk like you, noone will ever compare. Thank you for all you contributed to the enjoyment in our lives. May the other side reward you for the love and energy you shared with us all.
Posted by: Margo | June 25, 2009 at 05:50 PM
rest in peace man! everybody is sad
Posted by: Gauche from Senegal | June 25, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Terrible. Insensitive. wow, the Times is such a terrible rag now.
Posted by: Manuel | June 25, 2009 at 05:45 PM
I cannot believe the insensitivity of this so-called 'article'. As it is said in the Bible - 'he who is without sin cast the first stone' - and from one human being to another; WHO are you to pick up a rock and throw it at someone else. We ALL have flaws, all of us, whether we be celebrity or not. Digusting.
Posted by: Valerie Mohammed | June 25, 2009 at 05:45 PM
His talent did not outshine his felonies. If he had not been a wealthy celebrity he would still be in prison.
Posted by: Johann Bach | June 25, 2009 at 05:43 PM
He deserves to be remembered for the good things he did, no one wants to be remembered for one's mistakes. Most of us danced his "backwards-step", didn't we?
Greetings from Monterrey, México!!
Posted by: Emanuel Carrera | June 25, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Unlike political comments, everything here is true in some form or fashion. For both good and bad, another iconic personality passes from our lives into history and to each he left some indelible impression. A tortured soul, like Van Gogh, Hemingway, or so many others, he leaves us to wonder what price the cost of immortality. I think the cost too high, way too damn high.
Posted by: Katman | June 25, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Jackson was a pervert and I for one shall never forget that the bad deeds he did while alive can't make up for the good things he did while he was alive. It's up to God to decide the ultimate punishment for Mr. Jackson.
Posted by: LibyanMoe | June 25, 2009 at 05:29 PM
A very well written, insightful, and respectful piece..thank you..
Posted by: David Weber | June 25, 2009 at 05:25 PM
He will be known as one of the strangest humans ever to be in the public eye.
Posted by: Ken P. | June 25, 2009 at 05:25 PM
Allissa....he DID have psychological reviews made on him, during both his molestation trials. He was deemed competend. He was a child molester with enough money to pay for the best of the best attorneys to weezle himself out of the trouble he surely would have been in had it not been for that.
If you settle a case for $22 million dollars, that speaks volumes to me in regards to your guilt.
I'm sorry for his children that they have to live a life without their father (however much of a father he really was to them.) But to mourn the loss of a person who molested children is not something everyone is willing to do.
I would never wish death on anyone. But sometimes Karma has it's way.
Posted by: Izzie | June 25, 2009 at 05:22 PM