Of course the same question could, and indeed is being asked of Jackson’s entourage. Who is the victim and who is the enabler? I will be honest, I put Michael Jackson’s music in the same garbage can that I keep for The Beatles, The Stones, and a whole bunch of other bands. These clowns did nothing for music. The Beatles had the occasional flash of innovation, but for the most part they were just out and out boring. The Stones were always entertaining, the stage show was always, is always a must see. But, once again, it is hardly ground breaking music.
That brings us to Michael Jackson, what legacy has he left? I search, but I can not find it. We have a trail of pedophilia accusations, some settled out of court. It is that aspect that bothers me. If someone accused me of such a crime, I would want my day in court. To quote a good friend of mine…
sounds to me like he was diddler!
While I by no means wish to celebrate the passing of Michael Jackson, I do have some questions. Jackson chose his lifestyle, I doubt that there is a person on the planet with an IQ bigger than their hat size could disagree.
His legacy is a whole string of unpaid debts, a life style that few sane people would join into, and a stream of litigation against him that makes my head spin.
The King Of Pop, is the label I keep hearing, was he really? What musical legacy has he left? People talk about Thriller, but was it really that good? I don’t think so. 200 years from now people will still be listening to J. S. Bach, will they be listening to Michael Jackson? I doubt it.
200 years from now, people will still be talking about Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, it was Newtonian physics that took us to the moon! The only moon walk that these people will talk about is Apollo 11.
Michael Jackson is dead, it is time for the major news organizations to recognize the fact. If there are people that deserve some comeback, let the police do it. Doctors, management, and other enablers need to be brought to justice. But, there are so many much more pressing cases involving the living. Why dwell in the past when you can directly impact the future?
I mean no disrespect to those that enjoyed Michael Jackson’s music, but I ask you to take a moment and think about the living. Would it not be better to spend time seeking the living, rather than those that have passed on?
Simon Barrett
Loading ...
30 users commented in " Michael Jackson – Victim Or Facilitator? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackSimon
The Rolling Stones, really?
Sorry to disagree brother, but that is the best band ever. Ever! Hands down.
Every song you can mention was a hit.
Wow!
The Stones really?
Much apreciation from FL
This was a pretty dumb and distasteful and disrespectful article and I am kind of hesitant to even leaving any comments.
I must say just the fact that MJ influenced and fascinated so many people on our planet for so long is extraordinary in itself. This single acheivement by itself makes him stand tallest amongst all the entertainers who walked on earth.
In terms of his legacy people keep raising questions but what if these doubts were created by those losers surrounding MJ who just wanted to make some money from him..As an artist MJ was extra-ordinary and any kind artifical controversies created by losers who can not reach heights of MJ in their wildest dreams, can not tarnish the legacy of King of Pop.
RIP MJ
“If someone accused me of such a crime, I would want my day in court.”
And if my son or daughter were molested, I would NOT push for a civil settlement and subsequently refuse to cooperate with police in the criminal investigation as the 1993 family did. I, as the father, would NOT return after getting millions to file a second CIVIL suit against the predator asking not for justice but for my own music album and $60 million in cash as Jordan Chandler’s father did. Chandler had more than a decade to pursue criminal charges and cooperate with police if he really felt Michael Jackson had abused him. The accuser’s family from 2003 was even worse–they defrauded the welfare system, accused J.C. Penney guards of molesting them and holding them hostage to get a large financial settlement, and tried to defraud other celebrities exploiting the child’s cancer as a gateway. Sick.
Be honest, would you let YOUR children sleep in the same bed as MJ?
Check this out!
http://www.snotr.com/video/2826
WARNING: Not appropriate in any way. Contains swearing. Watch at you own discretion, and laugh if your own conscience allows it.
I’m in no way surprised that this article was written by a white man.
Alvin
Where does the writer mention race?
Nope, definitely no mention of race. The writer also isn’t impressed by the beatles or Stones either so don’t pull the race card.
As MJ said ‘It don’t matter if you’re black or white’
Just because some people aren’t fans of his music and believe that MJ could be a kiddy fiddler doesn’t make them racist!
Interesting piece. Do you count Madonna among those who’ve significantly impacted World Culture or shall we talk about Usher? Princess Diana? Besides, all this makes money. See even you’ve blogged about Michael Jackson
Besides his musical career ge was a know child molester for over ten years his had these accusations on him. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…
Alvin you’re right I want to see anyone leave their kids at his ranch for the weekend. Even at his tribute Kobe Bryant Magic Johnson tons of celebrity parents that would never had trusted MJ with their child.
Who cares about Billy Jean and Thriller when he was abusing children?
Michael Jackson is reaping his actions now!
Simon, as to your question, “The King Of Pop, is the label I keep hearing, was he really? What musical legacy has he left?” Maybe you should do a little research before you make such moronic ponderings. You may not have liked MJ’s music, but the most well respected authorities on the subject of “music legacies” would call your statements “uninformed”.
Here are a few of MJ’s accomplishments:
Jackson is the person with the most Google hits. (965,000,000 hits), (”Jesus” has 178,000,000 hits)
Jackson has supported more charities than any other artist - 39 charitable organizations either with monetary donations through sponsorships of their projects or the participation in their activities.
Named “Artist Of The Century” at the American Music Awards ceremony in 2002.
Named Artist Of The Millennium in MTV Video Music ceremony in 2002.
Jackson has more music awards than any other artist in the history of music.
Jackson holds the record for winning more Billboard awards than any other artist in one year, grabbing 13 in 1983.
Honored as artist of the decade by former President, George H. W. Bush in 1989 and another seven awards from others.
Jackson’s “Bad World Tour” (1987–1989) was the highest-grossing tour ever at the time, with over $125 million earned. This record was later broken by the “Dangerous World Tour” (1992-1993) and later broken again by the “HIStory World Tour” (1996-1997), which is still the biggest tour ever in terms of international attendance (4.4 million tickets outside of USA).
The fastest ticket sales in history, with 700,000 tickets sold in about four hours for the cancelled “This Is It” concert series in 2009.
At one stage, Michael Jackson was one of the wealthiest entertainers in the world, with a fortune of more than $750 million. [6]
Jackson has been given 197 recognized awards.
Jackson also became the first artist to sell 2 million+ downloads in a week. [7]
Named “Most Successful Entertainer Of All Time by the Guinness World Records in 2006.
On November 14, 1991, Michael Jackson’s music video, Black or White was broadcast simultaneously in 27 countries with an estimated audience of 500 million people. It is the largest audience ever to view a music video.
Jackson’s album “Thriller” (1982) is the best selling album of all time with more than 110 million copies.
Jackson holds the record for winning more Billboard awards than any other male artist, having 26.
In March 1991, Jackson signed a new record-breaking US$890 million contract by Sony. It is still the largest recording contract of all time.
Jackson has the record for the two best-selling VHS music videos ever released (”Moonwalker” [1988] in first place, and “The Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller” [1984] in second place).
Jackson jointly holds the record for most Grammy Awards won in a single year.
Jackson jointly holds the record for most American Music Awards won in a single year, winning eight awards at the 1984 ceremony.
Jackson jointly holds the record for the most World Music Awards won in a single year, with five awards at the 1996 ceremony (tied with Whitney Houston from the 1994 ceremony).
Michael Jackson was invited to the White House on May 14, 1984, where he received an award for his support of drug and alcohol abuse charities, presented by President Ronald Reagan.
Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the charity single “We Are the World” in 1985. Both artists were among the 39 musicians who recorded the song. The single was released around the world to and proceeds went to help the needy in Africa and the U.S. Almost 20 million copies of “We Are the World” were sold, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. The project raised millions for famine relief.
Jackson donated 100 percent of the profits from him single “Man in the Mirror” to charity.
Michael Jackson and Bubbles, a porcelain sculpture created by the artist Jeff Koons in 1988 sold for $5,616,750 at Sotheby’s in New York on May 15, 2001. It is the most valuable sculpture by a living artist.
Jackson sued PepsiCo and settled out of court for $1.5 million. The settlement was donated to the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California, where Jackson received treatment for his own injuries.
Jackson founded the “Heal the World Foundation” in 1992, which gave millions of dollars to help children around the world who were threatened by war and illnesses. All of the profits from Jackson’s “Dangerous World Tour”, which entertained 3.5 million people at 67 concerts, were donated to the Heal the World Foundation.
Jackson and Pavarottii teamed up for a benefit concert in Modena, Italy in June 1999, raising over a million dollars for the refugees of Kosovo, and the children of Guatemala.
After the 9/11 attacks, Jackson helped organize the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., which aired on October 21, 2001. Dozens of major artists performed at the concert and Jackson sang “What More Can I Give” as the finale.
Wow talk abt “copy and paste”
You’re right but he still died in debt broke and months after he paid someone of for “child molestation” charges.
He does have a lot of accomplishments, but are they all cover ups to who was the man in the mirror.
He was quoted saying “he likes to share his bed with children”
there is a reason he was the most private man in America.
And please don’t compare him to Jesus!!!
Go do a dance on the floor and spin around.
Simon great review, except for the Stones.
twas jacksons; insurance company that paid off “supposedly”molested kid=not jackson himself he wanted to go to court to clear his name was advised against it he was very uipset about it
both former accusers have recanted their stories
recorded conversations with family=sayimg “they were gonna make a bundle off jackson” siad fasmilies also tried to extort mioney from J.C Penney
get your facts straight before you TRY to write something…
and to metionthe stuff about the stones and the Beatles as compared to Bach
my own experience is that most everyday folks dont give a hoot about classical music= think it is totally boring. this music tends to be remembered mostly by music scholars.if you had seem the positive effect i saw in the ghetto from Michael -you might have to reevaulate yout thinking.. Ghetto kids saw Michael as a positive influence because he did NOT start out life as a rich kid -and his hard work led him to successs -
but .. none of this will matter to you you are like the asshole who interviewed Pink Floyd in the ’60’s.. and asked “but why does it all have to be so loud ”
clueless…
Did you leave your kid at the ranch for the weekend?
Any one can influence a ghetto kid with money. And what kind of ghetto r u refering to, cause he never went to Parramore & 35th st. Did he walk through Compton? Maybe Detroit? Satsuma?
Did he clean up the crack valves from the street? Did he pick up needles of the floor? Did he walk through this ghetto alone? Did he embrace the ghetto? Did the ghetto kids go play at the ranch?
ssalz
You are very wrong when you say that Jordy Chandler and Gavin Arvizo have recanted their testimony against MJ, they haven’t. The articles that I think you are alluding to were found to be fake weeks ago. If they did change their story now they would have to pay the money back.
I don’t buy the story that MJ was forced by his insurance companies to pay the children off, if you were accused of something like this and were innocent wouldn’t you fight it every step of the way?
Have you actually read Jordy Chandlers testimony, or are you too blinkered by MJ’s music to want to find out the truth.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/mjdec1.html
Look at this footage of MJ discussing the allegations, he is sooooo guilty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxzhD6jgNIY&feature=related
MJ actually compares himself to Jesus in this footage and justifies it as a reason for sleeping with children!
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=84b_1246742467
Don’t forget how easily he lies about things, take his plastic surgery lies for example.
Yes he gave a lot of money to charity, call me cynical but perhaps it was guilt money or perhaps he was trying to portray himself as a good guy. Lots of pedos work in that way.
I think people are absolutely right about the parents of the victims, they did see this situation as a way to make money, why do you think they let MJ sleep with their kids in the first place?
So to all the people that think MJ was innocent I ask again…. Would you have let your child sleep with MJ?
Let us imagine if all child molesters were as wealthy as Jacko?
With the connection and lawyers as Jacko, our children would be in immidiate danger!!!!!!!!!!
If there were a million MJ’s there would be a million molested kids, who’s parents are okay with a few miilion dollars. What abt these kids?????
Who cares as long as he makes the next hit, right?????
Michael Jackson is facing the hell he created for himself in his overly private life !
sorry but like Simon I’d rather search for the living!
All these negativities are coming from the dark. These folks are really mean spirited, being critical of someone they do not know,opinionated from the tabloids that have participated in killing MJ. Very unfair in their judgment about a person they do not know except what they have heard on TV or otherwise. Is it possible that the character assasination of MJ is because of his race and the fact that he holds the Beatles catalogue that include Elvis songs as well. See, the precepts of white supremacy is that they should have everything while others should have NOTHING. Therefore, they must destroy MJ and his legacy. The fact that the entire world is mouning MJ says a lot about his legacy. One hundred year from now MJ will be known while most who are defaming him will not even be a footnote.
Dlora
Dlora
You have been hit by a “smooth criminal”
What?! You must of spent some time at the ranch!
MJ paid parents off to not say that he fondled their kids.
You must be a fan vs a parent
look at it like this he built a theme park for KIDS in his back yard. Not for his kids. His bedrooms were made to lure kids. What adult invites other children to his house to play and invites them to sleep in his bed.
He paid them off inoreder to avoid prison and ganged raped by his prison fans.
MJ is Americas predator
his legacy will live in the petrefide children that he lured into his twisted world.
He knows what he did and the courts know and his family know.
Any black fans of MJ must be ashamed of the man, considering he did everything possible to look white.
Plus his tours were in white Europe. The fans passing out were white.
He never did a concert in ATL
All these opinions are from stupid people. You cannot judge this man, because all you know is shit…you don´t believe there are good people because you are used to be surrounded by idiots, and therefore, you think what you are used to it´s the only thing possible.
Michael Jackson enjoyed playing with kids, and that´s it. What kind of father tries to get money out of his child, who was apparently abused? How can a father enjoy money from an abuser of his own son? THINK, people, THINK, use your heads!!! Jackson was too innocent and naife, that´s why he was extorted by those families. The Arvizo family had a record or trying to extorsion other rich people, and that was a proof used in the trial. They also tried to steal clothes from JC Penney, and when they were caught, they said they were abused by guardians, so J.C. Penney finished the issue paying them. THE 2 FAMILIES, CHANDLER AND ARVIZO, ARE JUST SHIT, PSYCHOPATHS. The attorney of the State interviewed a lot of children who used to sleep with Jackson as well, and they couldn´t find anyone else who think Michael did something inapropiate.
THINK, PEOPLE, THINK!!! USE YOUR HEADS!!! Read good information as well, not just tabloid headlines. IGNORANT PEOPLE!!! I feel ashamed of people like you being part of Humanity, and just writing stupidities.
You are an idiot!!!!!!!!
You are defending a child molester!
Use your head and in doing so you might get a clue.
Forget the tabloids I’m talking court records. Charges of molestation dropped nit because they didn’t find evidence or he was proven innocent no he paid them off.
I have children and you couldn’t have paid me what he owed in debt to let them stand in front MJ’s house. Let alone spend the night. Would you? Just answer that.
Would you allow your child to spend the night with MJ at his playfull ranch?
Yeah right - Michael’s accusors in 1993 obtained a civil lawyer instead of having him arrested or beating the crap out of him. Since you are such a great parent would sueing someone for money cross your mind or would making sure the person that did this to your child was put away? The other family was totally discredited in court. And had a history of trying to con rich people. And yes the 2nd case did go to trial and he was found innocent.
BS. I by no means defend the parents of the children. They tried to get money. Dosent take away from the fact that he fondled these boys. No girls, boys.
Pls he looks creepy. Bottom line is he knows what he did!
The only time he was seen inpublic was court aperances. They said he overdosed on pills
six to seven times in 18 months
more tabloids huh?
He suffered abuse by his father, traits that would later be revealed in him.
Please
the only reason betwen MJ and other registered child offender is abt 100 million dollars.
Plus if he really gave a sh abt his fans when was his last USA tour.
I agree with Alvin’s comment about not being surprised this article was written by a white man.One of Michael’s legacies was opening the door for a certain type of music to be played on MTV.It might mean nothing to some,but for others it meant being able to have their music heard.
Michael and Stevie Wonder are probably the most copied artists in the industry.
No doubt Michael was an inovative artist.I grew up listening to his music as he was just a couple of yrs older than me.While not a fan of every song he turned out,he managed to keep my interest in his music.
The video of “Earth Song” is probably the video that evokes the most powerful feeling in me than any video from any artist.
He was one of a few that had the power to keep a listners attention fully focused and very few can claim that power.Neil Young comes to mind as one that holds the audience in thrall.
Michael in my opinion was a good caring man.He cared deeply about children and holds a record for donating the most money to charities.That should count as part of his legacy.
Regarding the sex abuse claims,well… he was the perfect target.For me it makes it all the more sad that he was trying to help these kids by opening up his home and heart only to find that a few would use that as a way to scam him out of money.
If I recall correctly the first claim of abuse came after he was told pay up or else.MJ refused to give them money and it became public.I believe it was paid off eventually by MJ’s insurance against Michael’s will.
The second claim was by a family of known grifters that had tried to get money from other well known people.I guess they took a clue that MJ had paid off the first family and they may as well go for some money as well.
I don’t think MJ ever recovered from the claims that he abused children and sadly that is one of the things that will be his legacy as well.Some(media) will want to focus only on the negative vs all the positive(music/charities) that this man gave to the world throughout the years.
If I was the parent he would be Mikee Jackson sitting in a 2×4 cell in Folson State Pen. Hopefully his cellmate is a die hard father doing life.
The greatest trick the devil pulled off was to make the world believe he did not exist.
And what does a white man writing this matters?
Michael was white, for the majority of his life
Erm right, anyways. I disagree about Michael Jackson not bringing anything to music, and the same goes for the Beetles and the Stones.
You can’t really compare him to J. S. Bach, MJ isn’t been dubbed the King of Music, just the King of Pop - which is all a load of shite anyway.
michael jackson is indeed one of the greatest entertainer. that is the good side of him. but he also has his demons…the distorted notion of love for children which he equates to sleeping with them..a sweet and charming thing. something is just not right when you have a mansion full of other rooms and yet you prefer to sleep in one bed with children, then you justify the gesture as an act of love, not sexual. then why not just sleep in your own room,then the next day show your love in other means.
i believe had michael realized that he needed theraphy for his distorted love for children esp. when he was younger, i think he would have dealt with it better and fought the urge. i also think michael’s parents are also partly to be blamed. they should have felt..parent’s instinct..that something is not right with their son and should have helped him. afterall, parents are the ones that mold ones childhood.
I heard the former East German secret police, the Stasi were worried about the concert that MJ gave in Berlin in June of 1988. They thought youths would call for the Wall to fall. (You can read about this on Spiegel Online.) Since he contributed the fall of the Berlin Wall, his moon walk must be as meaningfull as Apollo 11. (because the US competed with the Soviet Union to be the first to land a man on the Moon.)
MJ had this incredible talent,musical, visual and more, he once was this sweet child,then a grown man forever conflicted,worldwide fame and the lonelyness and despair which led to final tragedy.-All you detractors have been touched by the story, or why did you bother to write?
What fascinating opinions. If I may step in and bring some ‘reality’ to the ‘discussion.’ No person of colour that I know is at all ashamed of Michael Jackson. They are proud of him, and so they should be. Michael Jackson is the undisputed King Of Pop, and beyond that, was a human being of peerless generosity and kindness who did more to help children live happier lives than anyone writing in this post - myself included.
To the towering intellect above who urges us to head to the Smoking Gun for the truth. What? No really, what? The Smoking Gun site wouldn’t know the truth if it slept with it!
I should be annoyed, I should be disheartened, I should be outraged - instead I’m amused. All this time I’d imagined the people who didn’t
‘get’ Michael had put as much time and energy as I had into researching the truth, finding out the facts, asking the questions the media failed to. But instead I’m presented with a babble of incoherent, poisonous, shamefully ignorant opinions that aren’t even your own. Don’t you realize you are all peddling the same fourth-hand distortion Dimond and her ilk shoved down your throats when you weren’t looking. You should be outraged that you have been so disrespected by people who are paid serious amounts of money to inform you. The hatred, this unprocessed vitriol I see above my comment has no validity - and thus it will not stand. In time, this ‘fluff’ will be seen for the vicious, compromised nonsense it clearly is.
With love and humility: let me also tell you where and what Michael is now. His spirit is shining now, for he is free. He sings and dances amongst the worlds and sees all with the perspective of knowing and love. One day the great work Michael Jackson accomplished here will - in retrospect, be recognized as the truly, loving, sacrifice it was. And his name will be restored to the rightful place of goodness and innocence it was forcibly removed from.
This I promise you.
And for now, that will have to be enough.
Leave A Reply