any michael jackson fans?

I guess I should have checked Wikipedia instead of going by some older sources from way back.

I posted this because it's the most famous co er of the deceased Michael Jackson.
Is there a lack of respect here?

You go through more than a decade of personal hell, with almost everyone around you insisting you're a pedophile...and let's see how you turn out. Frankly, I'm amazed that Michael survived that, even after he was vindicated.

Hmmmm...yes. He went through alot.

There's actually a great book about the trial, written in 2006 by true-crime author Aphrodite Jones. The book's title is "Michael Jackson Conspiracy", but don't let that fool you. Mrs. Jones openly admits that during the trial, she persecuted Michael just like everyone else. But afterward, when he was found innocent and all her colleagues started chasing the next big story...that really opened her eyes. So, she went to judge Rodney Melville, and asked for permission to examine the evidence. He gave her access to everything but the police's strip-search photos (which I'm guessing she probably didn't want to see anyway). As a result, every quote in that book is lifted directly from the trial transcripts. Michael's lawyer Tom Mesereau was so impressed by Aphrodite's work, he contributed the foreword when it was published.

We live in a dark world

Very true...and in my opinion, Michael was often one of those truly rare lights we needed. Its hard to believe he's already been gone 15 years. I still miss him, and I feel for his kids.

Yes. I feel bad for his children. What do you think of the song 'Scream'?

I'm a little conflicted over it. On one hand, I'm glad that he and Janet found something they both believed in, enough to record it together. But on the other hand, its probably one of his most brutal assaults against the press. I can't say I blame him - anybody in his situation would likely feel the same way. But that song is just so "in your face", and it also marks one of the very few times he swore in his music.

Hmmm....yes. I was little when that song came out. It was and still is so futuristic.

Yeah, but the "HIStory" album in general was definitely his most angry period. He was being constantly accused and attacked from all sides, and he didn't know what to do or who to trust...so he just channeled all of that frustration into his music. The one song that's probably the most infamous from that album, is called "D.S.". According to the lyrics, the main character in the song is Dom Sheldon...but when sung, it sounds very much like the name of Michael's legal enemy, Santa Barbara D.A. Tom Sneddon. He was the mastermind behind both accusations, and was even instrumental in changing a law so that prior charges could be admitted into a present case. As a decisive example regarding his opinion of Sneddon, "D.S." actually ends with the sound of a gunshot. There's not much room for alternative interpretation, with a move like that.

If you've never seen it, look up Captain EO on YouTube. We made a point to see it every time we went to Disneyland.

What do you think of his plastic surgeries?

I honestly don't think he had nearly as much work done, as others have insisted. At the time of his 1988 biography "Moonwalk", Michael admitted to having his nose done and a cleft added to his chin. While there's no denying his appearance noticeably changed over the years, there can be all sorts of reasons for that. His weight kept going up and down, he suffered from vitiligo and lupus, and whatever drugs his doctors kept giving him could've had all sorts of unintended consequences. The press liked to show doctored images, that made it seem like his nose had fallen off or other such crap...but you can do almost anything with Photoshop these days.

True. I felt like people were cruel to him.

Jimmy Dean's not my supper
Maybe breakfast; or maybe even for brunch.
But it is not my lunch.

Very much so. I really think of Michael as one of the entertainment world's most tragic figures. His life serves as both an inspiration but also a warning, regarding the highs and lows of always being recognized. He even wrote a song about it, called "The Price of Fame" - it was included on the release of the "Bad 25" album, following his passing.

Here's another great song, from Michael's later career. I generally don't like remix albums, but this title track was an original song that Michael included.

people are cruel to everyone. which is why we need God. For Jesus never gives up on us when all others fail. And people will fail us from time to time. Especially the ones we count on not to. God is there for us 24/7. Every millisecond of it. There to catch us when we fall. And we all fall hard sometimes.

I like Michael a lot. Billy Jean, Black or White, Dirty Diana, Give into me. Genius musician. Great Dancer. A lot of heart and soul in his songs. Well loved by his fans. God rest his soul.

I heard he bought off Eminem's music rights when Eminem made a parody of him in one of his songs. Subtle and badass of MJ.