Michael Jackson

[AFPheonix]

Well, he could have his own thread, but I don't know how well it would work on a debate forum, as I suspect he is unanimously considered awesome.

[Flyndaran]

RIP Billy Mays

Shouldn't he have his own thread?

As to pedophilia, a rational one would never put themself in a situation where temptations "arise".

Back when I had a sex drive, I wouldn't want to sleep next to someone I consider super attractive... Not that I didn't do just that when I went away for the weekend with my girlfriend back in highschool. Talk about uncomfortable. I still don't know why her parents allowed us to sleep in the same bed.

[AFPheonix]

RIP Billy Mays

[Flyndaran]

If there's a god, we won't hear as much about MJ because all the news will be covering Billy Mays kicking it.

Well his was a bit more unexpected. No cancer, history of drug abuse, or insanity.
Really blows for the co-host of his discovery channel program just as it goes into its second season.

[Flyndaran]

Oh! Couldn't tell what the tone was, it being text and all.

No problem. Oddly enough I have the opposite problem in person. Everyone thinks I'm being sarcastic all the time.

[AFPheonix]

If there's a god, we won't hear as much about MJ because all the news will be covering Billy Mays kicking it.

[McDreidel09]

Why I think MJ is getting so much attention is this:

He influenced music of all genres, whether or not any of us want to admit it. Many musicians get their inspiration from him. He not only defined the industry in one decade, but throughout his musical career, starting as a young boy.

As I was saying to a friend of mine, who wonders why Farrah did not get the same attention, she was 1) expected to die and 2) did not impact as much as Jacko did. Sure, she was America's Sweetheart and became a symbol, but for only the 70's. After making a few made for tv movies, she went into hiding until she came out about her cancer. Then she became a humanitarian for colon cancer.

That's just something I thought about.

[McDreidel09]

I was being sarcastic.

Oh! Couldn't tell what the tone was, it being text and all.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

Even if he did do something inappropriate, the parents are just as bad for being so naive/downright neglectful. I for one take the serious lack of real evidence and the sensationalism around the whole thing as more important than the comparatively baseless allegations.

If that's true, that he didn't do anything, I don't really care if he was a pedophile. That's not illegal and it's not hurting anyone just by liking something disgusting. It's whether or not he actually hurt someone that is important and we don't have nearly enough to prove that even a bit.

That said, he was an innovative and skilled performer who suffered if anything from being too popular, too soon. There are plenty of nuts out there and I respect everyone's right to do what they wish with whatever amount of money they had ( I personally would blow a lot of it on a private Airsoft MOUT facility and a huge armory, something most people would think of as equally if not the same type of weird as a private amusement park.)

And so it is that I, as in so many places including the debate over possible negative values in being homosexual, the claim that making all firearms illegal would decrease crime, and the belief that PETA isn't crazy ask that we prove things before we hate people over them.

[blas87]

This is almost just as bad as Anna Nicole's death two years ago. It was almost 6 months before E! and other channels just finally shut the hell up and found someone else to talk about.

Although we are talking about two very different people here....it's still the same principle on the ridiculous scale. Every. Single. Day. "Breaking news!"

[linguist]

Exactly. The world lost a pedophile, not a hero. If he didn't touch any boys, then why did he give that one kid millions to shut up? If was innocent, then why pay him off? .

not saying he did or didn't, because i wasn't there and i don't know, but the payoff could very well have been exactly to shut him up and prevent further damage to his reputation. a public trial on this sort of charge, even if he was ultimately found innocent, could have done irreparable damage to his reputation. look at the damage that just an accusation did. people label him a pedophile when he was never proven so.

[powerboy]

Found not guilty by a bunch of morons does not mean he was proven innocent. He admitted to numerous instances of sleeping and inapropriate touching of children, but oh no he never molested. Bull!
You know, I also think OJ did it. There was D.N.A. freakin' evidence.
It's not my fault jurors are often idiots and can be easily hoodwinked by celebrities with stupid stories.

Exactly. The world lost a pedophile, not a hero. If he didn't touch any boys, then why did he give that one kid millions to shut up? If was innocent, then why pay him off? But then again, I have never really liked MJ. I only liked one song and that was Thriller.

What I find interesting though, is that NO ONE is telling everyone to shut up about Farrah Fawcett's death, only Jackson. So it's okay for one and not the other? Granted in the past few years, Jackson has found himself lower on the likeness scale, but still. If we can talk about one for a few days, then we can talk about the other.

How much do you hear about her death? Compare that to how much you hear of Jacksons death. There is your answer. Her was overshadowed by his

[Flyndaran]

And that's any better how? Underage is still underage.

I was being sarcastic.

[McDreidel09]

Though to be fair Elvis slept with an underage GIRL not boy.

And that's any better how? Underage is still underage.

[DGoddess]

What I don't get is people running out and buying albums now that he's dead. What, they didnt' like him enough to buy them when he was alive and now he's dead they can't get enough of him? What is up with that?

I think it's because it's being believed that MJ memorabilia will shoot up in price and worth more money now that he's dead.

Frankly, I wouldn't part with my money that way. And I'm not too crazy about all the hoopla over his passing.

All these people boo-hooing it up on the video cameras, talking about how MJ was "their hero" yadda yadda yadda.

But would they dare leave their children alone in the same room with him?

They can say what they please, but IMO all the world lost was just another pedophile. Even though he was never found guilty, there's still a number of people who still believe in his guilt and it was only the combination of his fame (he was almost broke by this time) and the fact that the parents of the minor child involved were less than credible that got MJ off the hook.

And now the child from the first allegations (in 1993) has come forth to recant his story? Gimme a break. Sounds to me more like he's wanting his 15 minutes worth of fame, too.