Comments on: Michael Jackson: Genius? Yes. Government-sanctioned ‘icon’? No.

By: Dee

Dee — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:00:11 +0000

Michael was a great singer but get over him already! He called himself a king and his sons princes–how ridiculous. He was a pathetic freak and I feel sorry for him because his father abused him. Why did Brooke Shields speak at his funeral? I guess to prove how “normal” Michael was since he dated a female but we all know he was far from normal.

By: Izulien

Izulien — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:28:38 +0000

I agree. We don’t need to spend time on this at all. Grab some of his work from iTunes, toss it on your mp3 player and enjoy. End of story.

By: Pam

Pam — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:04:02 +0000

A few days after Michael Jackson died, my mother died. She was a woman of integrity and class. She was a teacher, a mentor, a wife and a mother. She took in the lost, lonely, and unlovely. She emulated grace and forgivness. She was just an ordinary person who loved. These are the people we should be idolizing. The people who work hard to make things right and require no spotlight. The people who require no thank you, or applause, or special day to honor them. The ordinary people. They are the ones truly making a difference.

By: james

james — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:49:12 +0000

If Michael Jackson is not a musical ICON, then no one is. He is essentially the Black Elvis and people (republicans) thought Elvis was an icon. Humans are flawed but we can celebrate his music and legendary. http://www.bbwsinglesdate.com/

By: j3ceo

j3ceo — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:23:20 +0000

Ah, the love of American opinions. If those negative-minded, self-destructive folks here would just take the time to look at themselves and use their energies to try and create a better world as Michael Jackson tried to do so well through his varied talents, then these discussions would never take place. Our world would not be in the condition that it is in and we would all be living peacefully as is really, ultimately what we all want, right? Let those who wish to honor Michael Jackson as an icon, honor him as an icon. Let those who don’t wish to do something else to create positive energy. It is the freedom that we should be so thankful for that allows us to choose. No debates. No arguments. Just do it. If it bothers you, it shouldn’t. Think about it.

By: j3ceo

j3ceo — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:16:46 +0000

Ah the love of opinions. That’s what we Americans do so well. You know, if everyone would put their energy into their own life and making this planet a better place as Michael Jackson attempted to do, without ridiculing and disregarding the positive action of others, then our world would not be the destructive, hateful, discriminating place that it is. Rise above people, the power is in your hands and Michael Jackson only did what he knew best and did very well. If someone wants to honor him for that what damage can it do? Ah yes, damage to your ego as you recognize that you haven’t yet given up many of your egotistical ways to become an inspiration and loving person to your society. Put your energy into something more valuable than destroying what other human beings donated while creating human compassion while on this planet.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:54:53 +0000

In response to the comments from Angel – I like MJ but also wanted to clear up the comment about Elton John… Elton’s last 2 ablums went to #2 and #6 in chart positions, he currently has a huge #1 hit musical “billy Elliot” which has won 10 tony awards and he also currently has the #1 grossing concert tour this year, beating out the tours of bruce springstein, britney spears, the eagles, the dead, dave mathews band, kenny chesney and fleetwood mac… This year Elton has been ranked as the 7th most giving/charitable person in the world… Elton also has the MOST top 40 consecutive hits ever achieved… considering his career has been going very strong for 40 years and the man is in his 60s, that is amazing!.. you asked when was elton’s last #1 hit single – it was in 2005.. when was MJ’s last #1 hit single – it was in 2003..

By: Jule

Jule — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:39:55 +0000

Michael Jackson was a bit of a diplomat – traveling the world and representing. Not many entertainers have done this. He safely built bridges between countries using his persona and celebrity. He derseves to be declared “an American legend and musical icon” and a “global humanitarian.” This is truly what he was. People need to stop the generalizing and the rehashing of past court cases and his life’s personal business. If he was guity in those cases that guy Tom Sneddon, the LA prosecutor who ripped apart Neverland looking for evidence would have prevailed. He hurled accusations, destroyed Neverland searching for evidence and came up empty handed. Congress would probably take all of 10 minutes on the MJ resolution. They should do it..nobody has done what MJ has done with his celebrity internationally and his generosity with charity organizations. Becasue of the nasty media coverage, nobody ever believed a word MJ said, not even that he suffered from a skin disease.

By: mitch gaylord

mitch gaylord — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:59:11 +0000

They should build a statue for him where they maufacture xanax or a monument in front of the FDA headquarters.

By: John Hampton

John Hampton — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:11:55 +0000

No LJ. You’re wrong. We do have a way to honor someone in such a manner. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee attemnpted to do with her proposed legislation. However, Michael Jackson, in my view and in the view of very many people who share my perspective, does not measure up to being honored in such a way. Look, Michael jackson’s family was in it for the money. They got their wish. Now let the rest of the country go on to things far more important than celebrity figures. Get your heads out of your asses and start focusing on important issues. The only important aspect of Michael Jackson’s tragic life is the fact that too many people tragically believe that he was an iconic figure and somone worthy of his undeserved adulation. He was obviously a sad and pathetic person who was totally unhappy about who and what he was. That’s why he mutilated himself. His entire family should be ashamed of how they facilitated his self-destruction and their failure to do anything about it.