My first opinion is this article was just a set up for the comments to go back and forth and will eventually get "deleted by staff". While it's still here, I will give my opinion.

As for MJ being a pedophile, NOBODY knows that for sure. Yes, he was accused. I wonder why the first two parents of the children didn't want him tried in court though? If one of my children were molested there isn't an amount of money that would make me settle! So, to me that proves some sort of innocence. The second time around the mother who accused him had sued all sorts of people. Doesn't this look like a pattern? To me MJ was a easy target to greed of a lot of people! I mean look at how many doctors gave him his meds for his money and put aside their "moral code"!

Yes, MJ had weird "abnormal" habits and made himself an easy target for ridicule and judgement. BUT none of that erases the fact that he gave more money to charity then ANYONE, wrote songs that inspired change and love, was a great father(straight from the source!), and DID inspire the African American community with hope that they too could make a difference in this world!!

No, he wasn't a soldier. BUT he worked hard for his name in this world! No, he didn't dodge bullets of war, but he inspired love!

The memorial was BEAUTIFUL! I wonder if the people who are so quick to judge even watched it?

Kleej, of course you fail to see the similarity of the worship of christ and the worship of Jackson. Shaprton is a christian minister and he touts Jackson as christ-like. You have more in common with Jackson and his following than you're willing to face.

gazettefan, big difference. Jesus died so WE can live. He literally lives through us. Nice try though. You can go turn CNN back on now and catch up on your life.

Kleej, good point. That's what I think about that Jesus death thing, it seems like it's been going on forever, when are we going to move on from that?!!!

THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A SOLDIER IN IRAQ.
Okay, I need to rant.
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many
people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people; the American people find the need to
flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?
Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where is there moment of silence?
Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice?
Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance,"
and "thank God for IED’s?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"
I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so
many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to pass this along if you want.
Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military; "So that others may live..."

SarahB1, Jackson said he has children in his bed and sleeps with them. If some guy on your block said that, you'd take it as proof of pedophilia -especially if that guy wore lipstick and dressed like an effeminate doorman.

spbc50: And you have proof of your accusations? Bring it on.

Take the alleged pedophilia out of the equation and focus on the music. MJ sold a lot of records and was immensely popular in the early '80s, before he gradually turned into a walking freak show. Did his work change the course of popular music, like Elvis or John Lennon? No. Did he use his platform to stand for something, like John Lennon did in his passion for peace? No.
Let's talk about him as a role model. He never grew up, he was so insecure he constantly altered his appearance, he earned more money than most third world countries but died $400 million in debt. Great role model.
If you loved his music, great. But keep it in perspective.

Sarahb1
he paid off family's to drop charges he may not have been convicted, but all those little boys with the same story should tell you something.He was a very sick person

hankill...and you say you work for the State???

How laughable. You as anyone should know that just because a jury found you innocent doesn't mean squat. It means he was FOUND innocent of charges, not that he didn't do anything. You need a dose of reality. Betcha think OJ was, too.

Yep, innocent. Yet paid millions to settle civil suits.
Would you have let YOUR kids sleep over at his house? If so, you should be investigated.

And for those that say, "don't speak ill of the dead"....do you speak the same of Hitler, Dahmer or Gacy? I never said MJ killed anyone, but get real, people.

spbc50: He was found NOT guilty. He has no criminal record.

too much coverage he was a criminal. What about all the little boys lives he ruined. I tired of a pervert being idolized

MJ needed a hitch in the MC.

Good post Mikki, some of us can appreciate the work of a great artist while maintaining the ability to resent like hell his or her personal and non-artistic life.
*
Great art should not overshadow an artist's horrible behavior.
*
The claim that Jackson is a repressed 12-year-old due to child abuse or whatever, does not explain his trying to transform himself into a white man and his desire to sleep (even if it was only sleep) with children.
*
It can't be overlooked that he never took the effort to overcome his bizare behavior. And there is no indication that anyone he was associated with encouraged him to do so. He and some of them are responsible for his not dealing with his problems. He and they are without excuses.

whoanellie: Since when did we have soldiers back in Iran?

I agree with Mr. Peck! All this hype over a want-to-be white woman who molested little kids! Wow we are really messed up if we idoloze that! 4 Soldiers were killed in either Iran or Afgahnistan and you never heard one word about it unless you listened to Fox or radio. Let's get back to what's important not crying over someone who was as guilty as OJ and got off!!!!

I agree with this column.
There are a lot of people abused as children, and they don't turn out like Michael did. I enjoyed his music, but how many people knew we had a solder from Wisconsin laid to rest this week?
Where was HIS television coverage? The soldier that died at 19 did more for our country in his short time than Michael did. In the end, he ended up a train wreck. That's why people are glued to the television.
To ignore what actually happened and his behavior in recent years is just plain silly.

Give me a break. Turn the channel. Read a book.

Michael Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Millions of people across the globe loved his work, and many had strong feelings for the man. He was abused as a child and lived in a constant and perpetual spotlight that none of us could possibly appreciate or understand.

Without a doubt, he grew stranger and stranger, but his incredible work and influence endured. And will - for many years to come.

Just because you don't get it doesn't mean the millions who do are not entitled to say good-bye in whatever fashion they choose. The seemingly endless hours of TV coverage clearly had an audience or the networks and cable stations wouldn't have bothered.

It will all be over soon, and then you can back to your regular programming. Me, I'll take Michael Jackson tributes anytime.

Album's column was okay except near the end where he attributed the circus to "we." Don't count me in your posse, pal.

And for Sharpton to call Jackson some sort of civil rights champion is a desecration of all the the black civil rights champions who truly loved their people and didn't dye themselves white.

Is there a way to "suggest removal" of this column?

The people who worship Jackson can list themselves among the other people in our society who give aid and comfort to pedophiles. They are of the same ilk who make excuses for or overlook the institutionalized pedophilia in the Catholic Church. Wealth and talent and the cloak of religion aren't even required for such tolerance. People in Janesville in droves excuse and put money in the pocket of a local pedophile -registered for life as a sex offender- just because he sells tasty ice cream.

100% agree. In my mind...he was done when he was charged. Convicted or not...his life was over at that point.