Michael Jackson acquitted of all charges...

[rojo]

----Stop The Presses!------

Michael is coming BACK, baby!



http://www.reuters.com/article/press...07+PRN20071130



My faith in humanity is now en route to being restored. Because if Mike can come back after what he's been through, well, it just says a lot about strength and courage, imo. Hopefully this is just the beginning. There is only one new mj track on the album, but I feel it's good that positive things are happening for mj for a change, and that Thriller is an album that deserves this treatment. I hope this paves the way for new mj material, and more magic Michael moments.

Go Michael!

Here is the teaser video for Thriller 25; a bit hyped up, but that's to be expected from a teaser.

+ YouTube Video

Interesting; Quincy Jones, the producer of Thriller, studied music composition and theory with Nadia Boulanger and Olivier Messiaen in Paris.

[greatcyber]

sorry but there's something just indefinable about MJ

There is something that is very definable about MJ, it's just not printable! Such a waste! He used to be such a talented young man before he went crazy!

[rojo]

Well, I thought I could let these comments go, but I can't.

Nah, MJ is not crazy, and the waste was that preposterous trial.

I could add more, but I have already given my thoughts about MJ in this thread. Time to move on from the ridiculousness... onwards and upwards......

[Emmery]

I like most of MJ's music but when you get famous you have to be more careful about the things you do that could be viewed as controversial, (like sleeping with little boys). His previous out of court settlements with victims seem to indicate guilt to me. Perhaps these incidents would discontinue if he were to rename his palatial estate home.. "WhatwerethoseparentsthinkingLand"

[greatcyber]

I have always enjoyed MJ's music, just not what happened in the media with the circus atmosphere of it all. Yes, he was acquited but so was OJ. It's a shame he had to move to Bahrain to escape all the hubbub. Perhaps he will get back to the task of making music as the majority of the world still appreciates his talent.

But why did he name is child "Blanket"...?! I read that he was working with the officials in Bahrain to develop music programs, etc. I would like to hear something new from his...and Janet, too.

Stephen

[rojo]

when you get famous you have to be more careful about the things you do that could be viewed as controversial, (like sleeping with little boys).

Why? And in what way 'more careful?' Why should MJ have to do what you, or anyone else thinks he should do?

His previous out of court settlements with victims seem to indicate guilt to me. Perhaps these incidents would discontinue if he were to rename his palatial estate home.. "WhatwerethoseparentsthinkingLand"

If you had to choose between putting your whole life on hold to go to court for an interminable court case just to deal with a few charlatans (which MJ originally wanted to do,) or pay them off for a piddly amount (relatively speaking) under the suggestion of your advisors and record company, what would you do? MJ never hid any of his actions, and faced the trial head on.

I still believe in innocent until proven guilty. Otherwise one can jump to the conclusion that every person one meets is 'probably a criminal', and I wouldn't want to leave the house if that's the case. People who go around accusing others that they don't even know of criminal acts should show the proof.

People have forgotten the massive amount of good this man has done for children throughout the years. I still don't understand why some people persecute a man who just loves children.

MJ can do whatever he likes as long as he is not hurting anyone. He was cleared of all charges; maybe some day everyone will have moved on from this malarky.

I have always enjoyed MJ's music, just not what happened in the media with the circus atmosphere of it all. Yes, he was acquited but so was OJ. It's a shame he had to move to Bahrain to escape all the hubbub. Perhaps he will get back to the task of making music as the majority of the world still appreciates his talent.

But why did he name is child "Blanket"...?! I read that he was working with the officials in Bahrain to develop music programs, etc. I would like to hear something new from his...and Janet, too.

Stephen

The media ran with it because it makes them money. For some reason, society eats this stuff up. I guess they like to see 'how the mighty has fallen'. Bleh.

I think Blanket was a pet name his other kids used, and the name stuck. He can name his kid 'Moon Unit' like Zappa did for all I care. lol

Can't wait for new stuff!

Btw, OJ was convicted in civil court. These money-seekers/liars know they haven't a shred of a case against MJ, so...

[Emmery]

Right now the burden of proof has shifted in regards to dealings with children. My friend had to get a police check before she could work around children yet she has children of her own and never hurt any of them in her life. Children cannot defend themselves like adults, are more vulnerable, and quite often don't know someone crossed the line with them till its too late. They need special measures to protect them and this is why people should pay attention to act accordingly around them.

OJ had the charges dropped in criminal court, but you don't see woman lining up to his door wanting to fill the shoes of his late Wife either. MJs' going to get the same treatment with parents and kids now. People have a funny way of thinking different when it comes to protecting their kids that falls outside of all boundary's. If they don't, then they are charlatans or people willing to sacrifice their kids for the sake of settlement $.
MJ's weirder than a 3 dollar bill....all kinds of indications that he needs a therapist, or a team of them working on his problems. All the good he's done for children is viewed by many as nothing more than the "candy" and promises that "people" use to gain trust. A cover.
The bottom line is that if you asked a bunch of well adjusted normal adult males if it is acceptable for them to be sleeping with young children (not their own) in their bed...The answer would be a resounding "NO". Even normal parenting skills come to some point where at a certain age they wean their own children off this practice for their own good.
Rojo, you ask why he as a celebrity should do what people want him to do...you answered this yourself...
"The media ran with it because it makes them money. For some reason, society eats this stuff up. I guess they like to see 'how the mighty has fallen'. Bleh."
He's under greater scrutiny because of his status...therefore he suffers greater falls if he screws up...comes with the territory.
I just know from the sheepish grin MJ had in his interviews when explaining his late night "habits" with children, that shivers ran up my spine...and I don't even have kids of my own. Others around me expressed the same feelings. I'm not taking anything away from his great talents as a musician, showman, dancer ect...but a person would need to get their head examined if they sent their kids to his house for a "sleepover".

[greatcyber]

Moon Unit? I feel sorry for that kid, lol. I never knew about Blanket being a name the other kids used...I thought that was the name he chose in the beginning. Just goes to show you learn something every day.

When all is said and done, MJ does have a lot of talent. I agree, Rojo, that the media hypes things into overdrive in order to make money...what a shame. I realize that he is eccentric, but heck, he can afford to be and actually has to be as a natural result of his incredible fame. (we should all have such worries [grin]).

I look forward to seeing what his next project will be. I rather doubt that he will really return to living in the states, however.

I can uderstand about "nick names" as I used to be called "peanutty" and my older brother to this day is called "yeah yeah" as my little sister dubbed him that when she couldn't pronouce Timothy. We all thought it was cute.

Stephen

[rojo]

^^ I could be wrong about Blanket's name; I just think I read that somewhere. It may even be true.

I do however know that MJ is already living in the states. Has been for some time. He's currently living somewhere in the vicinity of Las Vegas, using a recording studio there. Of course by the time I write this, he may have moved.

And btw, Janet has recently released her new album. It's called Discipline.

Peanutty is too cute!

Right now the burden of proof has shifted in regards to dealings with children. My friend had to get a police check before she could work around children yet she has children of her own and never hurt any of them in her life. Children cannot defend themselves like adults, are more vulnerable, and quite often don't know someone crossed the line with them till its too late. They need special measures to protect them and this is why people should pay attention to act accordingly around them.

OJ had the charges dropped in criminal court, but you don't see woman lining up to his door wanting to fill the shoes of his late Wife either. MJs' going to get the same treatment with parents and kids now. People have a funny way of thinking different when it comes to protecting their kids that falls outside of all boundary's. If they don't, then they are charlatans or people willing to sacrifice their kids for the sake of settlement $.
MJ's weirder than a 3 dollar bill....all kinds of indications that he needs a therapist, or a team of them working on his problems. All the good he's done for children is viewed by many as nothing more than the "candy" and promises that "people" use to gain trust. A cover.
The bottom line is that if you asked a bunch of well adjusted normal adult males if it is acceptable for them to be sleeping with young children (not their own) in their bed...The answer would be a resounding "NO". Even normal parenting skills come to some point where at a certain age they wean their own children off this practice for their own good.
Rojo, you ask why he as a celebrity should do what people want him to do...you answered this yourself...
"The media ran with it because it makes them money. For some reason, society eats this stuff up. I guess they like to see 'how the mighty has fallen'. Bleh."
He's under greater scrutiny because of his status...therefore he suffers greater falls if he screws up...comes with the territory.
I just know from the sheepish grin MJ had in his interviews when explaining his late night "habits" with children, that shivers ran up my spine...and I don't even have kids of my own. Others around me expressed the same feelings. I'm not taking anything away from his great talents as a musician, showman, dancer ect...but a person would need to get their head examined if they sent their kids to his house for a "sleepover".

You have decided to judge MJ as guilty based on the way he looks (in your opinion, a sheepish grin,) being 'weird' (also your opinion,) the opinions of others around you, and previous allegations that were never proven. I don't think anyone should be considered guilty of a crime because of how they look, or because they are perceived by some as weird.

The allegations have been revealed as nothing but lies and extortion methods. The persons who brought them about have all been exposed, and proven as liars and money-chasers. In terms of the trial, DA Tom Sneddon spent waaaaay more $$ on MJ's case than any other investigation, including serial killers. Waaaay more police agents were used when searching MJ's home than usual. Think of all the real criminals that could have been investigated with all that dough. He made a website to enlist possible victims to come forward, and took trips on tax payers' money in order to seek out possible victims. He turned up nothing. And there were plenty of children that came to MJ's defense, including McCaulay Culkin, who said yes, they all shared a bed together, and nothing inappropriate ever happened. It was NOT sexual, however much it is a societal norm for adults not to share a bed with children.

The media blew everything out of proportion, and actually tried to sway the trial towards a guilty verdict. Very similar to a witch hunt.

The details of the trial are available to anyone who wishes to understand what really went on, and people are to be encouraged to look beyond what the general media have been presenting, to seek facts, and make up their own minds based on those facts. Most people do not take the time and trouble to do so. I have.

To see the good that MJ has done for children over his entire career as 'candy' for gaining trust I find ludicrous. I believe that MJ is concerned about children, cares about children, and he's said he gets inspiration from children for his music. That's what I understand.

The bottom line is; MJ was exonerated of all charges. There is no evidence for anyone to believe that MJ is a child molester. The trial is over, and justice was served.

MJ will do as MJ will do, whether people like it or not; no laws have been broken. If MJ chooses to take a route that makes him fall, (breaking with society's norms,) that's his choice. That doesn't however make it acceptable to pre-judge the man of being guilty of a crime. If, as stated in your post, Emmery, parents choose to keep their kids away from MJ, that's their prerogative, as it has always been.

Btw, to reiterate, OJ was convicted in civil court.

I think MJ looks pretty good in this recent vid (25-05-08)

+ YouTube Video

[Emmery]

There is not much real justice left in the U.S. It is fairly common as of late, that if you have enough money, you can defeat anything/anyone, or put a trial into stalemate, or drain your opponent of their finances before you bleed dry yourself. A sad statement on the state of the court systems, and the overly litigious nature of society.
MJ was asked in interviews about all his nose jobs and plastic surgery and he denied having any...hmmmm...do you believe him. Same with the crazy reference to his rare "turning white" disease...seems kind of funny it went hand in hand with his "nose mysteriously turning Caucasian disorder".
Rojo when you stated ...
"Btw, to reiterate, OJ was convicted in civil court."
the main difference between the two courts is the term "beyond a reasonable doubt" which is the criteria for criminal court. You don't have to prove innocence in criminal court, you only have to introduce a small amount of doubt. The defense lawyers job is to weave this "small amount"' into the fabric of what is reasonable, sell it to the jury, and bingo, you exonerate your client. MJs trial was no different. He acted so weird and different from normal people (wearing pyjamas to court ect), he portrayed himself as this so that his other actions that also fall outside the norm (like sleeping with little kids) would seem to fit this rather strange profile and instill a small amount of doubt in peoples minds.
One of the possible explanations for MJs eccentricities is the isolation he has created for himself . It must be truly hard for someone so famous to not do this but there are certain negative things that come out of it. Our self image for the most part is connected to the everyday clues and interactions we get from our friends and peers. Most people mix a bit of individuality with a bit of conformity for a balance. Honesty and open dialogue with these people keep our self image in check. MJ probably lacks in this interaction so his strange behavior at times seems normal to himself.

[rojo]

Emmery, those are lies.

MJ has vitiligo.

+ YouTube Video

Much, much more proof of MJ's vitiligo can be found pretty much everywhere.

MJ does not deny having had plastic surgery.

+ YouTube Video

He talks about it in his book, Moonwalk.

This vid is a bit odd, but the girl raises some good points.

+ YouTube Video

I notice you accuse MJ of buying his way out, yet you have nothing to say about the staggering amount of money that was used against him.

MJ did not buy his freedom.

You said it; society is overly litigious.

MJ is not perfect; none of us are. He is, however, a human being like the rest of us and deserves the same respect as the rest of us. As to MJ's mental health, none of us even know the man and we are not qualified psychologists, so we are in no position to judge.

Any further lies and/or allegations about MJ will be deleted.

[Contratrombone64]

Emmery - your comments are spurious and/or apochrophal, yes?

I'm fully with Rojo on this part of this discussion, that's for sure.

"MJ is not perfect; none of us are. He is, however, a human being like the rest of us and deserves the same respect as the rest of us. As to MJ's mental health, none of us even know the man and we are not qualified psychologists, so we are in no position to judge."

[greatcyber]

Another good reason why I moved to Canada...Here (and it seems the Commonwealth) people seem more open to diversity, acceptance, no jumping to judgment pretty much just letting people be who they are. Yes, not everyone has to like everyone else, but at least here people are more apt to just let people live in peace. Of course, if you are hurting someone else or depriving them of their liberty, safety or comfort, the government simply will not tolerate it.

Rojo, people in Canada are really lucky to have been raised with the ideals that they have. Coming from the states I can tell you that it just isn't that way there. Biggots a plenty there. Most people there just can't fathom living the way we do here.

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO happy to be here now!

Stephen

Before anyone jumps all over me, I know I disparaged MJ a little, but I have always enjoyed his talent. Part of my past problem with him has been from media hype, as Rojo pointed out earlier. Who really knows WHAT the truth is? Like the citizens REALLY know the reasons for the invasion of Iraq? Who the heck can you believe about anything in the US...the government? Come on, be real.

I know they hyped up about his being a pedaphile, but until it is PROVEN then nobdy can do anything other than surmise. I fell into the media trap but am happy to be out of that situation now.

Thank you, Rojo for pointing out what should be obvious to everyone. And thank you for such a tolerant society.

Stephen

[Contratrombone64]

Stephen - this place has its ups and downs, like any other community. But if someone really "gets up your goat" you just block them and then you don't see their pointless banter. This is, on the whole, a very minor occurrence. Most people, like Marval, Rojo, Miss Judy, Krummiest, Sweet Corn and the list goes on and one are a total laugh a minute

[Emmery]

Contratrombone said...
"Emmery - your comments are spurious and/or apochrophal, yes?"

My opinions are validated by my own reasoning. I welcome any feedback or argument to the contrary but have not heard any thats strong enough to sway the way I feel (yet). Our court and justice system follows the premise of "Better to let a guilty man go free, than to wrongly incarcerate the (possibly) innocent". There are plenty of (probably)guilty people wielding power, money and influence walking free in the streets because of their lawyers manipulating this "loophole". Had MJ been just a poor Joe with an appointed defense lawyer...his outcome most likely have resulted in a striped sun tan and maybe commented on in the back pages of a newspaper.
If you look at lesser offenses like drunk driving, assault and such, celebrities are getting the so called "tap on the hand" treatment (counselling, community service, charity concerts ect) while Joe Nobodies are going to jail and loosing their license to drive. This is not true justice.
One of the longstanding backbones of our justice system was the notion that if a person served their time in jail, the slate gets wiped clean, and they can continue on in their life without the past hounding them. Yet citizens are warned of past child offenders living in their communities. Border guards ask if you have ever been charged (not even convicted) with any crimes in the past. Suspected terrorists are being held for years awaiting trials for crimes they have not even been formally charged with or shown the nature of the allegations against them.
The world is changing people, and eroding privileges and rights along with it. Some for the better "good" of us all, and some not.
If my views on MJ seem to out of line with the views of MJ fans...so be it...I'm not saying he needs to be whipped for his behavior, I'm just saying that its unlikely that any children in my care would be allowed near him if he was unsupervised. To me thats not bigotry or discrimination, its just a gut feeling tempered with what I consider common sense.