Today I got my Dapper Dan all worked up by co-worker Joe…and he got me started first thing this morning. We discussed the weekend death of a true American icon, Walter Cronkite, and what little publicity it received compared to the ongoing BS of MJ’s death.
This so-called King of Pop guy died nearly a month ago (have they buried him yet?) and yet we continue to be spoon fed all this self-proclaimed royalty hogwash from the media and “prominent” celebrities about how the world will never be the same without him.
Walter was America’s voice of comfort; America’s grandfather figure in the most tumultuous civil rights, cultural, space exploration, Vietnam, Watergate, and international crisis period in our nation’s history. He died Friday at a ripe age of 92. CBS spared one measly hour to tribute his worldly contribution over the weekend before being buried next to his wife in Missouri on Thursday. Thank you Walter for being such a gentleman in getting straight to the point in life and death, despite your peers’ disregard and insensitivities.
MJ on the other hand, refuses to rest in peace thanks in part to CNN’s Larry “I’ll talk to your 3rd cousin twice removed” King, Jesse “paint me a one color rainbow crap” Jackson, Al “love vigil” Sharpton, and Joe “exploitation” Jackson. And then there is the unending, repeatedly in your face MJ’s life story programs on the cable B channels being played on a 24-7, 3-hour loop that can be fortunately skipped over.
Arguably, Walter Cronkite through his diverse reporting and commentary, gave more to this world than MJ ever thought of singing about or dancing around. Walter gave us honesty and humanity. MJ gave us a fake high-pitched voice, a sparkly glove on one hand, several foot-tapping melodies, an amusement park 3-ring circus for a home, and an unnatural ability to slide his feet/body backwards.
As my kids know of so well, I do lists. Here’s the MJ opinion list…
Yes:
- MJ was a musical talent (I have his Essential CD on my iPod)
- MJ (and his entire family) was odd
- MJ allegedly had a sick preference for young boys
- MJ was of questionable character and reputation
No:
- MJ should be idolized by the world
- MJ was the King of Pop
- MJ’s deserves more publicity in death than Elvis, Frank, Elton, Satchmo, Marley, or the Beatles (to name a few) for his musical contribution to the world
I don’t know:
- MJ biologically fathered his three kids . Regardless, they get his wealth, debt, and good/bad reputation to live with the rest of their lives and something about that (the debt and bad reputation) doesn’t seem entirely or deservingly right.
And to throw a stick in the conspiracy spokes, has anyone really seen (witnessed) the deceased body King of Pop? Could MJ have secretly joined Elvis and Tupac on a South Pacific island somewhere to live out his life without spotlights and courtrooms? If that’s the case, they could play “we three kings” or “kings on the corners” all day long.
Now look what I’ve done – MJ got more mention in this post than Walter. My apologies Walter…but somehow I know you will graciously accept “that’s the way it is” and simply enjoy your afterlife. Rest in peace Walter – perhaps family and friends will one day allow MJ to try and do the same.
tm
21 
Dear Sir,
I appreciate you sharing your opinion, but I would appriciate it all the more if you were to read my entry about Michael Jackson (I’m new to this, I only have one post, it shouldn’t be hard to find). I u derstand the way you feel about this man you were talking about, although, I am only 13 so I’m not sure who he is. If you say he was America’s grandfather, then I’m sure he was, but in my eyes. MJ was the king of pop, and his death is celebrated more only because he was younger, and more famous. It’s very often that we have american heroes pass, but how often do we have the “King of Pop” pass? Not often for there is only one. So I am sorry for the way you feel about Michael Jackson’s case compared to yours, but try to show a little respect and not call it BS. Yet on the other hand as I will say in my blog, people should just leave it alone, Let Michael Be.
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mmeyayts,
Thanks for comments. I’ve searched for your entry and have yet to find it. I look forward to reading it and hope it provides insight and commentary. Being obviously a well read and better written 13 year old, spend some time studying Walter Cronkite. He was an American hero. He spent time with America’s many heros in combat – the American soldiers – and spoke of their sacrifices to a blind public at the time.
And of our soldiers, how many have died; how many people have suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan since MJ’s death? I know not. Have those deaths or injuries been reported, celebrated, thanked, properly mourned by more than just that soldier’s family? I think not. Where is the media coverage for these losses?
Who deserves our daily respect and appreciation? Our hero soldiers, as well as the men and women that care enough to report the sacrifices of the war back home. Regardles of age, those reporters learned that craft from grandpa Walter. Revere MJ as you want, but try to celebrate his music, not his death; understand the difference between heroism and popularity. Strive to learn the difference between entertainment euphoria and coping with day-to-day real life situations. Realize heroism is the measurement of the entire person, not just a selection of his best contributions.
Let Micheal be is the underlying blog point exactly. The BS is not a sign of artist disrespect, nor is it meant to be insensitive of the notable loss of a musical talent. It is, however, a crude adjective for the incessant media and fan idolization of a popular musician of seemingly low morals and fiber.
Tell the media, MJ’s fans, family, and friends – not me- they all need to “let Micheal be”. This blog post is trying to do just that. And if done, perhaps our media can get back to covering true American heroism in the Persian Gulf/Middle East, Cronkite style.
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I’m just going to write down some thoughts here……so this may not really be well composed. But here are my thoughts at the moment.
• MJ is the King of Pop. His writing, music, videos, dancing and entertainment style was innovative and inspired people. Key word there is innovative. He did things that nobody before him has ever done. He didn’t just mimic or follow his predecessors; he chose to be something more. He was the King of Pop in the music industry. Notice I didn’t say anything about his personal life there.
• Yeah he was weird……but I don’t really care. I liked his music. Man, writing all this kind of makes me look like a die-hard MJ fan! But I’m not! I just respect what he did.
• Now for Walter, I’m not very well versed, but I think he was to the journalism world what MJ was to the entertainment world. I think that’s a pretty close comparison from what I’ve read and heard about him. And it’s reality that one of those professions comes with more fame…..and will garner more publicity. Thank god for journalists.
• You know, I just have to mention Farrah Fawcett here too. She passed away on the same day as MJ. And her death was shadowed by his as well. Her special that aired, I forget the name, but the documentary about her battle with cancer, was inspiring.
• Larry annoys me. I don’t watch him.
That is all for now. I have to get back to work. I may have some more thoughts later : )
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Hello Again Sir,
This is an link to my blog,
http://meeyayts.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/a-note-on-the-king-of-pop/
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I would also like to thank you for you for compliment on my writing skill, you also seem to be a well knowledged man.
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MJ was the King of Pop – he said he was (self-proclaimed) and you know…perhaps he was because so many of his fans and media bought into his label. There’s no denying MJ was a talent. I would label him opportunistic first, innovative second. If his talent were broken down into 4 general categories – singing, song writing, dancing, showmanship – he was good (not great) in each category. Individually, there were/are better dancers than MJ; there were/are better singers than MJ; there were/are better song writers than MJ; there were/are better showmen than MJ. It is opportunity recognized (whether his or his handlers) that allowed his talent to bring them all together on stage at the same time – and he did so better than anyone else. His MTV videos? Those were definitely innovative. But was that equally as much the director’s artistry as MJ? Yeah probably.
King of Pop. King of Opportunity. King of Talent. Had MJ lived his life without the molestation allegations, plaintiff pay-offs, and courtroom dramas, perhaps he could be more deserving of pedestal royalty. Personally, I can’t watch a MJ performance without seeing the personal life mess he endured. I can’t proclaim royalty unless the King is beyond reproach. MJ wasn’t, but his extreme musical talent was a loss to the industry for sure.
You are so right Dani – Farrah Faucett’s losing struggle with cancer was so unfortunate and heart wrenching. Her fame and popularity rivalled MJ’s at one time, and she deserved more life memorialization than was received.
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Hello for the Seccond Time Today Sir,
I just re-read your reply to my comment, and I have decided to study up on Walter Cronkite, although I am a Canadian girl, I will do a blog dedicated to him because I appreciate the work the Americans put in to help us Canadians out.
I still respect your opinion on Michael, how he’s only “good”, but I strongly disagree, I belive that Michael Jackson was incredible in all aspects. Feel free to disagree, and please do not be offended in anyway by my disagreement.
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BTW OFNi Dani…you’re not graded on composition at this blog, only your take on subject at hand. Love ya girl friend…your OFU Tim
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Well, I was not going to respond to the MJ blog because I feel so strongly about the subject and did not want to create a blog-mess, but ….. since everyone else is having fun, WTH!
I am a huge MJ fan, always have been, always will be. His life IS to be celebrated for who he was and what he gave us – incredible music, entertainment, dance, and something not mentioned before in this blog – a sense of hope for the world. (don’t give me that look, Tim May!) I will not compare MJ to Walter Cronkite nor Farrah Fawcett because I believe both were incredible people in their own right and comparisons are disrespectful.
If you listen to the lyrics of his songs such as Heal the World, Man in the Mirror, Black or White, You are Not Alone, Gone To Soon, etc, the message is clear. He’s saying, come on people – get over yourselves and do what is right for humankind! It has been said, by many in my family, that the way I view life is “Pollyannaish” (is that a word?). I truly do want to see the good in everyone and do not understand why “we can’t just all get along”. Seriously, why is that not possible!!! Life is simple – stop being mean and hateful and start taking care of the world’s people and the earth’s resources! In MJ’s songs, he sends the same messages over and over. He made millions of dollars in the entertainment industry, and gave millions of dollars to charities all over the world!
MJ’s childhood was unfortunate, if not tragic. His father is an ass – can’t think of another word, sorry! Just listen to the man try to string a few words into a sentence – OMG! Parents set the tone for their children’s lives. Parents are to take seriously this responsibility of nurturing, loving, educating, and allowing a child to just be a child – these necessities of childhood never entered the mindset of Joe Jackson – he was and still is all about the ME – what’s in it for ME. In my heart, I believe MJ longed for a childhood spent with family, other kids, and music.
In his adulthood, the media, and his father, forced a persona on him that I truly do not believe was of his choosing – it sold tabloids, newspapers, records, etc. I will NEVER EVER believe that he molested young boys. And, by the way – where were the so-called “parents” of the children sleeping over at MJ’s house? Come on!!!! If MJ had called me and asked if Dani could spend the night – uh, NO!!!!!
His children are beautiful and, from what I’ve read, well-behaved and intelligent. I pray that the media and Debbie Rowe will leave them alone, allowing them a childhood rid of what their father had to endure. (Personally, I would keep their grandfather away from them, as well.)
We do all agree on one thing – please let Michael Jackson rest in peace. Amen. :o) Becky
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Haha….thanks OFU.
See ya Sunday!! I’ll try to bring some cool(er) weather with us.
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That a-way my OFSIL Bec – glad you joined in (thought maybe you had been under the weather or something but now I know you just had your earbuds in listening ot MJ). And welcome to the wake.
Since April (before his death), I have had 34 MJ songs on my MP3 and iPhone – few are better lyrically than “you are not alone” in my oh-so-humble opinion. That song speaks to me as much as it probably spoke to him. When that happens between an artist and his fan(s), it is special. His talent for doing that is admirable…his tortured soul was saddening.
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Download and listen to Gone To Soon – you will absolutely melt into a puddle – Usher sang this song at MJ’s LA service – actually sounded a lot like MJ singing. Sometimes I just hit the “repeat” button on my iPod and listen to it over and over – as I have You Are Not Alone. Your quote is so profound, “that song speaks to me … when that happens between an artist and his fan, it is special.” So very true – a lot of his lyrics speak to me. ;o) bec
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