Michael Jackson tickets to Staples Center service?

Simply because a monetary “award” was given does not mean that the defendant is “guilty”. People are forced, coerced and mandated to pay and/or simply agree to pay monetary awards in civil court to move past the litigation and it is very possible that they did not committed any wrongdoing. People are “found guilty” of crimes who are “not guilty” (for example, appx. 25% of those found guilty of rape are innocent - see FBI) and some of these same “innocent” people may have paid monetary awards to “victims”. So, to “assume” that MJ is guilty b/c he paid a monetary award to the child may be a flawed assumption based on two sides of an incomplete coin. If one can “assume” that MJ was guilty of child molestation, then the reverse “assumption” is also valid in that others could “assume” that the parents coerced the child (or children) to say things that were not true for monetary reasons.  Would parents coerce their children to lie for money? Well, the question to the answer is: have parents killed their children for a lot less than a $1m (maybe Casey Anthony), or have they abuse their own children (too many cases to even list)?  Have people even harmed their children and then lied and said someone else did it (Susan Smith).  So, if parents could do those things, then why wouldn’t they also use coercion to seek monetary damages?  Remember the McMichaels case in which numerous children said that the owners of the daycare molested them and then years later many of the same children (at the risk of being villianized themselves) recanted their stories stating that they were “coached and coerced” into saying they were molested?  These family members also had to pay in civil court for crimes they did not commit. They also served time for those crimes; were also labeled as pedophiles; and were also ostracized, threatened and harassed by the public and the media. So, where was their “justice”? Do we always automatically assume - particularly when large sums are money are involved—that the charges are legitimate? I can assure you that the auto & homeowners insurance industry are ready to sell you some land in the desert (or ocean if you prefer) if you believe that!

No doubt, some will say to this argument, “but there were two separate accusations”—and the counterargument for that would be that people are “opportunists” and once the door was opened by the first case, unscrupulous parents could walk right in. In addition, there were many kids who came forward and stated that MJ did not touch them (McCauley Caulkin was one).  As the old adage goes—there are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the “truth”. Unfortunately we (society) will NEVER know the “truth” of what happened in the MJ case. We can only make our personal “assumptions”—which can never be based on the truth.  What would be really sad is if the children involved came out later and recanted their stories. Then what…?

Was MJ guilty of child molestation? I really don’t know—but then neither does anyone else OTHER THAN the children who claimed they were molested.  The world will never truly know Michael’s side of the story—even though he has been labeled as a “pedophile” by many. 

Like him or not, MJ was a musical genius, and he will always be a part of the “story” of music. At this point in time, no one has EVER told the story of acceptance, love, friendship, peace and compassion for others through music like MJ. He brought the musical icons and diverse people of the world together in songs like “We are the world” (all of the proceeds were given to help feed the people of Rwanda) and he tried through his music to get people to work together and accept each other.  Not only that, he worked diligently for and made significant monetary donations to organizations designed to help the children of the world.  His philanthropic initiatives were amazing.  Love him or hate him, one thing is for sure: he had a powerful message of bringing the people of this world together and I for one hope that more than the negatives of his life and his story is told! R.I.P. MJ!

First, what did MJ ever do for you as a person? Nothing. He never did anything for me and what if his music was “good” it wasn’t great , he sure wasn’t a composer, he was just an entertainer. He knew how to work a crowd and that’s it. People take “idol” to a new level with MJ, since when is a human being an “idol”. I wouldn’t, personally, be caught up in all the crowds that will most likely end with people getting hurt and a possible riot, over what? You can sit at home and still be part of history if that’s what you want.
As for what he did in his personal life, no one should be judging because he was found not guilty in a court of law and so who are we to judge. Seems to me the parents are more guilty than anyone else, they were greedy and let their children be in danger just because it was MJ. He will be judged by a higher power and no matter how great of an entertainer you think he was on earth, that higher power will judge him on his actions towards others not on his talent. Talent doesn’t make you a good or great person its only part of who you are. There are many many great people on this earth, who do great things everyday but are not “idolized” for their actions. I don’t see people knocking eachother out of the way to go to a soldier’s funeral who has given his life for this country, yet they’ll stand in line and risk life and limb to go to MJ’s funeral. I think society has its prioritites really upside down. His death needs to be treated just like any other, he lived he dies and now everyone who’s left behind has to go on,working,paying bills,etc.

lovin: accepted email etiguette lesson #1: most readers interpret all caps as yelling in an email or on-line post. Thus your negativity, not mine.

Now, calmly, - give your exclamation and all caps keys a rest and go back and read my original post; you’ll see that I was commenting on the “fans” and not MJ. So sweetie, sugarpie, honeybun - I’m not throwing dirt. You, however, and digging yourself ever deeper with your baseless rants.

lovin: “filled with negativity”, you’re kidding, right? I’m not the one typing half of my post in all caps. Compare the text of our two posts and then take a chill pill.
PS: I watch Fox, MSNBC, NBC, and CNN.

Doa why would you like to go then? To be a part of “history”? I mean really, these accusations were NEVER confirmed by anyway and AGAIN if it was true, WHY WOULD THEY TAKE MONEY FOR COMPENSATION OF THEIR CHILD BEING MESSED UP FOR LIFE??? I’m sure the money they received is long gone. I don’t really know if he did these things so I can’t say yea or nah, but I know ITS NOT IMPORTANT now that he is gone.

And citycynic, Obama still has nothing to do with this story and I really could care less how many times you mention his name, but I am sure it has been a lot. And if you turned from FOX news, maybe you would hear about the IDIOTIC reasons people felt the need to vote for McCain and Palin (because she was HOOOTTT). Yea its a free country, but why does it have to be filled w/negativity? If you don’t have anything nice to say, SAY NOTHING! Ever heard of that??? How about doing it then. I will read what I want and comment how I want!