Did MJ's death make you think about . . .

[Purplegrasshopper]

What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty in a court of law? Despite what MJ did or didn't do, his musical and dance contributions to the human race are undeniable. I, for one, would rather remember a man for the positive aspects of his life rather than the controversial ones.

[Another_Dude]

Originally Posted by Purplegrasshopper

What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty in a court of law? Despite what MJ did or didn't do, his musical and dance contributions to the human race are undeniable. I, for one, would rather remember a man for the positive aspects of his life rather than the controversial ones.

Like OJ, he was not found guilty in a criminal trial while the public perception is that the charges were legitimate and beat by the wealth of the accused.


Now, if you had to leave town right now and you had to leave your child alone overnight with either MJ (assuming he was still alive) or OJ which would you pick?

[Purplegrasshopper]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

Like OJ, he was not found guilty in a criminal trial while the public perception is that the charges were legitimate and beat by the wealth of the accused.

I personally don't care about the "public's perception." If he was not convicted in a court of law, he's not guilty. End of story.

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

Now, if you had to leave town right now and you had to leave your child alone overnight with either MJ (assuming he was still alive) or OJ which would you pick?

Quite frankly, this is the stupidest question I've ever been asked and is completely pointless. You're trying to bait me, and I'm not going to play your little game. Good day, sir.

[Another_Dude]

Originally Posted by Purplegrasshopper

Quite frankly, this is the stupidest question I've ever been asked and is completely pointless. You're trying to bait me, and I'm not going to play your little game. Good day, sir.

There is a point to the question, to see how much you truly believe in the innocence you expect us to extend to Michael.

I believe, regardless of court ruling, that he was a pedophile. If I had to make the choice I would prefer to leave my child in the care of OJ overnight rather than MJ.

Why would someone who believes that Michael is truly innocent of his charges, not just in verdict or dismissed cases but actually innocent, have a reservation about their child staying with him?

[Purplegrasshopper]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

There is a point to the question, to see how much you truly believe in the innocence you expect us to extend to Michael.

I believe, regardless of court ruling, that he was a pedophile. If I had to make the choice I would prefer to leave my child in the care of OJ overnight rather than MJ.

Why would someone who believes that Michael is truly innocent of his charges, not just in verdict or dismissed cases but actually innocent, have a reservation about their child staying with him?

First, I never stated I expect you or anyone else to extend innocence to MJ. Please don't put words in my mouth.

Second, I respect your belief that he was a pedophile. You are entitled to your opinion.

Third, I never stated I would have any reservations about my children staying overnight with MJ. Again, please don't put words in my mouth.

I'm done posting in this thread. Good day, sir.

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by Purplegrasshopper

What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty in a court of law? Despite what MJ did or didn't do, his musical and dance contributions to the human race are undeniable. I, for one, would rather remember a man for the positive aspects of his life rather than the controversial ones.

That's a legal standard, not a social one. I have no doubt that some of the freakshow was due to his public persona rather than actuality, but I also don't believe he was anything close to normal, mostly due to his childhood, but also wealth and fame gained too early with nothing but sycophants to give him everything he wanted to hear whenever he wanted, no matter how crazy it was. People who cared for him should have confronted him over the plastic surgery, for example.

By the time we get to the "Jesus juice" and molestation stuff, he was already far, far off the deep end.

[toef]

Originally Posted by JimShaw

Innocent before guilty is a legal term. As humans, we have the ability to concern right or wrong pretty well. To me, if an innocent man was extremely rich, as MJ, and charges were brought up that he had sexually harmed a child, that man would spend $20,000,000.00 to PROVE he was innocent and protect his-good-name, not spend $20,000,000.00 to make all the legal problems go away. This is something a guilty man would do.



.

This shows your lack of knowledge about the case. Jackson didn't want to settle out of court. He was forced by his lawyers and insurance company to settle. I guess the reasoning was that he had become so stressed out from the accusations and the fear of being wrongfully convicted, that his health was getting pretty bad. The insurance company wanted him to just settle the case so he wouldn't have to endure a trial, and could get back to touring around and making money.

Obviously the final decision is up to Jackson, but it's clear throughout his life that he was always surrounded by people that tried to convince him of what to do.

Sure he was a little wacky, and fairly effeminate, but that doesn't mean he did anything wrong. Look at videos of him around young kids, and pretend for a second that he is a woman. Now it suddenly doesn't seem so weird, does it? Just because he was an adult male, who showed an affection toward kids that's generally only seen in women, he's apparently a pedophile?

It's clear that Jackson was immature for his age, and identified more with children, but that doesn't mean he was molesting them.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

I believe, regardless of court ruling, that he was a pedophile. If I had to make the choice I would prefer to leave my child in the care of OJ overnight rather than MJ.

Dude, OJ's in jail and MJ is dead. You are the crappiest parent ever if you leave your kids with either of them.

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by Purplegrasshopper

What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty in a court of law? Despite what MJ did or didn't do, his musical and dance contributions to the human race are undeniable. I, for one, would rather remember a man for the positive aspects of his life rather than the controversial ones.

As I have mentioned: innocent until proven guilty is only a legal term. A trial and proven innocent is still not proof that someone is innocent.

If that were so, then O.J. would not have been found responsible for the murders under civil litigation where he lost.

My thoughts are: MJ was a wolf in sheep clothing. He had all the trappings that pedophiles use to lure children except he had the money to do it big time: toys, live animals, merry-go-round, bumper cars, the approval of parents who wanted to stand next to fame, etc.

Once again, all the above is just my opinion but:

I would rather see us honor the men and women that have lost their lives keeping us safe than shut down a freeway for a funeral procession because someone is famous.

I know I don't know but my guess is that no one but the families know that names of the those who lost their lives in military action the same day MJ died. That is a shame. They should be the headlines.




.

[jono_0101]

Originally Posted by jkwest

http://www.kiva.org/lender/jkwest

I'm also a donor to Doctors without Borders, CARE, and OXFAM.

I'm just saying, with the amount of money that it cost the city of LA to put on this spectacle, a lot of needy people could have had a better life...thats just my stance though..

one love, man.

i think it is absolute insanity that the city or any level of government would even consider spending a dime to put on this memorial service, i believe that the family should make the decision how they want to honor him in death, and then PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES, its not like they are destitute or anything, if they want a big public affair, then they can foot the bill

[pacificvibes]

Originally Posted by jono_0101

i think it is absolute insanity that the city or any level of government would even consider spending a dime to put on this memorial service, i believe that the family should make the decision how they want to honor him in death, and then PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES, its not like they are destitute or anything, if they want a big public affair, then they can foot the bill

yea and their asking US to give donations. Sorry, but money is tight and I didnt ask them to do a big memorial for him.

[Chordata]

It's a little ridiculous.

People who didn't give a crap about MJ 3 weeks ago are pouring out of the woodworks now.

[jono_0101]

Originally Posted by pacificvibes

yea and their asking US to give donations. Sorry, but money is tight and I didnt ask them to do a big memorial for him.

seriously, these people are unbelieveable

and ill admit that im not a big MJ fan, im too young to remember most of his career, and i will personally remember him mostly as the wack job he became later on in life because thats what i saw, but you cant turn on a tv in the last week and not be overwhelmed with stories and video about him, and i have to say that it is just disgusting that in the press conference the day he died, or maybe the day after, i dont remember, his father was at the microphone with al sharpton, PLUGGING HIS NEW RECORD LABEL! seriously dude....screw you....no matter what you think about michael, he deserved more than that from his family, especially his father

[jono_0101]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

It's a little ridiculous.

People who didn't give a crap about MJ 3 weeks ago are pouring out of the woodworks now.

its a reboot of heath leger syndrome from last year, people love you when youre gone

[toef]

Originally Posted by jono_0101

i think it is absolute insanity that the city or any level of government would even consider spending a dime to put on this memorial service, i believe that the family should make the decision how they want to honor him in death, and then PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES, its not like they are destitute or anything, if they want a big public affair, then they can foot the bill

Unless you can prove me wrong, I don't think the city paid for the memorial service. They paid for the all the extra police security, and the police escort to/from the cemetery. That doesn't mean the family asked for it, but that it was probably in the city's best interest to do it.

Michael Jackson couldn't help being famous, and can't help that his death is treated like such a big deal.

The actual memorial service (renting the Staples Center, setting all that up, etc) was paid for by AEG and the Jackson family.

The city chose to lock down a 2 mile radius around the Staples Center from 11pm Monday through whatever time yesterday. Complain about that, if you want, but not the memorial service.

I'm sure the mayor was happy that nearly every hotel in the area was booked to capacity. So the city was definitely making some money off of the event as well.

[JimShaw]

No it was not in the city's best interest. If they do not get funded by the family, the city will lose close to 4 million dollars. If you live in LA, that is you. I hope you enjoyed it.

The city did not "chose" to lock down the city, they had to because of the possible dangers that could have risen.

It was the family that decided to go public with the funeral and not keep it low key. They owe the city.



.

[tlmaclennan]

They will get their money, I have no doubt about it. The city got all butt hurt over paying for the Lakers victory parade and private investors came to the rescue, I'm sure the same will happen now.

[franklinpross]

michaeljacksonsightings.com (cut and paste)

he's capable of anything

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

It's a little ridiculous.

People who didn't give a crap about MJ 3 weeks ago are pouring out of the woodworks now.

That they are.

So when is okay to start sharing the MJ jokes? I've heard some good ones in the past day or so...

[tlmaclennan]

I tried and got negative responses.