a bit unbalanced

Yesterday the Woods-Dinino-Goldberg clan all got together to celebrate food and a birthday and graduation or two. Oh, and it was Independence Day but we don't celebrate that one since that that was also Dad's birthday and I don't think that one needs explaining.
As is always our tradition, we had plenty of fine literature on hand which led to a discussions about Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and how you can be talented and still creepy (Michael)  or beautiful and in love with a creep ( Farrah). Karen and I will always, always, always take the side of the abused kid even if that abused kid does not win his day in court but every article ever written convinces us something inappropriate happened to the kid. Even the most likable and talented person can be abusing kids. It's not like you can't be talented and a child abuser. Of course Michael Jackson was talented, there's no doubt about that. He was very entertaining. We like his songs, too.
But what if he was not entertaining and was just a child molester? What if he was that sweaty guy who sits in his car by the park and watches kids? Don't we love to watch those pervs caught on those Dateline shows? If they moonwalked into the houses of the 13-year old boys they are about to molest would it be ok? Society has an odd way of overlooking crimes against kids. Why are people still PAYING to see Woody Allen movies and why are well known actors wanting to star in them? Is  that Woody Allen - Soon-Yi thing ok because he's entertaining and they ended up getting maried? Mary Kay Letourneau  married Vili Fualaau. They've hosted "Hot For Teacher" nights at local clubs. They aren't really that talented, though.

Mel Gibson made some great movies and he was really handsome. His movies entertained millions of people all over the world (even in Israel) for decades.  He also seems totally fucked up, has an alcohol addiction,  and hates Jews. He hasn't said he hates Jewish children, though. His dad hated Jews so we could all rationalize that he's a bit unbalanced due to his father's ways. When he dies, will everyone forget the bad parts of him and just go crazy buying his movies on dvd or will they just talk about how much he hates everyone who isn't him? Will he get a stadium sized memorial that is televised around the world or does that only happen to singing celebrities who feed little boys Jesus Juice?

These are the things we discuss at family fun days.

Comments

[Norah Nick]

I keep flip flopping about MJ. In the past I always assumed he was guilty because he definitely SEEMED guilty. Even when he was aquitted I was positive that he HAD to be guilty. Now since his death with all the new interviews and perspectives, I'm not so sure anymore. I mean, even Deepak Chopra and his son back the guy. Now I see him as a guy who was screwed up by his father and fame and drugs, but I don't know about the child molestation charges now.

[BellaKarma]

Ditto everything Norah Nick wrote.
I like where this post is coming from, though. =)

[Jill Geraghty-Groves]

I'm another "swinger" in the MJ thing too. Not convinced either way. The doubt is a concern though. Certainly wouldn't have let my kids near him though. Am tending to think he was so far removed from reality that he didn't realise it was inappropriate to have a child in bed - may have been nothing more sinister than when one of my kids hops into bed with me. Just sayin'. Love Love Love where your heart is.
xxJ
PS think Mel Gibson is a knob.

[Kathryn Johnson]

Regardless of if he's innocent or guilty-why would any parent let their child spend the night with him? Especially after the first set of charges were brought against him? Are we to forget that the mother holds some of the blame here too? Mothers are suppose to protect their children.

[Reva Solomon]

I hear you - but what if he was just strange - and no actual abuse happened - let's not forget that the kid who accused him had a mom who was a professional liar and a thief and totally set her kid up to make accusations for $$$$ - Not to mention MJs physical and verbal abuse by his father - a philanderer who is still only out for the $$$$ as witnessed by the "press conference" where he came out and announced his new record label and never mentioned his dead son's passing until asked by a reporter (glad he's not in the will!) - and MJs sexual abuse by non-family members as a pre-teen and teen on tour - this does not excuse him - if in fact there was inappropriate behavior but I look at it as psychological problems - HIS abuse - his not ever having a childhood that kept his mind as a child in spite of his talent and wealth and success - I am still not convinced that any abuse went on by MJ - strange behavior...yes - inappropriate things such as sleeping in the same bed with kids - yes - but everything I've read and heard points to MJ being a child himself - just pointing out things that I think should be taken into consideration when viewing this story - Reva (Los Angeles)
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[Maria]

I've been on the fence about that part of MJ's history, but I figured at this time, he has to face God who knows what really happened. I, for one, can't judge what I don't know anything about (and I haven't really read much about this topic to begin with so I can't make an informed opinion on this.) But I do hear what you are saying and hey, who is the creep Farrah fell in love with? You are not talking about Ryan O'Neal, are you? How was he a creep? I think I need to read up on that! I'm so behind on the news, I still just remember him as the cute guy from Love Story, LOL.

On other things, I love, LOVE, the new banner! :D

[Mike Barer]

Even creepier is the lottery drawing to win a spot at his funeral. At least in my opinion.

[Stephanie Wright]

I was taken advantage of as a young girl, I have often pondered the subject of abuse. (I will never be his victim) As a general rule boys over the age of 12 are not naturally inclined to care for children. The punk that took advantage of me loved to participate in the activities of 11 year old girls especially sleepovers. fucking asshole
His mom would go on and on at church about how "great" he was with the younger siblings and their friends. blech
Adults should recognize that this is suspicious behavior, many abuses would not occur if responsible people would wake up.
If there is a single guy between 18 and 80 in your apartment complex and he offers free babysitting I'm suggesting there could be other motivating factors.
I really like that you made the comparison about MJ and the sweaty guy watching kids at the park.
MJ had plenty of resources to allow kids to be around him without creating opportunities for suspicion. If mentally he was a perver, I mean, reverted child then he should have been declared incompetent to sign all those contracts and checks.
Lots of incredibly brilliant people are eccentric in ways that don't involve kids hanging out in their bedrooms.
I loved his music and he made wonderful videos.

[Chris Pellis]

There was no mistaking his talent in the early years, but after 90-92, he was just downright creepy. even though the child in the molestation cases mom was a con artist, i still feel something happened there. don't blame the kid for his mothers sins.

also, what, 2 weeks later? still dead. tired of seeing it on the news and everywhere you look. what about the 156+ killed in China today? gimme a break people--priorities.

[Karen Schumacher]

Thank you for saying you will always take the side of the abused child. It touched my heart. Thank you. My sister & I - both grown women in our 50s now - were incested by our father as very young children & it's infuriating how many people deny our truth. I hope there's a special place in hell for all child abusers.