Michael Jackson’s Death Sends the Media Over the Edge
By Robert Schlesinger, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
The world seems divided today between people who view Michael Jackson's death as an all-consuming, world-stopping Event and those who, while acknowledging that yes, he was talented and famous, wonder whether there might be other news going on in the world that is worth taking note of. As we approach hour 24 of the PM (Post-Michael) Era, it is clear that the people running the 24-hour "news" networks seem to be ecstatically smoking, as Allahpundit Tweets it, the "Jacko Cracko." (Excepting when one of them showed newly released security camera video of...Mark Sanford walking through an airport. Seriously.) I'm in the other camp.
Yes, Michael Jackson was a tremendously talented musical performer; almost impossibly, his fame may have exceeded even the reach of that talent, seeming to grow as much for every new (and often creepy) revelation about his personal life and lifestyle as about his music. Watching the endless Jackson-loop on the three cable "news" channels today, seeing shots of young, black Jackson and older, post-racial Jackson, is a jarring reminder of his life arc and, one supposes, the perils of success. Some people live long enough to suffer the ravages of age; he lived long enough to suffer the ravages of being Michael Jackson. It's kind of like an updated version of the journey from young, slick Elvis to older, portly, white jumpsuit Elvis—all we lack is a photo of George W. Bush deputizing Michael Jackson in the drug wars.
The coverage his death is receiving is not in proportion to its news value. As a friend of mine opined on Facebook last night, "it's amazing that with all the issues confronting our country, the top four stories on the NY Times website are about Michael Jackson. Good lord, get some perspective national media—voyeurism is rapidly replacing journalism." Indeed. Another friend: "Somebody please make the 24-7 Michael Jackson coverage stop. Among the more important things going on: Iran, healthcare reform, climate change legislation, pulling out of Iraq..." I think Jonah Goldberg has it about right today. (I'll take "sentences I never thought I'd type" for five hundred please, Alex.) He notes that word invariably used to describe the late musician—"icon"—is a loaded term meaning "religious symbol deserving of reverence and adoration," which is pretty much how he is being treated.
Michael Jackson had many accomplishments. But the press is sanctifying him because he was famous, deservedly so to be sure, but not because he was good. So much of the coverage seems to miss this fundamental point, as if being famous made him good.
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Michael Jackson
Just as we're about to get Michael Jackson idolized, canonized mediaized and funeralized, and we think it's safe to go back in the TV Room, heeeerrrreeeeeeesssss......SARAH!
STOP.
Michael Jackson is dead. Publicizing stories about him will not bring him back. There are more important issues going on around the world.
Doctors, value human life please not money!
Until now, I am strugling to believe that Michael Jackson is dead, to me it seems like a dream, just like I still can't believe that the father of my son died and here my heart goes to his children my God, may the Father to the fatherless be their father, I mean God Almighty. I can't stop thinking about his mother, loosing a child, however old they're is the most terrible thing to a mother, may God strengthen her.
Now, my furry goes mostly to the doctors and whoever was involved in prescribing or selling him those dangerous drugs. This is a human life you took not not an animal, even animals have rights to be protected from danger but how could you in your right minds give him those drugs knowing that they were dangerous because you set your eyes on the money he was offering, I mean you're doctors, I understand you're meant to save lives not to take them or help people take their lives, yes he had a desperate situation but you had the power to save him from himself. How could you, I don't get it, yes Michael had flaws just like any other man or woman out there, everyone has a skeleton in the closet, it's just unfortunate that he was famous otherwise there are many people who do unthinkable things.
Doctor's please go back to the foundations of your professions, you're meant to save lives not to take them, how could you kill him because of money, does any of you still value human life, does anyone of you still believe in being his brother's keeper, does any of you still know that only God has the right to take a man's life? However played a roll in Michael's death should fall before his creator for mercy and forgiveness including all those who have ever taken a man's life.
Now this is my appeal, if any of you know anyone who is in any self distructive situation, please stand with that person, save him or her from her or himself, if you fail, find help for him elsewhere but let's save lives, let's be our brother's keepers, let's put our differences aside and be there for each other, let's show and tell people that we love them when they're still alive to appreciate that love, love restores / saves lives.
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