Michael Jackson is still exploited in death. AEG and Dr. Death should both pay
It is true that had it not been for Dr. Conrad Murray giving Michael the heavy amount of medication that he did (apart from the ”usual” doses of Lorazepam and Midazolam, he was given an additional 4 mgs of each, plus 10 mg Valium and 25 mg Propofol mixed with Lidocaine), his heart would not have stopped that morning. Dr. Murray was directly responsible and he should be in jail, paying forthe crime he committed. However, it was the inhumane an crippling pressure caused by AEG executives that caused Michael to need those medications in the first place, and they are walking free with absolutely no accountability. Dr. Murray getting all the blame must fit them perfectly
By Sandra Sasvari on Monday, February 8th, 2010 - 1,830 words.
NOTE: First of all, I would like to make it clear that what is expressed below is my personal reflection and opinion only. I do not claim this to be the truth, I am merely expressing what I believe to be true on a personal level. I have no insight into AEG, nor do I claim to be speaking on behalf of the ”This Is Not It” team – I just happen to agree with what they are saying, and I choose to believe their version of what happened, as opposed to that of AEG. I in no way ignore or fail to see the excitement and love Michael Jackson had for ”This Is It” as a project, and the way he was truly excited to share it with all of us. I have just chosen to focus on the business aspect of the situation, to try and show more clearly who I think is really responsible for things ending the way they did. This was written with the utmost love, respect and concern for Michael Jackson, his family, and those close to him that tried so desperately to intervene. All people involved in the incidents and situations mentioned shall remain nameless.
Michael Jackson needs money. Desperately. Over the past decade, his personal life has been repeatedly tarnished, mocked and examinated up close due to the child molestation accusations, and the music that made him a household name seems to have taken a back seat to the slander and bizarre rumours. The trial, although it cleared him of all charges, left him a broken man, and he spent the most part of the following years living like a nomad. Neverland, that was once his world, had been tarnished and defiled by the L.A.P.D, and did not feel like the safe haven it used to be.
When you are the most famous man in the world, people want things from you. Not only because you have them, but because they feel a sense of entitlement to them, a sense of “we made you who you are, you owe us this”. In the past year, Jackson had been hit with multiple law suits, and his finances were not what they once were. Enter AEG.
AEG is one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment presenters, they own or have considerable control over Toyota Sports Center, The Hartford Civic Center, NOKIA Theatre Times Suare, Staples Centre (more about that later), and numerous other facilities. After discussion, deal is closed for Michael Jackson to perform a series of concerts at their O2 Arena, and tickets sell out within a matter of minutes. So fast, that AEG decide to, allegedly on their own initiative and without Jackson’s consent, extend the run: from the original ten shows, to fifty. Rehearsals begin, and things go well for the first couple of weeks. However, it is soon obvious to everyone around, as well as to Randy Philips, AEG chief executive, that Jackson is rapidly losing weight, is weak, stressed, and drousy under the influence of pain killers and sleeping pills. He realizes that the schedule they’ve created for him may be, shall we say, a little tough. An insurance deal is then signed, and Randy Phillips is quoted as saying:
“We have insured the production costs. In order to get the first part of the insurance in place, [Jackson] had to have a physical, and he passed it with flying colors.”
Although the rumour that the insurance in question was made to cover Michael’s death only if it was drug related has never been confirmed, it is my personal belief that this was the case, simply because they were aware of his relationship with medication and it seemed very likely to them that it may well intensify due to the pressure they had put him under. Finding a physician that will give the all-clear – which, in case of Michael dying, would serve to help them get their investment back – most likely wasn’t very difficult either – after all, money talks. Philips made the additional comment that “the carriers flew in a doctor of their choice from New York and he did an extensive battery of tests.”
Randy Philips spoke openly on repeated occasions about witnessing someone in Michael Jackson’s closest circuits having to cut his food for him and spoon feed him, Jackson being too weak to eat by himself. Nothing is done to help. Others close to him try desperately to get the people in charge to call in professional help, as Jackson is clearly unwell both emotionally and physically. Again, nothing is done. Fans and followers try to intervene, but after having confided in them that he does not feel ready to do the fifty shows that are asked of him, security around Michael Jackson tightens and clasps around him like an iron ring, making it as good as impossible for them to come close to him again. Nothing is done to help him. Instead, AEG push harder. After all, it’s almost opening night.
Eventually, the crippling pressure becomes too much, and Michael Jackson’s heart stops. As not to waste the huge interest the world is showing, the conversation, over at the AEG office, then, might have gone something like this:
“It’s a bummer Michael had to go and die…so close to tour start and everything. Okay, this is what we’ll do: we broadcast what is more or less his funeral from Staples Centre (which, by the way, we own) on live TV, and to get back the money we lost because he died on us oh-so-inconveniently, we make a movie. Not just any movie, no no – a movie with very carefully selected scenes. Because we can’t show the truth; first of all it wouldn’t sell and secondly, it would be obvious that we were the ones responsible because we pushed him too hard. So we edit very carefully, and choose the very best parts out of the more than 100 hour footage that has been shot to create our own version of the truth. It’s pre-packed, ready-to-sell, and easy to swallow. Perfect.”
The movie becomes one of the most successful and financially gratifying projects in movie history (that it helps us to escape responsibility is just a bonus) and to take things one step further – hey, you gotta strike while the iron is hot – a few months later, we arrange a tribute to this deceased Pop Icon on the Grammy Awards – which we also own. In the arena we own. The same arena where he was spoon fed and basically buried in. Goodie! People love familiarity, they should know that stage by now.
To make everything develop smoother, we decide to take advantage of the celebrities that mourn and want to honour him, and a tribute is made – a tribute that will steal people’s focus away from all of the above. Then, we proceed to get one of these celebrities to introduce the tribute and make sure it’s in his script that he promotes the DVD of earlier mentioned movie, which by the way – it’s all so fantastically well planned! – we released to the public only six days prior.
Then, we let the celebrities in question do their tribute in front of a backdrop of said movie (did we mention it’s out on DVD now?) and while everyone is still emotional, before their tears have dried, (quickly, people are changing the channel!), we get Michael Jackson’s children – that he tried so hard to protect from media exposure – on stage so that they can accept his Lifetime Achievement Award (again; he died so inconveniently, that Michael) so that our ratings will soar even more. Jackson’s siblings or parents aren’t wanted (they just mean trouble, and besides, they’re on to us), and why settle with his siblings when you can have his kids? Katherine Jackson is welcome, she is the legal guardian after all, and if we want the kids, we’re going to have to put up with having the legal guardian around for a little while. It’s a give and take kinda thing.
The kids give their speeches to their deceased father in shaky, scared voices (make sure to zoom in on their faces, too — this is the good part!) who was in a casket on that same stage seven months ago, people get touched by it, rush to buy even more copies of our DVD, and all is well with the world and our bank accounts. Suckers…they’ll never know.”
__
With the impending trial against Dr. Conrad Murray, there are many of us that hope so desperately for some retribution for Michael, and that just want someone to take responsibility so that we can at least try to have some closure. However, even if Dr. Murray is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, which are the charges being pressed against him, he will most likely only be lightly reprimanded. Meanwhile, millions of fans are still mourning the loss of their hero, and they may never stop. It is true that had it not been for Dr. Conrad Murray giving Michael the heavy amount of medication that he did (apart from the ”usual” doses of Lorazepam and Midazolam, he was given an additional 4 mgs of each, plus 10 mg Valium and 25 mg Propofol mixed with Lidocaine), his heart would not have stopped that morning. Dr. Murray was directly responsible and he should be in jail, paying forthe crime he committed. However, it was the inhumane an crippling pressure caused by AEG executives that caused Michael to need those medications in the first place, and they are walking free with absolutely no accountability. Dr. Murray getting all the blame must fit them perfectly.
The movie ”This Is It” should not exist. We should not be sitting here with a rehearsal footage DVD and our crumpled, tear-stained tissues, we should be sitting here knowing that Michael is somewhere on the other side of the world laughing, reading, or having a conversation, ALIVE. The movie was not created for the fans, AEG doesn’t care about you, me, or any of the others that are mourning. What they care about is what’s in our wallets. and how much they can get out of it – that is the only reason the movie was ever made, and that completely mocks everything that Michael ever stood for. Randy Phillips himself said it better than anyone ever could shortly after Michael died:
“People have speculated that this is going to bankrupt our company. The truth is it isn’t.”
I am not asking that people boycott ”This Is It”, I understand that it makes some of those that are mourning feel closer to him, and I respect that. Some will continue to feel comfortable watching it, and some will not. All I ask is that we choose to see things as they really were, painful and uncomfortable as they may be, so that we can form our own, personal opinions and watch the movie with no illusions as to what was really going on. For Michael’s sake.
(+10 rating, 12 votes)
Loading ...35 Comments
Leave a Reply
Sandra Sasvari
27Sweden
Aspiring writer whose biggest interests include art, music, Nazi Germany, psychology, religion, European cinema, philosophy and sociology.
Articles by this author
-
Michael Jackson and Human Nature
June 13th marked five years since Michael Jackson was acquitted on ten accounts of child molestation. Apart from family and fans, not many from the general public will pay much attention to this date. For most, it is just another day. For some of us, though, it is our yearly reminder of a lot of things: of reflection, of redemption, of justice...but also of human nature, and the damage it can sometimes do when unleashed .
-
The "King Of Pop was gay" story is baloney
The horrible truth is that all of this; all the lies and rumours and speculation, is going to continue in spite of Michael being dead. The press didn't respect him when he was alive, why would they start now? They never cared, and they never will care
-
Michael Jackson is still exploited in death. AEG and Dr. Death should both pay
It is true that had it not been for Dr. Conrad Murray giving Michael the heavy amount of medication that he did (apart from the ”usual” doses of Lorazepam and Midazolam, he was given an additional 4 mgs of each, plus 10 mg Valium and 25 mg Propofol mixed with Lidocaine), his heart would not have stopped that morning. Dr. Murray was directly responsible and he should be in jail, paying forthe crime he committed. However, it was the inhumane an crippling pressure caused by AEG executives that caused Michael to need those medications in the first place, and they are walking free with absolutely no accountability. Dr. Murray getting all the blame must fit them perfectly
You said it exactly the way I feel it. I couldn't boycott "This is it" and so many other fans couldn't boycott it as well from the reason you mentioned above. We haven't seen Michael perform or be out in a public for sooo long, we missed him. We missed his presence, his voice, his beautiful soul and his dance moves. That's why most us of went ahead and bought the DVD. It was two weeks before his death when I saw pictures of him on the internet since I googled him every day. The pictures were from May and I told my friend Melissa that I'm worried about Michael because he did not look well. He had no energy, his eyes did not have the usual sparkle. And that was about time he canceled first few shows and postponed beginning of the residency in O2 arena. Nobody really gave us the reason why that happened. We heard lame excuses that were not believable. Sadly, my biggest fears proved right. I want the truth out, I'm not blinded by "This is it". I can see that Michael wasn't well. I can tell he was high on something. Just because I haven't seen him like this before. I've seen him high before but it was at some interview or some talk show. It wasn't a concert or rehearsals. And I know that there are fans out there that don't want to believe it. They don't want to believe Michael was addicted to pills. I wish he wasn't but I can't close my eyes. I wish I had the power to help him. I know his fans feel this way too and some of them tried. But it was impossible to help him get rid of the addiction without him wanting it. It was possible to postpone the shows or do only 10. Then Michael would still be here and maybe he would decide to tour the world but it could have been more on his own terms. I really want to see justice and I really want to see other people besides Dr. Murray to be charged and be blamed for Michael's death. I am also worried about Michael's name being dragged through mud again by the tabloids. Michael's fans, brace yourselves. It will be hard but hopefully Michael has a voice in us.
I just closed the live stream from the court house down. Bail was set to $75,000, and Murray is prohibited from prescribing sedatives. Court hearing is set for April 5.
Regarding your post, I do know so well how you feel. I blieve Michael was addicted for many years and I believe that it was, essentially, the media, the Chandler's, the Arvizo's, Bashir, L.A.P.D, and all the ignorant people of the world that started it.
You are right. All of them contributed to tremendous pain in his life!! Without all these people, media and LAPD, he would still be alive and living happily at Neverland..
I liked the writing in this artical, although it did leave out one thing. Micheals responsiblity!…While i have been a fan my whole life I dont see how his drug abuse is different than anyone elses. Whitney had a dealer and Mike had a doctor SAME THING>>>>>
What responsibility would that be? The "responsibility" to be able to rehearse and deliver ten hours a day after not having slept for thirty-six or more hours?
Several pill bottles were found in his home, some with aliases on them, some completely without labels. It goes without saying that these were most likely obtained from many different doctors and that way they could be seen as his dealers, yes. However, Dr. Murray is a completely different story. He was hired to be Michael's private physician and his JOB was to look after Michael's health. As a DOCTOR, his primary concern is (or at least should be) the welfare of his patient. Acting with your patient's best interest at heart does not include giving them medication that they are clearly addicted to. Not only does it go against common everyday ethics, it also goes against the oath he swore years ago, and more importantly, against the law.
Furthermore, Propofol is not allowed to be distributed outside hospital environment – that was his first illegal act – and secondly, it is NOT supposed to be used in treating insomnia! It is a sedative used in sedating patients before surgery, which means that the very deep sleep they put a person in is more like that of unconsciousness, than that of a regular R.E.M sleep.
Murray claims to have stayed with Michael for nine hours, through which Michael remained awake in spite being given several different medications (which says quite a bit about what his body was used to) and to, after having given Michael the Propofol, left the room to go to the bathroom, being away "no more than two minutes", When he came back, Michael was not breathing. Does that sound likely to you? Add to the fact that he performed CPR while Michael was still lying on the bed when it SHOULD be done on the floor, and that he waited forty minutes to call 911, inspite the hospital being only five minutes away, and you have quite a list of errors.
Additionally, information is now emerging indicating that he left the house for four hours, which would make more sense considering the paramedics had said that Michael appeared to have been dead for hours when they got there. So I'm sorry, but I fail to see what responsibility Michael was supposed to have had in this situation.
After what Michael had been through for years, how could he sleep? He was "convicted" by the media in front of the entire world even though he was innocent both in 93 and 05? How tortured this innocent man must have felt. I know what betrayal, being lied to and about feels like (on a miniscule scale comparitively) and I have a hard time dealing with it but for him to have been humiliated and demeaned by the media for years would take a toll on anyone. I am actually surprised he got through it as long as he did—only the love of his children and TRUE friends did he last this long. Was it his fault? Absolutely not!! He trusted that the doctor would monitor and watch him—someone had to introduce propofol to him—-he didn't get it on his own–and of course money is the root of all evil for many. Just listen to MJ's song called Money. He understand many humans will do anything for money. Comment continued in next post….
It isn't hard to see the deterioration of him from the time he did the press conference for the tour up to the last rehearsal. Just look as his legs and the width of his shoulders. It was obvious he had lost weight when watching the movie—-and believe me I saw the movie in the theater 3 times and have the blu ray disk and have watched it 3 times as well with friends. You could also see it in his face as well. Dr. Murray did everything wrong and he calls himself a cardiologist? His job was to take care of Michael—-but not calling 911 in a timely manner, not having the proper equipment to monitor him, leaving the room for any amount of time and making personal phone calls is more than negligence—it was murder. More…..
Michael desperately needed help and you can't tell me someone didn't know just how bad things were for him. It was all about greed and seeing how much more could be sucked out of MJ. I am sure he wanted his children to see him perform but the preparation for the tour was intense for someone out of the "business" for 12+ years and 50 years old. And then to be faced with 50 shows on top of that. Maybe if the shows had been spread over a 2 year period but not the schedule he was given. In his condition I think even 1 show per week would have been too much. Don't get me wrong—I wanted him to make a comeback but on his terms, so that he could show the world that he was still the King of Pop and make it a slap in the face to those that betrayed him. I will mourn his loss forever—he didn't deserve to have his life ended in such a manner. All my L.O.V.E. to you Michael.
It was sad to see what they did to Michael. The only comfort we can take is that he will be around for a long time because with that amount of plastic in his physical system, it will take millenia for him to biodegrade.
hi, Sandra, this is a great writing! I'm going to share it around so many people will know about it! It tells you everything you need to know about Michael's death!
Thank you, Sandra. Excellent article. This is exactly how I feel.
Sandra, you wrote an excellent article and please give us more. I could not agree more with you. You wrote the truth of Michael Jacksons life and death exploitment. Sadly, there are few more avenues to be exposed.
Very well-written article Sandra, shows the soulless nature of corporate logic very well, could be expanded from Jackson's treatment as well
Hi Sandra,
well done. You nailed it. That's how I feel as well. I tweeted your article. Justice won't be done, but as Karen Faye put it: "there is a universal justice as well" … aka Karma will get them.
But the truth needs to be told and I believe that our truth is closer to the big truth than the truth AEG and accomplices want to sell you in order to get your money and misuse Michael's good name as a mere brand.
Please sign this petition and share, spread it. Any one who gives a damn should sign it. We are many and we are not alone. We could have an impact … there is nothing that can't be done, if we raise our voices as one.
http://www.petitiononline.com/TINIxMJ/petition.ht...
Love!
So honoured to have you here. <3 I signed the petition a few weeks ago and I keep spreading it to more people by the day. We are in this together, and we can do it. For Michael.
The L.A.P.D. was NOT involved in Jackson's molestation trail. Neverland is not even LA county.
You're right; it was the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department. I stand corrected.
[...] Jackson still exploited in death Source: Michael Jackson is still exploited in death. AEG and Dr. Death should both pay – The Comment Factory Michael Jackson is still exploited in death. AEG and Dr. Death should both pay. By Sandra Sasvari [...]
ALL THAT REMAINS TO BE SAID FOR MY PART I [WE ] FACE PERSECUTION IN OUR DAILY LIVES..LET US REMEMBER MICHAEL AND DRAW COURAGE AND STRENGHT FROM HIS STORY…HE IS NOT ALONE HIS FAITHFUL FANS WILL LOVE AND HONOUR HIM FOREVER..LIGHT WILL NOT BE OVERTAKEN BY DARKNESS…LOVE LIVES FOREVER..I LOVE YOU DARLING SWEET SOULMATE CHILD..FOREVER RITA SA
Sandra, thank you so much for this article. I've been frustrated by the fact that the mainstream press doesn't discuss AEG's role in pushing Michael, hiring the "doctor", and profiting off of his death. Not to mention the constant "it's out on DVD" references from anything to the Grammys to the recent Dateline special on Michael. Even in the reviews of the film, the critics virtually ignored or minimized how gaunt Michael was, practically championing AEG's version of things that Michael was fine when he obviously wasn't.
(continued in next post below)
I will never forget just days after Michael died, watching Randy Phillips on tv when he said something like, "If I had to do everything over again, I wouldn't change a thing" and being in absolute shock. I couldn't believe my ears. It's as though for AEG everything worked out perfectly, Michael didn't need to be alive for them to make a buck. He wasn't a person to them. He was a dollar sign. How appalling. If it weren't for their greediness, if they had some sort of compassion, Michael would still be alive today. They could have helped him and they didn't. Shame on them.
We have to hope and pray and fight for justice for Michael, his family, friends and all of us who love him. He deserves that at the very least after everything they did to him and put him through.
Not to forget his comment on how he would "throw Michael over his shoulder and carry him on stage of he gets too nervous to get on stage, he's light enough". That man makes my stomach turn, he's a cold man that only cares about money and he gives me the creeps. He is everything that is wrong with this world.
Right. I think that's the hardest thing for me to comprehend and something I'll never get over is how someone could so obviously be suffering right before your very eyes and you do nothing about it and not only that but you have no regrets after the fact and then do everything you can to profit off of his death. So heartless. It's just heart breaking. Michael didn't deserve that. Nobody deserves that.
Although I wasn't there and obviously don't know for sure, I feel like those that were close to him and DID see (and DID spoon feed him…hint, hint) should have done something, anything…TRIED. It blows my mind how they can care so little. Murray arriving in court on Monday was a perfect example; by looking at who were there it was really obvious who the people that REALLY cared for Michael were. Some of the people that had known him for decades and claimed to love him weren't there, and that says everything to me. They're too busy making money off their projects.
I know who you're talking about and I don't get it either. How can you spend upwards of 10 hours a day with someone and not see the warning signs and not do something about it? If being so weak that you have to be spoon fed and losing dramatic amounts of weight in a short period of time isn't a cry for help, I honestly don't know what is. They were so caught up in preparing for the tour they turned the other way and ignored someone who was dying right in front of them. They just let him down and now they want to brush it off like he was fine, everything was fine, there were no warning signs, etc. when it's obvious to anyone that didn't have an agenda that something was really wrong and Michael needed help. As for the hearing, his family was there for him and will be there for him which is great but I agree with you: I wish that some of the people who claim to have been good friends with Michael would sacrifice some of their time to be there for him now when he needs them the most.
I just honestly *do not* get it. If this had happened to MY friend, I would have been on this court case like a leech, DEMANDING answers, and ony a few (God bless them) are doing that. I know from personal experience that it's impossible to help someone that doesn't realize they have a problem, but there's that; and then there's pushing that person even deeper into their addiction. Two completely different things. f this was me, I'd be ravaged with guilt wondering if I could have done something differently or if I did too little. How someone can moan about not getting an Academy Award (it's obvious who I'm talking about anyway, so screw it) when their firend is gone and was killed by someone else's hand is OUTRAGEOUS!
Yeah, at the very least, I would feel guilty and think about what I could have done differently and would do everything I could to get to the bottom of things and get justice for my friend but this everthything was great, there were no problems attitude really bothers me because it's as though they think we're all idiots when you can tell just by looking at Michael on TV! (not even real life – TV!) that there's something wrong and and he's doesn't look healthy and we're all supposed to buy into it. It's really infuriating. Either they've bought into this themselves or they're trying to con us (with help from the media by the way – which seems to not question their version of things in any detail at all). I think they're trying to con us. But I'm buying it for a minute.
I meant I'm NOT buying it for a minute.
Well written, fellow Swede.
You could see in a television interview before Michael's death, where Ortega and Phillips were asked about Michael's health, that they indeed were worried. They were cheerful in a very odd manner, Phillips even saying he wanted to have Michael's body. (I suppose that statement no longer applies.) So they did worry, but gambled on that it would work, because it had before. Michael had been thin before and sleepless before. He had had trouble with eating properly since his teens. The women though – Karen Faye and the "followers" – sensed something was very wrong this time, and they should have been listened to.
I saw This is it because it was the last chance to see Michael, sick or not, exploited or not. It made me terribly sad, because you can feel this is not OK, Michael is not OK.
Thanks for writing this. Everyone is free to do as they want or feel. I understand many have the dvd. But I just cannot see This Is It again. I see the Michael I had never seen before. I don't know what has happened. Maybe the truth is the saddest of truths… Michael is dead. I felt this the first time I heard the news, that it was now money and money and that I would not buy any new cd, because…. I had already Michael's songs, and my memories of him at the concerts… I felt the MONEY thing, then came the other side… Michael faking his own death. I am not sure. Perhaps this is what THEY want us to believe. I have no idea. I wish he was alive, I want to believe this. But the first reaction was cry as I have never cried before, for so many days, until now. No, I cannot buy the This Is It dvd… I don't want to see it again. Sorry Michael. So sorry about this, but I just simply can't. Much Love and REspect to Everyone
I agree and have thought of most of what you said so eloquently above. I did buy a copy of the DVD however because I figured that MJ died around $400 Million in debt and my purchase of the dvd would help cover if not completely erase his debts. Also, I feel that the more DVD's MJ's last film/preparation for his final shows sell the better to help his legacy. No one can now say that the man died a 'has been' or that he 'died broke' or he died 'a broken man'. Legacy was one of the most important things to MJ imo. His legacy and his estate being solvent for his children. No man wants to die and leave his family with debt, that would be dishonorable. I believe that Michael Jackson wanted to be an honorable person, he would not want to be known as a deadbeat dad who deserted his kids and left them with nothing but debts.
As far as the media is concerned they have all but moved on from this story which is very unfortunate because I do believe that AEG is somewhat responsible. The media won't connect the dots because the media doesn't want to 'eat it's own'. AEG is a media conglomerate, isn't it? The corporate mainstream media is not going to touch that story.
One other thing, Murray is still allowed to practice medicine in California after attending an arraignment before a judge. Why was he allowed to post bail. Why was the charge not higher than 'involuntary manslaughter'? Why doesn't the Medical Board of the State of California suspend his medical license???? Why aren't MJ's fan sites getting his fans involved in this process by calling the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger to pressure the medical board to suspend Murray's license?? The governor is responsible for appointing the people on the medical board. Please read this article posted in a California newspaper for more information about another doctor who killed his patients. This is a big problem in California it seems. http://www.ocregister.com/common/printer/view.php...
This subject, as terrible as it is, is very important and interesting, and I feel both engaged and guilty. I think you write very well and I strongly like your unembarrassed style. This debate needs spokespersons like you – well-prepared and well-phrased. You manage to capture the very heart of the matter: the need for people to look at everything around them with critical eyes and choose to make their own, personal opinions. It cannot be stressed enough! Imagine if people would have done that while MJ was still alive…