Michael Jackson: In Death, as in Life, the King of Pop Culture

Bully Pulpit.com ^ | June 26, 2009 | Lou Carlozo

[AnnGora]

Now that Michael Jackson is dead–or to quote one of his album titles, “HIStory”–an antidote is sorely needed to the gushing CNN and Fox News anchors I heard all last night and into this morning, eulogizing Jackson as if he had died on a cross instead of in his home of apparent cardiac arrest. No, what we need is someone as sober as a Lester Bangs, who when John Lennon died, declared, “I can’t mourn the man.”

[AnnGora]

Very interesting column regarding the exaggerated mourning of celebrities who really don't deserve the hysterical adultation bestowed upon the occasion of their demise. Proof popular culture has taken an ugly turn.

[P-Marlowe]

Could we please have a moratorium on Michael Jackson articles on Free Republic?

I don't like glamorizing child molesters.

[AnnGora]

If you would read the article, you would find it DOES NOT glamorize him at all! Just the opposite.

[freekitty]

Enough of Michael Jackson.

[Taxbilly]

Yeah the king of pop is now meeting the King of Kings, should be interesting.

[YankeeReb]

Enough of the media feeding frenzy. Even Fox is guilty!!! We just had the most damaging government seizure of power pass the house and all you hear all day is about Jacko!!!!

[JimRed]

“Pop Culture” is a major factor in the destruction of America’s moral fiber, and a danger to Her very existence.

[P-Marlowe]

Post it in the Smokey Back Room. I don’t care a whit about this pervert.

[AnnGora]

Then let’s ban all articles on the death of any celebrity. That’s what the article is about: the outpouring of grief anytime someone of fame dies, regardless if they were decent human beings or not.

Enough knee-jerk reactions to article titles without reading the article.

[AnnGora]

Neither does the author of the article.

[P-Marlowe]

He cared enough to write an article. That's caring too much in my book.

Moderator, please move this to the smokey back room or Chat.

[Boucheau]

“I don’t like glamorizing child molesters.”

Exactly!!!

Our pre-pubescent sons are a bit safer now.

Let’s leave it at that.

[AnnGora]

“He cared enough to write an article. That’s caring too much in my book.”

You cared enough to respond to the thread. Three times.

[yawningotter]

The key test of his artistry is how well his songs stand up over time. I do not see Michael Jackson’s work surviving like Elvis’ has. Like the article said, Jackson was an entertainer, and not an artist. A pretty darn good one, but still an entertainer. Take away the dance moves and the videos, and what is left? Could he perform “Billie Jean” or “Beat It” convincingly if he couldn’t dance? Will his songs be considered part of the “Great American Songbook” a hundred years from now?

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Millions of dumb little kids were encouraged to see a perverted POS as a role model. They were taught that Jackson's hysterical wailing and gyrating is art. His felonius and perverted assault of young boys was winked at, accepted and excused.

If this isn't a sign of a culture nearing death, I don't know what is!

He is finally dead, a boil on the nations arse has been lanced!

[Luke21]

Thank you. What a sick society.

[DoughtyOne]

Some of you are being very rude.

Read the damned article. It puts a voice to the very thoughts you folks have on Michael Jackson. It certainly did mine.

It suggests that people who are as flawed as Jackson was, should not be idolized. Appreciate their music for what it is, but do not idolize the person who is severely flawed.

Isn’t that the right message right now? Well, yes it is...

[freekitty]

I know what the article said. Regardless; I am tired of hearing celebrities being made into something bigger than life. They aren’t. They are human beings being run by a PR machine for a quick buck.

[AnnGora]

Thank you!!!

[Safetgiver]

Upon his death, the world resumed to a small bit of normalcy. Not much, but I felt it.