Before MJ died the soldiers weren't getting this much attention

[jellyphish]

I'm kind of tired of all the whining about how Michael Jackson's death made headline news.  First of all, he wasn't "just" an entertainer, he was a ground-breaking icon, a modern day Elvis Presley.  "...he was the first black artist to find stardom on MTV, breaking down innumerable boundaries both for his race and for music video as an art form."  (from allmusic.com).  His Thriller is the second best selling album of all time, rivaled only by The Eagles' Greatest Hits.  He wasn't just an entertainer, he was THE entertainer.

Still not important enough to warrant headline news?  What about the charity singles he wrote- he co-wrote We Are The World which benefited the famine relief effort USA for Africa.  He also wrote charity songs for both 9/11 and Katrina.

Some people are saying he shouldn't be so mourned because some people believe he was a child molester.  But not only were these claims never proved to be true, but his first accuser has come out since his death to admit he lied.
Was Jackson perfect?  Of course not, he clearly had his issues, but he wasn't the evil villain some make him out to be.

Furthermore, the fact of the matter is that we live in a capitalist society.  Capitalism, as you know, is all about the almighty dollar.  This great American system gives heavy emphasis to supply and demand- what the consumer (that's you and me) wants, is what is supplied to us for profit.  MEANING that the reason Jackson's death is all over the news is because that's what the public is interested in!  If no one were to read about, no one were to care, then it wouldn't be written about!

But what about the soldiers and other heroes who die?  Where's their recognition?  Well, two things, one- supply and demand (is it fair?  No, but it's what this great country is all about, it's what those soldiers fight for).  Two- it's pretty obvious that because of all the whining about MJ vs The Soldiers, these heroes are now, BECAUSE of Jackson's death, getting some recognition.  Don't believe me?  When was the last time you complained about soldiers not getting their due time in the limelight?  The email forwards, the journals and blogs, etc, all this complaining about MJ vs The Soldiers didn't happen until a couple weeks ago.

So, there you go.  Stop whining.  If you don't care about Michael Jackson, don't read about him, and certainly don't complain about him.  He was a huge part of American pop-culture- an industry that is part of what makes this country huge and rich.

And now, Michael Jackson- you were great, legendary, entertaining, talented, amazing.  We will miss you.

Soldiers and other heroes- you are great as well, we honor and respect you and thank you for your contributions.

May you ALL Rest In Peace.

[ivansmom07]

Jul. 10, 2009 at 9:49 AM

Bravo...

And.  Honestly?  I liked MJ more than Elvis.

There.  I said it.

Now, beat it!

Haha...I made a funny.

[SxdUpAngel]

Jul. 10, 2009 at 10:16 AM

People are whining about the soldiers not getting the attention they deserve while MJ's death is on the news?  Didn't know that.  I DO know that I don't care that he died, I refuse to read anything other than the headlines on his death (mainly because they're in the list of headlines that I scan to see what articles I want to read, not because I go searching for them) so that I don't give another viewer to this mess, and that I'm sorry he had a crappy life that screwed him up.  I'm not going around whining about it, though.  : )  Sorry people are whining and comparing soldiers and MJ.  I think that's a bit redonkeylous.

[emf6874]

Jul. 10, 2009 at 1:16 PM

Ahhhh...I LOVE you!!!

Maybe if "they" weren't watching so much damn t.v. they wouldn't be complaining about MJ's coverage!

I also liked MJ WAY more than Elvis...hahaha!

[JHjelle827]

Jul. 10, 2009 at 1:29 PM

***round of applause*** I agree but you know sometimes people just need something to whine about and someone to bash even though they just died.

[Panya81]

Jul. 10, 2009 at 2:17 PM

 Thank you for wriing this journal!  Mj was WAY better than Elvis.  Even though he had issues ( which everyone does)  He DID NOT molest anyone and he still gave so much of himself to everyone around the world.  He even donated billions of dollars to hospitals around the world (including the USA), to the NAACP, AIDS & famine relief in Africa, he even visited children in hospitals and found organ donors for many children who were terminally ill. 

How many pop stars are invited to other countries by world leaders to sit down and have meetings about charities, etc.  M.J. WAS!!!

So anyone who thinks bad of him needs to look at their own faults in the mirror and shut the hell up!!!

[Panya81]

Jul. 10, 2009 at 2:22 PM

I forgot to mention, at his memorial serive one of the speakers from the House of Representatives presented a plaque that was made in M.J.'s honor.  That plaque shows all the charities that he supported and all that he accomplished through his humanitarian work.  This plaque will hang in the House of Representatives in Washington. 

My point??  You don't have to carry and shoot a gun to do great things for your country and the world!!!!

[tiny_mama]

Jul. 10, 2009 at 4:07 PM

Right on!

 

p.s. The tags... "hot pants" made me LOL

[airforewifenmom]

Jul. 10, 2009 at 4:22 PM

[jellyphish]

Jul. 10, 2009 at 4:35 PM

MissG, I'm not trying to argue that soldiers don't deserve credit, or that Michael did bigger & better things for our country than our troops.  No way.  My point in that blurb is that it's not *just* the troops that make this country what it is, that Jackson and pop culture also help shape our country and make it what it is.

(Original Poster)

[jellyphish]

Jul. 10, 2009 at 4:36 PM

airforcewifenmom,

I'm missing your point.  Care to back up that sweetpea with original thoughts?  The eyes alone aren't stimulating any thought.

(Original Poster)