My one Michael Jackson post -- what's with his supporters??

[Bleacher Creature]

I really hate this story. And it's not because I'm some kind of snob -- I just hate the way that it is used to overshadow much more important matters of life and death. That said, I decided to post about it because there's something that I can't understand.

Namely, what is with all of the "devoted" people outside the courthouse "protesting," holding up signs, swearing to his innocence, yada, yada, yada?? It's really kind of creepy as: (1) he's not exactly a sympathetic or oppressed person; and (2) it's not totally out of the realm of possibility that he did it. I just don't get it.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Realm of possibility doesn't meet the threshhold of guilt

I am glad there are people concerned with Jackson's constitutional rights.

[Bleacher Creature]

3. There's a difference between the two.

Looking out for a person's constitutional rights does not mean blindly declaring a person's innocence regardless of how much information you have or do not have. In many cases, the best advocate may be the person who can engineer the best deal in the face of overwhelming evidence of guilt.

Which brings up another point: how are these obsessed fans looking out for his rights? They have no say in the legal system whatsoever, and I refuse to believe that their fake protests are having any influence at all.

[mondo joe]

8. Which constitutional right is or was threatened?

He has a trial by jury, as is his constitutional right.

What did he miss?

[nickinSTL]

2. Jackson inspires an incredible devotion in his fans

I used to be one, I know.

I can't really explain it...he's got...something that most people just won't ever get, I guess.

Those fans truly, strongly believe that Jackson is a kind, generous, misunderstood man who spends time with children because of the (lack) of childhood that he had himself. To them, he IS a sympathetic character, and they believe the defense arguments that he is being persecuted by the DA's office (Sneddon et al.) and that the accuser and family are doing this out of some desire for money or revenge.

I'm not a huge fan anymore, and I'm realistic enough to accept that he may be guilty. I still have doubts, though, and what evidence has been made public from the prosecution isn't enough to convince me. I realize, too, that some of the information presented may not have been released to the public due to its graphic nature, and were it made public, might make it clear that he should be found guilty.

[amazona]

5. that's it in a nutshell -- nice answer

If he's guilty, put some proof in front of the public. Not trial by "he looks freaky, he must be a bad guy." Hey, I might look freaky to you. And I know I'm not guilty of anything but, when I was younger and more of a funny-looking kid, I sure got accused of a lot of stuff. People who don't look "right" get a lot of harassment and unfairness in this world.

If I was a judge, I would have already thrown out this case since it is being brought by proven extortionists who have done this before.

But no one died and made me All-Knowing God. As you say, it could be that there is better evidence, not available to the public, but known to the judge, attorneys, etc. If he's guilty, fine, have at him. I just want to feel that there is real evidence of wrong-doing.

[KurtNYC]

4. Fans of all celebs

can run the gamet from casual fans ("I like his music") to deranged and obsessed. I worked for a major film company for a while and fan mail would pour in for any actor (mostly male actors) and some of it was on postcards and stuff you could read -- Wow! I would not want to be famous after seeing that stuff.

The wilder stuff is seared into my memory. Some examples:

To Sean Penn: I am pregnant with your child!!!! Why won't you call me?????? I will kill that bitch you are with rather than see waste your life with her (Penn was with Madonna at the time)

To Molly Ringwald: Repent! Repent now or face eternal damnation.... (extended ramblings)....(something about...) Pretty In Pink.

Lots of it fell in the vein of either "I will kill myself if I can't have you" / "I will kill the person you are dating" and "I am pregnant with your child" If it was a clear threat, we were supposed to turn it over to the FBI but generally there was so danged much it we just sent it on to the agencies representing the celeb. We saw 6 identical envelopes, each postmarked on a different day and all very obsessive. We turned these over to the FBI and we heard back that they were written by a developmentally challenged teen who's caregiver thought it would be a good outlet for them write to their favorite star.

I asked an older publicist if this was a new phenomenon. He said no. Women would come to the gates of Paramount studios and ask for Errol Flynn, etc. The guard told one that he wasn't coming out and she cut her wrist open right there in front of him.

After stuff like that, seeing people outside the Jackson trial is tame. They couldn't care less how many cancer patients MJ boozed up and bedded down. Reality is not allowed to intrude on their fanaticism.

[readmylips]

6. I'm glad MJ has fans rooting for him...beats Nancy, Greta and that Scott..

legal talking-trash lawyers on TV.

MJ will be found guilty because there's nothing white people hate more than a black person trying to pass himself/herself as white. Don't jump on me, my family is white and not too crazy about any blacks.

He'll also be found guilty because he is different; seen as a sicko, weired.

I hope those mothers who allowed their children to sleep with MJ, those claiming sexual molestation, are thrown in jail for ever. They allowed it for money. What a bunch of sick mother fokers.

[dbonds]

7. That is just wrong

A bit off topic, but I don't think it evokes anger, at least from many whites, that he tries to not look black. I see at as a bit sad that he is uncomfortable with his family and race to that extent. I think your wording of 'white people hate more than a black person trying to pass himself/herself as white' has the arrogance of someone who thinks white is somehow better.

If he is found guilty, I hope it is on the evidence. I know his demeanor sure raises red flags in my mind, but that does not mean guilt.

[mondo joe]

9. Nice blame the victim. Y'know, predators always target victims

like that with illness, troubled families.

Don't blame the parents for him using his money to manipulate them to get their kids in his bed.