Michael Jackson
To all who are mourning this death - my sympathies are with you. Losing someone you care about, even peripherally, is difficult. In truth, it is the cycle of the Universe. We are born here, dying in the Spirit world, and die here, to be born again in the Spirit world. Nothing is ever lost, only changed, but there is missing the physical presence of the person here on this plane. That never really goes away, but it does become the 'new' normal and thus endurable.
For those who knew Michael personally, and who have been/are being taken advantage of in the name of 'news', I regret that our culture is putting you through this. You should be accorded the same respect and time to deal with your loss as is given those who care about someone who has never been in the public eye. That is just common decency the way I was raised, and which I still feel is the case.
Slavery may be Constitutionally banned in what is considered normal Western culture, but it remains a tragic reality. Most people, at least subconsciously, seem to believe that when they buy a movie ticket, a concert ticket, a recording of some artist's work - that they somehow own that person as well. They feel they have a right to the person's life, both public and private, and are willing to use whatever means they can legally to invade the person's space - to possess the person. They don't realize or accept they have purchased a work of art just as if they purchased a painting or photo. Because there is performance involved they seem to feel the person is included in the art work. Michael Jackson the artist was/is a free independent person with the right and expectation of privacy accorded anyone else. Michael's works - performances, recordings and such - are not the man, they are created objects. Owning one of the works by purchase of a recording or attendance at a concert IS NOT the same as owning part of the man, any more than owning a can opener is owning the worker who produced it. Unfortunately, when it comes to celebrities, this is not the common cultural attitude and leads to abuse of the celebrity by 'journalists' and those who buy their products either directly, or indirectly (purchasing the goods advertised in the venue broadcasting the 'report'). Judicious use of our money to put pressure on the industry, and the powers of our pens in writing to editors and directors, can change this. Especially if we work to educate those around us as to what is really happening and encourage their participation in our efforts. Cultural shifts don't happen overnight. Progress will be slow at first. But this form of slavery can be abolished too, and without a bloody war to do it.
As for those who like seeing someone famous being dragged through the dirt, in whatever form it takes, pity them. Love them. Encourage them so they learn self worth and self respect and don't have to make themselves matter in their own eyes by stepping on someone else.
May those who read this be given such Divine Blessings and Love as they are willing to accept.