Open Thread

DeLepp, I would surmise the extended coverage is a combination of the fact he was such a compelling personality for a variety of reasons and the fact his music was extremely uplifting; not necessarily in a spiritual sense, but in the sense many people find it difficult not to want to jump up and dance when they hear it. And, not to sound too hokey, but I think the current economic conditions (including home foreclosures, lost jobs, declining wealth, etc.) have made people yearn for something to uplift them.

sam, speaking of McNamara, did you ever see the movie The Fog of War? It’s a must see, especially for those like you who are familiar with McNamara.

http://www.sonyclassics.com/fogofwar/

I grew up watching MJ. I saw him on Ed Sullivan. I think Diana Ross introduced him. The Jackson Five had great songs. He kept writing hit songs and creating great choreography. I am very sad thinking about his death. But after all, fifty is not all that young especially when compared to the 19-year-old soldiers killed in Iraq and elsewhere. We can’t all expect to live as long as Robert McNamara who died in his sleep at age 93 yesterday. he is remembered by my generation for masterminding a senseless and immoral war in SE Asia.
I believe MJ began to think of himself as Jesus (as pictures in one of those old holy cards surrounded by little children). Most of the world began to see him as a creepy phantom of the opera/child molester. No wonder he needed drugs to sleep. In any case, RIP, his music and dance will outlive him and us and the controversies. McNamara will only be remembered for his idiotic war.

Biff, true enough. But I think this grieving period for MJ doesn’t seem healthy for us as a nation. He was a genius for his time, but 10 days and counting? Is it because it makes people feel as if they are part of a community (of grievers)? Maybe it’s just the total saturation that bothers me. Hell, even nightline posted super ratings last week. WSJ mentioned last week he was the last “celebirty”. When Anna Nicole Smith died there was more ink/bytes/tears wasted for a nut then a past president dying.

As for MJ, there are plenty of soldiers coming home dead and they get nary a drop of ink. 10 days of MJ all day is very spooky. And why do they need Al to be their spokesperson.

What, just so you know, I saw your apology to cobblehiller and me last week but I was on vacation and not commenting. No hard feelings at all and thanks for posting it.

On another note, as I was watching on TV the many tributes to Michael Jackson and outpouring of emotions from people all over the world as they grieved his passing and celebrated his music, I was wondering if some of those here who, subsequent to my FGVOTD tribute to MJ, were questioning his impact on the entertainment industry (and beyond) and implying he was irrelevant might have changed their opinion at least just a little bit.