Originally posted by benjikan Thanks for sharing, Ben. I am fond of Michael Jackson's music, but far be it for me to hurl and assume about personal episodes of his life. I certainly won't accuse him of being a pedophile and a maniac like other people do. I simply don't know him personally to make such accusations. Court cases, especially those of the he-said, she-said type, are rarely indicative of the real truth (or lies) behind the accusations. Even settlements made out of court can possibly mean indirect admission of guilt, or maybe the easiest way to shut the accuser up, even if his allegations are false.
I'll remember MJ for the things that I can verify for myself to be true. The wonderful music, the humanitarian effort (I'll not speculate if it's genuine or just PR, only that some people did benefit from it), the crazy dance moves, and where it all fell into place - Motown 25th Anniversary.
To add to your brother's post, it's interesting to see talking heads suddenly seem to have revisionist memories of MJ. These talking heads, I recall, were once accusatory and judgmental of the person. I guess that's just how it is when someone dies, especially one who has a burgeoning fanbase.
And I agree that I'm not in the least bit interested in the legal drama that's about to unfold regarding MJ's will and testament.
It should be noted that MJ, by dint of the legal issues that happened years ago, is a polarizing figure because of those. Maybe when the last Beatles member dies, we wouldn't have such brouhaha, since I recall no serious court case that's possibly damaging to one's character levied against any of them. I imagine only fond remembrances in the media coverage for that event.