Clonnie Yearout:

I don't believe he was ever convicted of child molestation, was he?  I really don't know whether he was guilty and beat the rap or whether he was set up by some people hoping for a big cash pay-off, but my gut feeling is that he was just a flawed and mixed-up human being who had the misfortune to undergo an unnatural childhood experience.  I could be wrong of course, but under our system, if a court finds you not guilty, we have to accept that verdict.  As an entertainer, MJ was, for me, just one of many great ones, but then I'm not the type to idolize anyone.  In the end, he turned out to be just like the rest of us in one respect:  he was just one heart-beat, one breath away from that journey back to the clay from whence I came.

Excellent comment, Clonnie.  We both had the same thought and posted it at the same time.  (Yours was better.)  I don't idolize pop culture celebrities either, but I admire Jackson for his extraordinary talent and contributions to the music industry.  Like Marvin I appreciate blue grass (Flat and Scruggs, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss) and classic country (Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings), but I also Classic Rock (Beatles, CCR, CSN&Y, Eagles, Sting, U2), Blues (Muddy Waters, B.B. King), and classical music (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart).  The only music I can't stand is Heavy Metal.

I can understand the generational divide and how some older folks might not appreciate Jackson's extraordinary artistry; but the callousness about the personal life and death of this man, by all accounts a fine and loving father, is awfully harsh and cold.

 

Gibson Brown:

PS...global warming is a big ole stinky pile of Al Gore, worthy of zero tax dollars and further discussion in my view. Can some one tie Jackson to global warming? I am pleased we did not get another nerf ball "teacher" question. However, I feel like this is a one answer and done topic. I miss the passion we have had in the past. I'm just saying...

Gip, Have you noticed that Michael Jackson  and Al Gore  have strikingly similar charictaristics?  They were both captured in the invasion of the body snatchers. Global warming is necessary for the survival of their species. I have documentation to prove this but have been afraid to release it untill some other brave soul speaks out first.

Clonnie Yearout:

I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage here, Joe.  I've spent several minutes thinking about this and I just don't understand your objection -- assuming that you are voicing an objection.... Maybe I am "taking the cake" here, Joe, but if You want me to understand how, you're going to have to be more specific.  I still think all untimely deaths are tragic, and out of respect for all my fellow panelists I fought off a powerful urge to include late-term abortions in that category.

 

I'm with you here, too, Clonnie.  When an exceptionally gifted and internationally beloved artist dies prematurely, apparently from self-inflicted bad health (possibly a deadly addition to painkillers, according to Lisa Marie), yes, it is tragic.  In the grand scheme of life in the modern world, is the life and death of Michael Jackson a big deal?  Well, I think so.  Is it something we can discuss for a whole week?  I can't imagine how.  Those of us who volunteered to be official Voices of the Valley panelists don't pick the topics.  We have the option of commenting on them, or not, as we wish.  Others like Joe, who are not panelists, can contribute to the discussion but certainly are under no pressure to "humor" our zoo-keeper Luanne or her boss and temporary stand-in Dan.  If anyone think it's a lame topic, bow out for a week and read a good book.  I might do that myself (no offense, Dan.)

 

Joe Merola..."Jackson had incredible talent which was ultimately squandered along with his fortune and his life"

Joe, pretty harsh. My guess is you know the ambulance chasing news rag version. The dude sponsored huge projects for children everywhere, and that alone makes the "squandered his life" jab wrong. As for fortune, he owned over 200 "Beatles" songs plus many others 50/50 with Sony...worth over $500 million after splitting it with Sony. Proof the enquirer mentality rules. As to the people who could care less he has passed, I think you are showing your bias, and, are lacking any skills to appreciate a true artist of the dance and entertainment realm...in my opinion. Gip

 Michael Jackson's death came as a shock and left me wondering what the rest of the story will be. There will be more I am sure. The Jackson 5 became big when I was starting high school and I thought he was an adorable little boy. He did not have a real childhood and I have to wonder if he suffered from a lack of unconditional love. He was thrown into the spotlight so young with seeming indifference to the stress and pressure it would have on him. I have to wonder how much he wanted the life of a star versus having it forced on him by others--possibly for the money. He had the demeanor of a nice person but seemed fragile physically and mentally. My main hope is that his children and family will find peace. I hope his children grow up as normally as possible with lots of support and love. The outpouring of international affection we are seeing may bring some amount of comfort to them.

Deb Landgraf:

 The Jackson 5 became big when I was starting high school and I thought he was an adorable little boy. He did not have a real childhood and I have to wonder if he suffered from a lack of unconditional love. He was thrown into the spotlight so young with seeming indifference to the stress and pressure it would have on him. I have to wonder how much he wanted the life of a star versus having it forced on him by others--possibly for the money.

Deb, this may be unfair of me, but I can't help comparing MJ to another child star who came on the scene at almost the same time -- Donny Osmond.  I don't know if you remember, but there was sort of an unofficial competition between the Osmonds and the Jackson 5 with both groups appearing on such shows as Ed Sullivan, Andy Williams, and all the other numerous variety shows of that time.  Both families were extremely talented, and both families also produced two stand-out, brother-sister stars:  Michael and Janet, and Donny and Marie, all of which were successful in their own right.  Michael had the most talent and became the biggest star as both Donny and Marie appeared to sacrifice some stardom in order to devote themselves to their families. 

From where I stand (and I could be wrong), it appears that the Osmonds had a more stable family unit, and while Donny and Marie's lives have not been uneventful, they seem to have avoided the more serious problems that plagued Michael.  I'm thinking that at least some of the credit for that has to go to the Osmond parents and their insistence on providing as normal a home life as possible for their children.  Of course other factors must have entered in as well, but I still find a comparison of the two families interesting.

Dan Radmacher:

What are your reflections on the life, career and death of Michael Jackson?

 

 Michael Jackson had amazing musical talent.  "Nough said.

Clonnie Yearout:

From where I stand (and I could be wrong), it appears that the Osmonds had a more stable family unit,

 

Clonnie:  As you probably know, the Osmonds are Mormons and the Mormon faith places great emphasis on family.

 Hi from  a weekend in Ohio & many parties!  I was afraid that I wouldn't have time to address this weeks' question, but I see that there's no problem after all.  I regret the loss of a huge talent & evidently sad, even tragic & frustrating life ended too soon - - BUT, right now it's overtaking the front pages where love of "tan lines" and the "faded glow of the night's light" ought to be...

Sandy Light:

I regret the loss of a huge talent & evidently sad, even tragic & frustrating life ended too soon - - BUT, right now it's overtaking the front pages where love of "tan lines" and the "faded glow of the night's light" ought to be...

 

You've puzzled me with your comment about Michael Jackson, Sandy.  Is that a clever reference to Miss Farah and Mr. Ed?  In all three cases, I think we see how fame in the entertainment industry can reduce a person to a superficial cartoon-like character. 

Michael Jackson was a talented singer, dancer, choreographer, writer, producer and philanthropic benefactor, but the tabloid media and curious public came to characterize him as a freak because of his peculiar wardrobe, a skin disease, facial surgery, and unsubstantiated accusations of private misconduct.  Beneath all of that was a caring, generous, sensitive, insecure and depressed man.  Farrah Fawcett was commonly dismissed as a ditzy model with big hair and a swimsuit with little talent.  People overlook her critically acclaimed performances as a serious dramatic actress in The Burning Bed (1984), Extremities (1986), and Small Sacrifices (1989).  As for Ed McMahon, there was much more to the man than Johnny Carson's sidekick and miscellaneous roles as a television spokesman.  As Gip pointed out earlier, during World War II McMahan was a Marine fighter pilot, decorated with six Air Medals.  He also served in the Korean War.  When a person becomes a celebrity they tend to get caught up in their own fame and fortune, but it seems to me that all three of these people--Michael, Farrah, and Ed--tried to protect their privacy and retain their humanity.

Leesa McGregor:

As you probably know, the Osmonds are Mormons and the Mormon faith places great emphasis on family.

What you say is true, Leesa, and my failure to mention that fact probably reveals a bias on my part.  The Osmonds' LDS faith certainly was instrumental in keeping their lives on an even keel, but ironically it also limited their star appeal.  Most career-steering people in the business thought Donny and Marie's image was too "squeaky clean" and at least one of their publicists advised them to get arrested for drug possession as a way to be seen as more hip and in tune with the culture.  More recently, Donny's public remarks against homosexual marriage have served to reinforce his unhip image, even though he tempered his remarks by stating his support for homosexuals to live their lives openly.  Donny and MJ were born within a year of each other and both were musically talented, but there the similarity ends.  One embraced a traditional lifestyle while the other was the antithesis of tradition.  I still find it ironic that we embraced the rebel and rejected the one whose image and lifestyle more closely resembled ours. 

Clonnie..."but I can't help comparing MJ to another child star who came on the scene at almost the same time -- Donnie Osmond"

Hey Clonnie, surely you jest. Who can't dance better than Donny Osmond? He needs a bucket to carry a tune. Comparing MJ and Osmond is like comparing the USA with Cuba. Donny and Marie fizzled due to lack of talent in my opinion. MJ and Janet changed the world regarding blacks being on TV, and blacks being accepted in the music industry as a rule. MJ changed the entire music scene, and Osmond was simply squeaky clean and obnoxious. How many people have you heard say Donny Osmond changed their life, or altered the entire dancing genre world wide. NO comparison talent-wise. Gip 

Clonnie..."Donny's public remarks against homosexual marriage have served to reinforce his unhip image, even though he tempered his remarks by stating his support for homosexuals to live their lives openly"

Clonnie, Donny's homo-phobic ways brings up a good point...global warming is a farce. Yet another "sky is falling" ploy to bilk the tax paying public. What? Gip

Gibson Brown:

MJ changed the entire music scene, and Osmond was simply squeaky clean and obnoxious.

I didn't mean to suggest that they were equally talented, Gip.  Just looking for an avenue for the panel to take a discussion down.  We've got to come up with something here or else we can all just post "ditto the above comment" and set a record for low post numbers this week.  We're all too tactful  and respectful to speak ill of the recently departed, and I think the rabid MJ fans will quickly become irate if someone suggests he was less than a god in the talent department, even though musical taste is a very subjective thing and varies widely with individuals. 

I personally like all the genres previously mentioned by Dave, although I can take some of them only in small amounts.  I really don't get the rap or hip-hop thing and don't even consider it music at all, but that's just my personal taste, of course.  Booming bass tests the limits of "live and let live" toleration required by my religion.  I don't like music that is heavily laden with obnoxious or syncopated rhythms, and I'm beginning to despise drums, probably because of their invasion into the previously melodic world of church music.  In short, I'm just a grumpy old f___, but I know what I like, and I don't need to impress anyone by pretending to be blown away by trendy new styles.  Yes, MJ had tremendous talent, but so does a guy who can spin plates on a stick.  Both talents are interesting and entertaining, but neither is worthy of worship.  The little unknown person who volunteers daily in a human rescue mission or a stinky animal shelter is just as worthy of praise in my book.

Gibson Brown:

global warming is a farce. Yet another "sky is falling" ploy to bilk the tax paying public. What? Gip

Nice, Gip.  You have the ability to throw out big enticement bombs that would bring down the wrath of the panel on me.  I guess they understand that you're just waving a red flag in order to increase my arterial pressure.  You bring up a great point and I'm surprised that the panel hasn't been assigned this topic yet.  The House voted 212 - 217 to pass that monstrosity yesterday, but hopefully the Senate will save us.  Mr Periello cast a very duplicitous vote, by the way, but Mr Goodlatte stood firm.  If you're serious, I'm very much in agreement with you, but I'll refrain from elaboration because doing so might send us off on a tangent where we would forget about MJ.  Remind me again Tuesday evening.

Now, back to MJ:  You mentioned his dance moves; did you consider any of them sexually obscene?