End of an Icon

[Vilmah]

Michael Jackson died at 50, today. (http://thesuperficial.com/2009/06/michael_jackson_dies_at_50.php)

[Cabriel]

Oh, LORD, PLEASE don't take Janet.

[Szordrin]

I though Farah died too... and Ed Mcman

[Cristok]

wow it really does happen in threes...

And btw I think Vilmah broke this story to me BEFORE CNN..I saw this, clicked on CNN they said Coma...minute later re-fresh and he has died....

[Jeedup]

THE CHILDREN ARE FREEEEEEEEE!

[Okhu]

Lol Jeedup Lol

He was doing the dance for Thriller through the entire ordeal.

God thats just aweful.

[Evanthe]

I though Farah died too... and Ed Mcman


They did.

[Cabriel]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grbSQ6O6kbs

[Tillna]

I feel neutral on this. sucks that a person died... but he never did mcuh to affect me..otjher then that stupid 3d video at disney...fucking scary shit

[Necroxis]

That really sucks. I was never a big Michael Jackson fan but you can't NOT think of him when you think of "music."

RIP.

Also, it's kind of horrible to make fun of him right now, imo.

Good show...

[Sanrin]

Horrible? Maybe. Hilarious? Yes.


I can only hope that when I die, people laugh just as much.


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/JupiAj1S/1245970882233.png

[Necroxis]

Horrible? Maybe. Hilarious? Yes.


I can only hope that when I die, people laugh just as much.




Perhaps.

[Swerto]

Holy shit


Death must be pissed at all of our 'icons'. They keep dying!

[Karkarov]

Well he died fairly young considering. It really doesn't matter what your opinion is, the facts are that he did have a large impact on music in america and his death isn't something to be "happy" over. Not that it ever is something to be happy about.

[Necroxis]

Well he died fairly young considering. It really doesn't matter what your opinion is, the facts are that he did have a large impact on music in america and his death isn't something to be "happy" over. Not that it ever is something to be happy about.

Exactly.

Not to mention his impact on Dance as well as music.

The man truly was an Icon.

I enjoy how anonymity makes people say things they wouldn't to people face-to-face.

[Sanrin]

Eh, not saying that I'm happy hes dead...however considering his overall history, I cant say I care that hes no longer alive. Sad, no doubt, and I send my minor regards to the Jackson family. But really, the work he did to define the industry vs the work her did afterwards? Cant really say that was a life well spent. And while he was never really convicted of abusing children...people have avoided jail sentences and public branding for worse things simply due to celebrity status.


Goodbye sir, Billy Jean remains to be a fun song to sing. Much like jokes revolving your death, it makes me smile just the same. If anything, he is in a much better place now. Hopefully.

[Necroxis]

Considering that everyone who bashes him for the child molestation thing didn't know him personally...your opinion doesn't really count.

Nor, technically, does mine, someone who thinks he didn't. The fact is, you cannot assume.

What was that saying again? That saying that people seem to have forgotten already? That saying that everyone seems to have thrown out already?

"Innocent until proven guilty?"

[Aphraelle]

*shrug* I'm old enough to remember him when he still looked like a black male human being; watching his transformation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlEPaDn7Tuc) into... whatever it was he wound up becoming... was both sociologically/psychologically fascinating and, frankly, macabre. His music was good, I'll give him that, and it was on every radio station and in every club at the time. because it was - and is, I guess - good to dance to. On the other hand, I've never personally been all that fond of pop music outside of dance clubs, so...

Effect on my life = zero.

[Necroxis]

I am always confused as why people act like he did this to himself on purpose.

1.) He had to have nose surgery back when he was young because of a broken nose in a concert.

2.) He had a skin disease known as Vitiligo which causes his skin to lose pigmentation. Vitilgio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitiligo)

Ignorance angers me.

[Aphraelle]

Vitiligo causes depigmentation in patches, so I wonder about MJ, who seemed very evenly depigmented. Could be, I suppose, just seems unlikely to me.

A nose job to fix a broken nose, sure. But he had at least three, and you don't normally completely reshape a nose just to fix issues from breaking it.

Still unmoved.

[Sanrin]

Aphraelle gets a gold star. The best part is going to be the madness of 'how he die' thats going to rape my local new sources.

[Villayna]

I'm very sad to see this.

I'm of the "I only know what I see on tv so my opinion doesn't count for anything" camp, but my gut instinct is all those kids were victims of money grubbing parents, not child abuse.

Doesn't matter if you liked his music or not, or if you are too young to have known just how huge he was in his prime. His influence on following musicians is and will be significant.

[Okhu]

Just as long as they seal him in cement to prevent him from raising a horde of dancing ghouls, I'll be happy knowing he went peacefully.


FYI - people make stupid jokes about celebrities who die all the time. Its some peoples ways of -coping-...or whatever. Occasionally people will still make jokes about Irwin and he died a while ago. Regardless of how -good- he was.

And no, I'm pretty sure people would still make jokes about celebrity deaths in public, people are assholes after all, and offending someone like a celebrity isn't generally on most people I knows care-o-meters. (They WOULD however never say something about someone they know to their face, so take it with a grain of salt.)

Once Bob Barker goes I'm sure there will be many a joke about how he "Guessed the wrong price" or something to that extent.

Besides, the mans ripe for comedy gold.

[Lisbet]

Having dealt with a lot of death, the "it was just his time" motto is a good, solid one I live by. Great man or horrible monster, the only one who has any room to judge him is what ever higher power he may or may not have believed in.

Beyond that - he was a great musician.


Also I WOULD like to point out - on top of the Vitiligo (and my neighbor has it, it starts small and gets larger and more hard to manage as you get older) he also had major reconstruction surgery on his face and head after his hair caught on fire during the shooting of a Pepsi commercial in the very, very late 80's. No one remembers it, but it happened - one can only assume that he was just NEVER happy with the result and let the resulting "fixes" get a little out of hand.

[Aphraelle]

... he also had major reconstruction surgery on his face and head after his hair caught on fire during the shooting of a Pepsi commercial in the very, very late 80's. No one remembers it, but it happened - one can only assume that he was just NEVER happy with the result and let the resulting "fixes" get a little out of hand.

I do remember that, come to think of it. We used to make horrible jokes, "What is this?" while holding up a match we'd lit and then blown out, "Michael Jackson after the Pepsi commercial." Yeah, we were nasty. Of course, we also used to describe someone very disoriented as "running around like Ray Charles groping for the uh-huh girls (http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/1401/)."

[Kaldore]

My only question is why do they keep showing recent pictures of him and not pictures from the era that made him a superstar?

This is not the face that made everyone I knew growing up dance in a red jacket and dress shoes:

http://mj.barczyk.se/blog/wp-content/michaeljackson_beard.jpg

THIS is the person who made me walk backwards in my kitchen for hours:

http://images.chron.com/blogs/intune/thriller1.jpg

[Xiphus]

He died at age 50 from a heart attack, and dying at age 50 is considered dying really young. However, people die all the time, and he is one of those joining the ranks of those who are now on the other side. Can't say I feel sorrow of any kind.

Just erect a monument and remember him as the King of Pop and be done with it. I think spending hours weeping over his cold corpse is a pointless way to use energy and bodily fluids.

And on the bright side, maybe one day, he shall rise from the grave with an army of zombies, and they do the Thriller dance untiringly for days.

[Yichimet]

Fucking hell he made some awesome songs.

[Okhu]

And on the bright side, maybe one day, he shall rise from the grave with an army of zombies, and they do the Thriller dance untiringly for days.

No see, we're trying to not let that happen.

[Tiraline]

I think, sometimes, people forget that the loved ones of the deceased have feelings. And on the Internet, you never know who's going to see what.

You guys keep that in mind, please. And those who pray, please offer a few for his children, who are now going to have to listen to endless rehashes of their father's alleged misdeeds, his flaws, his faults, and how much people didn't like him. And, no doubt, there are going to be some nasty things said about THEM, too.

Kids should never have to suffer because ugly-minded adults want to have a few giggles at the expense of the now defenseless.

[Kaldore]

I think sometimes people need to realize this is the internet, where people are going to make irreverent jokes that some can perceive to be utterly tasteless and should be swiftly condemned... Which happens to be exactly the sort of reaction people love to see.

[Sanrin]

To be fair, its not like the media ever pulled any punches when he was alive. I lost count of how many Wacko Jacko headlines I used to see at those NYC Newspaper Kiosks. However, its sort of nice to see the huge fan following thats showing support for Janet + Family. They do indeed, have support.

[opalexian]

pointless way to use energy and bodily fluids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1KvgtEnABY

When Steve Irwin died, pretty much the entire country of Australia was in mourning, so strongly had he contributed to the country and their image. But of course plenty of Americans found that really funny. I mean, he wasn't AMERICAN, so why should anyone think that was a very important person?

Michael Jackson had a legacy, yes-I remember that time, Kaldore. However, in the intervening 20-odd years he's become a secluded monster who had very questionable relationships with many many young children (kind of like the Catholic church.) The man who was amazing died a long time ago; everyone, especially the news and media, just refused to let this zombie fade from our memory. Goodbye Michael Jackson-I hope you can find your nose, ear, skin pigment, and forgiveness in heaven or hell, wherever They decided to send you. Your armies of Korean prisoners will await your return. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o)

And also, the Jacksons are above the internet-they'd never see us rabble talking.

[Selash]

I remember growing up and listening to his music a lot. In fact, Dangerous was one of the first CDs I ever bought of the very many music CDs I now own. We really have lost a musical great, as much as I don't want to admit it. :(

Also, as an interesting aside (not sure if it's been pointed out here before), one thing I did discover not too long ago was a rumor that he apparently was going to do the majority of Sonic 3's music, but it was in the middle of it's development that the child abuse scandals erupted and he was subsequently dropped from the project by Sega. After comparing some of his songs with the tracks in the game, I'd definitely call it plausible, the strongest case being the ending credits theme of sonic 3 against Stranger in Moscow:

Sonic 3 Ending Credits Theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_oUfB6-JF4

Stranger in Moscow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfZz-q8CRLE

[Cabriel]

I met the Jackson clan (Katherine, Joe, Jermaine, Latoya, Marlon, Tito, and Janet) while I was working the grand opening (http://concreteloop.com/2007/05/discofever-atantisopening)of the Cove Atlantis (http://www.wireimage.com/FeaturedEvents/2511) on paradise Island, Bahamas. They were all seated under this HUGE umbrella at the Kai Milla fashion show we did by the main pool, and the energy from that direction was so...strange. It was like none of them knew each other. They were all EXTREMELY nice people to me and my fellow artists, but still...very strange.

[Szordrin]

You all know he was getting ready to go back on tour, right?

Just sayin'.


Side note: Thriller is awesome. Still the most sold album in the world.

[Maithanet]

Fucking hell he made some awesome songs.

I'm going to ignore the "What he did, what he didnt do" for a moment when it comes to the children and simply say this.

I played Moonwalker on the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis over and over, and hot damn did I wish I had one of those suits.

Also, http://www.theo2.co.uk/ . He had something like 50 dates set up there, startly next month.

[Skaadvik]

guess his heart just couldn't Beat It.

[Okhu]

guess his heart just couldn't Beat It.

.....I lol'd

and then I found this

http://files.kruzen.com/072003/michaeljackson.jpg

Lol CSI

[Rand_Shea]

Given the shape he was in the past what... 5? 10 years? I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner. He was practically a walking skeleton with severe damage from all the plastic surgeries he'd gotten.

As for the child abuse claims... Nothing was ever proven, but I did want to beat the crap out of parents who let their kids have 'sleepovers'.

Talk about a falling star... He was extremely attractive in the 70's and 80's, but he just destroyed himself after that.

I can't say I'll miss him, because beyond owning some of the CDs of his music and hearing him on the news and radio, he didn't affect me any.

It will, however, be extremely annoying to hear people whine, cry, bitch, and post 'tributes' to him for the next 10 months.

[opalexian]

Just watched the news conference with the coroner. The cause of death is being deferred so they can do tox and other testing. I guess the family is saying he OD'd on painkillers? Ironically if a personal doctor who was treating him had been present to sign the death certificate this would have been open and shut but his doctor is missing and his car was towed from Jackson's property on Thursday. That's kinda...weird.

Back to my media blackout so I don't have to see a million tributes -_-

[Jeedup]

I dunno. I know I'm not gonna stop making jokes.

[opalexian]

Didn't say that...I was just in shock that I actually saw breaking news because I was blowing through CNN's site. (actually, linked from somewhere here)

[Xiphus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1KvgtEnABY

When Steve Irwin died, pretty much the entire country of Australia was in mourning, so strongly had he contributed to the country and their image. But of course plenty of Americans found that really funny. I mean, he wasn't AMERICAN, so why should anyone think that was a very important person?

Michael Jackson had a legacy, yes-I remember that time, Kaldore. However, in the intervening 20-odd years he's become a secluded monster who had very questionable relationships with many many young children (kind of like the Catholic church.) The man who was amazing died a long time ago; everyone, especially the news and media, just refused to let this zombie fade from our memory. Goodbye Michael Jackson-I hope you can find your nose, ear, skin pigment, and forgiveness in heaven or hell, wherever They decided to send you. Your armies of Korean prisoners will await your return. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o)

And also, the Jacksons are above the internet-they'd never see us rabble talking.

Oh, please, I haven't even cried during my grandmother's funeral. I never liked the idea of mourning at all. At most, I only remember that so-and-so existed and has died, instead of spending hours or days crying for anyone when I could have used that time for something else. Like studying.

People DIE all the time. Even at this very minute, someone somewhere has died from pneumonia, or cholera, or a car accident. If we are going to weep for each and every single one of those who has gone over to the other side, we would all be dehydrating ourselves and NOTHING GETS DONE. That's why I do not encourage lengthy mournings.

As I said, I am fine with erecting monuments to commerate him and all he has done to the Pop genre, but mourning over his dead body for hours or days?

[Yatokth]

Oh, please, I haven't even cried during my grandmother's funeral. I never liked the idea of mourning at all. At most, I only remember that so-and-so existed and has died, instead of spending hours or days crying for anyone when I could have used that time for something else. Like studying.

People DIE all the time. Even at this very minute, someone somewhere has died from pneumonia, or cholera, or a car accident. If we are going to weep for each and every single one of those who has gone over to the other side, we would all be dehydrating ourselves and NOTHING GETS DONE. That's why I do not encourage lengthy mournings.

As I said, I am fine with erecting monuments to commerate him and all he has done to the Pop genre, but mourning over his dead body for hours or days?

Some people have souls, Xiphus. >: (

EDIT: I 'mourned' his death by listening to his hits while I was PvPing. It was awesome. Them alliance got struck by some smooth criminals.

[Necroxis]

Some people have souls, Xiphus. >: (

EDIT: I 'mourned' his death by listening to his hits while I was PvPing. It was awesome. Them alliance got struck by some smooth criminals.

Yeah same; I was blasting some Billy Jean on the way home from work.

I pulled up to a red light next to an Ice Cream shop by my house and a few people cheered.

It was kinda awesome

[Chikt]

I heard that they were going to melt Michael Jackson down to make toys for kids, so that they could play with him for once.

[opalexian]

I heard that they were going to melt Michael Jackson down to make toys for kids, so that they could play with him for once.

*SPORFLE*

[Skaadvik]

I dunno. I know I'm not gonna stop making jokes.

Samsies, bro.


I heard that they were going to melt Michael Jackson down to make toys for kids, so that they could play with him for once.

hahahaha

[Yatokth]

To the media:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVACUjHn6yU

[Libelle]

I watched music videos with some friends tonight and found out that I love Michael Jackson.

[Lysimachus]

Yeah me too.

I'd say I agree with this hellery in more than a modest degree ;)

[The_Golden_Wolf]

Some people have souls, Xiphus. >: (

EDIT: I 'mourned' his death by listening to his hits while I was PvPing. It was awesome. Them alliance got struck by some smooth criminals.

I think mourning is healthy, and though I don't feel particularly affected by his death.. there's nothing wrong with commemorating his passing either.

[Brakogar]

Michael Jackson is a name and personality that I have consistently been aware of throughout my life. I remember the whole Thriller craze that lasted for years after its release which gave me a chance to hear it on TV when I was only a toddler which I still remember.

At first he was the great music star that influenced much of he 80s culture and music in general but as I grew up, Michael degraded into what became known as Wacko Jacko and my perception of him changed from the awe of the 80s to having a laugh at his ever crazy behavior and antics but he was still there.

Despite what became of him in his later life, Michael Jackson is a name that I have been consistently aware of since I can remember, one of my first memories as a child are watching his Thriller music videos when I was probably 2 or 3 years old.

Yeah, I made fun of him too but for better or worse he was a small but consistent part of my life and I will miss that. I feel that the world is a little emptier with him gone.

[Xaraphyne]

wow, totally can't believe I missed this... Maybe I should try plugging my TV into the cable box sometime, and see what happens! ;)

[Naheal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1KvgtEnABY

When Steve Irwin died, pretty much the entire country of Australia was in mourning, so strongly had he contributed to the country and their image. But of course plenty of Americans found that really funny. I mean, he wasn't AMERICAN, so why should anyone think that was a very important person?


I distinctly remember cracking jokes in RC vent when this happened. Dio was, of course, in channel with us as we were cracking said jokes.

I still firmly believe that sending a stingray stinger to the Australian Prime Minister would be like sending a KKK hood to the US President.

Edit: Also...


I think sometimes people need to realize this is the internet, where people are going to make irreverent jokes that some can perceive to be utterly tasteless and should be swiftly condemned... Which happens to be exactly the sort of reaction people love to see.

Sigged

[Necroxis]

Too bad this being the internet doesn't mean a thing.

It's just an outlet for people to say things they wouldn't normally say something to someone's face.

And that

Is called cowardice.

[Xiphus]

Some people have souls, Xiphus. >: (

EDIT: I 'mourned' his death by listening to his hits while I was PvPing. It was awesome. Them alliance got struck by some smooth criminals.

I cried way too many times that I believe that if I cry anymore, I'm going to die from exhaustion. I left all the mourning thing when I entered secondary school.

Besides, I was led to believe that if you cry for someone, said someone is not going to be able to rest in peace as it gives them the impression that they left somethings undone. I rather not cry, say a couple of prayers, put a memorial for the person if whatever he has done is significant enough and call it a day. I will NOT, and I repeat, WILL NOT cry over a corpse for hours or days or weeks. It's bad for my heart!

[Naheal]

Too bad this being the internet doesn't mean a thing.

It's just an outlet for people to say things they wouldn't normally say something to someone's face.

And that

Is called cowardice.

Actually, I say it to people's face, too.

I'm nice like that.

[Okhu]

I've been making MJ jokes to people all day.

All I got was laughter. So I mean... obviously they didn't get the desired hatred you were thinking I would get from them.

[Karkarov]

I will just post on this one last time. It is one thing to make fun of a living celebrity, everyone does it here and there good for a laugh et all. However making fun of the dead, celebrity or not, has always been thought poorly of since the dawn of time and considered to be the activity of those of low moral standard. I dont think the joke being made on the internet really changes that.

Before the bs comments of get over it you shouldnt get offended over the internet are reiterated I will just say this. I am not "offended" but what I posted isnt any less true either way.

[Xiphus]

Okhu, if there's one thing that never gets old, it's making fun of dead people.

And I ponder, if I were to dig up MJ's grave in another fifty years, what non-biodegradable substances will I find in the grave.

[Necroxis]

I've been making MJ jokes to people all day.

All I got was laughter. So I mean... obviously they didn't get the desired hatred you were thinking I would get from them.

Would you say it to their family face-to-face?


Actually, I say it to people's face, too.

I'm nice like that.

And would you? It's one thing to say to some random person on the street but I seriously seriously doubt you would.

My favorite comedian is Lisa Lampanelli, and you know why? Aside from all her hilarity, she says she lives by one rule:

If you have a joke and you can't say it to the person that they are about, then you have absolutely no right to say it.

[opalexian]

To the media:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVACUjHn6yU

BAD WORDS IM TELLING MOMMY

...or not. That was fucking hilarious and true. Sometimes super-awesome truth is awesomely funny.


I still firmly believe that sending a stingray stinger to the Australian Prime Minister would be like sending a KKK hood to the US President.

Edit: Also...



Sigged

Wow, I dunno if I would go that far, but...well, maybe. That would be fucked up if someone sent him a stingray stinger tho. That would just be a 'neener' kinda thing. Sending Obama a KKK hood would have a much deeper meaning-'we hate YOU' 'a chunk of your country wishes you were dead' 'you're a lesser human being more like a monkey' etc. Both fucked up tho. And something someone would do...under guise of cowardice.

Your sig is threatening to take over the entire board. o_O


Too bad this being the internet doesn't mean a thing.

It's just an outlet for people to say things they wouldn't normally say something to someone's face.

And that

Is called cowardice.

I'd say it. Not everyone you meet on the internet is a coward just because they talk shit on the internet. Just like not all quiet people are serial killers. Or something like that. >_>

[Okhu]

Okhu, if there's one thing that never gets old, it's making fun of dead people.

And I ponder, if I were to dig up MJ's grave in another fifty years, what non-biodegradable substances will I find in the grave.

Ogod Xiphus.. ogod.. LOL

[opalexian]

I get it now! He did all that so he wouldn't decompose! BRILLIANT

[Yatokth]

I will just post on this one last time. It is one thing to make fun of a living celebrity, everyone does it here and there good for a laugh et all. However making fun of the dead, celebrity or not, has always been thought poorly of since the dawn of time and considered to be the activity of those of low moral standard. I dont think the joke being made on the internet really changes that.

Before the bs comments of get over it you shouldnt get offended over the internet are reiterated I will just say this. I am not "offended" but what I posted isnt any less true either way.

AND I THINK YOU HAVE A STICK IN YOUR ASS SIR.

[Rand_Shea]

When I die, I want my funeral to be a party. One where I would fully expect people to crack jokes and make fun of me.

Maybe I'm just bizarre, but I'd rather people acknowledged how I -LIVED- and honor what memories they have that way.

Yatokth or Raziel could write my obituary or something.

[Ryoku]

The jokes are fine, and sometimes funny, but 'don't talk ill of the dead' is a pretty viable standard in my opinion.

This is 2009 though. Nobody has fucking standards, so I don't expect much.

[Boudika]

I remember when I lived overseas. We had playhouse in our backyard. I remember going into it one day, I guess I was about 9 or 10 and our driver had painted a mural on the wall of the jackson five. Little michael was so cute then, and extremely talented even at that young age. ABC, what a fun song! I played that over and over untill i just about wore out my little 45 record. Good times.

Of course he touched little boys. I mean, someone who secludes himself and has a different life, or way of living than others, (and lets not forget he HAD to be freaking crazy with that neverland ranch) what else do we expect from someone like that? Amirite? You, me the fella next door, we dont know jack shit about his real life other than what we are fed by the media or "leaked" stories, and we gobble that up untill we are rolled out the door.

Here in NYC the street vendors have already done their part in the commercialization of his death. I keep thinking, "how in the hell did they get those off the damn presses so quick?" (Im sure they have one of Brittney all ready to roll when that happens) I have seen alot of mean people in my life, and I try not to let that get me down, don't wanna put myself on their level yanno? I like to think im better than that.

A man died at an early age from a heart attack and left 3 children in a questionable position. Thats some funny shit.


This is 2009 though. Nobody has fucking standards, so I don't expect much. Quoted for truth. Thank you

R.I.P MJ thank you for sharing your talent with us!

[Naheal]

The jokes are fine, and sometimes funny, but 'don't talk ill of the dead' is a pretty viable standard in my opinion.

This is 2009 though. Nobody has fucking standards, so I don't expect much.

George Carlin.

THE SAME DAY that he died, people were cracking all manor of jokes about him, in good taste or bad. The fact of the matter is that he's not coming back. Insensitive as you'd like to call it, the truth hurts. No matter what. He's dead and the sooner you realize that and get to celebrating his life rather then mourning his death the happier you'll be.

[Necroxis]

There's a difference between celebrating someone's life, and making fun of someone.

Celebrating someones life would be to look back on their past achievements and how they made an impact on the world. ((Like how MJ had basically revolutionize music and dance))

Making fun of someone would be to say that they're going to melt him down to make him into playing blocks or some shit.

People aren't oblivious or in denial that he's dead because we dislike jokes made about him, it's more out of respect.

[Okhu]

Maybe Vill should just lock this thread, since we're all aware he's dead, and all it is now is people complaining about a couple jokes made about him.

[opalexian]

Maybe Vill should just lock this thread, since we're all aware he's dead, and all it is now is people complaining about a couple jokes made about him.

...you've been taken over by a body snatcher? o_O

[Xiphus]

George Carlin.

THE SAME DAY that he died, people were cracking all manor of jokes about him, in good taste or bad. The fact of the matter is that he's not coming back. Insensitive as you'd like to call it, the truth hurts. No matter what. He's dead and the sooner you realize that and get to celebrating his life rather then mourning his death the happier you'll be.

I share the same sentiment! I rather people laugh during my funeral than cry! Actually, I rather they laugh during my cremation instead.

[Illi]

Actually, I rather they laugh during my cremation instead.

yeah because that makes you badass.

[Sanrin]

Are you trying to tell us that you have never made fun of someone in the course of your lifetime? If us cracking jokes over someones passing really offends you that much, go away. Hes dead, nothing will bring him back, and I guarantee him his ghost wont haunt us just because we've decided to get a few laughs.

George Carlin had it right, there's really no reason to be mournful or sad over any death. Its a passing, and quite frankly I can think of no better way to celebrate a life then by laughing over the absurdities of it.

[Necroxis]

Are you trying to tell us that you have never made fun of someone in the course of your lifetime? If us cracking jokes over someones passing really offends you that much, go away. Hes dead, nothing will bring him back, and I guarantee him his ghost wont haunt us just because we've decided to get a few laughs.

George Carlin had it right, there's really no reason to be mournful or sad over any death. Its a passing, and quite frankly I can think of no better way to celebrate a life then by laughing over the absurdities of it.

Yet again, there's a difference in laughing over an absurdity such as "Remember when XXX did something silly?"

That's not what the majority of the jokes are, unfortunately.

People are going "Hey, remember when He was injured during that music video shoot and had to get reconstruction surgery, and it went bad, at no fault of his own. Or remember when he was accused of molesting little boys and it ruined his life for those so many months?" "Heheh...that's funny."

[Vilmah]

I'm of the "I only know what I see on tv so my opinion doesn't count for anything" camp, but my gut instinct is all those kids were victims of money grubbing parents, not child abuse.

I'm in the same boat. He seemed to me like the type of guy who's eccentric nature was taken advantage of, but also someone who never had anyone with the ability to tell him "No, Michael. It's not a good idea to make your child wear a veil. No, Michael. Don't dangle your baby over that balcony." I feel bad that someone with such brilliance was so troubled by the world that was practically shaped for him, around him, but not BY him. This really is a terrible loss to the world of music, but I'm glad that his life is being celebrated by those who respected his talent.

[Illi]

Are you trying to tell us that you have never made fun of someone in the course of your lifetime? If us cracking jokes over someones passing really offends you that much, go away. Hes dead, nothing will bring him back, and I guarantee him his ghost wont haunt us just because we've decided to get a few laughs.

George Carlin had it right, there's really no reason to be mournful or sad over any death. Its a passing, and quite frankly I can think of no better way to celebrate a life then by laughing over the absurdities of it.

If you're talking to me, then no. Nothing to do with that.

[Yatokth]

Are you trying to tell us that you have never made fun of someone in the course of your lifetime? If us cracking jokes over someones passing really offends you that much, go away. Hes dead, nothing will bring him back, and I guarantee him his ghost wont haunt us just because we've decided to get a few laughs.

George Carlin had it right, there's really no reason to be mournful or sad over any death. Its a passing, and quite frankly I can think of no better way to celebrate a life then by laughing over the absurdities of it.

I contest this - were I to find my soul mate (likely satan himself) and she passed away prematurely (or at all, before me) I'd be pretty effin sad cause she wouldn't be around.

I'd definitely still make jokes about her tho. :P

[Rand_Shea]

It's a bit absurd to say that no one should be sad about any death. Death in itself is something to be sad about, to a degree, because it is final. There is no coming back from it. There are no spirit healers here on Earth.

What I find the saddest, though, is that some people are so apt to use the death of celebrities as means to puff themselves up to say that they never ever feel something as 'useless' as sadness, or do such 'silly' things as mourn. Yeah, there's a limit to how much should be felt or done, but not feeling any is probably more abnormal than feeling too much.

A man is dead, it doesn't really matter who he was, because he left family and friends behind who are suffering for the time being at the circumstances of his death, and at the knowledge or overhearing of how others are treating the situation, and that many aren't willing to leave them alone about it. As significant or insignificant as he was and possibly still is, it doesn't change the fact that he's dead.

[Xiphus]

yeah because that makes you badass.

Cremation takes little space. And if they scatter my ashes, nature benefits from my death as well as taking no space. And I want them to laugh ominously during the process of burning my corpse, and during the scattering of my ashes. It's hillarious, see?

As for feeling sad about Death, really, it's a pointless exercise. And usually, instead of thinking of Death as The End, I prefer to think of Death as Another Beginning. Then again, my religion believes in reincarnation, so.....

Also, if a person leaves his loved ones in difficult positions upon his Death, he or she is a worthless pile of trash. Always expect to die and tie up loose ends as quickly as possible. Treat everyday as the Last Day and finish as many things as possible, as well as try new things while abandoning the fear of losing anything. An excellent person inspires greater celebration amongst those he left behind as he has given them great things to remember him by rather than the pains of having any loose ends and infamy shoved to them. And you are certainly wrong about leaving family and friends who are suffering, for if the Dead Person has any worth to his life, he would have been prepared for his Death and his family and friends would suffer very little by then!

[Boudika]

Also, if a person leaves his loved ones in difficult positions upon his Death, he or she is a worthless pile of trash. Always expect to die and tie up loose ends as quickly as possible. Treat everyday as the Last Day and finish as many things as possible, as well as try new things while abandoning the fear of losing anything. An excellent person inspires greater celebration amongst those he left behind as he has given them great things to remember him by rather than the pains of having any loose ends and infamy shoved to them. And you are certainly wrong about leaving family and friends who are suffering, for if the Dead Person has any worth to his life, he would have been prepared for his Death and his family and friends would suffer very little by then!

what you said there, about preparing for the...worst I guess, is a wonderful little plan. Thing is, this is life (and death) and neither of them can be very accommodating at times. If we all were able to micromanage our lives, boy wouldn't that be super! We can't though, life takes us on many twists and turns and try as hard as we might, there are some things that may prevent us from making sure our death will be dealt with properly, or efficiently. Its not really fair, to consider the departed a ...worthless pile of trash, (pretty harsh words when you know NOTHING about someones situation) because their life didn't go quite as planned as they had hoped, or wanted. In some cases perhaps you might be close to being accurate, but I feel its a pretty lousy blanket conclusion that everyone who has left their family in the lurch after their death, had very little worth to the life that they led.

I think the big issue folks are having, is the fine line between making fun of, and having fun.

[opalexian]

Ok so maybe Michael Jackson should be sainted and we should just all go kill ourselves for being bad people...


Michael Jackson’s $300 Million Legacy
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Michael Jackson’s $300 Million Legacy

By Lauren Bayne Anderson

Michael Jackson died Thursday after going into cardiac arrest, at the age of 50. While no one disputes he was the King of Pop, what you may not have known is that he was a big philanthropist — to the tune of $300 million — to various charities. And a chunk of that went to scholarships.

In fact, in the Millennium-Issue of the “Guinness Book Of Records” Jackson was recognized as the Pop Star who supports the most charity organizations.

In 1986 Jackson gave $1.5 million to set up the "Michael Jackson UNCF Endowed Scholarship Fund”, aimed at students majoring in performance art and communications, with money given each year to students attending a member United Negro College Fund college or university. The scholarship has helped hundreds of students attend college.

Jackson also contributed to the Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund and many other charities aimed at education and special needs children.

The following is a list of some of the charities he publicly helped, taken from AllMichaelJackson.com:

* AIDS Project L.A.
* American Cancer Society
* Angel Food
* Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles
* BMI Foundation, Inc.— Support music education for gifted youngsters.
* Brotherhood Crusade
* Brothman Burn Center
* Camp Ronald McDonald
* Childhelp U.S.A. – Aims at meeting the needs of abused an neglected children—including education.
* Children’s Institute International
* Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund
* Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation
* Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
* Dakar Foundation
* Dreamstreet Kids
* Dreams Come True Charity
* Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation
* Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
* Love Match
* Make-A-Wish Foundation
* Minority Aids Project
* Motown Museum
* NAACP
* National Rainbow Coalition
* Rotary Club of Australia
* Society of Singers
* Starlight Foundation
* The Carter Center’s Atlanta Project
* The Sickle Cell Research Foundation
* Transafrica
* United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
* United Negro College Fund Ladder’s of Hope
* UNESCO—The proceeds of one of his tours went to the education of children in developing countries.
* Volunteers of America
* Watts Summer Festival
* Wish Granting
* YMCA – 28th Street/Crenshaw

(sorry I can't link it directly, it's on fastweb.com if you want to see it, it's just in the passworded section.)

So I won't stop laughing but maybe I'll admit he maybe wasn't a child molester. I'll laugh at crazy jokes too tho (IF THEY'RE GOOD) so...dont take yourself or anyone else too seriously. Except maybe Malcolm X-he'll cut ya, even from the grave. o_O

[Yatokth]

Ok so maybe Michael Jackson should be sainted and we should just all go kill ourselves for being bad people...



(sorry I can't link it directly, it's on fastweb.com if you want to see it, it's just in the passworded section.)

So I won't stop laughing but maybe I'll admit he maybe wasn't a child molester. I'll laugh at crazy jokes too tho (IF THEY'RE GOOD) so...dont take yourself or anyone else too seriously. Except maybe Malcolm X-he'll cut ya, even from the grave. o_O

Was already planning on this, minus the whole killing myself part.

[opalexian]

Was already planning on this, minus the whole killing myself part.

*eyes Yat suspiciously*

[Okhu]

I dunno if people don't like it.

This is my thoughts on the matter summed up.
http://img3.ak.crunchyroll.com/i/spire1/026d64924f1c40310a13c615cbaa071f1235194916_full.jp g

[opalexian]

I'm suing for a new monitor :(

[Okhu]

Well if you're suing for a new monitor, see the post above yours again for my response madam! <3

[opalexian]

Well if you're suing for a new monitor, see the post above yours again for my response madam! <3

I'm gonna sue for this monitor too! Stop that! ;.;

[Okhu]

*luuuurrve*

[opalexian]

XOXO *uses packing tape on monitors*

[EnheilRas]

yeah because that makes you badass.

Someday you will die somehow and something's gonna steal your carbon. Someday something will die and somehow you'll figure out how often you will die somehow and something's gonna steal your carbon.

[Okhu]

*Head explodes*

[Xiphus]

Someday you will die somehow and something's gonna steal your carbon. Someday something will die and somehow you'll figure out how often you will die somehow and something's gonna steal your carbon.

Stop stealing my carbon! I'm giving it to you, free of charge! Happy?

[opalexian]

SO! Spending all day on YouTube, I find this-

Madonna's tribute to MJ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFONpSbDKGk)

Sanjay Gupta's analysis of MJ's last performance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HujVw-wQGw)

MJ Sockpuppet Theater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQC8QuR7gzw) (Video response here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLSkJj719E) probably more honest than anything you've ever seen...)

What the Buck's response to all this death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPMUXkEh1EI) wow, he's human and not a catty douchebag...




...yeah, I need to get the fuck off YouTube...

[Yatokth]

*eyes Yat suspiciously*

Well, you know, I'm bad.

Yep, I'm bad.

In fact, I'd go as far to say that I am really, really bad.

[Gorvena]

Well, you know, I'm bad.

Yep, I'm bad.

In fact, I'd go as far to say that I am really, really bad.
Shamon!

[Gorvena]

New evidence... (http://www.bertisevil.tv/pages/bert008.htm)

Turns out it wasn't Michael's fault.