I have incredibly mixed emotions - Democratic Underground

ProudToBeBlueInRhody

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Thu Jun-25-09 05:36 PM
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I have incredibly mixed emotions

"Thriller" was the first album I ever bought when I was six years old, and I loved Michael Jackson then.

The last 15 or so years of his life were just a sad, bizarre realization that the heroes of our childhood are often flawed, sometimes beyond repair.

I don't know what else to say, beyond sending my best wishes to his family, at least the ones who seemed to truly care about him.

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NightWatcher

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Thu Jun-25-09 05:38 PM
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1. good post. Why do we feel we have to say anything, why cant we just watch?

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MichiganVote

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Thu Jun-25-09 05:38 PM
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2. In his prime he was a great entertainer...later, not so much.

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ChazII

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Thu Jun-25-09 05:39 PM
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3. Beautifuly said.

I remember the Michael that I grew up with. He is 6 month younger than me.

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Happyhippychick

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Thu Jun-25-09 05:39 PM
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4. I was born in the 60's and watched MJ way back when. He died 30 years ago as far as I'm concerned.

The freak that he became was more than disconcerting.

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LittleClarkie

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Thu Jun-25-09 05:40 PM
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5. What did it do to the guy to be pushed as hard as he was as a kid

The freak he became was created by his upbringing I reckon.

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Mira

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Thu Jun-25-09 10:20 PM
Response to Reply #5

11. Andrew Sullivan was sensitive and shows insight here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5926467

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tularetom

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Thu Jun-25-09 05:48 PM
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6. I'm way too old to be a fan of Michael Jackson

but my kids were teenagers in the early 80's and his music was playing all the time in our house in the early 80's.

I remember enjoying that music.

Unfortunately I also remember all the weird shit that took place later at Neverland.

And I realize nothing ever was proven but the entire situation WAS weird.

Plus I am never surprised when any musician checks out at an early age. For whatever reason.

Elvis, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain. List goes on and on.

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musette_sf

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Thu Jun-25-09 05:51 PM
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7. sadly, i think:

(1) if he didn't do the tour he would be financially ruined.
(2) if he did the tour and flopped, he would be professionally and financially ruined.
(3) if he checked out now, the "Elvis Effect" on record sales would at least recoup some money for his children.

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dgibby

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Thu Jun-25-09 06:13 PM
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8. Well said.

I choose to remember the cute, talented little boy with so much promise. Sad to think of the hell his parents put him through.

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Lifelong Protester

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Thu Jun-25-09 06:27 PM
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9. And as I have said elsewhere,

the guy suffered, IMHO, from some serious mental illness. I loved "Thriller" and I remember back when he actually was black! Remember the talent, forgive the person. He suffered a lot, I think, and yes, that does not negate the suffering of some of those around him. But really, when you looked at the parents who were PUSHING their kids to be a part of the Neverland scene, I mean,isn't there some blame to go around there?

Rest in Peace. There are a few evil folks who might not deserve that phrase, but I think this tortured soul does.

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cascadiance

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Thu Jun-25-09 06:34 PM
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10. Damnit, this is making me feel old today...

Edited on Thu Jun-25-09 06:39 PM by cascadiance

I'm less than a month younger than he is, have just recently become unemployed... And, yes, I used to have a Farrah Fawcett poster hanging in my dorm room in college... And watched Johnny Carson many times too...

Michael, though you've made many mistakes in your life, you still have done many good things too. RIP.

Hope you were comfortable with the person you wanted to be in the end as I know you tried to be many different ones through your life...

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