Michael Jackson and Sarah Palin
Ok. Let’s get this part out of the way first – Michael Jackson was a musical genius. He will go down in the history books alongside the likes of the Beatles and Elvis Presley who, no doubt, would have been thrilled to see his only daughter marry the King of Pop (as she did in the little town of La Vega, Dominican Republic, not far from where I sit as I write this). In a hundred years, people will still be listening to Jackson’s music. The Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus, not so much.
While watching Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service, several thoughts began to emerge. First, and I’m not trying to be a wise-ass here, I was fully prepared for him to emerge from his coffin, moon walk across the stage and announce his last world tour. It honestly would not have surprised me in the least if the whole thing was a PR stunt. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but there was a quantum of skepticism regarding the whole affair that I just couldn’t shake.
Second, the eulogies seemed more like a collective canonization of an artist. Yes, Jackson gave a lot of money to charity. Yes, Jackson was a breakthrough artist who paved the way for many others. But I was reminded of the coverage of Tim Russert’s death last year. I’ll admit, I shed a tear or two when I heard of his passing because watching Meet the Press and discussing it with my father was somewhat of a tradition. However, the media painted Russert’s memorial much as they did Jackson’s – in a fashion typically reserved for heads of state and high level religious leaders. I point this out not to belittle either, but to ask how we determine peoples’ worthiness for such ceremony? What’s the test? Do you have to be able to pay for it yourself? Or do you merely have to be a part of the media which, in these days, loves to cover itself and its own?
Lastly, and most important to me, is Jackson’s admission that he shared his bed with children. His fans have spent the last two weeks touting his acquittals as proof of his innocence of any sort of pedophilia, but I’d remind you that O.J. Simpson was also acquitted of two murders which he obviously committed. Jackson paid millions of dollars in “hush money” and was able to avoid criminal convictions (like O.J.) in trials where a fragment of the evidence would have gotten most “normal” people hard time. As much as I love “Thriller”, it’s hard for me to look the other way on this stuff. What about you?
It’s All About Alaska
Just hours after I published last week’s “Palin-packed” Fix, Sarah “Barracuda” decided to take her ball and go home. The other kids just wouldn’t play nice. She resigned her office and, in doing so, failed to finish even one term as Alaska’s Governor. That’s Mavericky! But it also says something about the current state of the GOP. They circled their wagons and rallied the troops around what conservative Fox News contributor Liz Trotta now calls an “inarticulate” and “under-educated” woman. Remember Liz? She was the one who jokingly wished for the assassination of Sen. Barack Obama.
Question: What took so long for these people to finally realize that Palin is painfully underqualified for just about any position outside of small town politics and most positions within?
I’ll leave you with this poignant quote from one of Andrew Sullivan’s readers this past week:
“One of my disappointments in Palin is that she reinforces negative stereotypes of women in management positions–she doesn’t play well with others, she doesn’t think strategically, everyone is always against her, she’s emotional, she holds a grudge and won’t walk away from a fruitless argument.”
Be sure to watch this Fox News clip of Trotta’s take on Palin.
See you next week.
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
gpalmer | Jul 9, 2009 | Reply
I’m amazed that this is the 2nd time you’ve printed the Runner’s World cover… and nobody has commented on the fact that she’s wearing pantyhose!!!!
BW | Jul 9, 2009 | Reply
good call on the pantyhose, it didn’t even register with me, for the simple reason, that I don’t care for her need for attention…
for MJ, he probably wasn’t a pediphile, but so ignorant to NORMAL life…maybe he was gay, maybe just didn’t have the capacity for what we, “normal people”, experience every day…
why isn’t anyone talking about the supposed “abuse” that he got from his father during his young life? maybe? am I reaching?
Susie | Jul 9, 2009 | Reply
I totally agree with you about MJ and SP.
RHM | Jul 10, 2009 | Reply
@GPalmer,
I’m not so sure she is. If you look at the whole photo shoot you can see that she’s not in the other pics.
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the crumpled up American flag being used a a prop. There’s nothing wrong with using the flag, but it’s never supposed to be displayed like a dish rag.
RHM
JD Jones | Jul 10, 2009 | Reply
Millions were paid as “Hush money” to shut up the family, but have you heard about the recent reports that the boy in question has admitted he lied about the conduct of MJ, at the insistence of his father, who has been recorded stating “we’re going to get rich off of that SOB?
dickmill | Jul 10, 2009 | Reply
RESURRECTION! Yes…that’s what I thought (past tense)Michael’s and think Sarah’s stories were/are about.
I didn’t expect Michael to jump out of the coffin. However, there was a split second after all the emotions had peaked and “We Are the World” was wrapping that I expected the crowd on stage to split and MJ to come out from behind the set with a big wave and shot of the big screen that said “SEE YOU IN LONDON!”
As for Sarah, we’ll never know the plans for her resurrection for one simple reason — even she doesn’t know them. However, there will come a bizzaro moment when she reemerges, stating that these were her plans all along, unless, maybe they weren’t, in which case they just happened, because, well, ya know, it was her duty as an American because the state of the economy caused it to be the time to, and real Americans can.
RHM | Jul 10, 2009 | Reply
@JD,
Which boy? There have been many over the years. A false accusation is not surprising when you consider his stature and the fact that he continued to share his bed with children after his first acquittal.
Frank the Tank | Jul 10, 2009 | Reply
The only good thing about the MJ memorial was all the OT the cops got for working it. Sure he had musical talent and made some good songs. That said he lived like a circus freak and did unnatural things with young boys. Compare his pattern of behavior with that of a classic pedophile. They probably should have burned his body with the city trash. Whatever happened to understated and tasteful? Never mind, it’s Hollywood and there was money to be made. One last thing, since when is it being racist not to like MJ or his music?
As far as Palin goes, are those running tights or pantyhose? If her being a runner encourages someone else to take up running and it improves their health than great. I’m not sure what to make of her resigning. If she goes on the down low for a while and works on her image, presentation and political knowledge then maybe she’ll come out better than before. Who knows? Let’s see what happens when the election for Senate in Alaska happens.
JD Jones | Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
I agree with BW above:
“for MJ, he probably wasn’t a pedophile, but so ignorant to NORMAL life…maybe he was gay, maybe just didn’t have the capacity for what we, “normal people”, experience every day…”
He was out of touch(excuse the pun) with what most folks considered “acceptable” behavior.
But one should also take into consideration what he has done for others..
http://www.jacksonaction.com/?page=charity.htm
Stephen Matthews | Jul 15, 2009 | Reply
RHM – agree with your take on MJ and your 1/2 expecting him to rise out of the coffin. His life took on a sad existence since the BAD album and he lived in a fantasy world of his own making. Only his money kept his butt out of the big house.
Palin – I wanted to like her – wanted to believe intially what windbag El Rushbo and the other conservative media kingpins had to say about her. She’s done and cannot ever be considered a serious national candidate. I don’t think she is worldly enough to handle our country’s issues and our interaction with international leaders. I would never vote for her. As a conservative, her (and McCain’s) “maverick” comments always disturbed me and forced me to vote 3rd party in 2008, which as you know, is always a loser vote in our 2-party system. But, whatever. She can go be all mavericky now and use that to figure out ways to pay off her mounting legal expenses.
David Cobb | Jul 15, 2009 | Reply
Glad to see the whole MJ thing be over finally. It took the spotlihght away from Iran, the economy, two wars, global warming and on and on.
Palin. Boy is she is not ready for prime time.
Larry Farrell | Aug 25, 2009 | Reply
Hey Randy,
Website looks great buddy! Keep up the good work
P-nut