Micheal Jackson dead?

[danaf]

So as to not to start another thread, I thought the tribute today to MJ at the Staples center was wonderful. I've never been a huge MJ fan however I cannot deny his artistic contribution to our society. And I also followed the court proceedings and my gut at the time was that he was not a child molester....just a man who was easily taken advantage of because of his desire to be around people/children who were pure at heart.

Sadly it will probably come out that his death was caused by drugs. So what....that does not make him less of a man who made great musical contributions to our world not to mention a great contributer towards humanitarian efforts. How would you handle life if you couldn't go out without a huge media frenzi? Or if you didn't know who you could trust? Or if at every turn, someone wanted someone from you?

The tribute was very well done and hopefully somewhat healing for his children. I think he was well loved by many many people. And criticized by many because he was different but I'd bet that if those that so freely criticized him had known him, they'd probably think differently.

His children are absolutely beautiful. I wish them the best.

Personally, I think MJ was worth a thread.

[justbroke]

Especially since, and this is related to Bankruptcy, his Estate was said to be very near insolvent. However, AEG says that with the recent sales of his music... the Estate should be able to pay off $300 million in debt in no time. So, his kids have like $400-500 million to split. Nice departing gift.

I'm sure AEG, as they eluded too, will make a lot of money off the "behind the scenes" footage that they did for the Tour. Not saying AEG is evil, as they did put on a good tribute to MJ. I'm just saying the vultures have already started to circle..

[Amy26]

Meh... I think the whole tribute thing was just a waste of money. Yes, he has done some great things... but so do lots of people. Our country is in crisis right now and we're spending money on big lavish Michael Jackson tributes? Perhaps its a form of escapism as people need to focus on something other than our crumbling country, but still... someone in this post said something about media coverage... and I totally agree. This should not be a top news story. This is why I do not watch the news. I don't want to listen to over publicised and dramatized stuff. From swine flu, to celebrities dying... hell even people who get murdered near where I live...I don't really want to know these things. I know its out there... I know bad things happen...but I don't need to let it worry me or affect my daily life. And if its really important, someone will tell me.

But I just really can't get behind being mournful and all concerned about Michael Jackson dying... he screamed a lot, did wierd things and grabbed his crotch constantly... and who knows what to little children.

[BKOnce]

No wonder 7 wonders... America is a land of dreams & wastes!!

[liz417]

Meh... I think the whole tribute thing was just a waste of money. Yes, he has done some great things... but so do lots of people. Our country is in crisis right now and we're spending money on big lavish Michael Jackson tributes? Perhaps its a form of escapism as people need to focus on something other than our crumbling country, but still... someone in this post said something about media coverage... and I totally agree. This should not be a top news story. This is why I do not watch the news. I don't want to listen to over publicised and dramatized stuff. From swine flu, to celebrities dying... hell even people who get murdered near where I live...I don't really want to know these things. I know its out there... I know bad things happen...but I don't need to let it worry me or affect my daily life. And if its really important, someone will tell me.

But I just really can't get behind being mournful and all concerned about Michael Jackson dying... he screamed a lot, did wierd things and grabbed his crotch constantly... and who knows what to little children.

I agree with you about Michael Jackson, he was an entertainer and yet our economy is in the toilet, not to mention that California just starting issuing IOUs for Tax Refunds...yet MILLIONS was spent on security for this entertainer?!? What the heck?!? I refuse to watch this unfold on TV and I refuse to play part in "mourning" his loss. I do however, feel sorry for his children.

[Amy26]

Can you imagine if just every celebrity donated just a small amount to their local gov't/etc? We would be out of debt in no time... I take great offense to celebrities on TV shows and things that demand they be paid 1M dollars for 30 mins of video instead of their 750K salary.... like what the hell do you need that much money for??? What are you spending money on, that you need to make 10M in 6-12 months. I think the entertainment industry is totally out of control.

Don't get me wrong... I love my entertainment and love going to see Transformers at the IMAX, but if they could just be a little less greedy and give back some of those funds...

Perhaps its not practical and I'm just talking out of my butt but I just think something along these lines would benefit the country.

I suppose I have a different perspective being that I lived in Denmark for a while. Life is sooooooo different in Europe than it is here. It was very difficult for me to adjust to everyone having the same furniture... everything not being "nice" like it is here.... people not going out to eat at restaurants... oh and guess what... Denmark doesn't even have credit cards. My credit cards didn't even work there. You cannot use a credit card in Denmark unless it has a microchip in it with a PIN number. My US credit cards were useless. I could still buy some things online, but not in stores. They also do not have Bankruptcy...why? Because a citizen would NEVER be in a situation to need it. They regulate funds there so well. Course, there were many downsides as well and I did miss my convienient life back in the states. But there is no such thing as credit there and while they are feeling the effects of the world economy, not nearly as bad as we are.

[justbroke]

AEG could afford to pay the entire $1.4 million dollars that the acting mayor of Los Angeles says was the incremental cost of providing security services. It's a wait-and-see for me. The final bill isn't in. I would expect AEG to pick up some of it. I do realize that AEG paid for the Staples Center and the Convention Center already. Just seeing if they'll chip in on the city incremental costs.

So, I'm not all upset, yet, about spending money. The money was actually in the LA city budget (if you listen to the acting mayor). It definitely spiked the economy in and around L.A. for a week (filled hotels, airlines, restaurants). So it may look bad on the outside, but it was a good thing.

That's why I'm on the fence.

[kenshirley]

Yep, I have a neighbor that just moved in from CA.
She sent her license fees refund request into CA as she had to put plates on the car here in AZ by law.
She got an IOU back from CA!

[justbroke]

Yep, I have a neighbor that just moved in from CA.
She sent her license fees refund request into CA as she had to put plates on the car here in AZ by law.
She got an IOU back from CA!

I laugh everytime I hear about the IOUs.

On CNN, a person asked if they could send in an IOU come next April, when it's time to pay taxes to the State of California.

[Amy26]

Dude I'm sure Arnold could donate enough money to the state to keep it going for like another 10 years...

[RainMoM]

So far he has sold 800 thousand c.d.'s in one week, so between his family and Aeg, they should pay the city !! Aeg, any relation to AIG ?? LOL