Posts Tagged ‘Michael Jackson’
Kilroy Says: Don’t Forget Billy!
Written by Kilroy
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 17:44
6 Comments

As it so often seems to be the case, multiple celebrities have passed away this past week. But what is really unfortunate is that everyone seems to be concentrating on a moonwalking, face-lifted weirdo from Indiana, rather than a real American hero.

I'm talking about Billy Mays.

I know that Billy couldn't sing. He never moonwalked, or tried to buy the elephant man's bones. I don't think he ever had a pet monkey. He probably did sleep with children — his own no doubt, to comfort them during storms and things. When he wasn't on the road working to support his family.

Billy also was never married to the Six Million Dollar Man, nor Ryan Oneal. He did allow cameras into his private life though — in the form of his show "Pitchmen" on the Discovery Channel (which is having a marathon of Billy today).

Through "Pitchmen," Americans got to see a different side of Billy Mays — more than just two-minute direct sales commercials, or half-hour infomercials. We got to see that behind all those cool products, that he really did stand behind, was a hard-working guy.

I'm sure that Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and even Ed McMahon were hardworking. And who wouldn't have loved for Ed McMahon to bring a giant check of free money to their door? But Billy Mays was different. He was a regular Joe like the rest of us. Sure, he drove a Mercedes and lived in a big house in Florida, but the guy worked his ass off to get there.

On one particular episode of "Pitchmen," Billy even got choked up talking about how he had missed a lot of his family life in his first marriage, precisely because he was out on the road, working hard. How many times did we see Ed McMahon or Michael Jackson cry because work kept them from something they loved?

People might laugh at all the "As-Seen-On-TV" stuff Billy Mays hawked. But have you used any of his products? "Pitchmen" revealed that both he and partner Anthony Sullivan are adamant that the products they represent really work. And who can deny the effectiveness of Orange Glow, Oxy Clean or Mighty Putty? Billy Mays might not have invented those products, but he put his personal stamp of approval on them, guaranteeing they worked, and were fairly priced.

Billy Mays commercials will still air for awhile. We'll still see his face on all those great products in the stores, for awhile. Even his show will linger in reruns, for awhile. But eventually, Bill will be consigned to the history books. Which is a darn shame.

Billy Mays never got accused of molesting children, or using drugs. I can't recall a single story of him going on mad, million-dollar spending sprees, or having to file bankruptcy and sell his overly-priced estate.

We should remember Billy Mays because he was a regular Joe, who worked hard, lived as best he could, and achieved the American Dream, bringing joy (and cool products) to millions. If that's not a hero worth remembering, I don't know what is.

 
Michael Jackson: Predator or Prey?
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 17:25
50 Comments

I would like to start by saying this: abusing children in any way — emotionally, physically, or sexually — has to be one of the most evil and abhorrent actions in this world. Even convicted criminals will beat and kill child predators in prison. I think that practically every person has a little voice inside him that intensely — sometimes gently — speaks to him about what is right and what is wrong.

It’s no secret that Michael Jackson was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with young children. But, what if Michael was innocent? What if all of Michael's friends are right — that he just really loved children in a completely innocent way?

Michael Jackson undoubtedly lived a life outside of the norm. Jackson was a victim of abuse himself. He was forced to live out his childhood under the adoring lights of the stage and the probing lights of a relentless press. As he grew, Michael began to long for a childhood that had been snatched from him. He spent most of his adult life trying to relive that childhood in a way that he was never afforded, and some would say that he built the lavish Neverland Ranch — adorned with trains, amusements and exotic animals — for this very reason. Often, he would have hundreds of kids as guests there for special celebrations and occasions. One thing was quite obvious, Michael Jackson lived his adult life like a child.

In 1993, the Chandler family had been very close friends with Michael. They were often referred to as Michael's "adopted family." After a rift had formed between MJ and Evan Chandler, Evan had made this statement, "There was no reason why he [Jackson] had to stop calling me." Evan then began to accuse Michael of sexually abusing his son. Evan had even drugged his son with sodium Amytal (a powerful sedative said to open people to suggestion) which was when the boy allegedly made the claims of abuse. When asked if he was concerned about how a law suit would affect his son, Evan Chandler made this statement in a taped phone conversation, “That's irrelevant to me…It will be a massacre if I don't get what I want." What he wanted was money.

Some might ask, “well, why would MJ have paid that boy if he was innocent?” That’s a good question. It's conceivable that an innocent man would pay money — an amount seemingly inconsequential to him — in order to make a bad situation go away. Especially since Jackson did so under advice from family. Is it possible that Michael never meant to imply his guilt by settling that case? On the other hand, Evan Chandler demanded money before he ever brought criminal charges against Michael. If the evidence against Michael was so damning, why would any father seek money over legal action? What kind of father would want an evil man to go free and continue to terrorize more children?

So, after being accused in 1993, Michael began a downward spiral of prescription drug abuse. He had been wounded by one of the only people he trusted — a child. Think about it. Aside from some plastic surgery, which was likely a product of his fragile child-like self-image, Michael Jackson had not began to act like a “freak,” as some say, before that first accusation. Everything that followed was a product of what he had become — a prescription drug junkie.

Like I have said before, I will never really know what happened. But, just what if, by chance, Evan Chandler did sinisterly encourage his son to make accusations to extort money from Michael? The boy's mother vehemently declared that Michael had done nothing wrong. And it is quite interesting that everyone close to Michael Jackson still claims he never molested any children.

If Michael was indeed innocent, can you even begin to imagine the hell that he lived in for so many years — the unrelenting pedophile jokes, death threats, hateful letters and despising looks. I'm not trying to defend Michael Jackson, but at what point do we draw the line between protecting our children and needlessly destroying a man’s life? Was Michael Jackson truly a predator, or was he actually the prey of greedy liars? Only God and few people really know.

 
Michael Jackson: An American Icon
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Friday, 26 June 2009 17:37
28 Comments

Do you remember parachute pants? How about bandannas? Growing up in the ‘80s was quite a memorable experience. I can remember taking break-dancing lessons at a local teen club in Louisville, KY. I was about 8 or 9-years-old then, and my competitive nature propelled me to be asked to become a member of the club’s break-dancing team, “The CC Breakers.” Crystal Cove was the name of the club, and I still remember many names and faces from that experience. One of the first dance-moves I learned, which was before the break-dancing lessons, was self-taught. I picked it up by observing my idol, Michael Jackson. I was an incredible moonwalker at a very early age. Mike was my hero.

My parents bought me the “Thriller” cassette, and I still remember carrying my table-top tape recorder/player around everywhere I went and playing the tape over and over and over. The lyrics of “Beat It,” “Billy Jean,” “The Girl Is Mine,” “PYT,” and especially, “Thriller,” are forever ingrained in my memory. I loved Michael Jackson.

My mother, being more aware of time and history and having the realization of documenting the present, helped me to start a Michael Jackson scrapbook. I still can recall sifting through newspapers and magazines — carefully cutting out pictures and articles about the King of Pop (MJ). My parents bought me the famous, shiny, right-handed glove (of course, it was not as cool as the real one). They bought me two special articles of “outerwear,” too — the badass Thriller jacket, and the zipper-covered Beat It jacket. I was the man… I had the training, I had the passion, but most importantly, I had the attire. “You Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”? I was the man.

Okay, Elvis was my first love… And, KISS came shortly thereafter. But, I can remember MJ being the first musical artist that hypnotized me. I cannot listen to any song on the Thriller album without being jettisoned back 27 years in history — it’s like association in its purist form.

Last night (6-25-09), I received a text message from a friend. It informed me of MJ’s untimely demise. To be honest, I first thought it was a spam-message — you know, the crappy Forwards you get from your friends and family. But, when I got home, and then today, watching the news is like watching my own funeral. I mean, my childhood idol was way too young for this to happen. Is this a joke? Is this one of those “fake your death and run to a 3rd world country for anonymity” schemes?

Michael has been chastised over and over for being a little “eccentric,” and many things (like reconstructive surgery) he brought on himself. But, he has been an easy target for many cruel jokes over time, and especially the last ten years. I read a book about him when I was a kid — one that talked about his childhood. His life, as a child, was more messed-up than his life as an adult. I admit that I don’t know the truth about Michael, and I never will. However, a part of me has always sympathized with him. How could anyone that lived his life be expected to act normal?

Well, he’s gone now. It still seems surreal, but there are a few things that will always be “real.” Michael Jackson entertained millions of people, Michael Jackson changed music videos forever, Michael Jackson was the architect of Pop Music, and most of all, Michael Jackson affected many people — even some simple folks like me.