Being a die-hard Michael Jackson fan, I have been following the news about the upcoming AEG trial. There are a few things which bother Me, if I'm honest.
Firstly, I note that CNN have chosen Diane Dimond has their correspondent. Diane is known for reporting on past news about Michael Jackson over the years, and her "work" has not gone down well with the fans. Rather than be impartial, she has pretty much chosen to go down the "let's all slag Michael Jackson off" route. So if you think you're gonna get a fair report from her - think again. Worst person ever for the trial!
Secondly, I note that Mrs Jackson is claiming $40 billion - the money she says Michael would have made had he have done the This Is It Tour. Now this makes Me uncomfortable. This is a ridiculous amount of money. Yes, it's quite likely he would have made this amount, judging from the footage of the This Is It rehearsal - BUT bringing AEG to task about their failings should not be about money. It should be about justice and the fact that they failed to respond to voiced concerns about Michael's failing health. They put their own greed ahead of the welfare of the star. Judging from the "leaked" emails from them, concerning Michael, this is very clear. They had dollar signs in their eyes.
If Mrs Jackson wins - then it's My feeling that the money should be donated to various charities, which is exactly what Michael himself intended to do with the proceeds of the tour. In fact, his intention was to build a children's hospital, something of which a non-profit group are trying to do, albeit from grassroots level. I'm not suggesting they should receive all of the money - but charities which were close to Michael's heart should certainly be considered, as was his wish.
The other alarming fact is that it is intended that the child abuse allegations will be brought into the trial. Michael was acquitted of all charges back in 2005. And for those who still believe he did it, I can tell you with 100% certainty he didn't. Why do I know this? Because I have read the 300 odd page FBI file, which was released in 2009, after his death, and because I've read the trial transcripts. There is not one scrap of evidence to suggest Michael was guilty. Don't forget - he was investigated for 16 years by D A Tom Sneddon's office, after the allegations in 1993. In in all those years, there was NOTHING to link him with the allegations. Scrawled at the top of the pages of the FBI file, is the word "nothing." Also, reading the trial transcripts, you can clearly see the prosecution's case is weak at best. Janet Arvizo comes across as a totally deluded loon, who just cannot get her story straight. Gavin and his brother can't get their stories straight either, claiming they had been kidnapped by Michael, only to escape Neverland and later return of their own free will. Extortion, extortion, extortion!
But why bring the allegations into the trial - as he was acquitted, and all evidence supports this, why is this relevant?
It is very worrying that this is going to be a circus of mud-slinging. Unfortunately, greed is going to tarnish Michael's memory yet again - like it did during the Conrad Murray trial. And the media are going to have a field day. It is so sad that even in spirit, Michael still can't have the peace he craved. I think it was Marlon Jackson who said at Michael's memorial, "how much pain can one man take? Maybe now Michael, they will leave you alone." If only that was the case Marlon, if only.
Who do I feel sorry for most in all of this? Well, the children. Paris and Prince will be taking the stand during the trial - something I'm certain Michael would be horrified with. Those poor kids will have to relive that terrible day when their beloved father died. Raw wounds will be opened and their grief will be heightened a thousand times over. They will be scrutinised by the the defence and the prosecution, and in particular the media. Nobody should have to go through that, especially not children. Yes, they are in their mid-teens now - but back in 2009, they were just kids. They should not have to be put in this position.
Who is to blame for all of this? Is it Conrad Murray for failing to give Michael even the basic of care? Let's not forget that this disgusting man has still not acknowledged his part in Michael's death, neither has he apologised. Whether he was under pressure from Michael or not, the fact is you do not give somebody Propofol without the correct equipment, outside of a hospital environment. You do not then go and call your girlfriend for 40 minutes, while leaving the patient totally unmonitored. And you certainly don't give CPR on a bed!
Or is it Michael himself? Was he so dependent on painkillers and various other drugs that he would have done anything to get them? Yes, he had regular problems with insomnia, particularly when he was about to go on tour. And of course he did suffer greatly as a result of the Pepsi accident back in the 80's. Was he so desperate to be pain-free and to have a decent night's sleep, he wanted to be knocked out at any cost? This does not sit comfortably with Me, I'll be honest. But we must consider this question. And if this is the case, then clearly this was a man who needed help - physically and psychologically. Why didn't he get that help?
Or is it the people who surrounded him? His "gatekeepers". Many voiced their concerns about Michael's health, in the run up to his death. Indeed, Karen Faye, his long-time make up lady was very concerned, especially when she saw how skinny he was. Fans were contacting her saying they were very worried that something awful was going to happen to him. Kenny Ortega himself was worried. And yet all concerns fell on deaf ears. Were Michael's people so preoccupied with looking after their own interests, that they forgot his?
Indeed, there are many theories out there. Some believe his death was no accident and that there are more people responsible than Conrad Murray. I for one am tempted to believe this because there are just so many unanswered questions. Where is the CCTV footage of that morning, for example? Why did it just "disappear"? Is it possible that somebody wanted Michael dead? And what for? First thing which springs to mind is his prized ATV catalogue. There are many who would like to get hold of that, for its sheer monetary value.
There are some out there who believe Michael is not dead, and is living under-cover somewhere, simply to get away. I don't believe that one for a second. He wouldn't do this to his kids, and he certainly wouldn't do it to his Mother.
I think really, we will never know what really happened. Like the case of Princess Diana, these questions will go unanswered. There is only one person who really knows the truth, and that's Michael himself. How sad it is that we can't ask him.
But My final point here is that it's time to stop...just stop. In June it will be 4 years since we lost Michael. In in those 4 years, the poor man still hasn't been allowed to rest in peace. Even in death, he is still suffering the humiliation, the pain, the same scrutiny he suffered when he was alive. Not even in death can he be allowed his privacy and his dignity.
Michael Jackson was The Greatest Show On Earth, for various reasons. He was not a circus freak however, to be pointed at and humiliated. And he isn't now. This was man who was repeatedly ridiculed and slandered by the tabloids. This was a man who repeatedly suffered an invasion of his privacy from those who wanted a piece him. This was a man who shared with us the gift of his talent and the love of his heart. And we abused it.
If people really love and respect Michael Jackson, they should just stop and give the man the peace and rest he deserves. He gave us so much throughout his life - and by simply just leaving him alone, this is how we can give him something back.
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