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Readers' forum: Fame killed Jackson

Jackson killed Jackson
There are lots of famous people that don't go weird like Jackson did.

We're all responsible for what we do. Fame and fortune brings great opportunities as well as temptations.

There are natural consequences for stupity, even for Michael Jackson. Our society has long taught us, however, that we can escape LEGAL consequences when we are young and impressionable. This teaches us to be irresponsible and uncaring. When the law is not permitted to teach, then nature does and will impose draconian lessons.

Recently some children were suspected of vandalising a young man's car, and he sought to teach them a lesson. The victim was very young, and, I imagine knew full well that the police and courts could not or would not punish child crime.

The mother showed on camera that she thought the crime was trivial. I can guess where her children, if they are indeed guilty, got their sense of privileged entitlement to damage the lives and properties of others.

The victim was wrong to take things into his own hands but I also know it is frustrating to live in a society that enables young criminals and, instead of punishing, protects them from punishment.

You cannot punish a child; the law will not punish a child. The child goes unpunished and becomes a menace to society. What a mad society we have created.

It's not an either/or thing. Yes, Jackson killed himself, but we all supplied him with the rope.

30 years of whacked-out surgeries and procedures and the myriad accoutremental medications killed Jackson.
He was on so many different meds that his body finally said "Enough!. See ya!"
Mike

Sadly, Michael Jackson had no one looking out for his best interest. Sure, there were people who wanted to exploit him for every dime they could get but when you are insulated from the harsh realities of the real world by "yes men" and sycophants, I can see how easily one could lose their grip on reality.

He was the meal ticket for a large entourage of hangers-on and no one would question bad decisions or lapses in common sense at the risk of being kicked off the gravy train. Heaven forbid, they might have to find a real job.

Michael is not blameless, but he was more of a victim than a willing participant.

It is sad Michael Jackson died. But I think all of this hoopla is unnecessary. What about all the other celebs that died this last week? There were at least 5.

And what about the every day person that died for one reason or another. Where is all the sadness from their affairs.

What about the greedy doctors who provide all the meds to "stars?" They should be thrown in jail.

I saw a news report on people who tried to stop MJ from destroying himself with self-destructive behavior, prescription drugs and poor diet. Included was Depak Chopra and others. They all said MJ was a great person and friend until they denied him what he wanted. He didn't turn on them in any abusive way, he just distanced himself to find an enabler.

So, don't tell me "no one was looking out for his best interest." Many were looking out for his best interest but were rejected by MJ, who, with his money and fame, had a huge circle of "friends" that included some enablers who were not as strong as real friends who were in fact telling him no. MJ made his very own choices, and was in fact the most "willing participant" in his ultimate demise.

By laying all of the blame at MJ's feet, we (collectively) can absolve ourselves of the active role we all play in fostering and encouraging our sick celebrity-worshiping consumer society.

Not good.

There's no single place to lay 100% blame for most human tragedies, but everyone has decisions to make to steer his life away from ruin. If I get obese and die of heart failure, should I blame the companies making delicious fattening food, or the collective people for wanting so much of it that companies can turn a profit by selling it? As I mentioned, MJ was the "most willing participant," not the only participant, but the only one really in control of his own life.

Which of our freedoms of association, expression, commerce, thought, etc. would you limit to make sure we all properly prioritize celebrities in our lives in order to give them proper perspective and save them from self destruction? Shame on us for liking his music? For going to his concerts? For being curious about bizarre human behavior?

Who is the responsible "collective," the million who purchased an album to make it platinum? In America that's 1 out of 350 people. Perhaps the partially responsible "we (collective)" is really a very small percentage of a very large stage. I don't feel I need to be absolved of anything related to Michael Jackson.

Paid-off Doctor's by MJ and illegal drygs killed MJ. Michael Jackson made the rounds at L.A. doctors' offices, often getting anesthesia for minor outpatient procedures, procedures that did not require anesthesia. Medical sources say Jackson would get cosmetic surgery, collagen injections, Botox and acne treatment for which he would often be put under or sedated, even when it was not medically necessary. One medical source described Jackson as an anesthesia addict. We're also told Jackson would get controlled substances, such as Demerol, during and after these minor procedures. The question now, which docs were happy to oblige the singer? As we first reported, police found the anesthesia Propofol in Jackson's house after he died, and it's looking like that's the drug that killed him. California State Attorney General Jerry Brown has launched an investigation into the prescribing practices of Michael Jackson's doctors. Brown says his office will help the LAPD track the controlled substances that made their way to Jackson. The State's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement will be combing files. It's the same method Brown used to track prescriptions in the Anna Nicole Smith case.

I think we should completely exonerate MJ and imprison the rest of us.