Goodbye Michael Jackson

[Sasha]

Today at about 6:30 pm est Michael Jackson passed away in a hospital in California

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31552029?gt1=43001

[ZeroForever]

yeah, it's everywhere..... honestly surprised but in the end i really don't care.

[Mitera Nikkou]

I kind of felt sorry for him. Well, whatever will be, will be, in the end.

[Dracos]

I agree whole-heartedly with Zero. He's an entertainer who died at a relatively young age. His life was no more valuable than the many non-entertainers that died the same day. There's so much going on in the world, yet the airwaves were taken up by discussion about Micheal Jackson. Unfortunate, yes, but hardly worthy of the level of attention it's received.

[Mitera Nikkou]

If people think it's worthy, it's worthy. In the end, Michael has directly affected more Americans than Iran has, as far as they are concerned. So it's understandable how much attention his death will be given; not just here, but in many countries around the world.

I expect the whole "I don't care" thing when I die, but, then again, I haven't made anywhere near as much of an impact on the world as he has.

[AmbushCat]

Death bothers and depresses me, no matter who it is. It's a reminder that you never really know what could happen next, and that life is not meant to be wasted.

[Dracos]

I expect the whole "I don't care" thing when I die, but, then again, I haven't made anywhere near as much of an impact on the world as he has.

Yet I think you would be more noteworthy. Micheal Jackson certainly has had a controversial life but in the end he's just an entertainer. He's not some great humanitarian or some sort of political force, he's a man who sang songs and probably molested children.

[AshK]

He died young just like John Ritter and Walter Payton. Ritter was 54 when he passed and Walter Payton was only 45 when he passed on. 50 years old is a young age to die at. Then again no one else knows how much longer he or she has left on this world of ours. I mean anyone could be living the last day of their life right now. My prayers go out to Michael Jackson's Family, Friends, and Fans. It's a shame he had to die so young.

[Mitera Nikkou]

Dracos:

Me? More noteworthy? Ha! Good joke.

In actuality, Michael was a great humanitarian. He not only invested millions of his own money to various charities, but helped to raise millions more. And he spent plenty of his personal time to visit the unfortunate around the world, or had his own place open for them to visit. If I had to say anything about his lack of political force, I'd say it's a good thing that he didn't get involved.

And entertainers, especially musicians, affect people in ways that many other mediums simply can't match. Just simply ask yourself: who doesn't like music? Songs can impart messages and feelings that people can identify with and share, lyrics or not, instruments or not. In much the same way a comedian might not be taken seriously by politicians, that doesn't make what they say any less relevant or brilliant. With both music and comedy, one can delve deeper for more substance, if they wish. Or they can simply enjoy it as it's presented, and think about it no further. But never write them off as unimportant. Everything has its place. Michael made his, and it shows. Me? Pff! I wish.