Do you still think Michael Jackson is guilty?

[skjpm]

After today's testimony, I'm about ready to do my "I told you so" dance for those who think he's guilty. A master of poor judgment, yes, but molester, no. Frankly, I don't even understand most of the charges. He's certainly not the first adult to offer a kid a taste of his wine. He's also not the first adult to find a kid looking at porn and then look at it himself. It's not a great thing, but those things happen. He's also not the first to make inappropriate jokes--any kid who's seen an Austin Powers movie has seen worse things than what Jackson is accused of.

As to the molestation--OK, if it's true, it's bad. But why didn't the alarm go off and wake the kid? How did he see into a shadowy room? And why did he change his story?

I think people want to think Jackson is guilty because he's wierd. Frankly, I'm glad when someone has the courage to be wierd. He looks like Bowie during his Aladdin Sane period, and that's a good thing. That doesn't mean he's a pervert.

[CalebHayes]

1. I think he is Innocent until proven guilty by a jury of his peers.

I'm not on the Jury and therefor, I don't feel it's my place to judge.

[NVMojo]

2. call me sick, I never thought he was guilty. I thought those people

were a family of gold-diggers and those cops were so sexually frustrated that they took it out on MJ. This was an extreme witch hunt.

[NightTrain]

3. Couldn't care less. Nor could I care less about Martha Stewart...

...Paris Hilton, or any other fucking worthless celebrity whose personal problems dominate the so-called "news" shows. I say fuck 'em all!

[livinginphotographs]

4. Who?

n/t

[RoyGBiv]

5. I think I don't care ... n/t

[skjpm]

6. That's why I posted this in the Lounge

It's not an earth-shattering topic, and my life won't change either way. Other guys talk sports, I talk celebrity gossip.

[RoyGBiv]

9. Fair enough ...

I've just managed not to notice a single thing about this in any newspaper or on television. (Hey, I'd make a great juror. :-))

It was somewhat discomfitting to see it assault my eyes on DU.

But, I won't rant or deny you your gossip. It's certainly as interesting as arguing about who'll survive March Madness. Just expressing my opinion of it is all.

[HeyManThatsCool]

7. Probably not in THIS case

But do I think something happened in 94 that caused him to fork over 20 million dollars? Uh, yeah.

Not sure if the 94 case was ACTUAL molestation or just a bunch of really off color crap.

I hope to hell he didnt molest anyone- but reguardless, I also hope this teaches him a lesson about the difference between right & wrong. IMH) it is INSANE that he keeps having these children sleep in his bed.

[skjpm]

8. Is that a cultural thing, though?

It sounds creepy, but I asked my Mom, and in her day kids and adults shared beds. And I think it's pretty common in other cultures. I suspect it's with family, but probably with extended family as well--I'm sure groups of immigrants, who are a mix of relations and friends, share beds. Jackson grew up in a tiny house sharing one room with five brothers. I suspect he doesn't see it as all that abnormal.

I think it's time he learned, but I'm not sure it means anything other than he grew up in a wierd way himself.

[saracat]

10. Puluheeze! He is a sicko creep.

Just listen to him talk about how "charming it is" and how "natural"! And he doesn't just like children either .He only likes little boys! What is up with that? More of an argument could be made if it was about just children but restricting it to a gender says something. Most pedaphiles are straight but in his case, I have to wonder. What ever he is, he isn't "normal and I have a really broad definition of so called "normal. Middle aged blackmen who have plastic surgery to become a cross between a mummy and a young white womn are odd.
My mother also grew up in a family that shared beds and none of them did it after they grew up. It isn't as if Micheal were pressed for space in Neverland!

[HeyManThatsCool]

18. I think that after the first time he had to pay over 20 million dollars

he should have known FOREVER that it was a mistake.


Also- his behavior in that documentary when he had "Blanket" on his lap was INSANE.. Seriously. Nuts.

[Dookus]

11. yeah

I think he's guilty.

[fleabert]

12. I am inclined to think he is, but will reserve judgement.

just cause the family is messed up, doesn't mean he's not. If she had just gone for money, I'd suspect the mom was to blame, but this is a criminal suit. it could have been handled the same way the 94 case was. I think it's bullshit the parents let the kids spend the night there anyway after what happened in 94.

I am a big supporter of the family bed, it's healthy and very normal in lots of cultures, more popular here than many are willing to admit. I don't plan on getting my kids a crib, they will get a big kid bed when they are ready...but...non family members, over the age of 10? unusual. could it have been innocent? yes, but I doubt it.

I think he will be found innocent because of reasonable doubt.

my opinion is only based on what i know, and that isn't much about this case. I could be wrong.

[Dookus]

13. yup

it's all opinion. But it's OK to discuss it.

If the mother in the case were after money, I'm sure she could've gotten it. I doubt Jackson wouldn't have tried to settle such a thing. Even if his financial situation IS precarious, as has been reported, he could sell Neverland itself and pay her off - it beats a long prison sentence, which he might not survive.

[fleabert]

14. I know someone who used to work at Neverland. He said it was weird.

Kids there all the time.

[Dookus]

15. oh, I'm sure there are...

I also want to add that I honestly think Michael Jackson doesn't believe he's done anything wrong. During the interview with Bashir, he kept saying "I would never hurt a child". He's indulged himself, or been so indulged, that (imo) he doesn't relate to kids like a normal adult. I think he has managed to convince himself he's an adolescent boy himself, and may well consider what he does normal experimentation.

But I think it's very likely he has a sexual attraction to adolescent boys. In fact, I'd call it a compulsion - after the last time he was accused of this, somebody without such a compulsion would've been much more careful.

[LadyLeo]

16. After the last fiasco...

I honestly believe that any parent who would allow her child, to stay overnight should be just as responsible (guilty) as MJ. I think it is all a money scheme.

After the first lawsuit, just the HINT that he MIGHT have done that would have stopped me from EVER letting my child go there. Especially unattended, especially overnight. What are the parents thinking? Why would someone trade their childs innocence for the chance of a big payday. That is exactly what I see when I look at this case.

I would rather live dirt poor in a trailer park, work my ass off at McDonalds for 5.75 an hour (or whatever min. wage is now) than trade one of my childrens innocence for a life of luxury. Just not worth it and I think the parents should be on trial right along with him. The kids should be taken away from them.

[blondeatlast]

17. I agree, the parents have some serious explaining to do.

It's not as if they could be ignorant of the charges.

At this point, I don't even think it matters whether Jackson is innocent or guilty (for now, innocent). The kids have been seriously messed up at least twice, and probably three times.

Possibly by Jackson, probably by the parents, and certainly by the court system. Exploitation of children is bad enough once, but three times?

[cmkramer]

19. IMHO

I doubt if he'll be convicted of the "kidnapping" and/or "false imprisonment" charges. I think the actual molestation charges will depend on how believable the accuser is and on the testimony of the "nonfamily" witnesses.

[fishnfla]

20. He's a fucking stupid cultural icon---hang him by his balls

and you too for giving a rats fuck.

[demwing]

22. You're soooo cool

The way your mind works! I'm very impressed. You're wit cuts like a Wilkinson blade, and your ability to turn a phrase is...well, to say you are merely "poetic" would be a great disservice. Even in death, Robert Frost is humbled by your presense.

Can I be you?

Just for a day?

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. I never thought he was. I think he never got the chance for a normal

childhood...hence the strange adulthood. I think it's pretty sick how blood thirsty we get. Those who know him say he is a wonderful father and loyal friend. Why isn't Emmanuel Lewis or that Alphonse kid also trying to cash in on this is my question. They are not exactly rich and famous anymore. :hi:

[justy387]

23. I am so glad I'm not alone in my support for MJ. n/t