I was a young adult in the 80s. Sure, Michael Jackson isn't ...

[Maddy McCall]

IMPORTANT news, but I am paying a little attention to the trial because he was such an icon in the 1980s.

I won't go into whether I think he's guilty or innocent. Since I'm not on the jury and privy to the info they are receiving, my opinion really matters little.

However, those of you who don't think that the MJ trial qualifies as a topic worthy of discussion, please realize that not everyone shares your opinion.

Plus, to some people on this board, there are many issues at play in this trial, including race, wealth, child advocacy, which makes this trial newsworthy to them. Please quit telling people that the trial is not news. That's only your opinion.

And if you truly think the trial is not news, then why are you wasting your precious real-news-devoted-time to posting in a non-news thread?

Please don't dictate to other DUers what qualifies as news and worthy of discussion and what does not. (And this goes for many topics, not just the MJ trial.)

[bobthedrummer]

1. There definitely are broader issues involved in this case, good point.

It is newsworthy, imo, even when sensationalized.

[coloradodem2005]

2. It's not that it's not worth discussing.

Mainly, it is that the media et. al. focuses so much attention on this trial, and it doesn't seem like it is about any of the things you mentioned. It is about celebrity status. That and you never hear about anything else.

[Maddy McCall]

4. Again, that's your opinion.

[nickinSTL]

3. Wow, a sensible post on the MJ trial!

I'm not following it closely, but I'm aware of it.

And I agree, it isn't earth-shattering news, and it's not as important as the bankruptcy or SS issues, but it is news.

[Zuni]

5. I think it is important

"Thriller" was one of the first tapes I ever owned.

One of my childhood heroes is on trial for molesting children. I think it is big news.

Also, the effect of money and power on the Courts is also important

[DBoon]

6. I was a young adult in the 1980s and I disagree

On the other hand, the trial of Adam Ant was intensely fascinating to me. I don't understand why such a pop icon didn't get more press for his legal tribulations. ;)

[Maddy McCall]

7. Whaaaaa????

I wasn't a MJ fan, by the way, but I was a HUGE Adam Ant fan, and I have the tee he wore during his concert at the Saenger in New Orleans to prove it. :-)

What did he go on trial for???

I loved Adam Ant!!

[DBoon]

8. I think it was assault

Pulled a gun out in a bar.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1763211.stm

Now THAT'S real news.

[Maddy McCall]

12. Wow. I don't know how I missed that.

I still dig his music, and have turned my son on to it.

[cynatnite]

9. Oops!

wrong thread!

[Dookus]

10. Yup

what gets me is the people who believe this is some sort of "new" behavior on the part of the media. The trials of the rich and famous have been fodder for public entertainment for a very long time. We just have 24 news channels now.

[Maddy McCall]

11. And to you I say...

Yup. :D

[redqueen]

13. OK

See I normally wouldn't post in a thread about MJ because I really don't give a $&#*... but this post asks why am I posting in this thread, so I'll tell you.

Because it's a free country and I can do so if I choose to.

Just as millions of Americans can get all worked up over celebrity crapfests like the martha or MJ trials, millions of others can mock them for it if they choose to do so.

So consider yourself mocked. :)

[Left Is Write]

14. I agree that it's newsworthy for several reasons.

I am not following the trial closely, though - just what I pick up from the evening news.

[Midlodemocrat]

15. I agree with you. It is news.

If it is not the type of news you are interested in reading about, then don't read those threads, or watch that news show.

I consider myself intensely interested in the BFEE and their machinations, but I can't think about it 24/7 or I would go nuts. Additionally, I do have an opinion on his guilt or innocence, but that is only my opinion, so I won't state it here.

I do feel sorry for Michael Jackson, though, even though I was never really a fan. I think the way he lives and the way he was brought up are very sad, and it saddens me that this might have contributed to hurting another child.

It is news, though. Whether we like it or not.