Michael Jackson - Gone Too Soon

OK Magazine Features Michael Jackson

2009-07-03T01:32:00.003-04:00

The magazine has lost its mind and, hopefully, will lose many of its readers.

The above picture is what OK Magazine did in 1997, when Michael Jackson's first son was born. While most reputable publications are attempting to show the star in a positive light, OK has dug deep into their bowels for their current cover. Click the above image for the current cover. It may offend.

Its been reported that the magazine has paid $500,000 for exclusive rights to the last picture of Michael Jackson, showing him in the ambulance with tubes and a mask over his face.

Please boycott this magazine.

President Obama on Michael Jackson

2009-07-02T19:12:00.003-04:00

This is how Quincy should've answered.

Q: Well, I'm getting a lot of e-mail about it, and a lot of folks feel like there wasn't an official statement or something from you. It's not the typical way that the White House responds when somebody of stature dies.

Obama: Well, look, you're the first person who has actually asked me about it. So I think that Michael Jackson is, will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers. I grew up on his music. Still have all his stuff on my iPod. I think that his brilliance as a performer also was paired with a tragic and, in many ways, sad personal life. But I'm glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer.

The Circus Continues

2009-07-02T18:50:00.002-04:00

TMZ is now reporting which casket Michael Jackson will be buried in. Its the same as James Brown. 25k.

I know there is going to be more about Michael Jackson than I want to know. Yet, the sick and twisted side of me can't stop searching for news. Which is why they keep reporting the sick and twisted side.

But, honestly.. I didn't want nor need to know this. And wouldn't have been upset if I didn't know what casket Michael Jackson was to be buried in.

Quincy Jones on Michael Jackson

2009-07-02T17:36:00.003-04:00

In my last post, I asked about Michael Jackson's "friends" and "Motown." I specifically avoided mentioning Quincy Jones.

I'd read an article that just upset me, and I want to NOT believe Q would even go there. When I heard him earlier in the week, I was a bit bothered. He mentioned chemical peels and some of Michael's "issues." IF he had left it at that, I wouldn't be as upset.

This article has Quincy saying Michael didn't want to be Black, and bringing up the children as proof. Have I doubted the vitiligo over the years? Yeah I have. I've given him the benefit of the doubt. OK, "maybe he does have it." But, never did I say he didn't want to be Black.

I am seriously hoping Q didn't go there. Quincy has made a habit of dating, marrying and having children by non-Black women. So why would he just diss The King of Pop?

There are enough people out there that we KNOW are just looking to grab their 15 minutes of fame over Michael Jackson. But, IF this is true, Michael didn't need "family" like that.

I am going to hope that the Q comes out and says he was misquoted.

Now, I don't doubt MJ had some issues. Joe. Fame. Paparazzi. But, you don't expect "family" to out you. Especially those who claim to love you like a "little brother." You don't air your dirty laundry in public. You keep it in the family.

Where Are Michael Jackson's "Friends"?

2009-07-02T15:43:00.003-04:00

When the BET Awards aired Sunday, I looked forward to the Tribute to Michael Jackson.

In my opinion, the show was ok for being put together in three days. Not great. I loved seeing New Edition perform. But, where were Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson?

It was good seeing Where was the OLD SCHOOL peeps? How do you have a TRIBUTE to Michael Jackson and not include MOTOWN?

I've seen Smokey and Berry on CNN and MSNBC. But, why weren't they at the tribute?

Is this part of the group of people that has been rumored to show their love AFTER his death, but left him hanging after the child molestation charges?

Debbie Rowe Wants the Children

2009-07-02T14:53:00.008-04:00

I had no doubt that Debbie Rowe (formerly Jackson) would eventually fight for the older two children she bore for Michael Jackson. Today, it was confirmed that she wanted custody.

Katherine Jackson was granted temporary guardianship of the children, until Monday, July 6, 2009, when another hearing would take place. I'm sure the court thought that Michael would be put to rest by then.

Why anyone, lawyers, Joe Jackson, reporters, thought she would NOT file for custody, I don't know.

I am not angry or one of the many who think she walked away and doesn't care about her children. Michael asked her to be the incubator and she was. She carried those children for 9 months. She developed a bond. She was the surrogate (its up in the air if she is the biological) mother to these children. She's done nothing that other women haven't done. Being a surrogate mother doesn't automatically mean you don't care about the children.

She signed away her custodial rights. She did not sign away her parental rights. If she thought she did (or if it were down on the DL), a judge reversed that decision. There are procedures to giving away PARENTAL rights. And those procedures were not followed.

That being said she has made it clear that the children didn't know her as "Mom." She has said that she "gave" him those children.

She was careful this past week. She never said she would not come after the kids. She did say that she was concerned about the family and the children.

Joe Jackson is an idiot. I keep saying this over and over again. "Debbie Rowe has nothing to do with what we're doing." Well, why not draw the line in the sand?

Being adopted, I am somewhat iffy on whether Debbie Rowe should get custody of the children.

I don't think the children should be split up. Debbie is only the mother to the two older children (Paris and Prince Michael). So what happens to Prince Michael II (Blanket)?

If the kids do NOT know her as "Mom," then HELL TO THE NO, she should not get custody. Visitation? Yes. Custody? NO NO NO NO NO.

These children's lives had to be traumatic due to Michael Jackson's life. They didn't live a "normal" life. Well, neither did he. But, they didn't even get to live a child's life that he did. They moved around constantly. We all don't know if they had a "real" relationship with the Jackson family.

As an adoptee, I want to believe that the "birth" mother wants her kids. Since MJ's gone, now its time for her to step in and show those kids a (semi?) normal life. The skeptic in me says, she just wants them for the money.

Which is why I agree with his will leaving a third party (parties) as co-executors. If they are trusted, then they will be people who oversee the money for the children/family.

Michael Jackson wanted his MOTHER, Katherine Jackson, to raise those children. And, if Ms. Jackson was not alive or declined, then Diana Ross to raise them.

I am of the belief that the kids do not know Debbie as "Mom." Therefore, I do not believe they should be uprooted.

Jermaine Dupri on Michael Jackson

2009-07-02T14:33:00.005-04:00

In a Huffington Post article, Jermaine Dupri gives Michael Jackson his "props."

He was "beyond great."

"It seems we're living in a world where people build you up just so they can break you down. No one has ever really come back to the level that got them there in the first place.

So I ask you, was there a stage left big enough for Mike to moonwalk on that would have satisfied the hunger of someone who is beyond great? Honestly, I don't think so. I said it plenty of times to every artist I've worked with: if I were to produce a record that sold over 40 million, you people would never see me again in that light. Cause, after all the applause, award winning and love comes the hate, in all forms, sizes and shapes, and you can only ignore it for so long before the competitor in you is awakened. After a while, that hate starts making you think it's possible to outdo what's already been done. Mike had already achieved something that no one else could. That was his destiny. "

He is Janet Jackson's man. I wondered where he was with all this mess going on. But, I guess it makes sense that he not be there. Its up to immediate family and "advisers", or whoever the family chooses.

Michael Jackson was a result of his fame. He got "there" and had a hard time getting there again. Then he felt the world gave up on him, and eventually gave up on himself.

Michael Jackson's Will Surprising?

2009-07-02T13:13:00.011-04:00

Michael Jackson's supposed last will and testament was released and filed yesterday, Wednesday July 1, 2009. This will was dated 2002. Is it possible that there may be a later will? Of course it is.

Radio, television, news... all reporting that the will is surprising and shocking.

HELL NO it isn't! You all are just looking for sensational gossip. Well, guess what? This isn't it. There might be one or two unexpected things to us, but all in all Michael Jackson's will is NOT shocking.

Michael's mother, Katherine Jackson, was named guardian of his three children (Paris Michael Katherine, Prince Michael, and Prince Michael II). WHAT is shocking about that?

Diana Ross as a back up guardian. OK, this MAY be surprising. I was under the idea that their relationship had been strained in recent years. Maybe after the child molestation charges. Maybe before. But, I never knew. The point is back in 2002, it was NOT surprising. Maybe he meant to change it, maybe he didn't.

Joe Jackson was left out. Um, NOT SURPRISING. Maybe to JOE, but not to me. He did not get along with his father. He knew his father was a money-grubbing scavenger. Yes, he loved his father, but he knew who and what his father really was. So, again.. not surprising.

His "intentionally" leaving out his EX-wife, Debbie Rowe-Jackson. Hmmm... she was his EX-WIFE. Not current wife. They were divorced. She was his children's mother. She was his babies mama.

Leaving three others to be co-executors of his will, and NOT his mother. Again, not surprising. JOE would have access to the money. He hasn't divorced Katherine, and my opinion is because he knew if he left her, Michael would cut him off by the balls. As long as Joe Jackson remains married to Katherine Jackson, he is entitled to half of whatever she has. Michael made sure his father did not have control over any of his money.

Leaving a trust to care for his family. This allows it to be private (as much as anything involving Michael Jackson can be private). I am sure this also includes his brothers, sisters, father *gag*, nieces and nephews.

So, please news outlets... STOP SAYING HOW SURPRISING IT WAS. Its only surprising to you that he was smart and did not list item by item so that you could get your hands on it and tear it apart.

Jermaine Jackson on the Today Show

2009-07-02T12:18:00.009-04:00

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I adore the Jackson family. Of course, Mikey takes first place, but I grew up watching this family.

I don't doubt that this family loves one another. I don't doubt that this family fought like cats and dogs. I'm sure you had some who aren't speaking to others. I'm sure you had some animosity over MJ's fame, as well as the rumors that plagued him.

I can't even begin to imagine the pain they are going through. I cried just seeing the pain in his eyes. I can totally understand the feeling of "I needed to see him" that Jermaine felt.

Jermaine says that he wishes it was him that died instead of Michael.

Jermaine's statemenf of "May Allah be with you" has been hotly contested that Michael converted to Islam. I disagree. Nothing has been proven. Jermaine is Muslim. He is projected HIS religion. Just as someone says "God Bless You" doesn't make you a Christian if you aren't, neither does Jermaine's words confirm Michael was Muslim.

Jermaine didn't say he would be shocked or surprised at the drug rumors. He would be hurt. And, that isn't covering anything up. That is giving HIS feelings.

Neverland being his final resting place? Michael left Neverland. He said specifically after the child molestation charges, that it was no longer HOME, it was only a house. Michael had given up on that place. That's not a place to put him back into.

Jermaine is 54 years old. WHY was he wearing a Jackson 5 shirt??? Yes, I am a die hard fan. BUT, the Jackson 5 has been OVER. maybe a shirt saying "The Jacksons?" But, really.. that shirt... we do NOT need to be reminded that there was a Jackson 5. "And to lose an original member of the Jackson 5, that will never be.. never be again." This isn't about the Jackson 5, its about Michael Jackson. Your brother. And did you really have to sing to put it out there that ya'll sang together at a recent family reunion?

I don't believe that MJ was going to tour with his brothers. They've tried for years to get Michael to agree to this. He had 40 years to do it (ok 30?), and after the Victory tour, never turned back. He was their meal ticket. Would I have loved to see them all together again? Hell yeah! I cried when they did the Motown 25. But, I don't believe it would've happened.

There are rumors that the siblings are going to do a tour. I'm sure they have discussed it. And, as much as I LOVE them, I am betting Janet puts a halt to it.

I'm torn on this. I would love to see them all together as a final goodbye. C'mon.. SERIOUSLY, the Jackson clan (Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon, Randy, Janet) all together, singing HIS songs?!?!?! Ugh, I am tearing up just thinking of this.

And, at the same time, I know they (minus Janet) would be doing it to get themselves back into the limelight. To make some money. To feel the adoration again.

They would be using his death to get what he denied them when he was alive.

Hey, everyone else is going to attempt to get something out of this, why shouldn't they? Just give it some time. A Jackson Family Tribute to Michael Jackson. Yeah, I could see this. And, love seeing it.

One Week Gone

2009-07-02T12:04:00.005-04:00

Today marks the one week mark since Michael Jackson left this earth.

There has been nonstop news on his death, children, parents, family, personal life. Why should it be any different in death than it was in life? After the last child molestation case, he retreated from pubic view. His spirit was broken. In his mind, his life was ruined. He only wanted the fans to love him. If only he knew. Michael would always have a legion of fans who loved him. Who believed in him. There were many of us, who even though we made fun of him, still loved him as the King of Pop. Who knew he was THE King. Who knew that no matter what happened to him, what the world did to him, that he would always have our undying love.

I adored Michael. I got pissed when the media went after him. I also got mad at him for putting himself in situations that would guarantee the media would never leave him alone. I never thought he was guilty of molesting the kids.

So I will be writing of my thoughts on many of the things that are being reported (news, blogs, websites, tributes, fans, family, ANYTHING). He was such a part of my life that I want this as my remembrance of my thoughts and feelings.