King of Pop now a god, thanks to media
Editor, The Times:
Are we a country that has more interest in tabloids? It has now been over a week, and we are being inundated with Michael Jackson.
It would have been great if Jackson died when Iran was going through its election turmoil — then we would never have had to hear why from our loudmouth senators, who have all the answers but would not take the responsibility. Blame it on the president.
There are many Americans that have had their property in foreclosure. Jackson has a debt of half a billion and no one bats an eye. The governor of California should study how Jackson has managed and use the same technique.
America, we are witnessing the birth of a new deity: Michael Jackson.
— Leo Shillong, Bellingham
Jackson, never convicted, deserves better
Another Republican has shot himself in the foot [“NY congressman’s video calls Jackson a ‘pervert,’ ” seattletimes.com, Entertainment, July 6]. Rep. Peter King, a Long Island Republican, posted a video on YouTube calling Michael Jackson a lowlife. He called him a pervert, child molester and a pedophile. He also said, “Jackson may have been a good singer and dancer,” but then continued to harangue him.
Where was this guy when the Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina was off having an affair in a foreign country? Did he post anything about this? I guess I missed that one. And unless I’ve been asleep for a number of years, Michael Jackson was never convicted of anything.
King is considering a run for the U.S. Senate, so I’m guessing he’s trying to look good for his potential voters. I’ll give you that there was an appearance of wrongdoing, but just because there’s smoke, that doesn’t mean there’s a fire. High-profile people like Michael Jackson are many times targets for crazies, be they with a gun or a need for campaign money.
Let Jackson rest in peace and remember him for the joy he gave the world, not for what someone attempting to gain more for himself says.
— Steve Drake, Seattle
MJ has a long list of good deeds, too
Let us refocus our attention on the good deeds that Michael Jackson did in his lifetime. Just a few examples of his legacy include:
Setting up the Michael Jackson United Negro College Fund Endowed Scholarship Fund and fighting prejudice against black artists.
Proceeds from his song “Man in the Mirror” went to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a camp for children who suffer from cancer.
Jackson’s “We are the World” album and Hands Across America raised almost $100 million for famine-relief efforts in Ethiopia.
These are only a few of his good deeds. Who among us has had this kind of effect on the world?
I ask the public to stop listening to the rumors regarding Jackson’s death. I ask that the media sensationalism stop. Let his friends and family mourn his passing in peace. They have lost a family member and a friend. We all have lost a talented musician and dancer who will be greatly missed.
— Carol L. Crowell, Seattle