For the past 15 days, the national news media has been obsessed with one major story, the death of Michael Jackson. Coverage of this event has overwhelmed other important events, such as the House vote on cap and trade, President Obama’s overseas trip and the death of American soldiers in Afghanistan.
The memorial service on Tuesday was covered by every major news network, an unprecedented amount of air time for the death of one celebrity. In addition, several networks aired one hour primetime specials highlighting Jackson and his legacy.
Of course Jackson was a great entertainer and a tremendous talent, but he was a deeply flawed individual who is alleged to have acted inappropriately with young boys and who appeared psychologically disturbed. It appears that Jackson died of prescription drug abuse, fueled by doctors who contributed to his illegal habits.
Over the past 15 days, the networks mostly focused on Jackson as a huge talent. In fact, most news reports neglected to give adequate coverage to the criminal charges leveled against him or the multi-million payment he made to one accuser. It seems the networks wanted to emphasize only the positive aspects of his life and present a truly unreal image of Jackson.
It was also surprising to see Jackson lauded as some sort of civil rights leader. As usual, Reverend Al Sharpton was busy hogging the spotlight and using the memorial service for more media attention. Sharpton hyped Jackson as a breakthrough artist who opened the door for other African American entertainers. Yet, he neglected to focus on his skin bleaching, his over the top plastic surgery, his strange marriage to two white women and his adoption of white children. In reality, Jackson was no hero to African Americans as he spent the last two decades of his life trying to act and look white. To many African Americans it must seem odd that civil leaders such as Sharpton would praise such an odd individual who epitomized the antithesis of black pride.
This coverage is indicative of where our society is today. We glorify celebrities and overlook real heroes. Our first responders and our military are our real heroes, not crazy pop stars who are hooked on drugs. Sadly, our media placed more emphasis on the death of Michael Jackson than on the sacrifices of our soldiers in Afghanistan. The media had it exactly in reverse. Jackson’s death should have been mentioned in passing, while the sacrifices of our brave armed forces should have been highlighted.
This country has misplaced priorities and a lack of moral values. We celebrate the lives of freaks, yet neglect real heroes. Those who accomplish great things are ignored and we praise tormented celebrities. It is no wonder that so many Americans believe this country is going in the wrong direction.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
Don't you care about your own? Written by KjunLady
on 7/14/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
So you are saying that Sid is a weak black person because he apparently also finds this argument hypocitical. And according to you, the GOP is racist? One blog, just one, posts a ridiculous comment and you are stating that no other president's child (much less Palin's family)has ever been subjected to this type of written attack. I haven't been around long on this site and I did not know nor care that Sid is black. Why does that matter? Written by CN
on 7/14/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
"Why does it seem that everything turns to race with you KL? ".... This "is" all about RACE.... and why, SID, as a self-proclaimed Afro-American blogger, you are not ENRAGED?...... (because your'e whiter than Wonder bread, Sid) Written by KjunLady
on 7/14/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
"Why does it seem that everything turns to race with you KL?"... Don't be naive, Sid... Of course this is about RACE.... Totally. Written by KjunLady
on 7/14/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Why does it seem that everything turns to race with you KL? "the Bush twins were never trashed the way our Black president’s innocent beautiful daughters are". It doesn't matter what color the kids are, it matters that stupid people condone this malicious drivel put out by unknown bloggers, stupid comedians, et al. Written by Sid
on 7/14/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
You are a major league hypocrite. One blog and you are mounting the counterattack against the GOP. You have no idea who posted this crap against the Obama's, yet being judge and jury you're ready to sentence all conservatives, GOP, etc. Palin and her kids are fair game because palin is conservative? What a double standard. Written by CN
on 7/14/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
"this just as bad as when Palin and kids are attacked"..........no comparison. These are vicious, vile and deliberate attacks...... Palin and family make their own news... (mostly due to the Mother parading the kids out; using the special-needs baby as a pawn. Sarah Palin did the right thing by quitting—She should've never gotten into the national arena- It was too much for her and her family - and it was detrimental to the GOP)... This smut about Malia Obama is not a casual tasteless joke by some nighttime comedian... It’s appalling – and it shows us the character of the Republican base, the party of HATE…. CN says, “Where was the uproar when the media in mass attacked Bush"... LOL...now THAAAT’s funny. Bush will be negatively viewed for the rest of history. But, the Bush twins were never trashed the way our Black president’s innocent beautiful daughters are. SHAME on the GOP. Written by KjunLady
on 7/14/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
So are you saying that this just as bad as when Palin and kids are attacked? Where was the uproar when the media in mass attacked Bush, etc. Written by CN
on 7/14/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
KjunLady, since this FreeRepublic story about the hate-filled speech toward Malia went viral around the Internet and on the news there have been quite a few comments made at FR declaring it was not Freepers posting such hate toward the 11-year-old. There have been comments like, "I wonder how many of those threads are started by trolls?" and "I wonder if some of this was the work of Obama trolls intending to make FR look bad?" Another posted, "I have always wondered if those people that made those remarks were real Freepers. I didn't recognize any of their names." And another, "Did the article name the posters who made the offending posts? If so, you can search for their earlier posts on the Free Republic site." So I did a search, the original article that started this thread of hate was posted by someone who has been a Freeper going back to at least Sept. 2007. The person who stated, "What we now are sending the ghetto over to represent us. and if so who the hell is that flea bag who looks to be dragged from the trash dumpster," has posted back to Oct. 2008. Another comment, "Looks like a typical street whore," was made by someone who has posted back to at least April 2009. I have visited the FreeRepublic for a while, as you said, KJ, this site "is filled with endless hatred of anything/anyone they perceive or know to be liberal." An enlightened Freeper stated in response to the Malia thread, "It's a shame the Obamas have to be attacked based on race, I hate all leftists equally, I don't care what their ethnic background is and it doesn't matter." Yep, just your basic equal-opportunity hater. One nation, indivisible… Written by Gabriella
on 7/14/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Okay-- since this thread has wandered in and out.... Today's news reports that Pres. Obama's daughter, Malia, was despicably attacked on Conservative blogs....but, the Networks and Cable stations are so disgusted-- they won't repeat what was "actually said."... The web site has pulled all those comments degrading the president's family.... but, for curious minds, I just happened to have copied and pasted:::::::: Here's what television could not say:::::::::
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~There is a right wing site called "freerepublic," it is filled with endless hatred of anything/anyone they perceive or know to be liberal. Recently there was a lengthy thread at this site about Obama’s daughter, Malia, wearing a shirt with a peace symbol during their European visit. This is a sample of the tone, the language used toward this little 11-year-old girl:~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- "Looks like a typical street whore."
- "What we now are sending the ghetto over to represent us. and if so who the hell is that flea bag who looks to be dragged from the trash dumpster."
- "Wonder when she will have her first abortion."
- "They make me sick.... The whole family... mammy, pappy, the free loadin’ mammy-in-law, the misguided chillin’, and especially ‘lil cuz... This is not the America I want representin’ my peeps."
And there was a photo of Michelle speaking to her daughter, with the caption, "To Entertain Her Daughter, Michelle Obama Likes to Make Monkey Sounds."
Written by KjunLady
on 7/13/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Sadly, it says a lot about our nation, that there is such adulation for s freak, drug addicted child abuser, and the publicity given to parasites like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, while far too many brave American soldiers were dying in Afganistan and Iraq, and the country stuggles in the throws of financial difficulties and the efforts of our leader to turn America into a socialist nation. Written by Noladude
on 7/13/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Jeff,
we live in a strange world.
Mickey Jackson (a.k.a. St Pedophilia) is exalted on high.
Doc Tiller is a martyr.
Islam is the Religion of Peace.
Waterboarding vampires in order to save many lives is attempted to be made a crime by the Democrats Most High.
Both Iranian mullahs and Charles Krauthammer are "conservatives".
Partial birth abortion is due to sensitivity (to women).
Those who have managed to retain both brains and gonads are castigated (and attempted to be castrated) as "far right".
When the jihadists were cutting off heads, the asinine US media focuses on the frat-hazing goings-on at Abu Ghraib.
Obama says he has no control over his AG Holder's torture probes (equivalent of Brees telling Payton he is going to throw flea-flickers whether Payton likes it or not).
Written by paul marchand
on 7/12/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
That other "Written By" is really a Nubian called Sid. Written by
on 7/11/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Yes- that's the real WB:):):)....(nothing like da real thing)..WB, gone pig-bayin’ lately? Written by KjunLady
on 7/11/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
In the instance an earlier posting was misunderstood there Jeff, the hero’s aren't the folks that are getting noticed, and god bless them all, but rather they are the everyday nobody's that go unnoticed amongst our rank and file that are trying to make noteworthy and positive contributions to the society at large which surround them... Regardless of the entrenched sh^te heads that constantly and doggedly try to block their paths.... Written by The original WB - - - That's all folks!!!!
on 7/11/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Another chapter of the Quiddite Creed. Either preach the liberal mantra, or stand by in silent honor while others preach it. But if you speak out in opposition to liberalism, you are a fanatic. Written by
on 7/11/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
This country has misplaced priorities and a lack of moral values. A great statement, Jeff. Not only is it shown by the hysteria and the idolization of this individual but also for other individuals. Where is the respect shown to those who are of help to individuals, who live honest productive lives, etc. Those people should be idolized but they are forgotten in this world of mass hysteria for certain individuals, whose lives are little more than pitiful in nature. Michael Jackson's life was pitiful - he had no childhood, he slipped into a decay and a world of drugs and other addictions. We feel sorry for the families of those who have died but we will not give honor to those who allowed themselves to sink into the oblivion of decadence and lack of morals and thosse who give the appearnces of greatness but still have lives of depravity and immorality. Written by RhettsWife
on 7/10/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
New York Rep. Peter King was 100 percent in his comments regards the Wacko Jacko hysteria that has gripped the media for the past two weeks. While important legislation that really matters and affects everyone's pocketbooks like Cap and Trade(crap and spend would be more apropros) and the worsening economy, MJ's death got wall to wall non-stop coverage for 12 days. While the Sharptons and those of his ilk made him to be a great American hero, the real heroes are in Iraq and Afghanistan, not in bed with underage children. All those journalistic jerks who covered this 24/7 would never allow their kids near Wacko Jacko unchaperoned--completely hypocritical to make him an American hero. To this website's credit and its writer's credit, we did not get coverage of MJ adnauseam like we did elsewhere in the media.
Short of Rep. King's comments, I did not hear anyone else speak for the tens of millions of us who were disgusted and sickened by the orgy of non-stop coverage---makes me almost want to move to New York so I can vote for him! Written by Randall
on 7/10/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
I myself haven't been watching much of the Michael Jackson hype on the T.V. these past couple of days... But I will agree with Fred Astaire on this one; He was one of the world's greatest dancers and a serious entertainer... A little bizzare? Sort of eccentric? Well yes I suppose so.... I don't know the particulars of his 'alleged' contrivences and not particularly interested... Was he crazy? Nahhhhh,,, and why? Well because he had money. That is the diferentiating formula when assessing whether someone is crazy or merely eccentric.... Interestingly if he had died broke and in realitive anonimity he would merely have been any other little back boy from the Ghetto...... Probably wouldn't even have rated more than a one paragraph obit on the back page of a local newspaper.... Anyone who took him as being more than that, oh well, what did you expect from a 'soap' opera, a happy ending or something??? Now as far as your classification of what a hero makes, yes I am grateful to the soldiers, and first responders or whutever but really at the root they are merely human beings much like you and me there Jeff... Perhaps you have your priorities wrong or your idol worshipping mis-prioritized...... Written by
on 7/10/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Hardly the same DQ....I too am sick to death of hearing about MJ but I think the fact that he is being touted as a great humanitarian and some sort of civil rights hero is WAY over the top. Written by
on 7/10/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
And who are you talking about today Jeff - Michael Jackson and Al Sharpton. Your'e just as guilty. Written by David Quidd
on 7/10/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
For the past 15 days, the national news media has been obsessed with one major story, the death of Michael Jackson. Coverage of this event has overwhelmed other important events, such as the House vote on cap and trade, President Obama’s overseas trip and the death of American soldiers in 
