Also, I don’t believe he was literally a kid trapped in a man’s body–his success and savvy in the biz by everyone’s accounts show him to be very intelligent. But, I do see that on an emotional level, a man who missed out on his childhood and became a superstar might desperately crave the simpler things in life–or at least a time when life is supposed to be simpler. Those close to him said he related better to children because they never wanted anything from him…they had no expectations. Unlike calculating adults who knew he was a prime target and became leeches.

I think it would be extremely hard to live the life of a superstar from a young age for 40 plus years, never be able to go anywhere without being mobbed, and still be “normal”–what would normal be in that situation?

Michael Jackson also suffered from lupus. Many people with autoimmune disease develop an aversion to germs–because they get hit far worse than most people with even the mildest of colds. Try living half your life in bed, and then you might understand. People with lupus get “flares” in which the immune system attacks its own body; when this occurs in the brain, temporary bizarre behavior can result. Again, lupus flares do not turn people into pedophiles.

Thirdly, why did no one ever address Michael Jackson’s “Peter Pan Syndrome?” Because he was famous, no one had the balls to say, “hey, this man is at the mental and social level of a ten-year-old; maybe he needs help”?

I happen to know someone with a similar mental illness. She has probably been to Disneyland hundreds of times in her adult life. Her favorite movies are all that include a “Disney princess” in its animated cast. Her lifelong dream is to be one of the “face characters” at the Disney theme park (even though she is now WAY too old). She does not live in reality. She would never abuse a child, sexually or otherwise, but she IS a child, herself, despite being in her mid-twenties. Heaven help her, if she were ever to become famous.

I think the media has to look at how they report and maybe change a little, I know it is hard to report news and you can’t be smiles but there is a time and place for everything…

As for the media, in all honesty I don’t care much for the media. I had thought about being a reporter once, but then I saw a news man with his camera stuck in the face of a woman whose son had just been murdered that same day, and he was asking her if she thought his murder were drug related. That completely made me lose any respect for the media. If the question needed to be asked he should have asked the police, not the grieving mother. I see what’s happening with MJ now as being no different. Having a heart and knowing how to use it are two completely different animals. Unfortunately, it is his family who will suffer most right now from the trash talk.

To be quite honest, much like when Diana, Princess of Wales died, I’m ambivalent. I don’t know these people personally and they have very little impact on my life. I recognise that they have meaning for some so I’ll be respectful by not participating in some of the rumour-mongering and ill-considered jokes doing the rounds.

On a whole, I don’t partake of the tabloid media that will blow this event out of proportion. Out of mild interest I read one or two newspaper reports the day after it happened but I’m not going to devote my attention to it other than seeing it as a mild curiosity and occasionally delivering comment where I feel it’s necessary.

As a social phenomenon I find people’s reactions to this far more fascinating than the man himself.

Kayla, you are welcome…I did not think any of the stuff they said was true…I saw a movie about him a few weeks ago and it explained a lot about why he was the way he was. He truly was someone who was an icon… know I will miss his music dearly….