Spackle that right up
So, I think the only thing I haven't opined on recently is the Michael Jackson trial. Which is a shame, really. It's almost over and here I am, just now weighing in.
Michael Jackson has represented more than just pop culture for decades; he has represented a lifestyle that at once fascinates and confounds us. He lives almost like a hermit on his ranch in the hills of California with a zoo and all the toys a child could want. He's essentially the Peter Pan we all want to be. And he's rich enough to pull it off. So it is little wonder that he was brought up on charges of assaulting a minor.
Just a look at the man and everything comes out. Surgery and a life of vain excess has warped not just his physical appearance, but has let him say, on camera no less, that it is ok for a man to sleep in the same bed as children. I, myself, do not have any kids but had I any, they would never have been allowed to spend an hour, let alone the night, at The King of Pop's house.
American culture has stooped to a new low at this point in history. The fact that so many people are able to justify the sexual acts of a 47 year old man with an adolescent is not only mind boggling, but seems to say more about American culture than about the man committing the acts. Jackson has already justified his actions so if we do not say anything, there is no one left to condemn him.
As much as I have heard it argued that there is a Christian majority sneaking up on the 'normal people', where are they when things like this happen? The Terry Schiavo case didn't get more publicity but was argued on more moral points, dealing with the humanity of the case, whereas the Michael Jackson case is argued by celebrities and de-humanized completely. The morality of sex is no longer under debate. There is no other reason to allow someone attributed with excesses that make Nero look like Santa Clause to sleep with young boys.
By making morality ambiguous, we have developed a split personality that makes parents absolutely responsible for their children in every way possible and then allows the children to walk behind their parent's back to get contraception and abortions. If we allow our children to make adult choices such as taking birth control and having abortions, maybe we should emancipate them sooner and allow them to take on life at an ever earlier age. Like getting a job. Paying taxes. Going to war.
But we don't do this because innocence is still admired, something to be held up on a pedestal and revered. Children can't do anything wrong because they are innocent. But this is the crux of the dilemma. We see children as innocent but with puberty happening earlier and earlier they are having sex at ever increasingly younger ages and this leads to the idea that we must protect their rights as adults against the people charged with their care. Then we are shocked that situations like that of Columbine occur. A parent cannot be expected to leave their child alone completely and then be held responsible for their actions.
When morality becomes ambiguous, the rich and powerful are allowed to break the rules at the expense of not just the innocent, but subordinates in general. Bosses taking advantage of their employees; priests taking advantage of their parishioners; teachers taking advantage of their students. And we sit back and watch, making snide commentary but incapable of acting.
I'm not arguing for the enforcement of strictly Christian morality, there isn't a valid argument in the world that could justify that in my mind, but a moral debate in this country is severely lacking and until a hard line is drawn in the sand between right and wrong, the President will be allowed to have sex with interns while other bosses are not, and pop stars will get away with pedophilia while others are sent to prison. Otherwise, precedent makes everything right.
--TOOMUCHCOFFYMAKESMETHINKREALLYHARDABOUTTRIVIALTHINGS--
Michael Jackson has represented more than just pop culture for decades; he has represented a lifestyle that at once fascinates and confounds us. He lives almost like a hermit on his ranch in the hills of California with a zoo and all the toys a child could want. He's essentially the Peter Pan we all want to be. And he's rich enough to pull it off. So it is little wonder that he was brought up on charges of assaulting a minor.
Just a look at the man and everything comes out. Surgery and a life of vain excess has warped not just his physical appearance, but has let him say, on camera no less, that it is ok for a man to sleep in the same bed as children. I, myself, do not have any kids but had I any, they would never have been allowed to spend an hour, let alone the night, at The King of Pop's house.
American culture has stooped to a new low at this point in history. The fact that so many people are able to justify the sexual acts of a 47 year old man with an adolescent is not only mind boggling, but seems to say more about American culture than about the man committing the acts. Jackson has already justified his actions so if we do not say anything, there is no one left to condemn him.
As much as I have heard it argued that there is a Christian majority sneaking up on the 'normal people', where are they when things like this happen? The Terry Schiavo case didn't get more publicity but was argued on more moral points, dealing with the humanity of the case, whereas the Michael Jackson case is argued by celebrities and de-humanized completely. The morality of sex is no longer under debate. There is no other reason to allow someone attributed with excesses that make Nero look like Santa Clause to sleep with young boys.
By making morality ambiguous, we have developed a split personality that makes parents absolutely responsible for their children in every way possible and then allows the children to walk behind their parent's back to get contraception and abortions. If we allow our children to make adult choices such as taking birth control and having abortions, maybe we should emancipate them sooner and allow them to take on life at an ever earlier age. Like getting a job. Paying taxes. Going to war.
But we don't do this because innocence is still admired, something to be held up on a pedestal and revered. Children can't do anything wrong because they are innocent. But this is the crux of the dilemma. We see children as innocent but with puberty happening earlier and earlier they are having sex at ever increasingly younger ages and this leads to the idea that we must protect their rights as adults against the people charged with their care. Then we are shocked that situations like that of Columbine occur. A parent cannot be expected to leave their child alone completely and then be held responsible for their actions.
When morality becomes ambiguous, the rich and powerful are allowed to break the rules at the expense of not just the innocent, but subordinates in general. Bosses taking advantage of their employees; priests taking advantage of their parishioners; teachers taking advantage of their students. And we sit back and watch, making snide commentary but incapable of acting.
I'm not arguing for the enforcement of strictly Christian morality, there isn't a valid argument in the world that could justify that in my mind, but a moral debate in this country is severely lacking and until a hard line is drawn in the sand between right and wrong, the President will be allowed to have sex with interns while other bosses are not, and pop stars will get away with pedophilia while others are sent to prison. Otherwise, precedent makes everything right.
--TOOMUCHCOFFYMAKESMETHINKREALLYHARDABOUTTRIVIALTHINGS--
