Stan Geiger

Jackson's Apologists

It's one of those things, I guess. It's amazing how dying can immediately transform one from pariah to hero. The media's presentation of a parade of Michael Jackson apologists has been amazing.

I caught one such presentation last night on PBS. Tavis Smiley video linked to two university professors, one from Georgetown and one from Princeton. It was a three-brotha love-fest that sang the praises of the late performer. It was a load of pseudo-intellectual babble aimed at rationalizing---if not ignoring---Jackon's clearly-flawed life. He was painted---of course---as a victim.

The esteemed professor from Princeton---that, by the way, looked like something a cat dragged right out of the '70s---took the cake. He made statements that bordered on blasphemy.

The man used words like "crucifixion" and "cross to bear." He said Jackson "sacrificed his childhood because he loved us so much." I couldn't believe my ears. In the eyes of a Princeton professor, it seems, Michael Jackson was a modern-day Jesus Christ.

Princeton is considered one of the top universities in the land---and it has this guy on the payroll. Unbelievable.

If Jackson's childhood was sacrificed, it was sacrificed for love of fame and money. And he was richly compensated on both counts. Even if his daddy was the driver in the childhood years, Michael could have walked away from it when he reached the age of majority. He chose not to do so.

Michael Jackson was a victim of nothing---save his own choices and pursuits.

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