About 7 out of 10 Americans think we're talking about Michael Jackson too much. I'm one of them. But while we're continuing all the hoopla, I'm going to talk about this anyway.
Before the weekend, news came out that a memorial service for Michael Jackson was going to be held at the Staples Center in L.A. this Tuesday (
ed. note: originally posted 7/6/2009). Originally, it was said that the Staples Center was going to charge $25 a seat. Then there was an outcry against charging for a memorial service, so everyone will get in free. What's so bad about $25 a seat in a limited-seating facility? The Staples Center only holds 20,000, and it's expected that tens of thousands more than that will turnout for Jackson's memorial. I know how they could solve this problem. Here's what to do...
Bring his body and charge $10,000 a seat.
Honestly, why not? If people are paying $1,500 or more for tickets to see Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus in concert, what makes you think that the Staples Center won't fill up for $10,000 a seat to go see the King of Pop one last time? This is a Michael Jackson memorial service -- a one-time-only event! People will come from everywhere and pay whatever to be a part.
Then take that money -- a payload of $200 million -- and donate every last penny to famine relief. If we're going to make a big deal out of this man, even though he hasn't done anything worthwhile in almost two decades, why not make the talk of his legacy worth something? Make it a real memorial -- one life lost, millions more changed using his name.
My dad pointed out how difficult it is for these mega-stars to handle their own fame. Michael Jackson was without a doubt the greatest pop star there ever was, and there may never be another as big. And yet, he was addicted to drugs and prescription medications. Elvis Presley, Britney Spears, Johnny Cash, John Lennon -- you name 'em, and most are all the same. They all suffered from increasing drug use. In some cases, like with Michael Jackson, it will cost a mega-star their lives. It seems as if we as human beings were not meant to carry the load of this much attention. And it also goes to show that no matter how big we are, we are as vulnerable as anyone else.
I remember the lyrics of the band Audio Adrenaline in a song they wrote called
I'm Not the King. In one of the verses, they sing, "If I were a king, I'd be unwise for my brains aren't King size." The chorus goes as follows...
I'm not the King, I just sing
I'm just a fraction of the thing
I can't do anything
Without the King of kings
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, as we read in Philippians 4:13. We are completely unable to handle the size, the pressure of the fame like that of Michael Jackson's. At the end of it all, that fame and fortune leaves us with absolutely nothing. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can truly live forever -- that we can experience life to its fullest.
James 4:14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
True 
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Comments (27)
Then take that money -- a payload of $200 million -- and donate every last penny to famine relief.
200 million is supposedly the amount of debt that Jackson had when he died.
nice.
or they could just record it, send it to youtube, and everyone could see it for free if they had access to a computer :p
Why not? Because it's a memorial service. Do you plan to have people pay to attend yours?
Two things.
A: ...the hell was the point here?
B: Spears does not go in the same sentence as Johnny Cash, Elvis, and John Lennon.
Good post. But...I'd have to say it is wrong to charge for a memorial service. Donations are totally understandable but a memorial service is a sacred thing, not a business venture. Regardless of where the money is going. Again, your post does have a good message in the end and I completely agree that without God, riches and fame mean nothing. =]
My own attitude is best expressed in my own blog. 'Nuff said.
Michael Jackson, the moonwalking former child star who became known the world over as the "King of Pop" before his life and career deteriorated in a freakish series of scandals, died, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. He was 50.I will not set in judgement over Michael Jackson, he was a great performer, and though he was accused of being a child molester, nobody really knows if that's true, or if it was just a way for someone to make quick cash. I just want to say we can't believe all that we hear, Hollywood is full of rumors. If it's true, it's in Gods hands, not ours. I say god bless his soul and my condolences to his family & loved ones. Let him rest in peace. I never knew him personally so I can't say what he did or didn't do. He paid his dues, so be it. Farewell to a great performer. I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me, but I won't lose any sleep over the way I personally feel. So say what you will about my opinion, it's on you.
@CyanideNGunpowder@xanga - my thoughts exactly.
Funny.... MJ 's death paid off.
I would sell tickets to my memorial service to pay for a simple coffin and linen shroud and a 6/2 foot piece of land in the cemetary.
But what u say about MJ is true.
this post was a waste of my time.
and you're disgusting for saying that people should pay ten grand to see someone's body. miley cyrus tickets sold for that high because she was performing, and the parents wanted to make their kids happy. unless you're planning on reanimating michael jackson's dead body and have him perform thriller "one last time", then there shouldn't be a price at all.and famine relief? really? do you know how much of his will went to charities? a shit ton. i hope that famine relief idea is for here in america.
Do not speak ill of the dead. Let God be the judge. For someone who quotes from the Bible, you spoke with disdain of the a person who gave his music to the world and love to his children and family.
He's gone. He made music, stirred up quite a change, but his life did not impact mine in any form or fashion..at least not in a good way. Unless he somehow asked God to forgive him and to be the Lord of his life, he's burning in hell right now. I don't want to see his body..dead or alive.
Ever since I saw MJ hang that child over the balcony, I am not able to get that image out. That and the fact that he was a child molester. I try not to be the one to judge, but he made his life VERY public and he was crazy. Absolutely crazy. He could've prevented a lot of things, but he chose not to. That was his life. He's paying for it.
@Theophilus166@xanga - Which is just a drop in the bucket compared to his musical catalog holdings (estimated between 1.2b to 1.6b for just the Beattles alone) + add estate + albums sales post mortem (all his albums shot up to top 100 on itunes) and it's clear he could never truly go broke.
@eskeemo_kisses@xanga - He was a child molester? that's news to me - did you investigate this on your own? are you an investigative journalist now... or perhaps a private investigator? did the state appoint you judicial power to make that claim?
The balcony thing was regrettable but he was never charged or convicted of child molestation. They were allegations. It's really not his fault you bought the farm on media spin.
he balcony thing was regrettable but he was
never charged or convicted of child molestation. They were allegations.
It's really not his fault you bought the farm on media spin.
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@eskeemo_kisses@xanga - for being one who tries not to judge, you seem to be judging quite a bit. and on things that were never proven.
how do you know he wasn't a devout christian? i doubt he would have judged you, and i believe that makes him more than worthy in the eyes of the lord.
he changed many peoples lives for the better, and you would say he's burning in hell? way to play god, there, ms. christianity.
I think the problem is that they made his funeral into a show. I don't care who it is dying, a person deserves respect. It wouldn't be right to treat his death as a way to make money. But I'm not really a fan of having a free showing of his funeral either. I think it was too disrespectful.
I agree that fame and fortune can be too much for some people, but I don't think fame in itself is always a bad thing. I would never want it, but that doesn't mean that there aren't people who can handle it. Ultimately it is all about knowing Jesus. And that's why Michael Jackson's death really saddens me. I wrote a blog on my xanga with my thoughts about MJ.
@eskeemo_kisses@xanga - I agree with you...totally.
@kleptos_get_it_free@xanga - The Bible clearly states in 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11:
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived : neither fornicators, neither nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Galations 5: 19-21:
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before , as I have told you in time past , that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
I'm not playing God. I do NOT dare say that I'm God or a god. He is the only one who REALLY knows, but from the fruit that was bared, it was not good fruit.
@lucysgirl07@xanga - Out of three people to respond to my comment, you are the only one who actually agrees. I don't expect everyone to agree, but it's good to know that I'm not the only who thinks the same.
@eskeemo_kisses@xanga - But you don't know I'm personally. Honestly, I don't know him, his music didn't interest me, etc etc. He was just any other human being. No better or lesser than any other. But YOU should not even be saying such things. Only God can say someone is burning in Hell. We do not have the right. Do not forget, you are a sinner, and are no better than any other. You are NO better than Michael Jackson, but no lesser. Never forget that. And never forget to not condemn and judge others, for God loves them just as much as you.
@toyouxwithlove@xanga - As I stated in my original comment, UNLESS he asked God for forgiveness, he is burning in hell. There is a possibility, though I'm not sure how high, that he could've. You're right. I am a sinner, but I'm a sinner saved by grace. I never once said that God didn't love him or anyone else for that matter. Christ died for ALL, but unless we take that step to accept it, we will never know Him like He desires. If anyone denies that, he/she will be departed from God.
the whole thing is very tragic. he could have been a Christian just like many of us on this blog. being judgmental is not of Christ. love is of Christ; MJ loved humanity and was charitable. ultimately God is love 1 John 4:8.
We are and should be proud LA had the honor to be the host. If the city has debt and there was financial mismanagement, does not mean it should be less responsible for what they are already paid to do. If they need help, they can ask for sponsors without making the demand for coverage look wrong, just because they are not up to it financially. Thay did eventually agree it is their Duty. That being said, everyone did a GREAT job, and Congrats to them! The staff were so wonderful-gentle, understanding of people's feelings, teary eyed...An unprecedented dignifying event overall. This is LA, and where there is a will, there is a way! You need to ask yourself what motivates you to deny someone the appreciation they deserve, and what your "good reason" to question everything really is.
7 out of 10 says who? Meaning the 3 talking are the many? Fuzy math...You'll be amazed how many of the "7" had a change of heart once they realized taking what Michael represented for granted, and we can't have enough about his legacy of kindness, the JOY he brought to the world. It is obvious you only know him only from the twisted, edited, media portrayals...not through his hundreds of powerful lyrics, good deeds for which he also beat the record, numerous good faith interviews...Please do your homework before trying to belittle Michael. He already was betrayed by Judas like characters and doubtful Thomases, never had an angry word or look for them...let him rest in peace.
So cliche what you say about the drugs, too. Michael's "scars", if they have any meaning, it's to remind us how a bunch of people who think they have the right to judge and think they know it all without even trying to find out the facts, attacked a Monumental expression of Humanity. And if his tribulations are any of our bussiness(are they, really??), then they should also be our Responsibility, for allowing the irresponsible media and malicious accusers to hurt him to the point he could not bear to live without medications and had to live in exile. He was not using his meds for pleasure, but to alleviate the pain. And I hope you don't get to be unfairly humiliated in front of the whole world, to get to believe How Wrong and Painful this is.
Also, his assets far outweigh the debt...
@ANGEL_versus_DEVIL@xanga - Thank you for taking the time to maintain some respect.
And I'll add "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor"