- Coverage of Michael Jackson's death
- Articles on the investigation of Michael Jackson's death
- Reviews of Michael Jackson's illustrious and bumpy career
- Photos of Michael Jackson
- Obituaries about Michael Jackson
- Op-ed pieces about Michael Jackson
- Coverage of funeral preparations for Michael Jackson
- And now coverage of the hours leading up to a memorial service for Michael Jackson at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles
Make no mistake: Michael Jackson had, and has, fans. Lots of them.
Michael Jackson, Mourned by Millions
"A lifestyle that included demonstrating his ability to hold an infant over a balcony railing and befriending Bubbles earned Mr. Jackson the nickname 'Wacko Jacko.'
"Celebrities having friends called Bubbles isn't all that odd. But Bubbles was a chimpanzee...." (Apathetic Lemming of the North)
Don't get me wrong: I think that Michael Jackson was an accomplished singer and dancer, and to that extent enriched America's and the world's cultures. I also think that what he chose to do with his considerable talents, and with his own life, shows less than optimal wisdom.
Why So Much News About Michael Jackson?
As for all the attention Michael Jackson's getting, I see that as a combination of human nature, a quirk in contemporary culture, and the nature of America's news media.Human Nature: We Care About What We're Familiar With
There are enough videos and sound recordings of Michael Jackson's work to fill the day of a die-hard fan with his music. His music has been popular enough, for long enough, for people to be familiar with the sound of his voice and his appearance - make that appearances, he's had plastic surgery - even if they're not dedicated fans.I think it's fair to say that most people will tend to care about someone who they have seen and heard - and feel they know something about. There will most likely be more of an emotional attachment to this known person, than to someone who is quite unfamiliar.
A Quirk of Contemporary Culture
Contemporary culture, at least in America, tends to focus on a relatively small number of unusual personalities: think Paris Hilton, Eddie Murphy, Jodie Foster and Johnny Depp.People like this have - or project - colorful personalities, occasionally offbeat lifestyles, and are often in the entertainment business. Their professional activity and/or personal lives are likely to attract attention.
It's the way things are. People who stand out in some way, well: stand out.
America's Newspapers Exist to Sell America's Newspapers
Some countries have government-run news services, where the the primary function of newspapers, television and radio news is to inform citizens of what they're supposed to know, what they're supposed to think about it, and how they're supposed to feel about their leaders. I'm profoundly glad that I don't live in that sort of a system.The primary function of America's newspapers is to sell newspapers. I don't have a problem with that. Somebody's got to pay for the ink and paper, and provide a living for the people who run the paper. Collecting the money by selling copies of the paper and selling advertising space is a practical way of supporting the activity.
It's not a perfect system, but it works.
When someone like Michael Jackson dies, the essentially commercial nature of America's news media affects - I think - editorial policy.
Fans buy stuff with their idol's name and/or picture on it: T-shirts, record albums, coffee mugs; and newspapers. And, they'll watch programming that mentions the object of their affection.
Since editors, quite sensibly, want their services to be profitable: they'll print and broadcast news about a megastar like Michael Jackson, because fans will buy the papers and watch the programming.
Some Dead Guy
The Washington Post apparently published the letter, and a cable news service posted an article on the situation today.
"...'Mr. Jackson received days of wall-to-wall coverage in the media,' Martha Gillis wrote to the Washington Post. 'Where was the coverage of my nephew or the other soldiers who died that week?'..."I think that 1st Lieutenant Bradshaw's aunt answered her own question, in her letter.
"...Gillis, of Springfield, Va., could not be reached for comment. In her letter to the Washington Post, she described Bradshaw as a 'thoroughly decent person with a wry sense of humor' who loved history, particularly the Civil War.
" 'He had old-fashioned values and believed that military service was patriotic and that actions counted more than talk,' Gillis wrote. "He wasn't much for talking, although he could communicate volumes with a raised eyebrow."..." (FOXNews)
He was a " 'thoroughly decent person' " and " 'had old-fashioned values' " - traits which simply do not result in celebrity status these days. Worse, from the point of view which many news services seem to have, he was an American soldier. And not one of those interesting ones who took naughty photos at Abu Ghraib.
Brian N. Bradshaw was one of those people who are willing to lay down their lives to maintain America's freedoms. Thanks to 1st Lieutenant Bradshaw and many others like him, editors can discuss the perceived depravities of America's military and demonstrators can protest against what they feel are the imperialistic actions of the military-industrial complex.
That's the way it is.
I like to think that there will be a time when more Americans are willing and able to see value in traits like duty, dedication and service: and at least consider the possibility that the people who defend our freedoms are neither hapless dupes of imperialistic warmongers or potential terrorists.
Meanwhile, for what it's worth: a word of thanks to all the men and women who serve, and have served, in the American armed forces.
Related posts:
- "Michael Jackson, Entertainer and Eccentric Celebrity, is Dead"
(June 25, 2009) - "Pentagon Equates (Violent) Protest to Terrorism: Leaves Out Critical Explanation"
(June 18, 2009)- America's armed forces aren't perfect
- "Recruitment Office Killing: Time to Take a Deep Breath"
(June 2, 2009) - "U.S. Army Chief of Staff Memorial Day Message - Video"
(May 25, 2009) - "Homeland Security Report: American Veterans are Potential Terrorists - I am Not Making This Up"
(April 15, 2009) - "Missouri Focus Group MIAC: Ron Paul Supporters May Be Terrorists"
(March 23, 2009) - "A Bank Robbery in Texas, Donald Murrah and David Long"
(March 12, 2009) - "Army Emergency Relief Scandal: Stockpiling, Hoarding, and 'Never Mind?' "
(February 26, 2009) - "Abu Ghraib: Abuse and Sexual Humiliation by American Soldiers in the News Again"
(January 25, 2009) - "Army's 'John Doe' Letter: A Brigadier General Apologizes on YouTube"
(January 10, 2009) - "All Those Poor, Uneducated, Minorities Being Drafted in America!"
(January 4, 2009)- A reality check
- "Looting in the News: Rape, Pillage, and the America Way"
(November 24, 2008) - "Monsoor Coffin Trident Hoax? Probably Not"
(July 30, 2008) - "Haditha, Iraq; My Lai, Vietnam: This Isn't the Good Old Days"
(July 13, 2008) - "Army Report: Big Mistakes in Iraq!"
(June 30, 2008) - "News, Truth, and Why America is at Fault"
(June 20, 2008) - "Westward Venture Incident: No News, and That's News"
(April 26, 2008) - "U.S. Warship Kills Innocent Egyptian!! No Wonder Everybody Hates America!!!"
(March 24, 2008) - " 'The Army is Unraveling' - Just Like Vietnam!"
(March 19, 2008) - "A Marine, A Puppy, and Serious Abuse: 'It Must be Real: I Saw it on YouTube!' "
(March 4, 2008) - "U. S. Marine Major Dennis and Nubs: A Dog Story"
(February 23, 2008) - "Toledo's Mayor, the U.S. Marines, Feelings, and Common Sense"
(February 16, 2008) - "Pentagon Refuses to Send Mail to Soldiers"
(December 11, 2007)- Keep reading: it's not what you may think
- "Source: Jackson's body to be at Staples Center"
CNN (July 7, 2009) - "Relatives of Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Decry Lack of Coverage Amid Jackson Spectacle"
FOXNews (July 7, 2009)
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