A Rerun...

Do any of you feel like the media is on repeat lately? You cannot turn on the television without at least 5 channels featuring some story about the late Michael Jackson. While I see and admit that he had a good amount of talent, I cannot support the legacy of this man. Take away the voice, the Moonwalk, and the family name, and you're left with a confused pervert whose only claim to fame should be jail time.

There is a trend in our society to worship and idolize celebrities. I am not sure what appeals to us about them in particular, besides their enormous wealth and larger-then-life presence on TV and in film. Perhaps it's the "look where I am now" or "in your face" aspect of fame that we all wish we could share in. Who knows.

What I do know is that to idolize and celebrate the life of a man who denied his heritage through a plastic surgery overhaul, and who openly admitted to sleeping with young boys, is to completely overlook the general qualities of good vs. evil. Look at the heroes of ages past: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Helen Keller, to name a few. Men and women of honor and faith, who stood for principles outside of themselves and challenged others to lead lives of faith, trust, and humility. Now take one look at the life Michael Jackson and see if you can find any principles other than self-glorification and visceral gratification. Hero? I think not.

Of course, many disagree with me. So many, in fact, that the Cox Arena is selling tickets for his funeral, a nationwide event that will be broadcast on all the main networks. To me, this voyeuristic obsession with Jacko's death is just sickening, and speaks more to the glory days of the Roman Colosseum then it does to a nation founded in God for honor and liberty. What do we have to celebrate, besides a few hit songs and some ingenious dance moves? His addictions to prescription drugs? An idolistic obsession with his looks that resulted in a barely human appearance (and paid no respect to his black heritage)? His abuse (cue balcony scene) and exploitation of his children (all named after himself)? His fetish for young boys that not only resulted in law suits, but also extracted a confession from Michael himself that there was nothing wrong with "sleeping with boys"?

Come on, folks. This man was no hero. Our respect should be reserved for those who uphold the sanctity and honor of human life....besides our own.