Michael Jackson is dead!

[Zid]

The king of pop dies at the age of 50.

I guess I wont be going to his comeback consert after allhttp://www.tmz.com/2009/06/25/michael-jackson-dies-death-dead-cardiac-arrest/

[Oregano]

I just read this a moment ago. That's a big shock. Can't believe it...

[Arlion]

i was about to start this thread

..I cant believe it,is it official?

[Jibar]

That is the only article I've seen that says he is dead.
He's had a cardiac arrest and has been taken to hospital but as of right now that website is the only one who is announcing he's dead.

[Swordguy]

{Scrubbed}

[Phase]

Not to be contradictory, but we can't be one hundred percent sure he's dead. Conflicting reports are coming in. If you want a definitive source, don't go to a tabloid such as TMZ.

Still, Jackson was rushed to the hospital earlier today. He may be dead, he may not.

@^: Jokes don't make his death true.

[RTGoodman]

That is the only article I've seen that says he is dead.
He's had a cardiac arrest and has been taken to hospital but as of right now that website is the only one who is announcing he's dead.

Yeah, I've been following it on Google and Twitter, and I've yet to see a non-TMZ source for the story. I'm not saying it's not true, but I'd like to see some other confirmation first.

[Connington]

No, it's not official. TMZ seems to be the only one running the story that way. He could be dead very soon, or maybe not. But not yet.

[Fan]

{Scrubbed}

Umm, he was never convicted of ANY of that, so saying he was a Pedophile is not only incorrect, but it's also Distasteful Disrespect for the Dead.:smallyuk:

[Zid]

cnn.com are starting to edit their articles to " Jackson was the seventh of nine children in a well-known musical family. "

[Phase]

Umm, he was never convicted of ANY of that, so saying he was a Pedophile is not only incorrect, but it's also Distasteful Disrespect for the Dead.:smallyuk:

Again, Disrespect for the possibly dead.

And yes, we should totally take a tabloid source mocking a man they say is dead seriously. [/sarcasm]

[Jibar]

All the articles I have read show TMZ as the only source for this. Make of that what you will.
I don't like the man or anything, but this is the kind of thing that will get blown out of proportion very quickly and needs to be grounded in fact as quickly as possible.

Edit: And as a note, this thread is going to be locked faster than news like this spreads if people don't keep the politics and hate quiet.

[Lord_Gareth]

{Scrubbed}

[Kaiser Omnik]

{Scrubbed}

And you know better than a judge because...?

[Trizap]

have heard the name, don't know who he is, don't care, probably would hate him anyways.

[Porthos]

LA Times confirms the story. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/pop-star-michael-jackson-was-rushed-to-a-hospital-this-afternoon-by-los-angeles-fire-department-paramedics--capt-steve-ruda.html)


And you know better than a judge because...?

Jury of peers, actually.

[Guru]

CNN is saying he's rumored to be in a coma right now at the hospital.

Edit: Multiple sources are confirming, he's in a coma.

[Shademan]

so... natural causes? vampire hunters? more...ahem, medical causes?
to much plastic?

[Swordguy]

{Scrubbed}

[Guru]

so... natural causes? vampire hunters? more...ahem, medical causes?
to much plastic?

Cardiac arrest.

[BizzaroStormy]

Well, I just caught it on the news...MJ has been confirmed dead.

[Guru]

L.A. times and CBS now says he's died, but CNN has yet to confirm it. And TMZ also.

[KilltheToy]

MSNBC has picked up the LA Times story and posted it on their site.

As for me, I'm giving this 24 hours. That should be long enough for actual confirmation of his death if he is in fact dead.

[Fan]

{Scrubbed}

We DO, namely Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and quite a few others, including N.F.L, and N.B.A. stars, who make more money in a single game then M.J. has made in the past 10 years.Sorry but, your wrong.
People sue celebrities all the time simply because they want money, those boys had paid for dance lessons with M.J., and their parents wanted to milk the man for everything he had. Look into the cases, and you'll see WHY he was proven not guility before a jury of his peers.

God rest M.J. (coma is a terrible thing if thats so.), and may you thriller forever in [insert after life here].

[Guru]

ABC is now reporting on it and says he died

24 hours should be a good time to wait. I can't believe the amount of people outside UCLA hospital.

[Phase]

{Scrubbed}

I have a perfectly good sense of humor right here, came free of charge with birth, as a matter of fact. {Scrubbed}

[Nameless]

I'm hearing some rumours that he died whilst in a coma about an hour ago, anyone know anything about it?

EDIT: I'm watching ITV News now, so he really is dead. Wow.

[Exeson]

Crap. Just crap.... wow.

[Verruckt]

'Cause this is a thrille- Hnnng

Seriously, people need to lighten up about death, it's just the way life works, laugh and move on. I really doubt any of us have real reason to mourn the loss of a person we've never met, so demanding some kind of vicarious respect seems sort of emotionally dishonest to me.

[Guru]

Very true. Everyone dies, including Farrah Fawcett :smalltongue:

[SoD]

And you know better than a judge because...?

In a country where people can sue places for having water on the floor, causing them to trip, when in fact the water was there for all of three seconds, after she threw her glass of water at her boyfriend and stormed out. Or for having hot coffee. Or sueing NASA for changing a horoscope when they crashed a sattelite into a freaking comet!

And onto the subject at hand; I'm sad that he's dead, as I enjoyed some of his music. However, if the (unproved) allegations are true, he deserved to die a long time ago. If, however, they are not true, as the courts proved, he deserved to live a fair bit longer.

[RTGoodman]

It's not COMPLETELY confirmed, but several places are reporting now. There's already a thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6366176#post6366176), by the way.

[Jalor]

So Roy is raised and Michael Jackson promptly dies? Weird.

[Spiryt]

{Scrubbed}

Yeah, you can't back it up/prove it (neither could court) in any way, but you KNOW he's guilty.

There something very wrong with such thinking, don't you think?

Anyway, I've always found the guy rather creepy from some reason.

[Nameless]

It's not COMPLETELY confirmed, but several places are reporting now. There's already a thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6366176#post6366176), by the way.

Well, CNN is the only channel saying he might not be. The radio and ITV have both said that the Hospital confirmed his death.

And damn, ninja'd by 26 minutes.

[Guru]

It's not COMPLETELY confirmed, but several places are reporting now. There's already a thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6366176#post6366176), by the way.

Oh, I see I was beat to linking it...
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6366481#post6366481

[Dispozition]

BBC with live news feed (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8119951.stm)

Honesly, while he was quite weird, he was an amazing singer that contributed a hell of a lot to music.

[Guru]

CNN still isn't saying he's dead, but the hospital is.

[Anondurl]

Actually he's in a coma. Not yet dead.

[Innis Cabal]

It -is- completly confirmed now. He is dead. BBC and CNN both confirmed it.

[Nameless]

Will this be like the time when Elvis died?

[Berserk Monk]

Yeah, just heard about it on the news. What if everyone in the entire world were to play Thriller? Would that bring him back?

[KnightDisciple]

Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, Michael Jackson.
It just keeps proving, famous people die in threes. :smallsigh:

[Fan]

MJ has been confirmed dead, I will now have a 5 minuet internet moment of silence in his honor.:smallfrown:

[Recaiden]

Our news has been saying he's dead.
It's a shame, I didn't expect him to die so soon.
And we also thought that pretty soon there would be conspiracy theories about this.

[Khaeta]

Not saying anything about guilt, but here's (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/06/25/entertainment/main5114139.shtml?tag=stack&tag=breakingnews) the CBS article, there's also a live broadcast on the site

[Nameless]

Yeah, just heard about it on the news. What if everyone in the entire world were to play Thriller? Would that bring him back?

He might come back from the dead as a zombie and start singing Thriller.

[Anuan]

I read a very in-depth biography of him a while back. I lost respect for him in some ways, but gained it in others. I, for one, don't believe the charges against him.
He was a very strange man, but good at heart, and fifty is too young for someone to die, especially someone that brought so much joy to so many people.

Rest in peace, Mr. Jackson.

[RTGoodman]

Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, Michael Jackson.
It just keeps proving, famous people die in threes. :smallsigh:

Don't forget about David Carradine. He died not too long ago, too.

[kopout]

I thought this was going to be the food poising joke.

[kopout]

Will this be like the time when Elvis died?

What do you mean "Elvis died"?

[Nameless]

Don't forget about David Carradine. He died not too long ago, too.

And Richard Wright. :smallfrown:

[DamnedIrishman]

As soon as I heard, I thought:

"When I get home, there's going to be a bazillion facebook updates, emails, and twitterings that he's snuffed it. Yeesh, big deal. I bet there'll be a GitP thread too..."

Looks like I was right.

[kopout]

There's two of them.

[Piedmon_Sama]

I don't buy the charges, he was just an eccentric man as well as a talented musician.

And poor taste is poor taste, guys.

[Zocelot]

It's really too bad that he passed away, although he was past the prime of his career, he was still fairly young.

[H. Zee]

I was never a big Jackson fan. He was an eccentric and talented man who may or may not have been a pedophile, and now he's dead. That is the end of that. If not for the onslaught of media publicity, these jokes wouldn't be being made. You've been brainwashed into making them.

And now that same media circus are going to begin a parade of hypocritical, hollow eulogies to the same man whose career and life they ruined. God, I hate the mass media sometimes.

Also, if you're going to make tasteless jokes, at least make them funny. Don't just make them for the sake of being tasteless, that's the opposite of clever.

[SilverSheriff]

Will this be like the time when Elvis died?

The only difference is that Elvis went out with a still-famous bang where as Michael Jackson just slowly faded out of fame and coming to Infamy by commiting serious criminal offences.:smallannoyed:

[kopout]

Allegedly. It was never actually proven .

[SilverSheriff]

Allegedly. It was never actually proven .

Just because the evidence was covered up with stacks of cash doesn't mean it didn't happen.

[Verruckt]

Also, if you're going to make tasteless jokes, at least make them funny. Don't just make them for the sake of being tasteless, that's the opposite of clever.

The Aristocrats would like a word with you, but that's another thread. I chuckled at Swordguy's quote, it was funny. Tragedy + Time = Comedy is the usual formula, of course in this case the time was about five minutes, so mileage may vary.

[Fan]

Just because the evidence was covered up with stacks of cash doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Actually, the statement of crimes being covered up by cash is usually IMPOSSIBLY false. Famous people get convicted ALL the time, Paris Hilton (CRAZY rich), and multiple N.B.A., and N.F.L stars get convincted for more serious offences all the time (Animal cruelty being one of the more notable ones.), so the "He got off coz he's rich!" argument is not only unfounded, but blissfully ignorant of past cases where that's been proven other wise.

[Rockphed]

Hear! Hear! Let the dead, no matter how creepy, rest in peace. Having left this mortal coil behind, let us remember his good and forget his bad.

In memory of Thriller, Beat It, and Gonna Make a Change.:smallfrown:

[kopout]

I just realized, this and the other thread with the same topic are almost alway bumped at the same time and have titles differing only in punctuation.

[Jingo]

He was way before my time, I always knew him as the crazy child molester with botched plastic surgery, but this is a big deal around my campus for some reason.

I think once he passes out of living memory he will be remembered for his music , but right now his personal life was just so weird that we all focus on it.

[Arakune]

Umm, he was never convicted of ANY of that, so saying he was a Pedophile is not only incorrect, but it's also Distasteful Disrespect for the Dead.:smallyuk:

He could be a pedophile, but not a child molester. Don't know how, but heard that somewere.

[Nameless]

Actually, the statement of crimes being covered up by cash is usually IMPOSSIBLY false. Famous people get convicted ALL the time, Paris Hilton (CRAZY rich), and multiple N.B.A., and N.F.L stars get convincted for more serious offences all the time (Animal cruelty being one of the more notable ones.), so the "He got off coz he's rich!" argument is not only unfounded, but blissfully ignorant of past cases where that's been proven other wise.

A agree with what you said, but- animal cruelty is more serious the paedophilia rape/molestation? :smallconfused:

[Evil DM Mark3]

I could be tasteless, but really I am feeling nothing. Strange but I suppose then end comes to us all, in the end.

[kopout]

But some times it happens.Also I'm right, they are both at the top at the same time. Vindication!

[Fan]

He could be a pedophile, but not a child molester. Don't know how, but heard that somewere.

As could you, or any one else on these forums (God forbid, this isn't a insult by the way, just saying something about circular logic, and how it applies to statements.)

[littlebottom]

you guys wanna know the worst bit? sickipedia has over 5000 people trying to post jokes about his death already...

EDIT: and rising quick...

[kopout]

He was way before my time, I always knew him as the crazy child molester with botched plastic surgery, but this is a big deal around my campus for some reason.


This, right here. Also I got a hilarious and original joke about him, But now its in bad taste.:smallfrown:

[Fan]

A agree with what you said, but- animal cruelty is more serious the paedophilia rape/molestation? :smallconfused:

Considering the extent to which this happens (I will regretfully bring up a case in which a small puppy was tortured to the point of being kept alive after they cut off it's snout, and brutally cut it's body.). I'm not saying either is good, but the WAY the crime is commited... Makes a VAST difference. :shudder:

[Semidi]

Actually, the statement of crimes being covered up by cash is usually IMPOSSIBLY false. Famous people get convicted ALL the time, Paris Hilton (CRAZY rich), and multiple N.B.A., and N.F.L stars get convincted for more serious offences all the time (Animal cruelty being one of the more notable ones.), so the "He got off coz he's rich!" argument is not only unfounded, but blissfully ignorant of past cases where that's been proven other wise.

I'm pretty sure he's referring to the 1994 incident when M.J. payed a family off for 22 Million to prevent a case from going to criminal court.

[Verruckt]

This, right here. Also I got a hilarious and original joke about him, But now its in bad taste.:smallfrown:

The state of a body does not affect the inherent humor in words related to said body, joke away.

[Fan]

I'm pretty sure he's referring to the 1994 incident when M.J. payed a family off for 22 Million to prevent a case from going to criminal court.

That's called being tired of the scandals that come up from Court cases, he proly knew he didn't do it, but was tired of the cases that had happened before, and decided that was how much keeping the Paparazzi off of him was worth. IF you've ever had them interested in you, it is a PAIN in this ass.

[Nameless]

Considering the extent to which this happens (I will regretfully bring up a case in which a small puppy was tortured to the point of being kept alive after they cut off it's snout, and brutally cut it's body.). I'm not saying either is good, but the WAY the crime is commited... Makes a VAST difference. :shudder:

Ah, I see your point.

[SilverSheriff]

Actually, the statement of crimes being covered up by cash is usually IMPOSSIBLY false. Famous people get convicted ALL the time, Paris Hilton (CRAZY rich), and multiple N.B.A., and N.F.L stars get convincted for more serious offences all the time (Animal cruelty being one of the more notable ones.), so the "He got off coz he's rich!" argument is not only unfounded, but blissfully ignorant of past cases where that's been proven other wise.

Most modern day celebs don't have the brains to hire someone to get rid of the evidence.

[Crimmy]

Okay, back on track.

Here's a quote:



Music has died a little today.

[kopout]

Ok, so "I have proof that Voldemort is real, and he infiltrated muggel society" "what are you talking about?" "Michael Jackson! Don't you see it?"

Its funyer in real life. Or better yet, comic strip format.

[Fan]

Ok, so "I have proof that Voldemort is real, and he infiltrated muggel society" "what are you talking about?" "Michael Jackson! Don't you see it?"

Its funyer in real life.

It's also funnier with correct grammar, and spelling. O_o

[SilverSheriff]

I'm pretty sure he's referring to the 1994 incident when M.J. payed a family off for 22 Million to prevent a case from going to criminal court.

Yes. Filler Text

[Fan]

Most modern day celebs don't have the brains to hire someone to get rid of the evidence.

Yes. Because when your intial arguement is proven wrong, you fall back on the ole "He paid someone to cover it up!" conspiracy. They say that about the Moon Landing, The Preisdential Election (Everyone since the beginning of time.), and 9/11. The discussion of any of those events I don't want to go into, but the point is, that you can claim it on ANYTHING, and have it almost apply.

[Pyrian]

Just because the evidence was covered up with stacks of cash doesn't mean it didn't happen....And just because evidence was trumped up in direct pursuit of said stacks of cash doesn't prove that it did happen, either.

[RabbitHoleLost]

Honestly, he didn't get convicted, and the people who accused him were less than savory anyways.

I, however, am mourning the death of a musician.

[Crimmy]

That makes 3 of us.

[DamnedIrishman]

I, however, am mourning the death of a musician.

And I am shrugging my shoulders breezily.


Does this mean the martyr effect will kick in, and everyone will start to say HE WAS THE GRATEST MUSICALICIAN EVARRR!!!1!

[RabbitHoleLost]

Wait..
Wait...
WHO GETS THE RIGHTS TO THE BEATLES MUSIC?

Also, DamnedIrishman, he will never be the best musician ever. But, damn Thriller was a great album.
And those of us who obsess over good music will, indeed, mourn him. So you might as well just hunker yourself down for a few days.

[kopout]

Unfortunately my generation never knew him as the musician, just as the creepy looking guy with the scandal.

[SDF]

He is the forth best selling musician of all time, which is a lot more quantifiable. He is also clearly one of the most influential musicians of our time.

[H. Zee]

It's also funnier with correct grammar, and spelling. O_o

And a punchline.

[Nameless]

Wait..
Wait...
WHO GETS THE RIGHTS TO THE BEATLES MUSIC?

*Stands at the edge of a cliff over-looking the sea*

I DO! :smallcool:

[Maelstrom]

Bridge
Night creatures call
And the dead start to walk in their masquerade
Theres no escapin the jaws of the alien this time
(theyre open wide)
This is the end of your life

[Recaiden]

I only knew him as a musician after the scandal, but he was still great. We don't have to obsess to mourn that.

[kopout]

And a punchline.

Eh, it's a stand up routian I havn't donein a while. and no, I wont quit my day job.

[Pyrian]

But, damn Thriller was a great album.True, although I still think it's kind of sad that that was essentially his apex. You could have mourned his passing as that musician a long time ago, in a sense.

[DamnedIrishman]

The conspiracies begin:

http://www.ismichaeljacksonalive.com/

I LOL'D

[THAC0]

All I have to say is...

You've been hit by
You've been struck by
a smooth criminal!

[kopout]

Hows this for a conspiracy theory, He faked his death to get away from people who make fun of him.

[Nameless]

The conspiracies begin:

http://www.ismichaeljacksonalive.com/

I LOL'D

Link fails. .-.

[Crimmy]

Wait..
Wait...
WHO GETS THE RIGHTS TO THE BEATLES MUSIC?
*Stands at the edge of a cliff over-looking the sea*

I DO! :smallcool:

I LOL'd!

asdasdfillertext-letsallmournhim!

[Erts]

I will choose to remember him as the incredible, amazing, encentric musician, dancer, and performer he was, no matter his faults.


RIP Michael Jackson.

[DamnedIrishman]

Link fails. .-.

Well, it works for me...

[Ra_Va]

He's suffered poor health (physical and mental) for a while now so this isn't a surprise. He was odd however sexual molestation...I would doubt it. In any case he was one of the most amazing musicians of the time which in undeniable.


Plus plus the testimony of both the so-posed 'Victim' and his mother is what got him off the hook not his money.

[RabbitHoleLost]

For the music, Mr. Jackson, I salute you.

...And wonder where the rights of the Beatles songs are going to go now.

[Erts]

For the music, Mr. Jackson, I salute you.

...And wonder where the rights of the Beatles songs are going to go now.

Good question. I hope it somehow goes back to Paul and Ringo.

[kopout]

It goes to nameless remember

[Zaphrasz]

Can't say I cared much for his music. Didn't like what I saw of the man either, but would prefer to leave it at that and not get into a debate.

Anyway, he's dead. Feel free to make jokes about it all you want. He is in no condition to care. I guess I just don't get this "respect for the dead" nonsense.

[RabbitHoleLost]

Can't say I cared much for his music. Didn't like what I saw of the man either, but would prefer to leave it at that and not get into a debate.

Anyway, he's dead. Feel free to make jokes about it all you want. He is in no condition to care. I guess I just don't get this "respect for the dead" nonsense.

I think, what it really is, is never 'respect for the dead', but respect for the people who have respect for the dead.
Honestly, you(in a general sense, not you specifically, Zaph) may not have liked him, but some of us really did, and making tasteless comments is sorta just like a kick to the ribs while we're down.

[KilltheToy]

Yeah, you can't back it up/prove it (neither could court) in any way, but you KNOW he's guilty.

There something very wrong with such thinking, don't you think?

Anyway, I've always found the guy rather creepy from some reason.

He lived in the Uncanny Valley (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main.UncannyValley), that's why.

His death saddens me. He was a great singer and I really wasn't expecting him to go so soon.

[thubby]

the musician died ages ago, his body just caught up.

[kopout]

Indeed, he did kinda look undead for a while there.

[Guru]

He's not still sleeping, probably. Still hasn't sunken in. Even though I never really knew he was alive everyday, I can't believe he's dead.

[Zaphrasz]

I think, what it really is, is never 'respect for the dead', but respect for the people who have respect for the dead.
Honestly, you(in a general sense, not you specifically, Zaph) may not have liked him, but some of us really did, and making tasteless comments is sorta just like a kick to the ribs while we're down.Indeed, I have no problem with that. I have no problem with people mourning and coping with their loss, just don't pretend you are doing it for the sake of the dead person. Funerals, for example, are really for the living.

I think I have made my point, and even if I haven't, I think now is the time to bow out of this.

[Jalor]

RIP, MJ. The choirs of heaven will sound a lot better with your voice amongst them.

[Ridureyu]

So, are they going to bury him or put him in a recycling bin?

[kopout]

So, are they going to bury him or put him in a recycling bin?

I get it :smallbiggrin:

[Porthos]

For all of the people taking about MJ in a negative light (and trust me I understand why), I'd like to point to a must read piece by Andrew Sullivan who puts all of this in perspective:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/06/thinking-about-michael.html


There are two things to say about him. He was a musical genius; and he was an abused child. By abuse, I do not mean sexual abuse; I mean he was used brutally and callously for money, and clearly imprisoned by a tyrannical father. He had no real childhood and spent much of his later life struggling to get one. He was spiritually and psychologically raped at a very early age - and never recovered. Watching him change his race, his age, and almost his gender, you saw a tortured soul seeking what the rest of us take for granted: a normal life.

But he had no compass to find one; no real friends to support and advise him; and money and fame imprisoned him in the delusions of narcissism and self-indulgence. Of course, he bears responsibility for his bizarre life. But the damage done to him by his own family and then by all those motivated more by money and power than by faith and love was irreparable in the end. He died a while ago. He remained for so long a walking human shell.
The truth is that none of us know whether or not he did sexually inappropriate things with kids. But everything that was mentioned in the above link is true about him.

And for that, I will feel some sadness for him. He never had a chance at a real life. I only hope that he has some measure of peace now, one way or the other.

[Falconer]

So, are they going to bury him or put him in a recycling bin?

Touche, though I find making jokes of the recently deceased to generally be in somewhat poor taste.

On a slightly similar note, I will maintain that a legend died today. Not a perfect man (indeed, not at all, but who of us is?), but a very talented musician. He was great once, and for that he deserves our respect.

[Roland St. Jude]

Sheriff of Moddingham: Disrespectful comments about the recently dead seem rather trollish. Trying to be funny, whether successful or not, does not absolve one of violating the Forum Rules.