Is MJ another OJ?
Brief thoughts on today’s verdict. I do mean brief, too. I really could care less about Michael Jackson. I’ve always despised pop music in general, and I’m probably among the few in the world who won’t tap his feet to “Thriller”, even.
1. Did MJ pull an OJ? In my humble opinion, yes. There are definite similarities. Colorful witnesses? Check. Incompetent prosecutor? Check. Charismatic defense attorney? Check. Celebrity factor? Fuckin’ A. Differences? Precious few. Unlike Lance Ito, the judge in the Jacko trial was balanced and sane, able to keep control of a media circus with relatively few stupid concessions. Unlike the Simpson jury, the ones involved in Jacko’s trial seemed to all have functioning brain stems, plus full ranges of chromosomes.
2. Related to #1, the funniest thing I’ve noticed in the post-trial analysis is the utter lack of race-baiting. OJ’s supporters pounded on the false notion that he was the poor black victim of a high-tech lynching. Even Jesse Jackson, God bless him, hasn’t made this claim about Michael. And honestly, who could make the argument with a straight face? Michael Jackson has the same complexion as Marshmallow Fluff. Like OJ, he hasn’t contributed to the black community in years. You want a genuine champion of Afro-American causes? Jim Brown, baby.
3. I know what you’re all thinking. How can I be so non-chalant about Jacko getting off scot-free, if I do believe him to be a pedophile? I suppose I’m jaded. No one gets outraged when the Catholic Church lets men of the cloth diddle little boys. Heck, the ringleaders get promoted by the Pope to posh seats in Roman basilicas. That said, why should anyone be so upset about a noseless, washed-up pop star who lets monkeys dust his furniture?
4. I’m glad this is over. MJ can go return to his Peter Pan porn shack, and the country can get on with issues that matter. Kudos to the liberals who have resisted the urge to hammer Bush on the Downing Street Minutes last week. The mainstream media would have moonwalked right over it into oblivion.
