Michael Jackson was appalled by the Martin Bashir documentary about him that aired in the UK and US last week. Apparently he feels betrayed by Bashir voicing his concerns for Jackson's own children, and for other "vulnerable" children who come under Jackson's sway, in voice-overs for the documentary, where Bashir also accused the 44 year-old of being "obsessed with children."

Now Jackson is "striking back":

Michael Jackson is set to release a video of the journalist who made a controversial TV documentary about the King of Pop, showing the reporter praising Jackson's skills as a parent.

A statement released in London on Jackson's behalf late Sunday by Bell Yard Communications said Bashir was filmed during the making of the documentary.

"The film shows extraordinary scenes of Martin Bashir praising the way Michael treats children and commenting on how good a father he is," the statement said.

"In his film, Bashir says that it was in Berlin that he began to change his mind about Michael's treatment of his children. Yet, the Jackson footage clearly shows that Bashir was actually continuing to praise Michael's abilities as a father and Bashir making many statements about how he feels it is a pity that the world is so quick to criticize Michael," the statement said.

Jackson's British-based lawyer said Sunday the video, no more than five minutes long, would be released within 24 hours, Britain's Press Association reported. [AP]

What Jackson doesn't get is that we saw his interaction with his own and other children for ourselves - who cares what the documentarian said in voice-overs? It's all about Michael and always has been: the children are merely props in his grand story. He cares about them only as they relate to him: not "please don't let my child be damaged," but "please don't let me have a damaged child." Jackson - with his money and fame - may be a boon to the children of the world in the macro, but he is a menace to them in the micro, kind of like Ted Kennedy and women.

I can't help but wonder where Michael would be without all of his money to shield him: jail or dead I imagine.