Michael Jackson kidnapped by Muslims?
Published January 02, 2004
. . .In a telephone interview on Monday Mr. Geragos denied that the Nation of Islam was running Mr. Jackson's affairs. "The idea that there is some takeover by the Nation of Islam — someone is spinning you," he said. "Nobody has told me what to do and what not to do. Leonard, I believe, is someone Michael consults with, just like in excess of 25 people."
Mr. Geragos said that members of Mr. Jackson's security detail were Muslim but that that did not mean they belonged to the Nation of Islam. Mr. Geragos said that he felt these accusations of Nation of Islam control have originated with the Santa Barbara district attorney's office, which is "playing the race card," he said.
Some of what Sharon Waxman of the New York Times is reporting is inaccurate. The NOI rejected separatism decades ago, though some members still say things that can be construed as racist. Furthermore, the article leaves the common misconception that most black American Muslims are members of the Nation of Islam untouched. They aren't. As mainstream Islam has become increasingly available in the United States, African-Americans have converted to its sects instead of to the NOI. If not for its prison ministry, I believe the NOI's membership would be even lower.
Has Michael Jackson, currently laboring under more trouble than anyone can deal with alone, been practically kidnapped by the Nation of Islam? I suppose it is possible. I've heard of opportunists. including ministers, stepping in to try to take advantage when celebrities or anyone with money comes under fire. Mike Tyson may have lost millions to such manipulation. But, I would need to see more evidence than I have so far to believe the allegations about Jackson and the NOI. What I see is a man in turmoil who has some serious emotional problems beyond the question of whether he is a pedophile or not.
Ronn isn't buying it all.
I'd rather not quote from the article, just note that mainstream (read: WHITE!) media is eating this shit up like manna from heavan. While I don't believe MiJak's accusations of physical abuse and snide commentary by a couple of officers, to see the lead screaming Banshee Diane Dimond nearly foaming at the mouth about the timeline (*hint* see: OJ Simpson) not gelling with his allegations is almost sickening to me. I'm still waiting for Dimond to produce MiJak's "love letters" written to the boy. Hell, I'm still waiting for that '94 video to finally appear. This twat has no credibility and has an obvious ax to grind. (Google her name, Michael's, "video," and, "slander lawsuit" yourself.)
- Michael Jackson kidnapped by Muslims?
- Published: January 02, 2004
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- Section: Culture
- Filed Under: Culture: Media
- Writer: Mac Diva
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Because you don't question whether the relationship is nefarious, Eric. (And, I am not saying it isn't. I just want to see more evidence.) Perhaps it is my description of BC that is confusing you. I said the site is mainly Right, I know you try to be a moderate.
To better understand what I've written here, I recommend reading the long, twisty NYT article in its entirety. The link is 'story' in my entry.
The latest happening in this increasingly strange saga is that the network has been accused of paying Jackson for the 60 Minutes interview.
Rather than "moderate," I would say my views are issue-based and vary from somewhat conservative to quite liberal. As far as the site goes: wouldn't it make more sense to call it an "open salon of ideas" or some such crap? I haven't done a statistical analysis, but I find it hard to believe there is a statistically significant disparity between the number of "conservative" posts and "liberal" posts. There are very strong voices here across the spectrum, including yours. I don't think very many people would call this a "rather Right" site - I would say it's a "rather neutral" forum.
Regarding Jackson, as I said, I don't know if the Nation of Islam's involvement with Jackson is nefarious or not - just saying IF he is involved with them, it is yet another piss poor strategic move.
I think giving his detractors anything they can use against him, such as even a falsely described link to NOI, (if that is what is going on) is a rotten strategy for Jackson, too. I believe this proves he has fallen fully apart or isn't listening to his more savvy advisors at all.
Ronn, in an email, pointed out that the NOI is believed to have some of the best security guards in the industry. Their operation is said to be super tight. But, though I don't question their competence, Jackson can't afford anything linking him to the bad image the NOI has at this juncture in his life -- not even one of their tasty bean pies.
Does this flirtation with NOI and now the police brutality claims mean something else?
Is Jackson attempting to gain "street cred?" If so, it seems a pretty transparent attempt.
I could be wrong, and often am.
Actually, I think you are right this time, Chris. And, whoever is advising Jackson to try to get 'street cred' is a bumbling idiot. What Jackson needs to do is to seem as normal as possible and fight the case in court, not the media. Sneddon and company are willing to match his attacks blow for blow in the media, so he needs a different strategy.
The degeneration makes me wish Jackson had sought mental health counseling decades ago. Think of all the good music we have been and will be deprived of because of his damaged pysche. We lost John Lennon to a murderer, but Michael Jackson has become just as lost to us in a different way.
MD, agree 100% with your last comment. I am a big fan and always have been back to hearing the J5 for the first time. He and I are the exact same age and I have always identified to a certain extent with him and been happy for his extraordinary success. I would like nothing better than for none of this to have happened, and you are right that it goes back decades. He is a very damaged person and it makes me very sad.
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(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/11391)
I am somewhat confused how my comment regarding the public's perception of Nation of Islam reveals any political slant and I do not claim to have any special knowledge of Jackson's "true" relationship with NOI, but it is Jermaine who has confirmed NOI's involvement with MJ's security and there must be SOME reason why Backerman quit. I also want Jackson - and every other defendant - to get a fair trial, but I also don't want to see him have access to any more children, for theirs AND his sake.