Mac Diva,

To be sure, many see fit to prey upon the wealthy, but isn't Michael Jackson now a grown man with a grown up's responsibility for his finances, his social life, his personal affairs?

Society may expect celebrities to live large, but society does not require them (and cannot compel them) to live beyond their means. Let's not forget that Michael's biggest commercial successes occurred long before his latest plastic surgeries.

If Michael Jackson has a tragic flaw, I think it is that he hasn't grown up. Being an adult means accepting that one's resources have limits. He never learned that he can't always have what he wants when he wants it. More's the pity.

I agree with what you are saying, Ron. But, when writing a character it is necessary to make his behavior explicable. I recently finished reading a triology of speculative fiction by Kristine Smith. One of the characters in the Jani Kilian series is a sociopath who is unable to feel empathy. He admits to having killed 15 people over the years. But, Lucien is also charming and exceedingly loyal -- and dedicated to the heroine, Jani. That is the kind of characterization of a M.J. type persona one would have to do to make him believable in a narrative. To himself, he may simply be responding to what having all that money has given him permission to do.

Another aspect of the money is that you are surrounded by 'yes' men, people that defend the ridiculous things you do because they want the gravy train to keep flowing. Instead of recognizing that a mental breakdown is occurring and getting him some help, everything is excused because, after all he is 'Michael Jackson' which means that he is rich enough to be excentric instead of crazy.

exactly - as was said of the aristocracy: what is "crazy" for the middle class is "eccentric" for them