One reader of my blog asked if I was going to blog on Michael Jackson’s death. I replied I would not be blogging about Michael Jackson’s death, but I may blog on what I think is disturbing about Michael Jackson’s life and death. What follows are my views and my opinions of emotional manipulation and the uncaring quest for extra pennies in the coffers of the greedy.

Michael Jackson, I am guessing did not make much money over the last decade of his life. Now that Michael Jackson has passed on, Michael’s death is a money magnet for some. Radio stations, broadcasting networks, independent media stations, bars,  the internet (ad nauseam, now myself included), and t-shirt printers, along with assorted bobble and trinket makers have cranked up to make as much money as they can from Michael Jackson’s untimely death.

I find it is disturbing, to turn on the radio to hear, “This is hit song number xx of the late Michael Jackson’s musical career”, or something similar. Likewise to turn on the television to watch the ten o’clock news and see (and hear) the end of what for some was an emotion filled, tear producing hour. A carefully planned special on the life of a person who a few hours before was all but forgotten by most of us. Now, Michael Jackson is a golden child, potentially grossing millions in manipulated emotion driven profit.

What a great person Michael Jackson is now that he has passed on. Michael is now possibly the nearest and dearest human being we have known in our lifetime. Profit out of death. Soon if not already, there may be items changing hands for money, purported to be used by or on Michael Jackson during the last minutes in this life.

Is this what we want, greed garnished with the tinsel of remembrance and reflection; cashing in on  a man’s life who for the most part, tried to keep his private life private? It would be a noble thing for all of us not to buy into this over glossed greed machine. We should balk at others using someone’s death solely to improve their bottom line.

Soon, emotion wringing will slow down. The hype machine may re-crank the tempo with baggage and trash, squeezing a few more coins from the collective emotional purse. Later, attentions will turn to making long term profits.

I choose to remember this about Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson had his run in the sun, and the last years of his life were not what anyone would willingly choose for their end. Michael Jackson I imagine, tried to live the best life the best way he knew how to live. Michael Jackson did the best he could with the tools he was given, no one can do more.

In my opinion – considering what little I understand about Michael Jackson’s life, some people in Michael’s life could have done a better job of helping him. Helping Michael Jackson become the human being he publicly appeared to wish to become.

If my pondering holds any merit, I reckon the adult Michael Jackson really tried to be a worthwhile human being first, and an entertainer second. I find the idea of someone warping another’s attempt to live a healthy, happy, spiritually productive life, a travesty and tragedy.

Writing this, I feel I am taking a cheap shot, trying to ride ride the media blitz. It does not feel good deep down inside. It feels rather chintzy. I equate it emotionally to living in a garbage dump slum, picking through rotten, slimy, rancid filth looking for something of value.

If there is any value of my thoughts in this post, it is the idea of unabashed greed driven manipulation and exploitation, wrenching as much profit from Michael Jackson’s passing as possible before he fades to another big event. I find it distasteful being an unwilling part of it.

These are my current thoughts Michael Jackson and his passing. It is healthy and wonderful to embrace and celebrate the achievements of another at the time of their passing. Generating anything else from the passing of another, only with the bottom line in mind, is in my way of thinking, less than desirable. I believe we collectively are not so desperate for coin we willingly promote greed in death. Memorabilia has its place in death of course, but greed has none, please choose wisely.