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June 26th, 2009
02:15 PM ET
The Media Circus
CNN's Don Lemon on location in Los Angeles, outside the coroner's office, where an autopsy of Michael Jackson is under way. Don pans his camcorder up and down the street to give everyone a sense of the media presence.
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Don't get involved with Idol worship. He was a wacko, he did have inappropriate relationship with young boys. Especially those that were child-stars like himself. They may have made him feel young and he may have rationalized that he wanted to help them in some strange way, having been in the same situation. But, I he was bent on buying them. He started buy buying a young primate that he took around with him, c'mon! That's first step in in buying a human child. We now know he bought 3, and the silence of a few others. If you look at how he held that baby out the window it was like he forgot his new toy was a real baby. The man was detached from humanity. Which is why he saw the world a sadly as it truly is. This detachment also allowed him to do extreme physical changes to himself, AND write socially relevant lyrics. While it maybe true that it doesn't matter if you're Black or White, if you are still connected to society, you maintain your connections to how god made you. Jackson is what happens when we raise a flawed person (as we all are) to god-status. Don't mourn him anymore than the person down the street who died that u did not know, cause you truly didn't know know him... And if you REALLY did know him, you probably would be saying good riddance. Idol worship is a sin. Still..., love his music and will always pretend to moonwalk because of him.
I am sad to hear comments of disrespect for the loss of any human.
We all should be very mindful that we are imperfect and have immediate family members that are at a deep loss, confused,and a longing for there love one.
As a human race i am embarrased of the negative verbage from Americans in regards to the death of Michael Jackson.
Houston, Texas
He's Dead. Move on with your busy day.
Have you all lost your minds? Michael Jackson was a freak and a side show who made grabbing your crotch an acceptable stage / performance prop!!! Every time I have tried to catch up on the news today with cnn, all I get is Michael Jackson – has Iran dropped off the face of the earth? North Korea? Somalia / pirates on the high seas? Where is the latest on the health plan? You people need to get a grip and not on your crotches!!!!!!!
One thing no one seems to have commented upon: The doctor who was alleged to have been with Michael Jackson is reportedly a cardiologist. Why would someone who, in his capacity as a physician, not know basic CPR rules? Even my kids know to get the patient on to a hard surface and not attempt CPR on a soft surface such as a bed or sofa. Kudos to the 911 dispatcher who knew what he was talking about.
I wanted to see Michael do the come back tour. I wanted him to reedeem himself musically and to leave his career (or this earth) in a "blaze of glory."
May his tender spirit rest in peace.
The Golden Child died At a Golden Age … What can I say, R.I.P. M J and continue living wherever you are maybe you will find peace. You are a legend.
This is one of those times I turn off CNN (and every other U.S. "news" service). CNN's endless, repetitive, lets-speculate-ad-nauseum coverage of Michael Jackson's death makes the channel unwatchable.
I cannot believe the world has absolutely forgotten about the crisis in IRAN over the death of one person. Michael Jackson RIP… now let’s move on to WORLD-WIDE issues and problems!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! Let's not forget there are thousands of Iranians in grave danger!!! If we stop seeing it on TV; it suddenly becomes "not our problem"... let's not forget them.
The guy was a complete freak and I'm amazed at all the sheep out there that think he was anything but a freak given all of his antics. If there was even an ounce of truth to any of these so called rumors, than shame on the people who thought he should get away with it just because he had a couple of hit records...
I'll bet I heard the name Michael Jackson close to 1000 times today while I was looking for the news.
I'm tired of hearing it, and can't believe how boring a news channel can be repeating the same thing over and over again.
Thanks CNN for your endless coverage. Rest in peace MJ.
O.k It sucks that Michael Jackson died i get it post it on the news for a day. when a american solider is killed in the war you just say another solider died today, and thats it. but when a person who likes to touch little boys or other so called stars dies its on the news for weeks. should spend more time honoring our true fallen heros
I had the privilige of meeting Michael Jackson and his family in Jamaica years ago and spent a few days in their company. Michael was the most sweetest, kind and respectful person I had ever met and I am deeply saddened that more was not done to prevent the tradgedy. This is the reason that the adoption of health records is impoerative so Providers can be monitored as to the drugs that are being distributed by providers and abused by patients. If this is not a wake up day for healthcare what else will it take
In response to Mojotooth your ignorance is truly amazing. At this point what we should be concerned with are doctors who are leaching off the purse strings of the rich and famous and enabling them in destroying themselves with prescription drugs. Michael Jackson is no longer here so to throw and dig up accusations of which you wre not there to witness is useless it is just as much hearsay as the media. The whole objective is to prevent the tradgedy starting with the doctors who are enabling the abuse as in such cases as ELvis Presley, Anna Nicole Smith, River Phoenix and the list goes on. What is going to be done about this, remember that is the reason the government is puching for the use of electronic health records to monitor these providers who enable this. If you really want to fight for a cause, fight for that cause, you never know if you or someone you may know may die from the effects of drug to drug interactions. Save your ill fated comments and just bless his life that's all. IF you are not worshipping him dont worry about the rest of the world we are all accountable for our own sins you are not the judge so save it
I think it's imperative his death is not trivialized as another celebrity who overdosed on drugs! This may have been the case with Hendrix, Joplin and Belushi but not Michael Jackson! He had a serious medical problem and was a chronic pain patient who was mismanaged by doctors who are nothing more than legal drug dealers. Michael Jackson wanted a better world, a more loving world and I think the last thing he would have wanted is to create more suffering. This country has a lot of patients who suffer from chronic pain caused by multiple conditions and sometimes all a patient can do is take narcotic medication. If the stigma of medical marijuana did not exist, he may have chosen to use it for the problems he complained of. He was underweight, could not sleep and was probably riddled with pain after completing a full rehearsal the day before his death. All of these symptoms would have been greatly relieved with medicinal marijuana, which does not cause cardiac arrest by itself, it would have made him eat regardless of how tired he was and he would have slept and most important, woken up! God Bless Michael and I wish his family love, which they need now more than ever! God Bless them All!
Revolution and an intense crackdown in Iran? Threats from North Korea?.. Yes its sad that Michael Jackson died, but he was an entertainer. Let's not forget to cover events of actual substance that truly have an impact on peoples lives.
Nice iPhone Don!
hEy my peeps yea! "MICHAEL JACKSON" has lift this life..be it any comfort to you he's wit his icon "JAMES BROWN" in Soul Heaven, he won't rest long now..cuz' He'll Wanna Be Starten Somethin..James gave us da 'CamelWalk' & Michael gave us da 'MoonWalk' aww! from Soul Heaven...BAD!!!
HI DON, I AM LISTENING TO MICHAELS' SONGS AND MY HEART IS LIFTED UP. LOOSING HIM THIS WAY HURTS SO MUCH. MICHAEL IS SPECIAL AND WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE HIM. MICHAEL IS DOING THE MOONWALK IN HEAVEN.
Thank you CNN for your continuing coverage of this legendary performer. For those who think it is to much – to bad!
Rest in peace MJ
Don,
Don't know if you remember me from WCAU....I'm one of the ol' time
photog.-editors, now retired. Just wanted to let you know that the shot
from the CNN rooftop is dynamite. I followed you since you left 10.
Keep up the good job. I'm really tired of Fox blowing their horn over
and over. Maybe catch up with you in Atlanta sometime. Do you know
where Jay Scott has landed? Lost track of him.
Nice work, I am jealous you are in LA, that is where I want to be.
Was born in Long Beach. I am headed that way next year. Take care.
Ray
I've waited a couple of days before I posted anything about the death of Michael Jackson. The first time I saw Michael Jackson was in 1970 on the Ed Sullivan Show with his brothers (Jackson 5). My parents had just separated and we (mother, brother, and sister) had moved in with my grandmother. I remember falling in love with the boy in the front. I followed everything about him. I watched the cartoons, purchased the Corn Flakes boxes for the records (45 on the back) that really played on a record player. I took my allowances and purchased anything Jackson 5. My girl friends and I all chose one of the brothers to be our pretend boyfriend. I've cried so much that I can't cry anymore. I had a kinship with the Jackson 5 from the beginning. I had polio as a baby and when I found out that his mother also had it, that made me feel even closer to them (Michael). I'm soooooooooooooo sad and upset. I'm sad for his passing and upset because for some reason Michael could not see his greatness and his beauty. People are saying that Michael comes in 3rd to Elvis and the Beatles. I disagree!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not to take anything from Elvis and the Beatles, but they were popular with white audiences. Michael was popular with EVERYONE. I teach school now and I still loved Michael. My kids in my class knew this and so did all my co workers. Each year I always receive gifts that had something to do with the Jackson 5. When this happen Thursday, my friends were calling me because they knew I would be devastated. I have all my records, and CD. I'm going to miss my "first love", but now he is at peace. No more Wacko Jacko comments. The world has lost the GREATEST ENTERTAINER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But most importantly, his mom has lost her baby.
In the words of Michael, "JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE"
Watching all the great coverage, but I have yet to see anything about Michael Jackson's art. I remember seeing an amazing piece he did on an old talk show. . .I think it was a lion's face or something similar. I think people would enjoy seeing that side of his genius. Keep up the good work!
Sue in Boise
dear don "
if ' mickeal jacksons doctor wasnt running,
why didnt he ride to the hospital ,
they said he was waiting for his lawyer, but why not the last ride to the hospital ?
ya know if ya's get that answer ' maybe just maybe' he would be in gods hands with ( rip ) and not to mention his loved ones at easz
The coverage of MJ death is disgusting. What happened to journalistic ethics .Report the Facts not your and others speculations.
The need to create a sensationial story out of his death to fill the 24 hour news cycle is gossip not news.
Michael was a good man, and a good father. He was the greatest entertainer with a humble heart. He inspired millions to be compassionate, tolerant, and loving. His music and lyrics will live forever. All those people who misunderstood him and who spread rumors, lies and untruths about him will surely pay for it because spreading gossip and lies are one of the greatest sins one can commit.
The media is covering this so intensely because they know millions around the world demand it. It's not often such a talented genius with humility and grace comes our way. God graced Michael with many gifts on this earth, and now Michael can rest in peace in Heaven.
God Bless You Michael Jackson.
Michael Jackson was a great humanitarian. He founded the Heal the World foundation and was very active in it and active around the world in hunanitatian efforts. Know one mentions this part of his life. He supported over 30 charities. The world has suffered a terrible loss. I am a member of the Heal the World Foundation and I encourage his loyal fans to do the same