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Right Wing Harps on Jackson as ’Pedophile’by Kilian MelloyThursday Jul 9, 2009 Even as family and fans were preparing to lay the late pop star Michael Jackson to rest, figures on the political right were lambasting the singer as a "pervert" and a "pedophile."
Newsday, in a July 9 article, reported that a U.S. congressman, Peter King, had posted a YouTube clip in which he called Jackson a "pervert," saying, "Let’s knock out the psychobabble. He was a pervert, a child molester; he was a pedophile.
"And to be giving this much coverage to him, day in and day out, what does it say about us as a country?
"I just think we’re too politically correct."
Added the politician, whose campaign posted the clip, "No one wants to stand up and say we don’t need Michael Jackson.
"He died, he had some talent, fine.
"He may have been a good singer, he did some dancing. Bottom line is, would you let your child or grandchild be in the same room with Michael Jackson?
"What are we glorifying him for?"
Ken Sunshine, a spokesperson for Jackson’s family, responded to the Associated Press that King’s remarks would not draw comment from the family, the article reported.
Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine told the Associated Press Monday the family is preparing for Jackson’s funeral and will not dignify King’s statement with a comment.
King subsequently defended the clip by pointing to everyday heroes in American society who do not receive the adoration that Jackson did.
Said King, "I’ve seen so many good people the last few days, who aren’t going to get credit for anything, and then I see this guy, who’s really a lowlife, and he’s being treated like a hero of civilization."
A blog posting at Newsday reported that during an appearance on Bill O’Reilly’s program, King brushed off the fact that Jackson, who had been accused of sexual molestation, had not been convicted.
King also dismissed suggestions that Jackson was not abusive toward young boys, but rather may have been in a state of arrested development himself.
"I would say that an adult male who sleeps with young boys is a child molester," the posting quoted King.
"How are they going to grow up normal after spending nights in bed with Michael Jackson?"
King also denied that his critique was in any way racially motivated, pointing out that he, a Catholic, had called for the resignation of then-Bishop Bernard Law (subsequently elevated to the rank of Cardinal).
King was not the only one to reference the pedophile priest scandal with reference to Jackson.
At Inside Catholic.com a July 8 article chewed sour grapes, noting that the media glossed over molestation allegations concerning Jackson and stating, "Too bad the mainstream media cannot summon up the same attitude toward Catholic priests. (italics from the original source)."
Added the article, "Since late 2002, when the Boston Globe began to break the story of Rev. John J. Geoghan’s concealed sexual track record with boys, the Catholic Church has become the object of mocking derision by the same phalanx of news commentators and entertainers that now lionize and eulogize Michael Jackson."
The author of the piece, Deal W. Hudson, added, "Let me make myself clear: I am not saying Michael Jackson’s death should have been the occasion of smutty jokes and asides. The stars assembled yesterday did not come to bury Jackson but to praise him, and that’s as it should be.
"But the stark contrast of the charity shown toward Jackson and the mocking attitude shown toward our Church by elite members of the media, entertainment, and political classes is jarring."
An July 9 National Review Online article struck a slightly different tone, commencing with the paragraph, "When Michael Jackson tragically died two weeks ago, millions were shocked. The wonder, though, is not that the troubled pop-music megastar died at the relatively young age of 50 under regrettable circumstances, but that he was able to live as long as he did."
The article went on to say that Jackson, who died at age 50, "was in reality a tired, anorexic middle-aged man who had spent years struggling with prescription drugs."
The item addressed Jackson’s questionable relationships with minors, noting, "The kindly and soft-spoken Jackson may have given millions to children’s charities and built a child’s dream theme park at his Santa Barbara Neverland ranch.... And yet, on two occasions, the children’s advocate was accused of sexual molestation of boys.
"He settled out of court in one instance and was acquitted in a criminal trial on the second, but Jackson strangely said he saw nothing wrong in sharing his bed with minors."
Added the article, "Jackson always wanted to be seen as a Peter Pan-like innocent. Yet again, his performance videos were sexually charged, as he often grabbed his crotch or strutted about in other lascivious dance moves before legions of under-age fans."
The item went on to speculate on the nature of Jackson’s legacy, predicting that it would not really center around his music. "In the end, Jackson will be known mostly as a path-breaking marketing genius."
Added the article, "In the end, Michael Jackson taught other superstars that in today’s America, they too could continue to remain famous--for being famous."
Kilian Melloy reviews media, conducts interviews, and writes commentary for EDGEBoston, where he also serves as Assistant Arts Editor.
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