Can someone tell me why Farrah Fawcett or Micheael Jackson's Death are MORE IMPORTANT

[KoKo]

than our fellow Americans dying in Iraq/Afghanistan and other "theaters" across the world?

Why are their deaths more important than the Coffins Coming Home and the Dead Civilians as a cause of our BOMBS/DRONES and WHATEVER Methods "WE AMERICANS USE" to JUSTIFY OUR "IMPERIAL POLICIES?"

WHY? We will spend hours and hours over Farrah Fawcett and Jackson...and we will parse and agonize over what both of them meant to the American Culture over the Decades..(don't get me wrong...their deaths were a milestone for many Millions to have GREAT SORROW OVER...BUT...what is the REAL STUFF FACING US ALL HERE?

Is it Michael or Farrah...or our JOBS, HEALTH CARE, LIVING STANDARD?

:shrug:

How can we get the "Mainstream Media" to FOCUS ON US! "WE, THE PEOPLE!"

[sandnsea]

1. It's called grief

:shrug:

[KoKo]

2. I know..but how much "grief" is just the "promoters" making bucks off the Death?

:shrug: That's what bug's me.

[sandnsea]

13. Florists, card shops, bakeries, delis

All just lined up to make bucks off of Death. My family grieves for several days when someone dies and this is the same thing - a national mourning.

[KoKo]

21. DVD, CD, Retrospective "Life of Michael" to enrich MSNBC's Coffers for GE

I know....

[Control-Z]

108. and shock

and being reminded of our own mortality.

[backscatter712]

116. Grief is fine. The 24/7 media circus, I would call exploitation.

It's one thing to announce the actual death on the top of the hour, maybe spend an hour doing a retrospective. That's within the bounds of good taste.

But nooooooo, all of the media outlets have to stop absolutely everything, the cable news channels have to become Michael Jackson Is Dead channels, babble endlessly about what might be in the autopsy lab results, and go on and on non-stop.

It's designed to gin up ratings and keep us distracted from real news about Iran, the ACES vote in the House, the debate on health care reform, Mark Sanford, etc. etc. fucking etc.

The media considers the death of one musician in Hollywood to be more important than the slaughter of thousands in Iran for the crime of dissent against their government.

I find the media's abuse of Michael Jackson's death to be downright disgusting.

Grief is OK. Exploitation is not.

[LaurenG]

3. They're not but we all "grew up" with these two. It feels personal in a way.

We still care about the other people, in fact it's overwhelming to think about. :cry:

[KoKo]

15. I understand..there have been so many deaths, recently...and

for many of us ...our "memories are the only family we have."

I know.. But don't lose site of the BIG PICTURE in how the MSM "uses us to their own advantage."

Just saying....just saying.

[pipi_k]

18. I think so too

I was a teenager when MJ first appeared on the music scene. I've listened to his music for 40 years.

It feels very personal...

:(

[KoKo]

27. It is devastating...and I understand ..

just to let you know...I'm of the generation that didn't get over when Elvis died on his toilet of a heart attack.

Maybe we can share....losses of our music across the Generation Gap? :shrug: And...I loved Jackson's music...of the next generation. Music crosses generations...if one can see it that way...Maybe not...but I grieve for all of our LOSSES.

Who would have thought ...so many would die so soon..

Mick Jagger and Springsteen are still our there...still we grieve for those who couldn't make it...and it's still very sad...:cry:

[anigbrowl]

35. Looking at this side by side with your OP is a joke

Poutrage didn't work, now it's time for a group sniffle? What a poser.

[KoKo]

40. NO...what you miss is that I can mourn MJ...but still see the Media Exploistation

of his Death...and try to put it all in to some perspective so that I can move forward with the major issues facing us.

I can grieve for Micheal's passing but still wonder why it fills the airtime when we Dems couldn't get anyone covering us for EIGHT YEARS OF BUSH ADMINISTRATION with all OUR PROTESTS AGAINST IRAQ WAR and ACTIVISM OVER the "STOLEN ELECTION."

When will ANY MEDIA talk about OUR ISSUE? WHEN?

[anigbrowl]

52. OMG actually you're right

No, just kidding. You're still a poser.

[Duer 157099]

4. They are all equally unimportant, let's ignore them all

We can neither pay attention to EVERYTHING and EVERYONE, nor can we ignore EVERYTHING and EVERYONE.

It's not all or none!

[rurallib]

5. I did a thread on deaths due to lack of insurance v. Jackson

some were not happy.

[marmar]

6. Which post do you want us to respond to?

[Dennis Donovan]

7. Like it or not, we all share a pop culture, so the death of a guy like MJ is a big story...

Keith's comparing it to when Elvis died.:shrug:

[Rhiannon12866]

96. Interesting that MJ was married to Lisa Marie...

I got back from two meetings tonight, hoping to catch the repeat of KO, but MSNBC was showing live coverage regarding Michael Jackson's death. Now they're showing a retrospective... One of the guys at the meeting said that MJ had died, but I didn't believe him. When I left at 6pm, MSNBC was still saying that he had been hospitalized, but had no other information. :-(

I remember when FOX Network ;) showed "Thriller" in prime time. It sticks in my mind because it was an odd duration, 13 or 14 minutes, and was quite controversial at the time. Back then, they were seriously trying to compete as "the fourth network..." :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOj5H5W9zYo

[Inspired]

8. Who said they were more important? This is news and it is sad.

That doesn't mean that anyone thinks their deaths are more significant.

[madamesilverspurs]

103. The MEDIA think that they are more significant.

After being in meetings all day, I got home in time for the news and the ONLY thing being talked about for three hours was MJ.

Cultural icon? Yes. Death is sad? Yes. Worthy of continuous wallow to the virtual exclusion of everything else? Well, if you're MSNBC or CNN, yes. The only 'news' channel showing coverage of other stories was FOX.

[Inspired]

111. Then back away from the TV and go outside and play. It's only gonna last for a day or so.

[monmouth]

9. Sometimes it's just a break from the regular news that is pounded 24/7..n/t

[pipi_k]

24. Exactly

It's a totally different topic. A whole 'nother issue. People have to step back from things every once in a while. Personally, I've had it up to here with health insurance, scandals, and whatever else has been going on the last few days/weeks/months.

We'll be shocked, we'll grieve in our own ways and then we'll go on, and it'll be business as usual again.

[hfojvt]

we all know Michael and Farrah

almost nobody has heard of Heath McMillin

and some of us have been listening to MJ and watching Farrah since we were children.

[villager]

10. because, simply, they become signposts for calibrating the pace/measure of our own journeys...

n/t

[KoKo]

29. So TRUE...what you say: "signposts for calibrating .........

the pace/measure of our own journeys...

It is, indeed..either a "wake up call" or "resigination" as to our journeys and how we all use our time on this earth, to try to "DO SOME GOOD."

I don't know anymore. To "Try to Do Good...or to Rape and Pillage the System for Personal GAIN." That is the question.

I go with "To Try to Do Good!"

[villager]

59. I think it is both -- wake up call *and* resignation...

The inevitable is waiting for us...

What do we do in the time we have?

Or as William Saroyan said, "In the time of your life -- live!"

[Wednesdays]

11. Look at this bright, shiny thing...

...oops, can't finish. I'll be right back, just as soon as I finish watching this segment of Entertainment Tonight.

[KoKo]

30. You mean..."Who is SHACKING UP WITH WHO...TONIGHT?"

:puke:

[Lex]

12. it's not exactly a new thing

[IntravenousDemilo]

14. Evidently it's important enough for you to post this thread twice. n/m

[KoKo]

32. Sorry about that..Don't know what happened..hope Mods got the other post...

:shrug:

[eleny]

16. They're part of our pop cultural history...

You know, the kind of things the rest of the world likes about us.

But surely you can answer your own question. I think you just want us to discuss the serious issues that you want to discuss. Maybe you need a day away because this is DU - the good, the bad and the mundane all in the same day.

[Wednesdays]

17. Look at this bright, shiny thing...

...oops, can't finish. I'll be right back, just as soon as I finish watching this segment of Entertainment Tonight.

[BooScout]

19. Oh for feck's sake....

Get a grip. It's a news story. It get's reported. The whole world is not standing still for you.

[Bicoastal]

20. You ass. Who are you to say which current events are more or less important to US?

These issues aren't going anywhere, and even if they were, not much is going to happen if OUR PARTICULAR MESSAGE BOARD stops talking about them for an hour or two.

Give us a break and spare us the self-righteous blather.

[KoKo]

33. What's YOUR problem with this post?

:shrug:

[EFerrari]

22. It's not "more important", just important. Give it a rest.

[KoKo]

34. No....not give it "a rest."

Remember "Voting Rights?"

[EFerrari]

37. I don't have to forget anything to remember the King of Pop. n/t

[KoKo]

43. Well...whatever..you have some problem with my post...so I'll let that one go...

:shrug:

[EFerrari]

44. Some of us think this is important. You may have a problem with that

but that won't change that this is an important event for some of us. :shrug:

[KoKo]

49. That's what I was trying to say...if you read the thread.....

You don't know that I thought that Jackson and Farah were important in passing.

Give me a break...instead of an attack.

[EFerrari]

51. I'm not meaning to attack you, Koko. I am upset so if I sound ugly

I'm sorry. :hug:

[KoKo]

60. I thought maybe....

whatever...BackAttacha! :hug:

I understand their passing...and what it means...but the media FRENZY demeans their deaths.. or maybe not...maybe just to me ...

[EFerrari]

92. Again, I'm sorry. n/t

[BooScout]

42. Grow up

Jeeezus

[anigbrowl]

45. oh brother

:crazy:

[theboss]

98. Yes. I also remember "Beat It"

Frankly, "Beat It" is going to have a greater impact on my life 50 years from now than another update on Iran. Iran will be there tomorrow.

[KingFlorez]

23. Who said they were more important?

There are icons of pop culture and when people like that pass, there's going to be big coverage. Pop culture means a lot to people and it's what is talked about.

As for the real problems, they can be talked about over and over again, but it isn't really going to change them or make things any better.

[hlthe2b]

25. Because we grew up with them, "knew" them at least publically,

followed their careers and lives. As much as I agree you have a point that their deaths are certainly no more important certainly than our veterans or Iraqi protesters... or the next door neighbor, for that matter, it is an apples and oranges comparison.


MJ was my age and despite the pathetic figure he became, I still admired his early talent and somehow wished that he could make that comeback so that the strangeness, the allegations, and the scandals would not be the only memories most would carry. His death, given the unexpected nature and his age so close to mine, hits home big time. I'm a bit in shock and saddened by the pathos around it... But, is his death MORE important than so many others--certainly not.

[KoKo]

61. We can mourn all the deaths of our Music Heroes...and should...but to THIS EXTENT?

Given the terrible times we live in?

That's what I'm asking...

[hlthe2b]

64. I'm not singly focused on anything....

Then again I'm about as adult ADD as they come...LOL

Seriously though, it really IS a shock and a big deal for many of us and sometimes you have to hit the "pause" button and react to the immediate. It seems strange and sometimes inappropriate given the horrors being experienced by so many in many parts of the world, but this is very real, and very immediate and is somewhat "personal" to a large number of people. As a medical person, I am quite anxious to hear the findings of the autopsy. Perhaps others have that same need to know "why..."

But in answer to you question, think back to when Elvis died.... Geez--talk about a hand-wringing spectacle. MJ will likely equal or surpass that level of attention, but it does show the precedence.

[theboss]

99. Did you eat lunch today? How dare you in these troubled times!!!

Now is not the timing for snacking, friend!

[Marr]

106. I agree with you. I don't get it.

I don't get this overwrought commiserating about entertainers. Ok- you enjoyed their work and regret their passing-- I understand. But this reaction seems incredibly overblown and frankly, exploitative. Just a symptom of the infotainment culture, I suppose.

[Liberal Veteran]

26. Can someone tell me why Farrah Fawcett or Micheael Jackson's Death are MORE IMPORTANT....

...than the fact that I just broke a nail?

[hlthe2b]

28. Damn...that's cold.....

[Liberal Veteran]

31. I have a bit of a sarcastic streak and poutrage tends to bring it to the forefront.

[KoKo]

36. May the "god's goddesses love you!" You have ONE SIAMESE on there...

and they are the gift from the Gods/Godesses in that they will COMMUNICATE TO YOU...and you will UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY SAY!

SALAMMM

[Liberal Veteran]

38. I haz three siamese.

DeeDee, Grendel, and Mischief.

I just haven't updated my sig pic in awhile. Sadly Tonka went to the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 16.

[KoKo]

46. Thanks..

they are special in many ways...for 25 years I've had companionship of Siamese...

All cats are Good..but Siamese..to me...just have a "special place" in my heart for "communication.

(((hugs to our Siamese..the thin ones)))))

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

39. Importance, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

[zulchzulu]

41. It's a lot easier to report on celebrities who pass away than the ugly truth about war

You may as well turn off the TV for 72 hours.

[Butch350]

47. Nut-job alert!

[KoKo]

50. Oh, Butch...you know not of what you speak about.......

[Butch350]

53. I know you are, but what am I ;)

[KoKo]

55. I am What I Am...and Who are You?

:shrug: So far, you are a snark post...

[La Lioness Priyanka]

90. yeah, nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

48. *sigh* They aren't "more important"

but they are news. The 24-hour cable news cycle will be saturated for the next day or two, because celebrities are big news and people are interested in them. Big deal. That doesn't mean I will forget about the big issues -- and that's because I am not stupid. I am capable of remembering major issues and events for more than 24 hours. I can multitask -- and so can most people. Stop bitching about it. When celebrities get divorced, arrested or die they make the news. And it doesn't matter.

[keepCAblue]

54. ZERO recs. Speaks volumes...nt

[KoKo]

56. AND...don't forget...those who have nothing better to do with their lives..

[Terran]

57. It's a fucking discussion board

What the fuck do you want?

[nini]

58. who said it was?

People are shocked. It'll blow over.

[stray cat]

62. Do you mourn every 30 seconds when a child dies from Malaria?

or do you think Americans are more important than Africans?

[Ikonoklast]

63. Tomorrow no one will care.

This will blow over, and people will forget all about it.

The death of people that I do not personally know affects me only in the most tangential manner.

I have never succumbed to the cult of personality that surrounds some famous people, or grief over the death of strangers I've never met. I find it rather odd.

Everyone dies. The great and the small, the famous and the meek.

[Butch350]

65. Nothing like the smell of cracker barrel philosophy early in the morning.

[Ikonoklast]

66. Or evening.

By the end of this week, no one will care except their immediate families and those that can profit from the event.

But thank you for the observation.

[KoKo]

67. Can someone tell me whay Farah Fawcett or Micheael Jackson's Death are MORE IMPORTANT

than our fellow Americans dying in Iraq/Afghanistan and other "theaters" across the world?

Why are their deaths more important than the Coffins Coming Home and the Dead Civilians as a cause of our BOMBS/DRONES and WHATEVER Methods "WE AMERICANS USE" to JUSTIFY OUR "IMPERIAL POLICIES?"

WHY? We will spend hours and hours over Fahwcett and Jackson...and we will parse and agonize over what both of them meant to the American Culture over the Decades..(don't get me wrong...their deaths were a milestone for many Millions to have GREAT SORROW OVER...BUT...what is the REAL STUFF FACING US ALL HERE?

Is it Michael or Farrah...or our JOBS, HEALTH CARE, LIVING STANDARD?

:shrug:

How can we get the "Mainstream Media" to FOCUS ON US! "WE, THE PEOPLE!"

[konnichi wa]

68. They aren't more important than the guy whose job was outsourced yesterday.

But the guy wasn't 'famous'.

So he's just fucked.

[The Straight Story]

69. Yes I can

Because we all knew those two in some way shape or form.

No one cared but my family and friends when my mom died. Would not expect those that didn't know her to care.

I cried when Lucy died, never met her, but she gave me hours of laughs.

[YOY]

73. Probally the best answer out there SS

n.t.

[Marr]

107. This is what I don't understand.

You *didn't* know them. You may enjoy their work, but their work is not themselves.

My favorite entertainer of all time was George Carlin- I listened to his work from the time I was 15 years old until... well, I still do. But when he died, I didn't feel that I'd lost someone I knew. I felt the world had lost a very funny, insightful man-- but that's different.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most warm and fuzzy guy in the world, but I can usually relate on some level. This just goes right over my head. Don't understand it at all.

[Lilyeye]

113. You may not understand it, but others do.

I know exactly what that poster is saying. Sometimes you do feel a connection to your favorite artist when you listen to their music and can relate to it. Esp when they write their music from experience. For instance, I feel that way about Stevie Nicks because most of her songs are written from her life experiences. Being able to relate to her lyrics, while knowing that she experienced the same makes me feel like I know her a little.

[driver8]

70. They aren't -- but "the news" is a business and people don't want

to read about dead soldiers.

Dead celebrities, on the other hand, they want to read about them!

It is sad, but that's how it is.

[TwilightGardener]

71. Eh, give it up for today. They were big celebs during their time.

There's no way there's NOT going to be tons of media attention.

[JI7]

72. they aren't "more important" but they were celebs/public figures

[MiniMe]

74. I hesitate saying this, but is this thread so important that you had to post it twice?

Once, I can understand, but twice is a bit much.

[Bucky]

80. I agree, but didn't you realize by replying here that you're kicking it to the top

Oh wait... shit, I hit the "post message" button already!

[KoKo]

85. I'm sorry...that was an OOP's...I didn't know it came through twice. Apologize....

[JanMichael]

75. Icons of a generation

nt

Why put it down. Why not let people mourn their youth and innocence?

[Lifelong Protester]

76. Yeah, I mean, my whole generation is crashing around my ears

we know that celebs are not THAT important personally, but they defined an era.
Let it go.

[sellitman]

77. Huge public icons dying makes headlines.

Always has. Try multi-tasking.
I know you have it in you.

[Bucky]

79. icons?

Really?

[Forkboy]

82. I don't even like MJ, but yes, there were both huge icons.

Deal with it, and stop being a patronizing ass to people because they care.

[KoKo]

91. See my post here...it's not that I don't care...

sometimes caring too much...but not wanting the "MSM" to do ALL my caring for me.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5926705

Check out his Earth Song... it's incredible... or whatever.

I cared about him more than I let on....

[sellitman]

84. You don't need to be a fan of his to see this.

But if you want to make stuff up for attention then be my guest.

For the record I wasn't a fan of his music but his talent was unassailable.

[theboss]

100. My wife and I spent an hour tonight sign-posting our lives to Michael Jackson

It's kind of staggering how huge a role he played in my childhood.

To this day, the five most exciting things I've ever seen on live tv are:

1. Bud Dwyer blowing his goddamn brains out.
2. Larry Bird stealing the ball against the Pistons
3. Michael Jackson on the Motown 25th Anniversary show
4. The last play of the BC-Miami game and Flutie's Hail Mary
5. Santonio Holme's catch.

[Bucky]

78. Trick question, Koko. Only Farah Fawcett's death is more important

[KoKo]

86. They are important..the exploitation is not...is what I think..for 2 cents or whatever

[mullard12ax7]

81. because it sells better in the media

Personally, their deaths may be very important to you or meaningless but one thing is for sure, the media will exploit their deaths to maximum profit.

[Forkboy]

83. More patronizing bs.

[nadinbrzezinski]

87. Men in the shadows benefit from these stories

I feel for the family... but this belongs on TMZ, at the bottom of the hour (since it is news), or E-Network 24\7

But it is also an easy story to wrap their heads around.

:-)

And I feel for Germaine, the media will not keep their paws off.

Oh and the one hour to finally declare a code, is quite standard with a younger person... he was still in that category.

[Catchawave]

88. Pop culture is the fabric of our lives too

not that they are more important than anything else, it's still a loss.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

89. because we know them somewhat more than we know strangers?

we are human?

i dont know that there is any good reason here to get holier than thou

[Rhiannon12866]

93. The difference is that they're famous, and most people "know" them...

Any death diminishes us. However, mourning a talented and famous person serves as a distraction from the tragic situations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the serious troubles here at home... ;(

[saltpoint]

94. Who here's seen a Bigfoot?

[lib2DaBone]

95. They were Icons of the Boomer Generation...

..the 70's and 80's..... wait until Mick Jagger dies... I hope they at least give him as much attention

Rest in peace Michael and Farrah... thanks for the memories...

Fuck You Republican Assholes...

Carry on.....

[theboss]

97. They are not. But I've spent four hours glued to the tv today.

I assume you read nothing but feminist critics of history though.

[earth mom]

101. I hear you. One of my favorite musicians who was a huge environmentalist and humanitarian

died a year and a half ago and there was hardly any notice taken.

Even worse, no one gives a damn when people die in Iraq for a war based on a lie or die here in the U.S. because they have no health care.

Yet an accused pedophile like Michael Jackson is all over t.v. today and even here on DU being held up as some kind of frickin god.

:wtf:

Proving once again how fucked up this country is.

[democracy1st]

102. accused ,thank you

[earth mom]

104. Accused-but he even admitted on t.v. that he slept with children.

I'm not in denial about Michael Jackson.

[grace0418]

105. Oh good grief. People are having a human, heartfelt reaction. No one said it was

more important, it just happens to be someone that millions of people "know" and can identify their work as being meaningful to their life in some way. Our jobs (or lack thereof), our health care and our living standard will still be there to worry about tomorrow.

[fortyfeetunder]

109. Culture, history, etc.

I grew up listening to the music and have respect for the man and his artistry. That is what I mourn. It does not mean I have forgotten the other current events.

The reaction to MJ's and FF's passing is no different than when MLK and RFK were assassinated during the Vietnam war. Sure we knew there was a war that was going on and we had some SERIOUS issues in the late 60's. But the death of these two iconic figures was a significant historical moment.

[flvegan]

110. Consider upping your compassion bandwidth.

It's good for you.

[Zavulon]

112. Right - until we get everything we (YOU) want, nobody can act in shock or sadness due to the loss of

a couple of icons that so many of us grew up admiring.

ATTENTION PLEASE, EVERYONE - THE NEW POLICY IS IN. NO MOURNING UNTIL KOKO IS 100% HAPPY WITH THE WAY OF THE WORLD, GOT IT?

:sarcasm:

Congratulations on putting up the most arrogant, ridiculous post I've ever seen on DU. Neither star has been dead 24 hours yet, and you're already telling us how to feel. Where do you get off?

You make me sick. I'll grieve over Farrah whenever I want, however I want and as often as I want WITH OR WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION OR APPROVAL, and I thank the media for covering the stories. I only wish Farrah got equal time. They don't deserve a day or two of coverage (again, it hasn't even been a full day yet) for everything they've meant to pop culture?

If you ever decide to do what I think you should do with your pompous lecturing, make sure to consult a proctologist first.

[cherish44]

114. There's always going to be terrible things happening

No Michael Jackson death is not more tragic than anyone who died today. Someone dies, the people whose lives were touched by that person tend to show emotion and sadness and pay tribute to that person's life for a few days. Then there's a funeral and we carry on with life. There will always be crap going on that's important and serious, but taking time to honor someone who has passed away is just what we humans do. I guess MJ's passing is newsworthy because he was, well, kinda famous. In a couple weeks we'll be back to bitching about whatever it was we were bitching about yesterday I'm sure.

[nadinbrzezinski]

115. I don't get it either

I was even told perhaps you need to be an American to get it.

I am glad to see that some, perhaps many, native born folks don't get it either.

National mourning over what? The passing of a man who was a very flawed individual? (no, not grave dancing, that's the truth)

Yes, a musical genius, a great dancer... but what is going on RIGHT NOW is meant to distract. And the American people fall for it every fucking time.

Russert, MJ... there is a pattern

How much is not being told because of this?

Oh and the irony... MJ HATED the media, the same media that is right now playing with the emotions of people who like that

The same people who next week will tell us how failed CNN et al are.

The same who will fall for the same shit, different name, next time around.

The same who will help to enrich people

Perhaps it is not being an American or not, I leaned a LONG TIME AGO that yes, WE ALL ARE GONNA DIE some day. So this is not a needed reminder. Some of us die young, some of us live a long time. Celebrate between birth and death... if you wish, but grieve for somebody you do not know? I just don't get it.

[Raine]

117. Because they're more well known

millions know them. My father died last year, it grieved my family more than FF or MJ deaths. I don't expect people that never heard of my father to feel anything nor do I don't resent that they feel grief about FF or MJ.