As we all know, Michael Jackson died recently. Was it a sad moment? Yes. Was it necessarily the tragedy that everyone acted like it was? I don't think so. Yes, he was a pop icon that defined the 80's with his music and style, but what has he really done since that time besides turned into a closeted freak? I'm sure he was a highly misunderstood person who had a very difficult time living a normal life because he could not go anywhere without being mobbed. However, I don't think that his life is worth so much attention while everyday people who are loved are dying. Many of them much more tragic and selfless deaths while fighting for our country. I have been ranting about this to my close friends and family. I didn't watch any of the footage of his funeral and probably never will. I just don't care.
I received an email from a friend about a statement from one of our soldiers that I think puts my frustrations into better words than I can...the email is below.
No offense intended to anyone, just thought it was a good read.
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This is written by a young soldier serving his third tour of duty in Iraq. Thought you might find his take on the Michael Jackson news interesting and he's right.
Okay, I need to rant.
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?
Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"
I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military;
"So that others may live..."
Isaac
P.S.-"So that other's may live..." was also the creed of the Air Rescue & Recovery Service during Vietnam & is still today.
1 comment:
Yet again, I agree whole heartedly. It's so funny to see how people's perception of someone changes so much after their death. Yes, people probably should be remembered for the good things they did in life, but in the case of Micheal Jackson, it simply amazes me how most people said nothing of him except that he was a complete freak until after he died. He was not a god by any means and there are so many other people out there dying that deserve to be recognized for their contributions to the world, so many other families that are grieving and need our prayers.
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